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San José, the capital of Costa Rica
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San José

San José is the capital city of Costa Rica, nestled in the heart of Central America. As the nation's largest city, it serves as the cultural, economic, and political centre of the country.

Photo: Alejandro Álvarez Taborda (Aleat88) (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Quick facts

Population
342,188 (city, 2018)
Currency
Costa Rican colón (CRC)
Language
Spanish
Timezone
CST (UTC-6)
Local time now
02:59:43

Hotels in San José

San José offers a range of accommodation options for visitors to Costa Rica's capital. From the Royal Garden Hotel to Hotel Avenida Central and Hotel Metropolitano, there are hotels available to suit different preferences and budgets in the city. See all hotels →

Royal Garden Hotel
127 m from centre
Hotel Avenida Central
151 m from centre
Hotel Metropolitano
164 m from centre

Airports in San José

San José is served by two international airports: Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría and Aeropuerto Internacional Tobías Bolaños. These gateways provide convenient access to Costa Rica's capital city and the surrounding region. See all airports →

Aeropuerto Internacional Tobías Bolaños
7.1 km from centre
Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría
15.6 km from centre

Car Hire in San José

San José offers several car rental companies to suit your travel needs. Options include Thrifty, National Rent A Car, Solid Car Rental, Discount Car Rental, and Budget, giving you flexibility in choosing the right vehicle for exploring Costa Rica. See all car hire →

Thrifty
821 m from centre
National Rent A Car
964 m from centre
Solid Car Rental
1.3 km from centre
Discount Car Rental
1.3 km from centre

Things to Do in San José

San José offers visitors a range of things to do, from cultural landmarks to public spaces. Notable attractions include monumental sites like Monumento a La Chola, as well as various named locations throughout the city such as Al Trabajador, Juan Pablo II, and several civic landmarks that reflect the character of Costa Rica's capital. See all things to do →

Al Trabajador
30 m from centre
Juan Pablo II
66 m from centre
Obispo Bernardo Augusto Thiel Hoffman
72 m from centre
Mons. Juan Gaspar Stork Werth
88 m from centre
Monumento a La Chola
164 m from centre
Juan Mora Fernández
218 m from centre

Restaurants in San José

San José offers a variety of dining experiences ranging from casual eateries to established restaurants. Whether you're looking for local flavours or international cuisine, the city has options including popular spots like La Terraza, Choko, Spoon, Pizza Hut, and Vishnu. See all restaurants →

La Terraza
regional · 78 m from centre
Choko
mediterranean · 128 m from centre
Spoon
141 m from centre

Swimming Pools in San José

San José offers several swimming pools for residents and visitors looking to cool off and exercise. Notable pools in the city include Piscina Claudia Poll, Piscina Sylvia Poll, Piscina AGECO, Piscina 3, and Piscina María del Milagro París, providing various options for swimming and aquatic activities. See all swimming pools →

Piscina Claudia Poll
1.1 km from centre
Piscina Sylvia Poll
1.1 km from centre
Piscina AGECO
1.6 km from centre

Spas in San José

We're still gathering spas listings for San José — check back soon.

Nightlife in San José

San José offers a lively nightlife scene with venues ranging from dance clubs to salsa bars. Experience the energy at popular spots like Club Arcadas, La Avispa, Salsa 54, and Colageno's Disco Bar, where locals and visitors gather to enjoy music and dancing late into the night. See all nightlife →

CLub Arcadas
301 m from centre
La Avispa
322 m from centre
Salsa 54
389 m from centre

Bars in San José

San José offers a variety of bars where locals and visitors can enjoy drinks and nightlife. From Golden Bar to Cervecería Calle Cimarrona, the city has options ranging from casual neighborhood spots like Bar Gran Papá to more specialized venues. See all bars →

Avenida Uno
134 m from centre
Golden Bar
196 m from centre
Cervecería Calle Cimarrona
231 m from centre

Cafes in San José

San José offers a vibrant cafe culture with a mix of traditional and contemporary coffee spots. From long-established venues like Rincon Retana, which has been serving customers since 1943, to modern cafes such as Tostador, La Mancha, Alma de Café, and Fud Fad, there is plenty to explore for coffee enthusiasts. See all cafes →

Tostador
146 m from centre
La Mancha
coffee_shop · 226 m from centre
Alma de Café
268 m from centre

Shopping in San José

San José offers a variety of shopping destinations for visitors and locals alike. From supermarkets like Gollo and Ekono to shopping centers such as Plaza Universal and Condominio Las Américas, the capital provides convenient retail options throughout the city. See all shopping →

Gollo
98 m from centre
Condominio Las Américas
197 m from centre
Ekono
205 m from centre

Nature & Wildlife in San José

San José offers several spaces to experience nature and wildlife, including Parque Central de San José, Plaza Juan Mora, and Parque Castro Madriz. The city also features the Acuario, providing opportunities to discover local fauna and natural attractions. See all nature & wildlife →

Parque Central de San José
0 m from centre
Plaza Juan Mora
222 m from centre
Parque Castro Madriz
225 m from centre
Boulevard Del Correo
291 m from centre
Acuario
300 m from centre
Plaza de la Cultura
301 m from centre

Climate snapshot

San José experiences a tropical highland climate with relatively mild temperatures throughout the year due to its elevation. The city has a wet season and a dry season, with lush green landscapes during the rainy months and clearer skies during the drier period.

Frequently Asked Questions About San José

What is the capital of Costa Rica?

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica.

What currency is used in San José?

The Costa Rican colón is the official currency used in San José and throughout Costa Rica.

What language is spoken in San José?

Spanish is the primary language spoken in San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

What region is San José located in?

San José is located in Central America as the capital city of Costa Rica.

What is the timezone in San José?

San José operates on America/Costa_Rica timezone.

Map of San José

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