San José, Costa Rica: A 3-Day Itinerary That Worked for Us (and Might for You)
We didn’t have huge expectations for San José. Let’s be honest—most people pass through on their way to beaches, volcanoes, or jungles. But we found plenty to keep us busy while we were there, and even a few surprises that made us glad we stuck around. That’s why we crafted this three-day itinerary—it’s our way of distilling the highlights of our trip into a manageable timeline. Whether you’re passing through on your way to the coast or want a short city break, this plan gives you a taste of San José’s history, culture, and laid-back vibe. Plus, it’s totally doable without feeling rushed.
Day 1 of Our San Jose, Costa Rica Itinerary: Science and Art
Morning: Museo La Salle (Natural Science Museum)
Quick Facts:
- Location: Sabana neighborhood, near La Sabana Metropolitan Park
- Getting There: We Ubered over since it would have been an hour and a half walk from our Studio8 accommodation and Ubers are super cheap!
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8 AM-4 PM, Sunday 9 AM-5 PM
- Entrance Fee:
- CRC 2,500 adults (about $5)
- CRC1,800 senior adult
- CRC1,800 children (2 to 12 years)
- (cost shown in Costa Rican Colones (CRC), the official currency of Costa Rica, a handy currency conversion can be found on Google here)
- Where to buy Tickets: At the door – no official way to buy online
- Highlights: Dinosaur park, rock and mineral displays, extensive butterfly exhibit. You can read more about the museum on our post dedicated to the San Jose Natural Science Museum here!
- Time spent: 2-3 hours
- Tip: Grab breakfast before you head out as there are not a lot of restaurant options in the immediate area (Pops La Sabana, a cute ice cream parlor just around the corner doesn’t open until 10am)
- AKA: Natural Science Museum La Salle, La Salle Natural Science Museum, La Salle Museum, Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle
Lunchtime: Stroll north of the park for best restaurant options.
Your destination for this afternoon is the Museum of Costa Rican Art – an easy 24-minute walk. However, if you walk straight there you’ll miss the opportunities for lunch that are scattered along the west and north sides of the park (Parque Metropolitano La Sabana) like Noguchi Asian Food and La Gauchada
Afternoon: Museum of Costa Rican Art
- Location: Eastern end of La Sabana Metropolitan Park
- Getting There: Walk from the Museo La Salle
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9 AM-4 PM
- Entrance Fee: Free admission
- Highlights: Local paintings, prints, sculpture garden, unique airport tower architecture
- Time spent: 1 hour
- AKA: Museo DE Arte Costarricense, Costa Rica Art Museum
Fun Facts About Costa Rica
Did you know that Costa Rica is home to over 5% of the world’s biodiversity, despite its small size? The country takes its environmental conservation seriously, with about 25% of its land protected as national parks and reserves.
Another fun fact: Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, dedicating those funds to education and healthcare instead, earning it the nickname “The Switzerland of Central America.” These unique aspects make Costa Rica not only a beautiful place to visit but also a fascinating one to learn about.
Day 2 of Our San Jose Costa Rica Itinerary: History and Culture
Morning: Jade Museum
- Location: Across the plaza from the National Museum of Costa Rica
- Getting There: We walked from our Studio8 accommodation (20 minutes) but Ubers are super cheap!
- Hours: Daily 8 AM-5 PM (except major holidays)
- Entrance Fee:
- Adults: $16
- Students with ID: $5
- Children 6-12 years: $2
- Children under 5 years: Free
- Highlights: Jade artifacts, Costa Rican history exhibits, ancient gold displays
- Time spent: 2 hours
- AKA: Museo del Jade
Lunchtime
We had lunch at Wong’s a very traditional dim sum restaurant that has been a local favorite for over ten years and you have several options in the immediate area.
Afternoon: National Museum of Costa Rica
- Location: Across from Jade Museum, near Plaza de la Democracia
- Getting There: It’s literally across the plaza from the Jade Museum
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, Sunday 9 AM-4:30 PM
- Entrance Fee: $11 USD per adult
- Highlights: Political and military history, economic and cultural exhibits, butterfly garden
- Time spent: 2.5-3 hours (we could have easily spent more time here!)
- AKA: Museo Nacional De Costa Rica
Day 3 of Our San Jose, Costa Rica Itinerary: Gold and Theater
Morning: Bank Museum / Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
- Location: Plaza de la Cultura on Av Central
- Getting there: Again, we walked from our Studio8 accommodation (25 minutes) but Ubers are super cheap if you’re not up for the walk
- Hours: Daily 9:15 AM-5 PM
- Entrance Fee: $16 USD for foreigners
- Highlights: Banking history, currency exhibits, pre-Columbian gold artifacts
- Time spent: 60-90 minutes
Lunchtime
From MacDonalds and Taco Bell to Argentina Restaurants-you have several options in the immediate area. (Way more than what google maps shows you!)
Afternoon: National Theater of Costa Rica (Must See)
- Location: Av Central at Plaza de la Cultura
- Getting there: It’s a five-minute stroll over from the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
- Hours: Open for visitors 9 AM-4 PM
- Entrance Fee: CRC 3,500.00 or about $7 USD for foreigners
- Highlights: The only way to see inside the theater is to buy tickets to a show or via Guided tour of the impressive theater, architectural details, and restoration work. Time spent: 45-minute tour plus 30 minutes for grounds and lobby
- Tip: Guided Tour tickets can be bought either through a third party, on the theater’s website (which doesn’t always work), or at the Ticket booth located outside, just north of the main entrance. But don’t do like we did and expect to buy tickets for the next tour. We highly recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance and then go to the ticket booth about an hour before your scheduled tour to pick up your tickets.
Costa Rica Celebrations
If your visit to San José coincides with one of Costa Rica’s many vibrant celebrations, you’re in for a treat. Costa Rica is known for its lively festivals that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage. From the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in November, where you can witness colorful altars and parades, to the Festival de la Luz in December, which illuminates the streets with dazzling lights and floats, there’s always something festive happening. Make sure to check the local calendar to see if you can experience one of these joyous occasions during your stay.
How much is $1 US in Costa Rica?
At the time of our visit, it cost about 20 cents to buy 100 colones (CRC). Google has a handy currency conversion built into it’s search engine. You can check the current conversion rate just by clicking this link.
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