Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica

Insider Tips for Your San José Adventure (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica)

The National Theater of Costa Rica, located in the heart of San José, is a must-visit for anyone interested in the country’s history and culture. Built in 1897, this neoclassical building is one of the most important landmarks in Costa Rica, showcasing its commitment to the arts and its European architectural influence.

During our visit, we took a guided tour that gave us a closer look at the theater’s history, design, and role in Costa Rican culture. From the detailed murals to the marble statues, we found plenty to appreciate, even if you’re not deeply familiar with theater or architecture. Whether you’re planning to see a performance or just explore the space, the National Theater offers something for any curious traveler.

How we ended up in San Jose with extra time on our hands

Initially our goal for our visit to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca was to investigate whether this idyllic coastal setting could potentially serve as our retirement spot. However, it didn’t take long for us to realize that a month of beachside relaxation wasn’t what we needed; our yearning for more more things to do beside sit on a beach and cooler temperatures prompted a change in plans. This shift led us to researching what to do in San Jose, where among other things, we explore the National Theater of Costa Rica.

The history of the National Theater

Construction started in 1890, initially funded by a tax on coffee exports, later shifting to a tax on imported goods, the building officially opened its doors in 1897. The National Theater boasts a rich history and incorporates a variety of influences in both its decoration and architecture.

In 1965 it was declared a National Monument. As the theater was originally built based on demands of the local population who wanted a replacement for the previous municipal theater – which had been destroyed by an earthquake – the entire history is one of essentially public ownership.

Our National Theater of Costa Rica Review or what we experienced on our guided tour of the National Theater of Costa Rica

As we stepped into the National Theater, every direction beckoned with noteworthy features. The intricate details, reminiscent of both baroque and rococo styles, and occasional hints of art deco, immediately caught our attention. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, let’s break down the architectural and artistic details that left us in awe.

The theater’s construction involved significant contributions from Italy, from sculptures to artists. The ceiling artwork, akin to the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel, adorned the space. Even the second-floor seating area surprised us with cameos painted on the ceilings, adding an unexpected layer of detail. The entire space was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, from the sculpted columns to the impressive tilework on the floors. No surface was left undecorated, making every corner a visual delight.

The standing lighting fixtures in common areas showcase unique designs, each a testament to intricate detailing featuring cherubs, angels, floral motifs, and the occasional dolphins.

The auditorium  of the National Theatre owes its style to the 19th century opera house.

The ceiling displays a masterpiece by the Italian painter Roberto Fontana, made in 1897. A huge chandelier hangs from the center. We had the rare opportunity to see the chandelier being lowered so that the staff could clean and replace the light bulbs.

The main floor in front of the stage, with its traditional sloping design and seating, revealed a surprising feature: the entire floor, once all the seating was removed and stored, could be raised to stage level in about twenty minutes, with the help of a huge mechanism in the basement, and powered entirely by humans. It provides the theater with the adaptability to host a wide range of productions, from traditional plays to concerts and ballets, enhancing the overall versatility of the space. The mechanism to allow this is pretty spectacular on its own and is still in use to this day.

At the time of our visit the theater was undergoing an intensive restoration which highlighted the theater’s commitment to preserving its history. Lucky for us we were given a peek into the restoration on the third floor where restoration experts are removing the plaster decorations from the walls, painstakingly cleaning the pieces and applying new gold leaf before the decorations are returned to their rightful place.

The third floor also houses the most blatant reminders of how much differently the upper class was treated in years past. Ornate and plush couches for relaxing during intermission as well as dedicated smoking rooms – one for the gentlemen and one for the ladies, thank you very much – live beneath an exquisitely painted ceiling and are overseen by impressive sculptures.

Is the Guided Tour of the National Theater worth it?

Our guide was knowledgeable and thorough, we really enjoyed the experience a great deal. She gave us an amazing amount of information on the history of the theater as well as some insight on the various design elements. She also pointed out a lot of details we wouldn’t necessarily have noticed on our own.

Since we are both interested in art, architecture and history we felt that it was well worth the time and money as well as a good value.

Where to get National Theater of Costa Rica tickets

So it’s not immediately clear where the ticket booth is located and it’s not in the most obvious location but rather is located around to the left side of the building. Look for the ‘Boletaria’ sign as you approach the building.

Once you have your ticket, you need to go to the lobby about 15 minutes before your scheduled tour and check in for your tour; at the far right hand corner as you come in there is a wee little desk, you check-in and they give you a qr sticker to put on your chest. The gathering process is a little chaotic because it’s a big lobby with a lot of people (both for the tour and just visiting the lobby, plus people coming in and out of the Alma De Café.

In our case we spotted the obvious Americans and once we got involved in conversation more English speakers joined us so the group was pretty much gathered when the tour guide came to collect us.

For a more comprehensive look at what you’ll see on the tour, check out our video of the experience on YouTube

Practical Information for Your Visit:

Where is the National Theater of Costa Rica?: The theater is located at Avenida 2, C. 5, San José, Catedral, Costa Rica. The Main entrance is located on the pedestrian walkway between the theater and the Plaza Juan Mora Fernández

Opening Hours: The National Theater of Costa Rica is open Monday through Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm every hour with guided tours every hour.

Important Note about Guided Tours: As stated earlier the Spanish and English tours are staggered, meaning they are scheduled at different times throughout the day. For example, an English tour might start at 10:00 AM, while a Spanish tour could begin at 11:00 AM. This allows the theater to accommodate speakers of both languages without overlapping tours.

Also Note: English Tours sell out quickly! Go to the ticket booth early in the day and purchase your tickets. We had arrived at 1:45 PM only to find that all the English tours were sold out. Fortunately, when we came back the next morning at 9:45 we were able to secure spots on a 10:15 AM English tour.

Ticket Prices: Guide Tour Tickets are priced in colones (CRC 3,500 for foreigners), which at the time of our visit was roughly $1 USD = 514 CRC. For the two of us, the total cost was less than $14 USD.

Is the Alma De Café attached to the theater worth visiting? The cafe was packed while we were there so we chose to skip it – there are plenty of other cafes in the area

In crafting our posts highlighting things to do in the destinations we visit, our primary aim it’s about kindling the spirit of exploration in our readers, rather than serving as an exhaustive list. We want to ignite the curiosity and wanderlust within individuals and inspire readers to step out of their comfort zones and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of waiting to be discovered by those with an adventurous heart. Share with your friends!