• Parque Nacional San José, Costa Rica
    Provided by: Marek Poplawski / Shutterstock.com

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

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The Pedestrian Central Avenue

The Pedestrian Central Avenue

The pedestrianised Central Avenue is the heart and soul of San Jose. It is lined with shops, restaurants and bars. The avenue's mile-long brick pavement is busiest around 5pm when locals get off work and mill around downtown to hang out with friends, eat, enjoy live music and dance marimba. This is a great place to encounter the real urban Costa Rica and buy a few souvenirs. Bronze statues, elegant lampposts, and nostalgic architecture add beauty to the avenue. The Central Avenue connect major points of attraction: the Central Market, the Central Bank, the Cultural Plaza, the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, the Arts and Crafts Market, Democracy Plaza, and the historical Congress buildings. Take a free walking tour to get a better understanding of downtown San José. Don't forget to tip your guide!
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Spirogyra Butterfly Garden

Spirogyra Butterfly Garden

The butterfly garden is a must-visit for every San José traveller who appreciated the natural beauty. Wander through this enchanting garden and discover the colourful insects from 50–60 species fluttering around among the lush trees in a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat. The Spirogyra Butterfly Garden is located just north of the Simón Bolívar zoo. The conservatory includes flowering plants, cascading waterfalls and trees. A truly magical place just to sit and breathe. You can also take a short hike along the Torres river.
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Meet the Sloths at Toucan Rescue Ranch

Meet the Sloths at Toucan Rescue Ranch

If the zoo was not enough for you — head to the Toucan Rescue Ranch for some close encounters with exotic animals. The stars of the show are sloths, who come in all ages and sizes, and will make your heart melt. The staff at the wildlife rescue centre is there to take care of sloths, monkeys, parrots and owls with the ultimate goal of releasing these animals back into the wild rainforests. Best of all, the Toucan Rescue Ranch is only 30 minutes away from downtown San José.
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Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano

Located 90km northwest of San José, the active Arenal Volcano and its lush surroundings attract countless visitors every year. The surrounding jungle and the Lake Arenal — perfect for kayaking — make for an unforgettable nature experience. Most day tours to Arenal volcano will include a stop for some delicious local coffee, some adventurous experience like a zip-line flight through the rainforest, close encounters with exotic animals, a visit to hot springs and plenty of gorgeous views from viewing platforms.
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The All-in-One Package

The All-in-One Package

If you're not the one for spending all of your vacation time on the beach but also don't feel like creating a detailed adventure plan from scratch — go for the all-in-one option that's hustle free and exciting at the same time. Your 8-day tour will include accommodation in four-star hotels, comfortable transportations and quite a few delicious meals. And most importantly — the peace of mind. No hurried research, last-minute plan changes and missed bus rides.
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