San Jose Costa Rica is located in the Central Valley in the centre of the country. Many travellers advised us just to get in and get out but we considered giving San Jose a chance and stayed for 5 nights, and we glad we did. Have you been to San Jose in Costa Rica?
Accommodation is reasonably priced but we found eating out and buying simple grocery items quite expensive, in fact, similar price structure to our home town of Sydney, Australia.
Downtown is very busy especially on the weekends, this is where you will find a lot of restaurants, hotels and museums.
What we enjoyed in San Jose Costa Rica
1. San Jose Walking Tour
Jeff and Duncan inside the National Theatre
Jeff Mesa, the owner of Polis Walking Tours was our Tour Guide for the morning. Jeff is very knowledgeable especially on the National Theater of Costa Rica. From our 2 and a half hour walk around town we learnt more about San Jose Costa Rica than if we had read a guide book.
Espana Park
Monday to Saturday at 9am and 1pm
Meeting point: in front of the principal gate of the National Theater of San Jose Costa Rica
Duration: 2.30 minutes
Bring: water, umbrella and hat
Our blog post on the walking tour can be read here.
2. Mercado Central
Mercado Central
Central Mercado
Established in 1880 Mercado Central is the largest market in the city. Fruit and vegetable stalls alongside house hold products, clothing and souvenirs.
La Sorbetera De Lolo Mora in Central Mercado
Our favourite food stall was La Sorbetera de Lolo Mora – we dare you to walk past it without trying its famous sorbet and order the barquillos – sugar candy sticks that you dip into the sorbet.
3. Feria Verde de Aranjuez
Saturday Market
Chocolate anyone?
Location: Calle 19
Open: Saturday
The market started in 2008 and offers organic produce, cheeses, chocolates, crafts, food and coffee etc.
4. Zuppa – San Joses’ latest restaurant
Zuppa
Officially opened on Thursday 12th November 2015. Simple good food is their motto!
Zuppa Combination Meal of Soup and Salad
We enjoyed their vast menu of good fresh food which includes soups, salads, sandwiches etc.
Location: Avenida Central, San Jose Costa Rica
Opening hours: 9am – 9pm
Check out their Facebook page
See our other blog posts on Costa Rica, click on this link.
