What to do in Costa Rica?

San José destinations

National Theater of Costa Rica, Main Room. Photo credits: Mariella del Risco

San José is the capital of Costa Rica. In this city, you will find museums, restaurants with the most varied gastronomic offers, shopping malls, and colorful markets for those who want to know more about the Costa Rican essence.

Here we show you some of these:

  • National Theater of Costa Rica: Located in the heart of San José and constituted as the most important cultural center of the country, this place has not only been the scene of first-world presentations in music, dance, or theatre, but all of it is a work of art that tells the story of a coffee-growing country that has always dreamed big. It is considered the architectural jewel of the country.
  • Costa Rican Art Museum: Located in La Sabana, it presents all those activities related to the plastic arts of Costa Rica in its walls and halls. It gathers and shows works of the most renowned national and international plastic artists, mainly in painting, sculpture, and photography.
  • The Museums of the Central Bank of Costa Rica: In its subway exhibition halls located under the Plaza de la Cultura, offer visitors permanent exhibits on archaeology, visual arts, numismatics, and other topics, in addition to a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions related to their collections, all housed in extraordinary facilities.
  • National Museum of Costa Rica: Once an old fort, where President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the army with a symbolic blow to one of its walls; it is located on Central and Second Avenue, on the east side of the Plaza de la Democracies, very close to the National Theatre; it is now a precinct that exhibits a wide range of exhibits on natural history, anthropology, and archaeology, and also offers lectures, workshops, specialized collections, and guided tours.
  • San Jose Central Market is a well-known place, where many tourists experience the real daily Costa Rican life. The Central Market is not just a commercial place; in fact, it has a life of its own. From sunup to sundown, it has a particular bustle that attracts over 20 thousand people a day. It’s a place to experience Costa Rica’s culture and history.
  • Museo the Jade: one of our best suggestions. Here you will find tons of artistic decorations from our ancestors and many interactive displays to play around around the museum.

Other destinations departing from San José

Manuel Antonio National Park. Photo credits: SINAC Costa Rica
  • Arenal Volcano and hot springs: These tours offer the auspicious site of the imposing Arenal Volcano and its soothing thermal waters. There are several options for hot spring resorts. Would you like to sleep next to an active volcano with beautiful landscapes? This is the option.
  • Poas Volcano: The Poás Volcano is an active 2,708-metre (8,885 ft) stratovolcano. The volcano’s crater is over a mile across and 1050 feet deep. It has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April 2017. At the Volcano, you will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles and hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as you learn about the different ecosystems in the park. Do you want to see an active volcano from its crater? This is the option.
  • Irazu Volcano: The Irazu Volcano (Volcán Irazú) is another active volcano situated in the Cordillera Central just a few kilometers from Cartago, and it is a relatively short and pleasant drive from the Capital city of San Jose. You can also see the entire active volcano directly from its crater in this place.
  • La Paz Waterfall Gardens: This animal sanctuary is where you will go through walking trails surrounded by lush tropical rainforests. You will appreciate flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds here. Educational animal exhibits include the aviary, butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, serpentarium, jungle cats, and frogs.
  • Lankester Gardens: is a University of Costa Rica Center for Investigation that protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads, and countless other plants.
  • Manuel Antonio National Park: Manuel Antonio National Park is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in Costa Rica. You will visit pristine beaches with coral reefs, bordered by exuberant vegetation and the natural wonders of the tropical rainforest. The beaches in Manuel Antonio are highly coveted as some of Costa Rica has best.

Besides the previous list, you can find additional suggestions in the  following link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g291982-Activities-Costa_Rica.html

Weather

In November, the weather in Costa Rica is usually a transition between the rainy and dry season. You’ll likely see a few rain showers. Daytime temperatures typically range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-30°C). Having a small umbrella with you will always be good advice.