How to Spend 48 Hours in San José, Costa Rica

If you are checking out Costa Rica, you will most probably fly into the country’s biggest airport, which is in San José. Although numerous vacationers assert that the city is not worth spending additional than a working day in, I wished to give it the chance it warrants.

As it transpires, I cherished San José. It is a bit rough around the edges, but I can enjoy a excellent amount of grit in a spot. Mainly because I consider it’s a spot that you shouldn’t skip more than, here’s my just take on how to have an wonderful time in the country’s cash:

Things to Do in San José, Costa Rica

1. Explore Spirogyra Butterfly Back garden

The Spirogyra Butterfly Backyard is truly magical, and I nevertheless just cannot consider it exists in these kinds of a hectic, city heart. It calls alone the lungs of the town, and for great cause. Aside from obtaining an enclosed butterfly back garden with dozens of species traveling all-around, the house encompasses a dense piece of jungle appropriate on the Río Torres.

The organizers of Spirogyra are doing work tricky to conserve native butterfly species and continue to keep the river cost-free of contamination. Their attempts are apparent as shortly as you stage onto the footpath. It feels like you have absolutely still left San José and are immersed in the Costa Rican jungle, all although continue to staying in the coronary heart of the town.

It expenditures 3,600 colones ($5 USD) to go to Spirogyra Butterfly Backyard, which consists of accessibility to the whole home. Definitely put together for mosquitos and a muddy path if checking out in the rainy period!

2. Head to Simón Bolivar Zoo and Botanical Backyard garden

I unfortunately wasn’t in a position to see the within of Simón Bolivar Zoo and Botanical Backyard, mainly because it was not open up when I visited. Nonetheless, from the park’s web page, it seems like a actual deal with, and it is just around the block from Spirogyra. Below you’ll locate an impressive botanical back garden featuring a range of ferns, orchids, and other native plant species. There is also a wide variety of animals, which is a awesome way to commence your excursion in Costa Rica, as numerous of them you may well only be able see in the wild.

3. Pay a visit to Hacienda La Chimba

If you adore coffee as a great deal as I do, don’t move up the prospect to test out Hacienda La Chimba whilst you’re in San José. Listed here you are going to obtain 65 hectares of nature trails and espresso fields, and an total museum dedicated to anything Costa Rican coffee. The Mantra Path has an awesome viewpoint the place you can stroll out on to a big picket hand. I needed to check out the trails, but regrettably there was a gigantic downpour ideal when I arrived.

Even with the rain, I appreciated viewing La Chimba. The espresso was breathtaking, and the surroundings even extra so. There are also a lot of things to do you can just take aspect in, such as zip-lining and heading on a espresso-relevant tour it appeared pretty pricey, at about $25 for just an hour, so I skipped it and explored on my possess alternatively. If you had been to go to throughout the harvesting and processing season for the espresso plantation in September, even so, the tour may possibly be value it as you’d be capable to actually see the put in action.

4. Master about Costa Rican history at Mercado Borbón

If you want to learn about a Latin American metropolis and its individuals in the quickest way doable, go to the biggest fruit and vegetable industry in town Mercado Borbón. Below you’ll also discover a mind-blowing range of fruits and vegetables, some that appear like they belong on another earth!

There are also a number of areas of Mercado Borbón that hold an vital location in the record and society of San José, like the banana stand previously mentioned. The market’s history is a single of resistance and resilience, a story that paints a colourful image of Costa Rican grit. This particular banana vendor was one of the 1st in Costa Rica to market bananas autonomously, devoid of the command of multinational businesses.

I frequented the market on a food and sightseeing tour. I was lucky sufficient to be the only individual who signed up that day, so my tutorial, a San José native, was pleased to answer all of my questions.

5. Appreciate the sights, smells, and tastes of the Mercado Central

Mercado Central is undoubtedly a lot more nicely-known than Mercado Borbón, which is apparent in how packed it will get in the mornings. Right here you will see locals executing their fruit and vegetable purchasing, visitors checking out the souvenirs, and organization people today grabbing a brief empanada just before perform. My guidebook discussed that Mercado Central is the beating heart of San José, and I can see why!

This sprawling current market has anything you can imagine, from unique fruits to organic cure stands to smaller coffee outlets, and a lot a lot more. It’s also dwelling to Costa Rica’s very first and most renowned ice product spot: La Sorbetera de Lolo Mora.

6. Just take a stroll by the Museum of Costa Rican Art…

The Museum of Costa Rican Art is smaller but mighty, that includes paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media parts by Costa Rica’s most popular artists. There are the two indoor and out of doors areas, with a broad assortment of functions that reveal the country’s artistic diversity.

The museum is free, which was a enormous draw for me, considering that other individuals in San José can value up to $20 to go to. I only used about an hour there, as it is rather smaller, but it’s suitable upcoming to Parque La Sabana so you can hit up both of those areas if you’d like.

7. …and do not overlook to test out the Gold Place

I almost skipped this, because I did not see at to start with that the museum experienced a next stage. Up the winding staircase you’ll discover symptoms pointing to the “Salon de Oro.” The place has 360-degree golden mural depicting quotidian scenes from Costa Rica’s previous. It was when an airport lounge, as the existing-day La Sabana park future door was the web site of San José’s airport till the late 1940s. It’s rather spectacular and worthy of having a lap all over to see the mural’s compact specifics.

8. Enterprise out to Lankester Botanical Garden

Lankester Botanical Backyard garden, component of the College of Costa Rica, is effectively really worth the hour-very long push from the middle of San José. Listed here you can discover a intellect-boggling assortment of orchids, a lot of of which I experienced never ever found before and appeared like impressive is effective of artwork. There is also a serene Japanese backyard, which consists of a standard tea and meditation home reproduction and Zen backyard garden.

There are excursions readily available, which you have to plan forward of time. This would be excellent if you’re especially enthusiastic about vegetation, but I liked just roaming all-around the gardens and observing on my have.

9. Acquire a day journey to Cartago, Costa Rica’s old funds metropolis

Bathe oneself in Costa Rican background by checking out the country’s initially capital city, Cartago. The city is just a 40-minute bus trip from San José and is the spot to discover about Costa Rica’s past.

Promptly on arrival, I felt the stark contrast between Cartago and San José. Where by the latter has tall buildings and an city edge, the previous has a mix of outdated and new, with the most central aspect of the metropolis featuring the so-known as ruins of an unfinished cathedral. They are as mysterious as they are photogenic, but they are only the commencing of the historic gems you are going to discover below.

Head to the Cartago Municipal Museum and browse for free. I went there hunting for a mural that depicts the record of Costa Rica and was blown away by its sizing, depth, and imagery.

I suggest visiting Cartago in the morning, grabbing a brief food in the Municipal Sector, and exploring on foot. From there, you can also quickly Uber to the abovementioned Lankester Botanical Back garden to round out an amazing working day trip.

10. Admire the city’s road artwork

Like many Latin American towns, San José has street artwork on just about each block. Moreover just decorating the metropolis with vivid shades, these murals also provide to notify San José’s story. When I was in a position to stumble on a lot of murals basically by walking all over Barrio Amón, Barrio Bird, and the metropolis heart, a additional successful way to understand about these murals is by having a tour like this just one made available by Barrio Chook Going for walks Tours.

Where to Stay in San José

I truthfully received extremely fortunate with my accommodations in San José, since I just can’t picture a much better community to continue to be in than Barrio Amón, 1 of the city’s oldest and most secure neighborhoods. There are a lot of other areas, including downtown San José, that I would not recommend. If you’re browsing for the 1st time and want to continue to be someplace central, peaceful, and safe, decide on Barrio Amón or Barrio Escalante.

I adored my Airbnb in Barrio Amón. The location built it quick to wander in all places, in addition it was in a secure place with a lot of restaurants and cafés close by. If you’re backpacking or just want to meet other vacationers, Selina is a fantastic selection, and it was just down the street from the place I stayed.

Keeping Safe in San José

Like several Central American towns, San José has a reputation for not remaining the safest area to pay a visit to. Pickpocketing is common, especially in crowded areas and at night. As a solo female traveler, I have to admit that there have been a couple of moments in the course of my short time in town when I felt my risk radar ping. On the other hand, I continue to think this metropolis is a good one for tourists like me.

That mentioned, I don’t recommend walking any place on your own at night time in San José, interval. Uber is reasonably priced below, so if you have to wander much more than a few blocks, just seize 1. I also never advise going for walks with your wallet or cell phone in your hand or pockets at any time of day. As a substitute, keep them in a fanny pack or an inside of pocket of a backpack worn on the front of your overall body. Even locals do this, so don’t come to feel foolish about executing also.

I also really don’t propose wandering all over neighborhoods you aren’t familiar with. Aside from the downtown strolling streets in Barrio Amón and Barrio Escalante, I didn’t do a entire whole lot of checking out on foot listed here. That is for the reason that when I walked from my Airbnb to a cafe only 15 minutes away, I observed myself in a neighborhood I didn’t come to feel totally protected in. In purchase to not have a repeat of that second, I determined to plan my routes just before heading out from then on, and took Ubers if there was a lot more than a 10-minute wander by means of a neighborhood I was not common with however.

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Just before traveling to San José, I wasn’t so certain how substantially I’d appreciate a Costa Rican concrete jungle, as opposed to the lush green kinds that most people today flock to. On the other hand, I found that there ended up some enchanting pockets that proved erroneous most of the detrimental issues I’d browse about San José currently being filthy and unappealing. I stand by giving it a prospect and possessing an open up intellect, as there’s so considerably to like about this vibrant town.