San Jose

Urban Riverfront

Population: 2 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September–October

Famous For: National Museum, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Teatro Nacional, Central Market (Mercado Central), Local cuisine, Coffee culture, Vibrant downtown area

Train Access: Yes (Tren Metropolitano (San José-San Pedro line))

Bus Access: Yes (Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metropolitano (SITCM) and various private bus operators)

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, sits in the Central Valley at 1,200 meters elevation with a temperate climate year-round. The city's cultural heart centers on Plaza de la Cultura, flanked by the Teatro Nacional (a 1897 neoclassical masterpiece) and the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which houses one of the world's largest collections of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. The Barrio Escalante neighborhood has transformed into the city's dining and nightlife hub, with restaurants like Silvestre and Al Mercat drawing both locals and visitors along its pedestrian streets. The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica occupies the 1870 Bellavista Fortress and displays natural history, pre-Columbian artifacts, and contemporary art across its courtyards and galleries. For urban green space, Parque La Sabana stretches 72.5 hectares and includes the Museo de Arte Costarricense, jogging paths, and sports facilities. The Barrio San Pedro district near the University of Costa Rica pulses with student energy, independent cafés, and bookstores, while the upscale Barrio Escalante and Los Yoses neighborhoods offer tree-lined streets and local markets.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Keep reading. It is free.