11 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica

11 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica

Travel rarely goes exactly according to plan, and that’s certainly the case for us. Our Costa Rica itinerary got a little shuffled around, leaving us with some unplanned downtime in downtown San Jose. No worries though, that’s just part of the nomadic life! We prefer to lace up our shoes and explore the city on foot, so here are some of the best things to do in San Jose for budget-minded travelers like us. Whether you’re a traveler or just looking for affordable ways to experience San Jose, these spots are definitely worth checking out!

Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, surprised us! It’s a city that blends historical landmarks with modern energy, offering a glimpse into the country’s vibrant culture. Wander through bustling market, explore world-class museums, or relax in peaceful parks - San Jose caters to all our interests. Here’s a list of affordable things to do in this beautiful city!

If you only have one day in San Jose, here’s a winning combo to maximize your San Jose experience in a single day: ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Sights Featured in This Article

Guide Name: 11 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica
Guide Location: Costa Rica » San Jose
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sandra & Jeff Mayernik
Read it on Author's Website: https://themobileretiree.com/things-to-do-in-san-jose-costa-rica/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Jade Museum
  • National Museum of Costa Rica
  • Natural Science Museum La Salle
  • Museum of Costa Rican Art
  • La Sabana Park
  • Mercado Central
  • Parque La Sabana
  • Teatro Nacional
  • Parque Nacional
  • Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Insider Tips for San Jose, Costa Rica

Highlights of San Jose

Highlights of San Jose

Hardly anyone budgets time for San Jose beyond an overnight stop on the way to other destinations in Costa Rica when the flight schedule dictates so. Spending time in the capital city in a country that is famous for its sun, sea, rainforests, and fauna sounds a bit wasteful. That sentiment is not entirely undeserved. The city can never be mistaken for impressive. In fact, it looks decidedly not...  view more
22 Trip Defining Activities to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica

22 Trip Defining Activities to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica

It goes without saying that San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica for a reason, and it is a must-visit for anyone traveling to the country.
Travel Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica

Travel Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica

Sometimes, you need a place to unplug and relax, and not feel rushed to run around and see and do everything under the sun. And February 2019 was a time in my life that I really, really needed it.
Traveler's Shopping Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica

Traveler's Shopping Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica

Not to be confused with San Jose, sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country, renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural and wildlife scene. To memorize your trip to Costa Rica, you will definitely want to pick up something...  view more
Backpackers Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica

Backpackers Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica

We ended up having 3 separate stays in San José, at the beginning, in the middle during Santa Semana, and at the end just before going to the airport for our next destination. It seems only right therefore that we include San Jose in our blog posts. We arrived with high hopes of seeing things we had never seen before. In that time we saw much of the capital, which included both highlights and...  view more

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose

17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose

Not to be confused with San Jose, the sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural...
Insider Tips Overview