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San José Central Market

San José Central Market: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Tour

1. San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Tour

Get up close and personal with Costa Rican life, through local food, history, and even the herbal remedies of folk medicine. Enjoy a hands-on lesson on exotic plants, fruits, and vegetables, and enjoy several local food samples on this guided tour. Stroll through the streets with a local as they show you the ins-and-outs of daily life. Start with a morning pick-me-up coffee in a café located in the Central Market. Then, take a stroll through the vibrant market, tasting local fresh fruits. Next, sample empanadas and continue along local roads towards the Borbon Market. Seeing diverse sites the Cathedral, National Theater, and the beautiful parks will help you get to know the country and its rich history. Finally, visit a special coffee store where you will find coffee and chocolates produced by women. Learn to prepare coffee, enjoy a tamal, and make plantain empanadas before concluding your tour.

San José: Guided City Bus Tour With Lunch & Welcome Drink

2. San José: Guided City Bus Tour With Lunch & Welcome Drink

Get to know Costa Rica’s bustling capital San José on a bus tour with a local guide. Make stops at La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the Museum of Costa Rican Art, the National Theater, and more. Round off your fun-packed day with lunch at a local restaurant, then get taken back to your hotel. Begin your tour by getting picked up directly from your hotel. Hop on board the double decker bus to the sound of live folk music and enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail. Sit back and let yourself be entertained by your charming guides, who will begin with a short history of the city. Make your first stop La Sabana Metropolitan Park, where you will be able to take a quick stroll as well as have a look inside the Museum of Costa Rican Art. Hop back on the bus and head to the outdoor Central Market. Take in the atmosphere and buy local goods and food (not included in the price). Next, visit the city’s Central Park to witness the National Monument, a bronze statue of five women. Listen to your guide tell you about the meaning behind the statue and the history of Central American resistance to colonization. Continue on to the National Theater. Follow your guide around the lavish lobby in European design, which was constructed with money from taxes on coffee exports. After another short bus ride, stop at the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and marvel at the impressive gold collection. At the end of the tour, stop off at a nearby eatery for lunch, and chow down on some traditional Costa Rican dishes. Use the opportunity to ask your guide any questions you may have about the city’s history and culture. Finally, allow the bus to drop you off at your hotel.

San Jose: Central Market Tour with Food and Coffee Tasting

3. San Jose: Central Market Tour with Food and Coffee Tasting

Explore the biggest and oldest market in San Jose City on a guided tour. Founded in 1880, stroll through a site that offers a glimpse into the true Costa Rican way of living, their customs, and traditions. Browse through the intricate aisles and taste unique snacks and sweets. Join your professional guide for a trip into the heart of Costa Rican culture. Dive into the busy Central Market for an authentic experience of the local lifestyle. Hear about the history of this ancient market and learn about each of the traditional products sold. Observe and shop for typical handcrafts as you walk around. Sample exotic fruits and dishes that may include empanadas, cheese tortillas, 'chicharrones' (pork rind), and tamales. Sip on artisanal coffee and taste the emblematic 'sorbetera' ice cream.

San Jose By Night: Culture, Gourmet Dinner, Wine & Cocktails

4. San Jose By Night: Culture, Gourmet Dinner, Wine & Cocktails

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the city. Explore San Jose by Night, complete with local markets, cultural icons, and a tasty dinner with wine! Starting with the Central Market, which, is the only way to learn about the city’s food. Stroll the market with your local guide and get to know the secrets, uses of the roots, herbs, and fruit common in local cuisines, including ingredients that will play a role in your authentic Costa Rican dinner later. The locals say that you can get anything you need at the Central Market, even love potions for attracting a boyfriend or girlfriend. After the market, we’ll make our way down Central Avenue, learning about the city’s history and anecdotes, as well as visiting one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in San Jose, the National Theatre. From there, our appreciation for San Jose’s historical architecture continues, with a walk through Morazán Park and we will visit Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop to make el "Morenito" one delicious coffee cocktail and try "Golden Rush" cocktail. We’ll continue to charm Barrio Amon, one the oldest neighborhoods we’ll be spending the rest of the evening at a favorite restaurant that specializes in wine and gourmet food. This cozy establishment offers the best in Costa Rican cuisine a unique space that offers art, culture, history as well as fine dining.

San Jose: City Tour by Night

5. San Jose: City Tour by Night

Learn about the rich culture and history of Costa Rica on a guided tour of the city of San Jose by night. Start the tour with pickup from your hotel and travel to La Sabana Park where you will meet your guide. Here, get an overview of the history of Costa Rica's capital city. Learn about the history and current political climate of Costa Rica as you wander through the city with your guide. Stop outside sites of historical interest such as the National Theater, a monument built in 1897 known as "the Jewel of San Jose." See the Costa Rican Gold Museum, several national embassies, the National Stadium, and the University of Costa Rica. At the end of the tour, enjoy a delicious traditional dinner in one of the most fashionable areas of the city.

San Jose: City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide

6. San Jose: City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide

San Jose offers you the chance to discover a secluded location in the Central Valley of Costa Rica with its skyline dominated by the majestic Talamanca Mountains, hugging the city to the south, and a volcano ridge to the north. Why Costa Rica is a trendy destination for ecotourism and adventure travel? Is that true that San Jose have not street addresses? Which is the Costa Rican influence at The National Theater? What means Pura Vida? Gaze at San Jose’s local architecture which reflects strong Spanish colonial influence manifested in places like Catedral Metropolitana in Calle Central, and the neoclassical National Theater presiding over downtown’s Plaza de la Cultura. Get ready to experience Costa Rica from a different perspective. A local charismatic guide will reveal interesting facts about San Jose. Pura Vida!

San José: 4-Hour Guided Walking Tour

7. San José: 4-Hour Guided Walking Tour

This guided walking excursion will take you through San José’s main attractions, with an expert local guide on hand to teach you about the city’s history and traditions. Stop by important buildings and areas, and gain a deeper understanding of Costa Rican culture. You’ll be picked up from your hotel to start the tour at the National Theater of Costa Rica. Then, visit the iconic Iglesia de la Merced, followed by the Museum of Costa Rican Art. Next, wander through the historical Plaza de la Cultura and Plaza de la Democracia. Your next stop will be the Central Market, with its bustling atmosphere and delicious local food options. Finally, you’ll end the tour with a trip to the Municipal Craft Market, an outdoor market where you can browse through souvenirs, artisan crafts, and food stalls.  After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

San José: Guided Walking Tour With Lunch and Hotel Pickup

8. San José: Guided Walking Tour With Lunch and Hotel Pickup

Get to know San José on a guided walking tour. Get picked up from your hotel in Alajuela, then head to the most popular attractions to learn about the city’s history and culture. Visit Central Park, the National Theater, and more. Round off your day with lunch at a local restaurant. Begin your tour by getting picked up directly from your hotel by your bilingual guide. Arrive at San José's outdoor Central Market, where the walking tour will start. Take in the atmosphere, buy local goods and food (not included in the price), and mingle with the locals. Next, wander over to Central Park. Witness the famous National Monument, a statue of five women that symbolizes the five Central American nations that resisted having their countries recolonized. Continue walking and pass by the National Museum as well as the Supreme Court. Head over to the National Theater and see San José's most impressive structures. Follow your guide around the lavish lobby in European design, which was constructed with money from taxes on coffee exports. Continue on to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and marvel at the building from the outside. At the end of the tour, stop off at a nearby eatery for lunch and chow down on some traditional Costa Rican dishes. Use the opportunity to ask your guide any questions you may have about the city’s history and culture. Finally, hop back on the bus and get dropped back at your hotel.

Other Sightseeing Options in San José Central Market

Want to discover all there is to do in San José Central Market? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about San José Central Market

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 77 reviews

We truly enjoyed our Bites and Sights walking tour with guide, Eric. The meeting point was easy to find and we enjoyed many goodies along our walk. Eric was informative and personable. We were able to go to one of the markets that is very old and shopped primarily by locals. We enjoyed a number of tropical fruits there along with coconut water. At the more popular central market we had delicious ceviche and empanadas. We finished up with homemade tamales and got to make our own plantain empanadas for dessert. The tour was informative and the food was delicious. A great way to see a bit of San Jose.

If you only take one tour in San Jose, this is the one to take! In fact it should be the first thing you do after dropping your bags off at the hotel. Angel is very knowledgeable about the history of Costa Rica and the food is amazing. I’m vegetarian and there was still plenty for me to eat at every stop. Seriously, this is a MUST do.

Great tour, especially done after a more traditional walking tour to round out knowledge of the city and country. Loved trying all the different foods and visiting places I likely would not have ventured into on my own.

Tour guides are good and informative. Lunch is very good. This is the best tour for the money. You get your money's worth

Great tour. Got to try fruits I’ve never heard of. Come hungry.