A lot of knowledge about the historical events and places. More about the culture. The sculptures represent their ancient lifestyle. Secure, safe and only underground tourism place in Costa Rica. Entrance fee is $16 for non citizens. $6 for locals. One thing I like more here is they represent everything in English as well for better understanding.

Wonderful modern-looking museum made up of two permanent exhibitions (pre-columbian gold) and the mint/bank notes of Costa Rica. Love their showcases on the indigenous people especially. Many of the alphabets in the English text in the precolumbian gold museum have unfortunately fallen off and are not replaced, making it sometimes difficult to read the text. Wished the museum could do something about this!

This is amongst one of the most beautiful and well informed museums I have been to. I was surprised to see that they had taken the time to acknowledge that there is a problem in the ethnic studies community about stealing artifacts. They also touch on subjects such as pre colonial gender roles and language. There needs to be more places like this !

This blew me away! So much more than I wanted! Was disappointed however that several exhibits were closed and we were not told nor the price discounted. But over all it was an amazing experience!

One of the best museums I have seen in Latin America. 500% recommended. Specially if you are a history geek or crazy for gold.

This is a fascinating and really well done museum! One part is about gold, and the other part is about currency. The descriptions are available in Spanish, English, and French.

This is a great museum in downtown San Jose that shows a lot of gold artifacts as well as other things. It’s not nearly on the same scale as the Jade Museum or the National Museum, but it’s done a little bit better. It’s more modern than open than either of the other museums. The National Museum feels very much like a dated museum from a developing country, and I suppose it is, but I really like that. And the Jade Museum feels like this enormous collection of Mayan artifacts, which is really cool, but it’s less well organized.

When you enter you walk into a very well-maintained butterfly garden. We saw a few of them (they are hard to spot) and a lot of chrysalises. There were signs around the garden describing the lives of butterflies. The museum walks you through the history of Costa Rica, beginning with incredible stone artefacts up to 2,000 years old, through to the modern period. This is a great place for a tourist in Costa Rica to start to get a holistic understanding of the country’s history before beginning their travels.

Beautiful museum. And very informative on Costa Rican History and Culture. You can start in the Butterfly Garden and go through the Pre-Colombian History section and then the Costa Rican History section and then visit the special exhibits and other rooms. I enjoyed seeing the historical artifacts they’d collected and learning about their historical and cultural significance and also just learning about Costa Rica in general. I would recommend either a guided tour or a self tour but at or towards the beginning of your visit. You don’t have to buy tickets in advance but be mindful that the museum closes at 4:15 pm even though the website says 4:30 pm.

It was a nice museum, but I found the exhibitions somewhat confusing. I wasn't given a map of the museum, so I had to guess the order of the rooms and the direction inside them, since you can enter them from multiple places. In the end, I wasn't able to understand the story of the army and the barracks that are now the museum. Some English translations also didn't seem to capture well what the original content was saying. I had a nice surprise when I was there: there's a concert every last Sunday of the month. This was my favorite part of the visit.

The National Museum of Costa Rica offers educational and comprehensive exhibits that cover the country's history, archaeology, and natural history, showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts and emphasizing the building's historical significance as a former military barracks. We entered through the butterfly garden, which fascinated us as we observed some butterflies. This garden was not present years ago, and we appreciate that the museum has added this feature. They have also introduced new exhibitions and expanded the building to include the indigenous Societies of the 16th Century exhibit and Costa Rica's culture, which is excellent. The museum closes at 4:15 pm, and the admission fee for non-residents is considerably higher than that for local visitors, which seems unusual.

This is a great national museum in an old prison and military building. Entering the building you’ll walk up some ramps in a butterfly enclosure to see some beautiful plants. You can look through the old prison cells, and get a sense of how Costa Rica came about with a good exhibit showing the region from pre-colonial days to now. It doesn’t shy away from some of the darker aspects of their history, and even recent events and struggles which was really refreshing. The reclaimed artefacts on display are absolutely amazing, and the central courtyard jungle with large stone orbs is a must see too. It’s a great museum so give yourself 1-2 hours if you’re a fast paced tourist like me.

Nothing to write home about. Nice museum but really needs a renovation. The exhibition itself is well organised chronologically but the signage isn’t so clear where to start. Everyone of the staff is really nice. The butterfly house looks a bit run down - very damp. The jail part is easy to miss but ok. Overall, not a must see but ok.

We had a great time here. The butterfly garden was a nice surprise. The stone spheres were fun. The artifacts and history are well presented with lots of signs in English.

To visit San Jose and not to visit the theater?! This is the most favorite tourist attraction. Entrance from 10 am to the theater grounds costs 7 dollars, they show the premises. In the evening there are performances and you can also buy a ticket and visit.

Attending Berta Rojas’s concert at the National Theater of Costa Rica was truly an unforgettable experience. The theater itself is an architectural gem, blending historic elegance with an atmosphere that feels intimate yet grand. From the moment we stepped inside, we were amazed by the beautiful decor, intricate details, and the welcoming staff. Berta Rojas’s performance was spectacular—the acoustics of the theater made every note come alive. Being part of such a special event in this unique setting was pure joy. Whether you’re a lover of classical music or simply appreciate stunning venues, the National Theater is a must-visit destination in San José. The experience was amazing, and I recommend everyone add it to their Costa Rica itinerary!

The tour was short, about 30 minutes; but the tour guide was great, he explained about everything we saw at the teacher, the origins of every object in the theater with its origin. The theater may be small compared to others in Europe but it’s worth going

Beautifully ornate theatre situated in the heart of central San José. The theatre opened in 1897 and is an exquisite example of neoclassical architecture. We did a guided walking tour of the theatre which was fun and engaging. They do tours on the hour and alternate between English and Spanish (although there are fewer tours in English). We booked our tickets at the kiosk situated outside the theatre and were lucky they weren’t fully booked. I really enjoyed visiting the theatre, and I’d highly recommend booking the guided tour.

Take the tour, enjoy a coffee and snack. This is a national treasure one not yo be missed. SJO has only a few monuments to their rich past, built by and for the coffee plantation owners.. the uber rich of their time

As a wanna-be architect, this feature is stunning! Invigorates wonder in the craft, material and skill to create a long lasting structure!

Interesting tour and a cafe with style. Loved it

Very interesting historical landmark in San Jose. It’s a free art museum and the exhibits are quite interesting indeed! The museum is small though, but it has a nice garden.

Admission is free and the art installations are intriguing and unique. They have QR codes posted next to each art piece so you can read more about the artist’s thought process. I went at my own pace through the museum and I really liked the variety of art they had on display.

Underwhelming. Lots of space, not a lot of art. Zero Boricua art. No way for mobility impaired guests to see the upper level. Barely worth the price. (Free) Jade museum, Gold museum, National museum, National Theater ALL had much more to offer. Make this last on your list of SJ Museums.

Beautiful old airport terminal now a.lovelynart museum. Well worth a visit.

A great Art Museum, beautifully set pieces of art in a wonderful building. Some art is outside too, those pieces are awesome as well. I liked to older pieces better than the modern ones, but all the art is great.

A beautiful, interesting, and free art museum that is well worth the visit! It's right next to a beautiful city park as well.

Definitely worth time to visit! Well it is free so technically it is worth money to visit as well! There are many beautiful artworks but the mural and the goal piece in front of the room are my favorite. There are many Hispanic paintings displaying the lives of Costa Rican people through nature and revolution. The sculptures are vivid and provoking as well.

This is the perfect place to come to, if you're looking for artisans, handmade goods and souvenirs to take home. They have everything. The prices were reasonable. Many of the handmade goods, they will personalize them for you. There's many places to eat. We at there. The food was very good. The portion was good for the price. We both shared one plate, cuz the portion was enough for two. The people were very kind and very helpful. This place has been in business since the late 1800's. Unfortunately I did not take many pictures here

Bustling central market full of different stalls to eat and vendors to buy goods from. Plenty of souvenir items if that’s what you’re looking for or meats, cooking supplies, etc. if you’re looking more for that instead. Super cheap food as well, paid 2000 colones for the fish special at the restaurant we went to. Lovely workers there as well!

Nice souvenirs and handcrafted things from the central market. It’s a historical landmark here in San Jose with many shops and places for good eats too!

Fascinating maze of souvenir vendors, houseware and clothing vendors, plus food stalls and little cafes. Colorful. Interesting. Lively!

THIS IS A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR TOURISTS! Yes, there's tons of shopping (especially shoes) in this area. However, the market and surrounding areas are not safe for tourists that look like tourists. DON'T: wear jewlery pull out your cell phone leave the immediate market area wear a purse or bag that you dont have complete control of I have been to markets in other countries and this was the place I felt the least safe. This was 10x worse than the tianguis in CDMX Tepito! 1/10 Do NOT recommend. breathe (so poopy/sick animal smelling)

Really cool market building to shop for anything you need, food, souvenirs, groceries, jewelry, whatever. The small street food vendors and the tiny restaurants are really unique and feel like a special local experience.

If you want to soak into the authentic Costa Rican vibe, this is the place to be. You get literally everything you need in this market from apparel to electronics. Branded to generic.

This restaurant is part of the charming Grano de Oro hotel but is open to non-guests as well and it came highly recommended, for good reason. Breakfast was outstanding and the outdoor seating very pleasant. Indoors looks very chic as well, as a 19th century hacienda. Service was pleasant and quick. Breakfast choices were plenty but of course you have to try a traditional tico breakfast. We returned a few days later for dinner and while not quite as good as the breakfast, it was well worth the return visit.

The restaurant at Hotel Grano de Oro is super beautiful, one of the nicest dinning places in San Jose, but it has a problem and is its chef. I mean... food is not bad but it's average... The quality of the ingredients can improve, for example instead of commercial butter they can use artisan and things like that. I ordered as a starter a beef tartare and it lacked of flavor and the beef wasn't very good for the price they charged. The beef raviolis were homemade which is something good but the stuffing tasted old, like fridge flavor and the use of canned tomatoes was notable in the sauce. The concept is classic French cuisine with some local touches but honestly the chef needs to step his game in French cuisine. I think people does not complain about the place because it is beautiful and it's customer service is great, but culinary wise is nothing memorable or to die for.

Very classy restaurant! The ambience here is wonderful with very professional staff. The courtyard is awesome, and the entire experience was great. Price isn't too bad either for such a high-quality restaurant.

Fantastic restaurant high end. Food was very well prepared and healthy options. Gluten free alternatives available. Romeu was our server and did a great job. Good variety of wines.

The restaurant has excellent food and a posh atmosphere. The service was excellent and not pushy nor over attentive. Highly recommended.

Loved the restaurant! Went there twice during our trip and enjoyed it both times.

We dinned tonight and my wife and I were amazed how good the service and meals were. We had the sea bass and Aged in house Tenderloin. The chef is unbelievable with these dishes. This is an amazing experience at a very reasonable price. We could not have asked for more. The atmosphere is incredible, the staff and our waiter were amazing. This is a must stop when visiting. Amazing 10 out of 10.

Invited to a group luncheon here. The decor and ambiance were very nice, the food was good, and the service excellent. The saying, “you get what you pay for,” rings true I guess, but I am not in the income bracket to pay $40 for lunch. I had no choice this time to be part of the group, but I won't be back because of prices. But for those of you who can afford high-end dining, this is a nice place.

Tin Jo has a nice atmosphere. The decor and ambiance is very appealing. And the staff was also really nice and accommodating. The wait time for the food was a bit long but it was a Sunday afternoon and they were full to capacity. When the food arrived, everything looked delicious. But the flavor overall was a little subpar for me. The portions are decent but I just didn't think it was worth the price. However, I would definitely go back to try out the other menu options they offer.

It is a good spot for a date :) Great experience, loved the country-theme dining areas, food was delicious, drink as well, service was very polite. Will definitely come back once we have a chance.

Great restaurant in the heart of San Jose. We went there to celebrate my sister's birthday and wow, I was amazed by this place. You can order based on the Asian country and everything we had was delicious. The staff was super friendly and we felt welcomed and heard during our meal here. Take into consideration this place doesn't have parking but you can park near by and there's even some parkings that will give you a discount for eating here. I will definitely come back and if you like Asian food, this is a place I would recommend to visit. It might be on the expensive side but it's worth it

Great place! Loved the decoration, and how the menu and the place is divided to represent different cultures! The staff was awesome, really helpful and nice. The menu has a lot of options, several of which are vegetarian, including main dishes and appetizers. The food was great, and the prices are affordable. We tried some wine and margaritas and they were pretty good ( they gave us the wine as a courtesy because of the dishes we ordered). There is no parking space directly in front of the place, but there is a cheap public parking a couple buildings away. Overall had a great experience, loved the place and would absolutely recommend it!

The restaurant is nicely decorated with cultural themes of different countries from Asia. The menu has lot of options ranging from Japanese to Indian traditional meals. The food was cooked well. I ordered the veggie fried rice. The food wasn’t that flavorful initially, but after adding salt & soy sauce the food was very delicious. There’s lots vegetarian options that can be made vegan upon request.

This place is a must if you love pan Asian food and your gluten free !! A kid in a sweet shop with your own gluten free extensive menu. Mouthwatering food and romantic ambiance . Our waiter was called Alex . He spoke fantastic English and helped us with food choices . Wine parring is on the menu as suggestion and the ice cream taster was a wonderful palate cleanser to end with . I will return to Costa Rica and on my way home I will definitely come back to this diamond . 52 years in the making ! The setting is beautiful and the meal will be a memory I will cherish. Thankyou

Beautiful bistro! Warm, lively, and huge menu! Everything was wonderful and we so appreciated their gracious accommodations as we did not have a reservation. It was packed on a Sunday night! And I think I witnessed people hugging and greeting each other at least a dozen times. Very special place in the heart of the city. Add it to your list!

Really good restaurant with a buzzing atmosphere - would recommend. I walked in on a busy Friday evening. While they didn’t have a table available right that moment, they told me I could wait by the bar with a drink. I had a Sangria - it was packed. Unfortunately I never ended up getting that table, the friendly barman recommended some small tasters and wine exquisite wine to go with it. The empenada with meat was good (a bit dry), the pulpo carpaccio I liked a lot and the lomito Malbec was so tasty yet rich that I left the place absolutely stuffed. Again, I have to say the atmosphere was what caught me and why I would come back. Reservation May be a good idea. Kudos to the friendly bar service.

Omg!. Came here for dinner and I most say. It was probably one of the best dinners experience that I had in Costa Rica. Meaning like the food, service and quality was just on point. You don’t really get service in Costa Rica, since they don’t have to hustle for their tip, but here they make sure that you get the service and attention. The cocktails were well executed and the food was magnificent!. They have a Really good wine selection too. The restaurant itself is beautiful and cozy. Definitely a most try steakhouse in Costa Rica

Amazing last lunch in our trip. Superb food, excellent service and nice Argentinan music We had beef empanada for starter. One of the best I have eaten. Then we had a tenderloin steak. Perfect made and delicious. Linguine in olive oil side dish tasty and delicate. As desert, classic flan. Excellent. Highly recommended!!!!!

The food is delicious and the staff are excellent. We did not have a reservation, but were able to sit at the bar. The bartender was very nice and patient with us. Make a reservation to guarantee a spot and a wonderful evening. So good, we went back at the end of our trip, before flying home. Cannot recommend enough. The food is amazing and the staff are unbelievable.

By far the best steak house in Costa Rica, La Esquina de Buenos Aires has the busy, bustling vibes of authentic Argentinian eateries and locales. The service can be somewhat slow, not due to lack of attention, but because it is always crowded. The rustic decor, dim lighting and vibrant ambience makes it the perfect spot for a casual dinner. We started with cocktails; the Vodka Martini was well made, as was the Pisco Sour. Next, we ordered the Sorrentinos Palermo, pasta filled with goat cheese, eggplant and pepper - delicious! We also ordered the Beef Empanada - spectacular! The Buenos Aires salad was fresh and tasty, although it lacked arugula and was mainly lettuce. The Lomito (tenderloin beef) was perfect - inside tender, lightly charred on the outside, cooked to medium, and MOUTHWATERINGLY delicious. For dessert, we ordered Isla Flotante, a scrumptious, light choice for those who enjoy a little something sweet that is not overflowing with sugar. Absolutely recommended! Be sure to make reservations, as it is always full!

A nostalgic place for locals, politicians, and everyone who seeks ambience with soul. Argentinian beef is a specialty, and is a must for the exotic cuisine.

We had heard really great things about this restaurant, so we had to try it. We made a reservation for a Saturday night and when we got there, there were only 2 other tables with customers. I had a ceviche as the entrée and the portion was really big. If I had known, I wouldn't have ordered a main (salmon cakes). I wasn't even able to eat had of my main course. The ceviche was really good, and the salmon cakes were tasty. However, the service was disappointing. They seemed confused, barely spoke to us and were slow. Even though the food was good, I didn't feel like coming back here because of this.

We are here twice in one week. I fell in love with the leche de tigre. The salmon with golden berry sauce was unique and delicious. We had two different cerviche dishes that were great but I forgot to take photos that evening. The passion fruit dessert was a hit. Again, if you want your bill from the server you need to ask, they will let you sit there for a long, long time when you are finished eating and never offer the check. I think most customers also have drinks while they are there, but we were there for dental work so we were drinking only water. Overall good service other than waiting for the final bill for a long time until we realized we needed to ask specifically for it. I believe it is just a cultural difference. Fourth visit - lunch menu with amazing appetizer of ceviche with leche de tigra (I should just order large version of this every time!) for my main entree I tried the 4 hour stewed beef which was very tender and tomato sauce with rice. I wish there always a bit more flavor and more sauce in the meat. My friend has the seafood entree with fish and clams in tomato sauce. Traditional creme carmel type of dessert was good.

Had a great time. La Divina Comida has amazing food, and the waiter was very kind. Would definitely come back once again.

Hands down the best food I’ve had in Costa Rica . The octopus is absolutely amazing. Greta is a fantastic server , very professional . I would eat here every day.

We use to love this place! It use to be one our favorite restaurants in Ave. Escazu. Unfortunately it is a different experience than what we use to look forward to. Now our favorite dishes are inconsistent, service is also not impeccable like it used to be to be (I think the servers are unhappy, for whatever reason - I’ll let that be) I think the biggest mistake they made was changing what they have their menu on. It use to be on you basic laminated menu with pictures to a newspaper format that is so confusing that you spend most of your time at dinner trying to figure it out, and when you ask the waiter questions, their frustration is noticeable. We will not be looking forward to this experience any longer. Sad! 😔

We chose this restaurant walking around and it was a pleasant surprise!! The service was Costa Rica slow ;)) but the food and priced were exceptional! LOVED the zucchini appetizer. We shared the entrees and they were delicious also. The rolls were fresh and the sauce was different lol. I will definitely return to try other selections. Oh and the house wines were perfect!

The food was meh. The meat was over cooked and tough. The portions were fine with my meal but other’s items seemed small. The actual restaurant looked fine but the service was extremely slow. Our table was charged for 8 bottles of water when that was literally impossible when they poured us all a half glass of water and never refilled a glass. Four half filled water bottled were left on the table and removed while we waiting an hour and 15 minutes for our meal. I laughed when the little white rolls were brought to the table and had no flavor or salt. Very disappointing as I love Peruvian food and would have come back multiple times during my stay.

We went for lunch. Arrived around 14.30. Had the three course menu. There were two options for each course so as a couple we were able to taste everything. The service was friendly. The food was creative and delicious. Very reasonable price for three courses & drinks. Only suggestion would be to explain more where the food comes from in Costa Rica and how it’s made.

I recently dined at Silvestre, a restaurant in Costa Rica that promises a refined dining experience. The ambiance is okay, but the decoration isn’t the best—it’s rather gloomy, set in an old house that feels a bit dreary. It could benefit from incorporating modern art to create a striking contrast with the vintage elements, which might brighten things up and add more appeal. The food itself leans towards a minimalist style, which I appreciated for its simplicity and focus on quality ingredients. The flavors were well-balanced and demonstrated good taste in preparation. Portions were okay—not overly generous, but sufficient for a lighter meal. However, there were some notable drawbacks. The wine selection, while available, comes at exorbitant prices, and the options aren’t necessarily the best quality for what you’re paying. Service was a mixed bag; one waiter in particular was extremely intense, constantly chatting and offering what felt like subtle, implied observations that bordered on unsolicited advice. It made the experience feel a bit overwhelming rather than enjoyable. Value-wise, Silvestre is positioned as a mid-range.

Restaurante Silvestre is more than just a dinner — it’s an experience. The beautifully restored house sets the perfect atmosphere, and the tasting menu comes with creative storytelling, thoughtful details, and even small gifts that make the evening feel truly special. The highlight for me was the dessert “Footprint on the Moon” — such a memorable and symbolic way to end the meal. While the food itself was good but not outstanding for the price (around €250 for two with drinks), the overall storytelling and atmosphere made it worthwhile. What stood out the most was our female server — she was incredibly warm, attentive, and genuinely made us feel welcome. If you’re looking for a unique, immersive dining experience in San José, I’d definitely recommend Silvestre.

Our party of seven experienced Silvestre’s seven-course tasting menu, a truly immersive journey into Costa Rican gastronomy. At the start, we were given a puzzle map of Costa Rica — with each course, a new piece was added, alongside an explanation of the dish and the region it represented. This thoughtful narrative tied the menu to both place and culture, creating a dining experience that was as educational as it was exquisite. Each plate showcased vibrant, locally sourced ingredients, prepared with artistry and precision, balancing tradition with contemporary creativity. The service was impeccable — attentive, polished, and deeply knowledgeable, elevating the entire evening. Silvestre transcends dining; it is a guided exploration of Costa Rica’s culinary identity, blending storytelling, culture, and fine dining into one unforgettable experience.

I wouldn’t really recommend the 7-course tasting menu here. The food quality felt mediocre, nothing very exciting, and some dishes tasted a bit awkward. I wasn’t asked about allergies—only mentioned avoiding lamb and cilantro—but at least 3 of the 7 courses still had cilantro, which made the experience unpleasant. In other restaurants I’ve visited in the region, they were usually able to provide alternatives. The pacing was slow, with long waits between dishes. I had the Silverstre Pairing—the drinks were aromatic and enjoyable on their own, but they didn’t feel well-matched with the food. Also unusual that the waiter placed 2–3 empty glasses on my table at once, instead of one per course. My seat location was another downside: the restaurant is in a historic house, and the creaky wood floor near the dining room entrance meant I constantly heard distracting footsteps. On the positive side, I liked the warm yellow lamps at each table, and my waiter seemed to try his best despite the language barrier. At the end, they gave me a nice wooden puzzle map as a souvenir of the menu. Still, compared with Monteverde’s San Lucas—who offers a similar 7-course Costa Rica-inspired tasting menu—San Lucas clearly wins in food quality, service, and overall atmosphere.

What an amazing experience. The restaurant is a short walk just outside of the city centre of San Jose. I do recommend you reserve. The staff are very friendly, speak perfect english and will guide you through the menu. The young chef in the kitchen is an absolute legend, and we had a short conversation with him and his team. The food is an exotic mix of everything Costa Rican with a bit of flare and tradition. Its a very gentle experience that will keep your taste buds guessing. The wine was fantastic and definitely worth trying. Ill let the pictures speak for themselves, but definitely the level of at least 1 Michelin star. Perfect:)

I used to think that you need to die in order to get to heaven but apparently it's enough to grab an Uber and come here for a meal!! 😍 Silvestre was my best dining experience in San Jose. The lunch menu provides good value (and the beverage pairing with it is a steal) and was otherworldly good!! I regret, however, not to have come for dinner when there is a longer tasting menu available, too. Service also was fantastic and came straight from the heart, and the beautiful atmosphere complemented the perfect meal. Don't miss it if you ever come to San Jose!