Free things to do · San José · Costa Rica
7 free things to do in San José
San José without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Puroticorico, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in San José without paying an entry fee: Avenida Central, Plaza de la Democracia, Barrio Amón walk and Parque Morazán and Parque España are all free. Eat at sodas for set lunches that cost a fraction of tourist restaurant prices.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- October
Free sights and experiences
Street · Centro
1.Avenida Central
Walk it from west to east, starting at the market and ending at the Teatro Nacional for a coffee.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
Landmark · Centro
2.Plaza de la Democracia
Browse the craft stalls at the plaza's edge for wooden souvenirs; prices are open to gentle bargaining.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Barrio Amón
3.Barrio Amón walk
Go in the morning, when cafés are open and streets are busy, and continue to Parque Morazán and the CENAC.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Art
Park · Barrio Amón
4.Parque Morazán and Parque España
Use Parque España as a shady pause between the centre's museums and Barrio Amón.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Architecture · Centro
5.Edificio de Correos
Combine it with the Mercado Central one block away; the plaza in front is a good spot to rest.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
Religious site · Centro
6.Catedral Metropolitana
Step in on a weekday for a quiet moment away from the downtown traffic, and sit in the Parque Central afterwards.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Park · La Sabana
7.Parque La Sabana
Visit on a weekend morning, when local families, cyclists and runners fill the park.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro | Avenida Central, Plaza de la Democracia, Edificio de Correos and Catedral Metropolitana | 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 minutes + 20–30 minutes |
| Barrio Amón | Barrio Amón walk and Parque Morazán and Parque España | 1–1.5 hours + 30 minutes |
| La Sabana | Parque La Sabana | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Architecture · Centro
Teatro Nacional
Take the guided tour to see the auditorium and the upper foyers, then have coffee in the theatre's café off the main lobby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Centro
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica
Begin in the butterfly garden, then look for the bullet holes on the outer towers before going inside.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Market · Centro
Mercado Central
Eat a casado at one of the busy counters at lunchtime, and keep a close eye on your bag in the crowded aisles.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Gallery · Barrio Amón
Centro Nacional de la Cultura (CENAC)
Check what is on at the contemporary art museum, and look into the courtyards of the old factory buildings.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Barrio Amón
Museo de los Niños
Allow a few hours with younger children, and take a taxi or ride-hailing car from the centre rather than walking.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
More ways to save
- Eat at sodas for set lunches that cost a fraction of tourist restaurant prices.
- Restaurant prices may exclude the 13% tax and 10% service charge; check whether menus show them included.
- Pay in colones for better rates than restaurants' dollar conversions.
- Use shared tourist shuttles or public buses to the coasts instead of private transfers.
- Travel in the green season, May to November, for lower hotel and tour prices.
- Several plazas, parks and churches in the centre are free to visit.
Questions travellers ask
+Is San José expensive to visit?
San José is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in San José?
Avenida Central: Walk it from west to east, starting at the market and ending at the Teatro Nacional for a coffee.