Nowadays San Jose has become a cosmopolitan capital surrounded by theaters, museums, parks and galleries which rise like landmarks of great beauty throughout the capital.

A walking tour through San José will show you the country’s cultural patrimony whose architecture has been influenced by different stylistic currents through all its history: from Colonial, Neoclassic and Eclectic to Art Deco and Victorian.

Some of San José’s main attractions include a visit to the Gold and Jade Museum and the National Theater.

The Gold Museum holds the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold jewelry in Central America. It contains indigenous jewels depicting numerous animals- frogs, birds, snakes, insects, crocodiles, lobsters and even shamans.

Teatro Nacional is definitely the most charming building in San José. In 1890 wealthy coffee exporters raised import taxes in order to be able to hire Belgian architects to design this building, abundant with cast iron and Italian marble.

Another interesting place is the Central Market, a traditional place which time hasn’t changed. It is an interesting place to observe and share with the average Costa Ricans. While you walk through the narrow passages you will see hundreds of traditional toys, pets, wood and leather crafts, candles, religious images and smell the great mix of spices, coffee, flowers, natural herbs, fruit and food.

Museo de Jade has an extensive and impressive pre-Columbian art and jewelry collection. It is the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian American jade. The exhibit in this museum is the largest American jade collection in the world.

How to get there:
San Jose is centrally located in the map of Costa Rica and it is usually used as a base to go to the different tourist destinations.