San José, Costa Rica: things to do, when to go & how long to stay

Overview

Arrival hub with markets and museums. It is one of the places we suggest when planning a trip to Costa Rica.

Compare flights, stays, activities and transport for your trip to San José.

Flights

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Where to staywith Kiwi

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Tours & activitieswith KKday

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Car rentalwith Getrentacar

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Airport transferswith Welcome Pickups

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San José is mid-range by Costa Rica standards. Across Costa Rica, mid-range travellers typically spend about $115–$185 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Costa Rica budget breakdown.

Language: Spanish; English is commonly available in tourism areas
Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC); US dollars widely accepted
Power: Type A/B, 120V
Entry: Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

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Plan 2–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Buses are an affordable way to reach most popular destinations, run by multiple private operators rather than one national service
Shared tourist shuttles connect the main towns more directly