Central Park, San Jose

Get an up-close look at Costa Rican life through local food, history, and even herbal remedies from folk medicine. Enjoy a hands-on lesson on exotic plants, fruits and vegetables, and enjoy several samples of local food on this guided tour. Stroll the streets with a local as he shows you the ins and outs of daily life. Our first stop at the Borbón Market is a true sensory experience of views, colors, and you will be able to see the daily wheelbarrow race between the workers. The focus is on agricultural products, although it sells a little of everything. Then, take a stroll through the vibrant Mercado Borbón and sample plenty of fresh local fruits. We will explore the largest and oldest market in the city of San José, founded in 1880 here we will enjoy a delicious ice cream at Lolo Mora, the oldest ice cream parlor since 1901. Visiting several sites in the City, the Cathedral, the National Theater and walking through The beautiful Central and Morazán parks will help you get to know the country and its rich history. Finally, we will visit a special place Mr Sloth Coffee where you will find specialty coffee and delicious chocolates. Learn to make coffee, enjoy a tamale, try a caldosa, and make sweet plantain empanadas before concluding your adventure in the city of Pura Vida, learning about history, culture, and the daily lives of the local people.

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the city. Explore San Jose by Night, complete with local markets, cultural icons, enjoy a special cooking class 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 Spain and Morazán Park and we will visit Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop to make cocktails el "Morenito" one delicious coffee cocktail and try "Mojito de cas" cocktail. Cook your own Empanada Arreglada, and we’ll be spending the rest of the evening in this special place Farm to table concept private home dining that specializes in Caribbean food This cozy establishment offers the best in Costa Rican cuisine a unique space that offers art, culture, history as well as fine dining.

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 lunch or dinner in one of the most fashionable areas of the city.

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.

Explore San José at your own pace with a fully customizable private walking tour! Whether you're passionate about history, culture, or everyday life, this experience will be tailored to your interests, ensuring you make the most of your 3-hour journey through Costa Rica’s vibrant capital. Your adventure begins with a pickup on foot at your accommodation or a designated meeting point. From there, your local guide will craft the perfect route based on your preferences, ensuring a unique and personalized experience. Some of the places you might visit: Plaza de la Cultura, Teatro Nacional & Gold Museum – Discover the heart of the city, home to an underground museum and the stunning National Theater, San José’s architectural gem. Peasants Boulevard – The city’s main pedestrian walkway, offering a glimpse into local life, economy, and Costa Rica’s renowned healthcare and education systems. Asamblea Legislativa, Cuesta de Moras, National Museum & Jade Museum – Walk through Plaza de la Democracia and learn about Costa Rica’s political evolution, from past conflicts to its peaceful present. Central Park & Metropolitan Cathedral – A historic and spiritual landmark at the core of San José. Barrio Escalante & Parque Francia – A trendy gastronomic district, perfect for gathering restaurant ideas for later. Antigua Aduana & Railway – Once a key trade hub, now an important cultural space. Parque Nacional, Biblioteca Nacional & Barrio Amón – A charming neighborhood with colonial-era mansions and cultural heritage. Cinema Center, CENAC & other institutions – Gain insight into the country’s arts, culture, and governance. Paseo de Los Damas & Parque Morazán – A scenic walk beneath towering dama trees, leading to the beautiful Music Temple. Central Market & Traditional Sorbetera Ice Cream – End your journey at the bustling Central Market, where your guide will recommend trying the famous Sorbetera ice cream, a true local treat. Museum of Costa Rican Art (MAC) – Housed in the country’s first international airport, this museum showcases impressive national art.

The small village of Tortuguero (translated as “Region of Turtles”) lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, approximately 50 miles north of the principal Port of Limon. the village is comprised of a variety of cultures: Hispanic, Miskito Indian (Nicaragua), and Afro-Caribbean. Both Spanish and Creole English are spoken. The region surrounding Tortuguero is called the Tortuguero Plain, which is a vast low lying area of little topographic relief still covered by a large expanse of tropical rain forest. Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here. The green turtle population is believed to have come perilously close to extinction in the 1960s when nearly every female turtle arriving to nest in Tortuguero was taken for the export market for turtle soup. STC was established in 1959 specifically to study and protect Caribbean green turtles. Working closely with the Costa Rican government, STC helped establish Tortuguero National Park in 1970, a move that offered protection to the turtles and strictly limited the number of turtles that could be taken. With the park established, development along the coast would never stretch much beyond the existing village, and the presence of STC researchers and park guards would discourage poaching. The park now includes over 19,000 hectares (46,900 acres) and protects 22 miles of nesting beach from the mouth of the Tortuguero River south to Parisimina. The park, and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge to the north, comprise the largest remaining adjoining tract of lowland wet tropical forest on Costa Rica’s Atlantic Coast.