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    Explore San José, Costa Rica

    Places to see
    Back
    Places to see

    Top sights

    National Theater of Costa Rica

    National Museum of Costa Rica

    Parque Nacional, San Jose

    Costa Rica's National Stadium

    National Theatre of Costa Rica

    Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

    Museum of Costa Rican Art

    San José Central Market

    La Sabana Park

    Jade Museum

    Central Park, San Jose

    Metropolitan Cathedral of San José

    Attraction types

    Day trips

    Neighborhood tours

    Viewing points

    Garden & park tours

    Wellness & spas

    Multi-day trips

    Shore excursions

    Museums & exhibitions

    Outside San José, Costa Rica

    Nearby destinations

    La Fortuna tours

    Monteverde tours

    Quepos tours

    Manuel Antonio tours

    Puntarenas tours

    Uvita, Costa Rica tours

    Nearby sights

    Arenal VolcanoAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

    Arenal Volcano National ParkAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

    Manuel Antonio National ParkAttraction in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

    Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological PreserveAttraction in Monteverde, Costa Rica

    Catarata La FortunaAttraction in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

    Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges ParkAttraction in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

    Things to do
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    Things to do

    Top experiences

    Bus & minivan tours

    Hiking

    Hot springs

    Plantation & farm tours

    Quad & ATV tours

    Pub crawls & bar tours

    Zoos

    Chocolate tours & workshops

    Explore more things to do in San José, Costa Rica

    Interests

    Sightseeing

    Outdoor sports

    Culture & history

    Food & drinks

    Extreme sports & adrenaline

    Safaris & wildlife activities

    Marine life

    Hidden gems

    Nightlife & bars

    Traveler type

    Wheelchair accessible

    Family-friendly activities

    Activities for couples

    Outside San José, Costa Rica

    Things to do in La Fortuna

    Things to do in Monteverde

    Things to do in Quepos

    Things to do in Manuel Antonio

    Things to do in Puntarenas

    Things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica

  • Explore San José, Costa Rica
  • Places to see
  • Things to do
  • Top sights
  • Attraction types
  • Outside San José, Costa Rica

National Theater of Costa Rica

National Museum of Costa Rica

Parque Nacional, San Jose

Costa Rica's National Stadium

National Theatre of Costa Rica

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Museum of Costa Rican Art

San José Central Market

La Sabana Park

Jade Museum

Central Park, San Jose

Metropolitan Cathedral of San José

Day trips

Neighborhood tours

Viewing points

Garden & park tours

Wellness & spas

Multi-day trips

Shore excursions

Museums & exhibitions

Nearby destinations

La Fortuna tours

Monteverde tours

Quepos tours

Manuel Antonio tours

Puntarenas tours

Uvita, Costa Rica tours

Nearby sights

Arenal VolcanoAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National ParkAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National ParkAttraction in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological PreserveAttraction in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Catarata La FortunaAttraction in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges ParkAttraction in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

  • Top experiences
  • Interests
  • Traveler type
  • Outside San José, Costa Rica

Bus & minivan tours

Hiking

Hot springs

Plantation & farm tours

Quad & ATV tours

Pub crawls & bar tours

Zoos

Chocolate tours & workshops

Explore more things to do in San José, Costa Rica

Sightseeing

Outdoor sports

Culture & history

Food & drinks

Extreme sports & adrenaline

Safaris & wildlife activities

Marine life

Hidden gems

Nightlife & bars

Explore more things to do in San José, Costa Rica

Wheelchair accessible

Family-friendly activities

Activities for couples

Explore more things to do in San José, Costa Rica

Things to do in La Fortuna

Things to do in Monteverde

Things to do in Quepos

Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Things to do in Puntarenas

Things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica

Explore more things to do in San José, Costa Rica

San José: VIP City Tour

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.3 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
San José: VIP City Tour
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.3 out of 5 stars
10 reviews

Explore San José from up high on a double-decker bus tour of the city's main sights, including the National Theater and Central Market, discovering local cuisine and traditional folk music as you go.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 6 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English, Spanish
Pickup included
You must indicate the hotel’s name in order to confirm the booking. Please confirm the pick up time at least 24 hours before the tour by contacting us via email: reservations@destinationservices.com

Select participants and date

Participants

Highlights

  • Experience traditional Costa Rican folk music and food
  • Admire the bustle of San José from above on a double-decker bus tour
  • Learn about the history of Costa Rica from a knowledgeable guide
  • Visit San José's key sights and landmarks
  • Uncover the unique culture and character of Costa Rica's capital

Full description

Get to know the culture and character of San José on an immersive bus tour of the city’s highlights. Taking you from your hotel and past the National Theater, Democracy Plaza and Central Market, you’ll witness an on-board folk music performance and learn about Costa Rica’s history and evolution.


Starting at your hotel, the tour will take you into downtown San José, which you’ll be able to admire from the top deck as you ride. As an introduction to the city’s key sights, you’ll take a guided walk past the cherished National Theater, Central Market and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.


Back on board, you’ll be treated to a traditional folk music performance before stopping to enjoy local Costa Rican cuisine for lunch. 


As you pass the National Monument, which commemorates Central America’s victory over the US Filibusters, your guide will teach you about the history of Costa Rica and its evolving national identity.


Your final stop will be at Plaza de la Democracia, built in 1989 to commemorate a century of Costa Rican democracy, before the tour takes you back through San José’s bustling streets to your hotel.

Includes

  • Lunch
  • Tour Guide
  • Non-alcoholic drink
  • Transportation from/to hotels in San José
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Important information

Know before you go

  • A minimum of 2 participants is required
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Infant seats available prior notification

From $95 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 10 reviews

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G
GetYourGuide traveler – MexicoApril 24, 2025 – Verified booking
Everything was excellent, the guide and driver were very good.
G
GetYourGuide traveler – Puerto RicoApril 14, 2025 – Verified booking
G
GetYourGuide traveler – United StatesJanuary 26, 2025 – Verified booking
This trip was very informative and good mix of things from art, history, and shopping. I had do a transfer for drop off that was unexpected and I didn’t mind. But because I was moving fast I left my phone on the bus. Luckily, they had it and transfer turned around to get it. We all know that could’ve gone differently. What could have ruined my trip, actually made it. Thanks for a great experience!!!!

Product ID: 431844

Activity provider:Tui Destination Experiences
  • Costa Rica
  • San José Province
  • Things to do in San José, Costa Rica
  • Tours in San José, Costa Rica
  • Plaza de la Democracia

Top Attractions in San José, Costa Rica

  • 1Juan Santamaría International Airport
  • 2Costa Rica's National Stadium
  • 3National Theatre of Costa Rica
  • 4National Theater of Costa Rica
  • 5San José Central Market
  • 6La Sabana Park
  • 7Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
  • 8National Museum of Costa Rica
  • 9Jade Museum
  • 10Teatro Popular Melico Salazar
  • 11Supreme Court of Justice
  • 12Parque Nacional, San Jose
  • 13Plaza de La Cultura, San Jose
  • 14Museum of Costa Rican Art
  • 15San José Central Park
  • 16Metropolitan Cathedral of San José
  • 17Central Bank of Costa Rica
  • 18Central Park, San Jose
  • 19Museo de Oro Precolombino
  • 20Mercado Central, San José

Experiences in San José, Costa Rica

  • 1San José, Costa Rica Day trips
  • 2San José, Costa Rica Nightlife & bars
  • 3San José, Costa Rica Transfers
  • 4San José, Costa Rica Walking tours
  • 5San José, Costa Rica Wellness & spas
  • 6San José, Costa Rica Food & drinks
  • 7San José, Costa Rica Airport transfers
  • 8San José, Costa Rica Hidden gems
  • 9San José, Costa Rica Museums & exhibitions
  • 10San José, Costa Rica Hot springs
  • 11San José, Costa Rica Zip line adventures
  • 12San José, Costa Rica Bus & minivan tours
  • 13San José, Costa Rica Quad & ATV tours
  • 14San José, Costa Rica Family-friendly activities
  • 15San José, Costa Rica Pub crawls & bar tours
  • 16San José, Costa Rica Chocolate tours & workshops
  • 17San José, Costa Rica Zoos
  • 18San José, Costa Rica Public transportation tickets
  • 19San José, Costa Rica Rainy-day activities
  • 20San José, Costa Rica Cooking classes

Tours in Costa Rica

  • 1La Fortuna Tours
  • 2Monteverde Tours
  • 3Manuel Antonio Tours
  • 4Tamarindo Tours
  • 5Uvita, Costa Rica Tours
  • 6Jaco Tours
  • 7Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Tours
  • 8Tortuguero Tours
  • 9Liberia, Costa Rica Tours
  • 10Quepos Tours
  • 11Cahuita Tours
  • 12Playa Flamingo Tours
  • 13Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Tours
  • 14Puntarenas Tours
  • 15Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui Tours
  • 16Orosi, Costa Rica Tours
  • 17Aquiares Tours

Things to do in Costa Rica

  • 1Things to do in La Fortuna
  • 2Things to do in Monteverde
  • 3Things to do in Manuel Antonio
  • 4Things to do in Tamarindo
  • 5Things to do in Uvita, Costa Rica
  • 6Things to do in Jaco
  • 7Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
  • 8Things to do in Tortuguero
  • 9Things to do in Liberia, Costa Rica
  • 10Things to do in Quepos
  • 11Things to do in Cahuita
  • 12Things to do in Playa Flamingo
  • 13Things to do in Puntarenas
  • 14Things to do in Alajuela
  • 15Things to do in Dominical
  • 16Things to do in Puerto Jiménez
  • 17Things to do in Heredia
  • 18Things to do in Potrero
  • 19Things to do in Santa Elena, Costa Rica
  • 20Things to do in Playa Herradura

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  • Costa Rica
  • San José Province
  • Things to do in San José, Costa Rica
  • Tours in San José, Costa Rica
  • Plaza de la Democracia
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