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San Jose Walking Tour: Architecture, History, and Food
4.8
229 Ratings
San José
Experience the vibrant culture of San Jose on a 3-hour walking tour. Discover the city’s architecture, history, and food, guided by a local expert. Limited to 12 people for an intimate experience.
Experience the vibrant culture of San Jose on a 3-hour walking tour. Discover the city’s architecture, history, and food, guided by a local expert. Limited to 12 people for an intimate experience.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- National Theater of Costa Rica - Gather in front of the National Theatre, a stunning architectural masterpiece in Costa Rica, significant for its cultural and historical value.
- Teatro Popular Melico Salazar - Located in the heart of San José, learn about the renowned Costa Rican tenor Manuel Salazar Zúñiga, famously known as Melico Salazar….
- National Theater of Costa Rica - Gather in front of the National Theatre, a stunning architectural masterpiece in Costa Rica, significant for its cultural and historical value.
- Teatro Popular Melico Salazar - Located in the heart of San José, learn about the renowned Costa Rican tenor Manuel Salazar Zúñiga, famously known as Melico Salazar.
- Metropolitan Cathedral of San José - A visit to the Cathedral is essential to understand its historical significance.
- Old Registry Market - Enjoy a walk through the lively Mercado El Registro, sampling fresh local fruits while discovering the area’s agricultural history.
- Central Market (Mercado Central) - Continue the San Jose market tour along local streets to the Central Market. Exploring these diverse markets offers insight into the country’s rich history.
- Correos de Costa Rica - The Central Post and Telegraph Building in San José is an architectural treasure, part of the capital’s urban landscape since its opening in October 1917. It has witnessed Costa Rica’s journey to becoming a free, independent, and democratic nation.
- Edificio Steinvorth - Pass by the Steinvorth Building, a key architectural gem of Costa Rica’s capital, blending European aesthetics with the emerging modern architecture of North American cities. Recognized as an architectural heritage site since 1999, enjoy a coffee or beer here.
- Plaza de la Cultura - Conclude the tour at Plaza de la Cultura, conveniently located near the National Theater of Costa Rica.
What's Included
- Enjoy artisan ice cream
- Take a hands-on lesson on exotic plants, fruits, vegetables
- Discover colourful markets: Mercado El Registro and Central Market
- See a side of San Jose known only by locals with a Local English speaking guide
- Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
- Savor several tasty seasonal samplings and sample local drink (Fresco)
- Enjoy artisan ice cream
- Take a hands-on lesson on exotic plants, fruits, vegetables
- Discover colourful markets: Mercado El Registro and Central Market
- See a side of San Jose known only by locals with a Local English speaking guide
- Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
- Savor several tasty seasonal samplings and sample local drink (Fresco)
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Additional food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Additional food and drinks
Additional Information
Experience the essence of San Jose by exploring its culture, past and gastronomy on this three-hour guided walk. Alongside an informed local guide, discover the city’s usual way of life as you meander down its thoroughfares. Immerse yourself in the city’s unique character through its shops and its robust coffee trade, concluding your journey at the…
Experience the essence of San Jose by exploring its culture, past and gastronomy on this three-hour guided walk. Alongside an informed local guide, discover the city’s usual way of life as you meander down its thoroughfares. Immerse yourself in the city’s unique character through its shops and its robust coffee trade, concluding your journey at the Central Market. Here, you can enjoy ice cream and a variety of delicious local dishes. The tour is limited to a group of 12, providing a personalized and intimate experience.
- This is a child friendly Tour.
- This Tour can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.
- Small Group or private option available.
Location
National Theatre of Costa Rica
1
Front entrance of the National Theatre, Avenida 2, calle1, Catedral, San José, Costa Rica
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(229 Ratings)
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Barb_w
Feb 21, 2025
Great trip - Our guide was extremely intelligent, super kind, and very easy to be with. He explained many aspects of Costa Rica’s history and San Jose‘s development.
Review provided by Viator
Harry_s
Feb 3, 2025
Highly Recommend - Excellent walking tour around San Jose Central and fun food stops at Mercado Central! Informative history about all of the historical buildings
Review provided by Viator
Clh575
Jan 27, 2025
Well worth it! - This was a very informative and thorough tour of San Jose. We learned so much about the history of the city and country. Jorge was an excellent guide. We sampled coffee and pastries and very interesting fruits and candies.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Izilber
Jul 7, 2024
Cacao, fruits and culture - I wanted my family to experience San Jose taste and culture. This tour was a great cultural immersion. The tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and eager to answer all questions. The highlight was a coffee and cacao experience at a local hideaway. Definitely would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eric
Mar 9, 2024
History and cuisine on point - Our guide picked us up on time and as agreed at the National Theater.
The guide spoke fluent English and gave us a lively introduction to the history of San Jose and Costa Rica.
We were in remote places and parks, and he had a lot to tell us about them.
In the middle of the tour there was a short stop with a coffee of your choice and a traditional tortilla.
The subsequent detour to the central market was also very informative and absolutely fantastic in terms of food.
We tried various fruits and a kind of sorbet with cinnamon.
It was great that we had booked our tour as a public tour.
As "JOHN" didn't show up, we were alone with our guide.
All in all, a worthwhile tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johna_e
Mar 9, 2024
A little taste of Costa Rica - I did expect more food on the tour for somereason and there was a bit of walking and history before getting to any food which was maybe 45-1 hour in so keep that in mind. When you see other food items on the tour besides the free stuff you taste BUY it so you don't miss the opportunity. Very good host and overall good experience.i appreciated trying things I might not have tried otherwise.
Review provided by Viator
Donald_m
Feb 6, 2024
The guide had such a... - The guide had such a grasp of the history and culture of Costa Rica. He spoke English clearly with a good delivery.
Review provided by Viator
Heather_r
Jan 26, 2024
Fun city walk and Intro to Central Market - This was a great tour with Inuel (not sure if the spelling). It was a great history lesson on a lot of areas, buildings, parks. Loved the hot chocolate!!! We enjoyed central market very much. There were 3 guests in our tour.
Review provided by Viator
Danieldb3027vz
Jan 13, 2024
Very good walking tour. - 5 stars only because our guide was exceptional. Mateus-Emil, a young man who just graduated from high school, very knowledgeable, charming and who spoke fluent English. It was an easy, pleasant walk. We paid for a private tour.
This is not a food tour. We did sample a couple of things but that wa it. That being said there should such a tour with a real focus on food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dinorafael_d
Aug 18, 2024
Nice guy and merkado experience - The time in the market was the one I was looking forward to. I did 4 stars only because the tour guide is still learning the ropes. He is the nicest guy and ours was only his 8th tour so that’s understandable. It was really fun!
Review provided by Viator
