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San José Central Market

San José Central Market: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour

1. San Jose: Central Market Bites and Sights Walking Tour

Get up close and personal with Costa Rican life, through local food, history, and even the herbal remedies of folk medicine. Enjoy a hands-on lesson on exotic plants, fruits, and vegetables, and enjoy several local food samples on this guided tour. Stroll through the streets with a local as they show you the ins-and-outs of daily life. Start with a morning pick-me-up coffee in a café located in the Central Market. Then, take a stroll through the vibrant market, tasting local fresh fruits. Next, sample empanadas and continue along local roads towards the Borbon Market. Seeing diverse sites the Cathedral, National Theater, and the beautiful parks will help you get to know the country and its rich history. Finally, visit a special coffee store where you will find coffee and chocolates produced by women. Learn to prepare coffee, enjoy a tamal, and make plantain empanadas before concluding your tour.

San José: Nighttime Food Culture Tour with Cocktail Class

2. San José: Nighttime Food Culture Tour with Cocktail Class

Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the city. Explore San Jose by Night, complete with local markets, cultural icons, 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 Morazán Park and we will visit Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop to make el "Morenito" one delicious coffee cocktail and try "Golden Rush" cocktail. We’ll continue to charm Barrio Amon, one the oldest neighborhoods we’ll be spending the rest of the evening at a favorite Farm to table concept private home dinning that specializes in wine and gourmet food like Caribbean pre-Hispanic food and drinks such as craft beers based on products such as corn and honey combined with ginger, basil, blackberry, watermelon, vanilla, cocoa and coffee and also in sangrias. This cozy establishment offers the best in Costa Rican cuisine a unique space that offers art, culture, history as well as fine dining.

San José: Guided City Bus Tour With Lunch & Welcome Drink

3. San José: Guided City Bus Tour With Lunch & Welcome Drink

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.

San Jose: City Tour by Night

4. San Jose: City Tour by Night

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

San Jose: Central Market Tour with Food and Coffee Tasting

5. San Jose: Central Market Tour with Food and Coffee Tasting

Explore the biggest and oldest market in San Jose City on a guided tour. Founded in 1880, stroll through a site that offers a glimpse into the true Costa Rican way of living, their customs, and traditions. Browse through the intricate aisles and taste unique snacks and sweets. Join your professional guide for a trip into the heart of Costa Rican culture. Dive into the busy Central Market for an authentic experience of the local lifestyle. Hear about the history of this ancient market and learn about each of the traditional products sold. Observe and shop for typical handcrafts as you walk around. Sample exotic fruits and dishes that may include empanadas, cheese tortillas, 'chicharrones' (pork rind), and tamales. Sip on artisanal coffee and taste the emblematic 'sorbetera' ice cream.

San José: 4-Hour Guided Walking Tour

6. San José: 4-Hour Guided Walking Tour

This guided walking excursion will take you through San José’s main attractions, with an expert local guide on hand to teach you about the city’s history and traditions. Stop by important buildings and areas, and gain a deeper understanding of Costa Rican culture. You’ll be picked up from your hotel to start the tour at the National Theater of Costa Rica. Then, visit the iconic Iglesia de la Merced, followed by the Museum of Costa Rican Art. Next, wander through the historical Plaza de la Cultura and Plaza de la Democracia. Your next stop will be the Central Market, with its bustling atmosphere and delicious local food options. Finally, you’ll end the tour with a trip to the Municipal Craft Market, an outdoor market where you can browse through souvenirs, artisan crafts, and food stalls.  After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

San José: Guided City Tour

7. San José: Guided City Tour

This tour immerses you in the rich Costa Rican culture and history by visiting some museums and historical sites of San José City. During this journey you will visit the National Theater, also known as “The jewel of San José”, a masterpiece in art and architecture built by Costa Ricans and completed in 1897. Then visit the Museum of Gold (an archaeological interest site), then the Central Market, place full of the Costa Rican cultural heritage and traditions, where you will be able to browse and buy some local art crafts. You will also visit the Metropolitan Cathedral. As we travel around the city, we will point you out several historically important or main buildings in our city, for example The Costa Rica University, The Old Train Station, The National Liquor Factory, The National Supreme Election Bureau, the Asamblea Legislativa (equivalent to The Congress), The Metallic Building, some parks and various sites of interest. This will be an introduction to our Capital City, and information about our economy, cultural, politics, religion and general current events. Also, we will visit an Art Gallery, where you will be able to get some souvenirs to take back home.

San Jose Unveiled: A Private Walking Tour

8. San Jose Unveiled: A Private Walking Tour

Discover the artistic and cultural treasures of San Jose on this exclusive 3-hour private walking tour. Begin your journey at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, where textile art from around the world comes to life. Next, immerse yourself in contemporary art at the San Jose Museum of Art, where diverse artworks await your exploration. Finally, stroll the vibrant San Pedro Square Market, a haven offering a unique ambiance and atmosphere. Learn about San Jose, its history, culture and heritage while in the company of a local professional guide. This tour combines culture, art, and heritage to provide you with a well-rounded experience of San Jose.

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Other Sightseeing Options in San José Central Market

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What people are saying about San José Central Market

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 77 reviews

Enjoyable walking and tasting tour of Central Market, the fresh market, plaza de La cultura and finishing at Mr Sloth coffee shop for more food and coffee tasting. Tried wide variety of prepared foods and tropical fruits. Danny was an excellent guide who shared a lot about Costa Rican culture, history and of course, local foods. It is crowded with tight alleys in the market.

Don’t eat before this trip! Lots of lovely food to try and a nice chilled way to wonder around SJ as a solo traveller. Met lots of lovely people. Would recommend!

I had an amazing time. Daniel took us to places we would never habe found on our own and he gave us a lot of information on the city on the way.

Make sure you go on empty stomach because you will eat A LOT! Angel is amazing and has a lot of knowledge and funny.

Excellent tour, very informative, highly recommend.