Cheap flights To San Jose

Affectionately known as Chepe, San Jose is a capital that easily draws visitors into its understated charms, despite its large size. Colonial-style buildings are being given a new lease of life as galleries and museums, such as the Museum of Jade with its wonderful collections or you can browse and souvenir shop in bustling street markets before dancing the night away in lively jazz clubs. The city, founded by the Spanish in 1738, also has a rich cultural life. The National Theatre in the Barrio Amon remains as a symbol of the golden coffee age of both San Jose and Costa Rica. Wherever you stay in the city you're never far from the rainforest, experience these lush habitats in the Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Things To Do

The city centre is a bustling place and a pleasure to explore on foot with its eclectic mix of historic and colonial-style buildings. Linger for a while in the Mercado Central and enjoy a cup of locally grown coffee before being amazed at the exhibits in the Museum of Gold. For lively nightlife entertainment head to the Spanish-look district of El Pueblo.

• A place to make you green with envy
  The Museum of Jade is home to the world's largest collection of American jade with nearly 7,000 artefacts ranging from fertility goddesses to tree frogs and snakes to Mayan carvings.

• A dramatic building
  The Teatro Nacional is the most important historic building in the city. Built in 1897 it has a Neoclassical facade adorned with statues of Beethoven and Spanish dramatist Calderón de la Barca. Take a tour of its ornate and fascinating interior.

• A rainforest canopy experience
  For a treetop experience head to the nearby Braulio Carrillo National Park. Explore its amazing flora and fauna at ground level before taking to the rainforest canopy in a secure passenger pod that glides through the trees. Keep your eyes open for sloths, monkeys and a whole host of colourful birds.

Calendar Of Events

Colourful masked and costumed parades, rodeo skills, celebrations of farming and regional food along with traditional music and theatre all make up the rich pageant of festivals and events that take place in San Jose throughout the year.

• Las Fiestas de Zapote: Everything Costa Rican is celebrated between Christmas Day and New Year's Day with demonstrations of cowboy skills, rodeos, carnival processions, funfairs and lots of local food and drink. The event takes place in the Zapote district.

• Día de San Isidro Labrador: This day in June is a national holiday across the country when the patron saint of farmers is honoured. Street fairs and parades with music and dancing are held while regional food is sampled. During the event farm animals and crops are blessed.

• Festival de la Luz: San Jose loves to celebrate Christmas and marks it with the Festival of Light. There are elaborate costumes and decorated floats while a seasonal atmosphere is conjured up with artificial snow covering the streets.