Luxury San Jose Vacations & Tours made for you
Costa Rica
Experience San José, the Heart of Costa Rica
Costa Rica may be renowned as a bountiful, serene paradise, but lesser known is its cosmopolitan heart: San José. Positioned in the mid-west of the Central Valley, it presents a sleek and modern contrast to the rest of the country. While often overlooked, there are a multitude of things to do in San José. Be drawn in by its plethora of museums, showcasing everything from gold and jade to natural history, unwind in Parque La Sabana or pick up souvenirs at the Central Market.
Costa Ricans are known as one of the happiest populations around the world, and ‘Josefinos’ are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet. Take some time to immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s largest city, soaking up its culture and cafes, exploring its colonial corners, and experiencing its famous and diverse nightlife.
There are also a rich choice of day trips on offer across the Central Valley. Just an hour away is the active Poás Volcano, which boasts one of the largest volcanic craters in the world and sits among the lush forested scenery of the Central Mountain Range. As expected in Costa Rica, there are also a number of coffee plantations within reach of San José, where you can experience tours and delicious tastings.
San José is a great city from which to begin or end your travels in Costa Rica and we can create a bespoke itinerary to make the most of your stay here.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our San José specialists
See the city's museums
Explore the city’s parks and museums, including the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the Jade Museum, to get a feel for its culture and history
Day-trip to the Poás Volcano crater
Take a day trip to the magnificent Poás Volcano to explore the scenic forests and its enormous crater
Sample San José's restaurants and live music
Enjoy San José’s diverse nightlife, including restaurants, bars and live music
A word from one of our experts
San José can be the perfect starting point for your Costa Rican adventure, providing an authentic introduction to the country's culture and daily life before you head out to explore its incredible biodiversity.
James Sirotkin
Luxury accommodation in San José
There are many incredible places to stay in San José. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Get inspired with our Costa Rica example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
An Active Adventure Through Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one big outdoor playground with its beautiful rainforest, impressive volcanoes, idyllic coastline and white-sand beaches. On this 11-day Costa Ri…
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Classic Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests and the Pacific Coast
Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's natural wonders on this 11-day luxury trip. Experience the biodiversity of Tortuguero National Park with exclusive boat tours…
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Costa Rica Family Explorer
This 11 day trip is perfect for families, blending adventure with relaxation. Begin in Tortuguero, exploring dense rainforests, rivers and lagoons where birds,…
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Arenal
Nowhere else in Costa Rica allows you the luxurious yet captivating proximity to a (now) dormant volcano encircled by rich rainforest, dive…
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Boca Tapada
You’ll find Boca Tapada nearby the mouth of the San Carlos river in Costa Rica’s Northern Lowlands. It’s an area of unspo…
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Central Valley
Coffee hills near the capital.
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Cerros de Turrubares
Nestled between the Rio Grande de Tarcoles to the north and the Fila Negra mountains to the west, Cerros de Turrubares is a wonderfully rur…
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Dominical
Situated forty five km from Quepos, Dominical is a sleepy surf village located on the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica and home to a se…
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Guanacaste
Wide stretches of golden solitary beaches, wildlife reserves jostling with exotic nature, a dry consistent climate, great surfing spots, an…
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Jacó
Jacó is THE surfer beach town of Costa Rica. And whilst not as sleepy as it used to be due to growing popularity, it still offers the best…
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Manuel Antonio
With its accessibility, teeming national park, turquoise marine reserve, white coral beaches and range of luxury hotels, Manuel Antonio is…
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Monteverde
Costa Rica’s central highlands are dotted with a number of exquisite and captivatingly biodiverse cloud forests. Typified by elevated and t…
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Nicoya Peninsula
Known for its stunning semi-deserted beaches linked together by grey stone cliffs or tangles of knotted mangroves, the rustic Nicoya Penins…
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Orosi Valley
It makes sense that Costa Rica’s fertile Central Valley, ringed by volcanoes and stretching in a verdant arc from San Ramon lying to the we…
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Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is one of the most remote locations in Costa Rica. But its seclusion has everything to do with its inimitability, making…
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Pacuare
25,000 acres of primary, virgin rainforest stretching from the Talamanca Cordillera to the eastern Caribbean lowlands are nurtured by the s…
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Puerto Viejo
The easy-going and stylish southern Caribbean stretch of coast that forms Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica is no exception to the country’s wides…
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Rincón de la Vieja
Discover a world of wildlife and geology at this exciting National Park which boasts 34,800 acres of flourishing nature and volcanic wonder…
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Río Celeste
The north of Costa Rica remains largely off the beaten path, but if you’d like to get under the country’s skin and explore further afield,…
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San Gerardo de Dota
The newly created Los Quetzales National Park named after its most famous and elusive resident, the resplendent quetzal, is a bird watching…
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Sarapiquí
Sarapiquí is a small but beautiful region. It is an area frequented in particular by eco-tourists yet is also a regular if not unmissable s…
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Tortuguero
A dense and intricate network of rivers, lagoons, and canals crisscross 11 different habitats of rainforest, swamp and beach, to be explore…
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Turrialba
Just a mere forty miles (65 km) east of San Jose in the Central Valley region of Cartago, Turrialba is a wonderfully rustic area in which t…
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Meet your Latin America team
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Berni De Luca
Client Experience Manager for Latin America
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Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
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Dan Scott-Kerr
Travel Designer
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Delfina Russo
Travel Designer
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Demi Roberts
Senior Travel Designer
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Em Jennison
Travel designer
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Flavia Toledo
Latin America Concierge
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James Sirotkin
Travel Designer
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Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
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Lizzie Slater
Travel Designer
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Melanie Vieira
Senior Concierge – Latin America
When to visit
Costa Rica has two distinct seasons: the dry season, which runs from December to April, and the green season, which runs from May to November. We recommend avoiding travelling from September to October as many regions experience heavy rainfall during this time. If you’re visiting the city, we recommend visiting during the dry season for clear sunny days perfect for outdoor exploration, although the rainy season can be ideal for indoor activities such as museum visits, and is generally quieter. No matter when you go, Costa Rica offers the chance to discover some amazing ecosystems and see fascinating wildlife all year round.
Dry season
December – April
Green season
May – November
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica travel guides
The Best Family-Friendly Lodges in Costa Rica
Discover our expertly curated list of the best hotels to choose for your family adventure in Costa Rica. Learn about the facilities that can make all the diffe…
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The 8 Best Family Things to Do in Costa Rica
Families visiting Costa Rica will find a wide range of activities year-round. Our travel designers highlight the best wildlife, water adventures, zip lines, ho…
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The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica During the Green Season
Costa Rica in the green season is quiet, green and full of life. The rain keeps the jungle fresh, animals are easier to spot and waterfalls are at their most i…
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The Best Countries to Combine in Latin America
Let diverse and varied adventures unfold when you visit more than one country on your trip to Latin America. Explore activity and nature-focused journeys and l…
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The Best Hikes in South America
Get ready to explore South America’s best hiking trails. Marvel at remarkable landscapes across high-altitude peaks, through sultry cloud forests and on gliste…
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Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.