National Theatre of Costa Rica
Ornate 19th-century theatre in the heart of the capital, with a marble foyer, painted ceilings and a gilded auditorium. Visitors can tour the building or attend a concert or play.
San José
Museums here hold pre-Columbian gold and jade, and the capital and main point of entry also has busy markets and a grand national theatre.
Attractive locations
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Museum below the central plaza holding a large collection of gold objects made by Indigenous peoples before the Spanish arrived. Small animal figures and ornaments show the skill of the metalworkers.
National Museum of Costa Rica
Housed in a former fortress, this museum covers the country's archaeology, colonial era and natural history. Bullet marks still visible on the walls recall the 1948 civil war.
San José Central Market
Busy covered market of narrow aisles with food stalls, coffee sellers, leather goods and souvenirs. It is a good place to try local dishes such as a casado, a plate of rice, beans and meat.
Irazú Volcano National Park
Park east of the capital around Costa Rica's highest active volcano. On clear days visitors can walk to the rim and look down at a green crater lake.
Poás Volcano National Park
Park around an active volcano north of the capital, with a wide crater holding a steaming turquoise lake. A paved path leads to the viewing platform, and access can change with volcanic activity.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (Cartago)
Large Byzantine-style church in Cartago honouring Costa Rica's patron, the Virgin of the Angels. Pilgrims walk here from the capital each August, and the small dark statue is kept inside.
Airports
Juan Santamaría International Airport SJO
It is about 16 km in a straight line from San José.
Tobías Bolaños International Airport SYQ
It is about 7 km in a straight line from San José.
Quepos Managua Airport XQP
It is about 55 km in a straight line from San José.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Costa Rica page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan22.7 °C38 mm
- Feb23.5 °C22 mm
- Mar24.8 °C29 mm
- Apr25.2 °C77 mm
- May24.3 °C220 mm
- Jun23.5 °C209 mm
- Jul23.4 °C184 mm
- Aug23.4 °C198 mm
- Sep23.0 °C256 mm
- Oct22.6 °C301 mm
- Nov22.5 °C188 mm
- Dec22.5 °C70 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: May, Sep, Oct.
Costs
Prices here are about 59% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Independence Day (15 September)
Parades with lanterns take place, along with the freedom torch.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for all emergencies.
local government
Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT)
Helps with: Costa Rica's national tourism institute. Its site links to complaint channels, including a form for complaints against tourism companies. The page gives the main office number but no tourist helpline.
Who qualifies: Visitors and others dealing with Costa Rica's tourism sector.
Phone: +506 2299-5800
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Costa Rica
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Costa Rica since 1954. It works on migration management and crisis response, including support for migrants seeking to regularise their status.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Costa Rica and government or other partners. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: (506) 4052 3500
Address: Sigma Business Center, Costado Oeste del Mall San Pedro, Torre C, Piso 1, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in Costa Rica. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 911