San Jose - Day 1 - Central Market and National Theater

I arrived in San Jose the day before, after a long flight from Phoenix to Houston and then to San Jose.  I started at 7am Phoenix time on January 12, 2026, and arrived at the Barcelo Hotel at about 9pm (8pm Phoenix time) local time.  It was 13 hours of travel, with only about 6 hours of flight time.  The rest have been taken up by layovers, waiting to get off the plane, and waiting to go through Immigration.  The latter took a long time because it is still a manual process.  The immigration officer asked you about how long you are staying, where you are staying, what do you do, etc.  Many countries have automated this process by making you fill out all this information before you arrive and digitally check you as you go through the airport.  Instead of waiting an hour, it could be just 5 minutes.  The best I have experienced this process is Singapore, where you just scan your passport and you are through Immigration.

I have two extra days before the tour starts.  I asked ChatGPT what are the most popular things to do in San Jose.  Here is the list:

Top Things to Do in San José

1. National Theatre (Teatro Nacional)

A true architectural masterpiece, this neo-classical gem opened in 1897 and is celebrated for its lavish interior, grand performances, and rich history. Guided tours—and live performances—offer a glimpse into Costa Rica’s cultural soul.

2. Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Located underground beneath Plaza de la Cultura, this museum houses thousands of artifacts made of gold, stone, jade, and ceramics dating back to 300 BC–1550 AD. It's captivating both for its collection and immersive display style.

3. Jade Museum (Museo del Jade)

Home to the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian jade in the Americas, the museum offers fascinating insights into jade’s cultural, spiritual, and economic significance.

4. La Sabana Metropolitan Park

Known as the “lungs of San José,” this urban oasis blends greenery with culture. The park features sports facilities, a lake, walking trails, and hosts both the National Stadium and the Museum of Costa Rican Art. A perfect escape in the city heart.

5. San José Central Market

A sensory treat—wander through over 200 stalls and sodas (traditional eateries) offering local produce, crafts, souvenirs, and authentic Costa Rican dishes like gallo pinto.

6. Spirogyra Butterfly Garden

A hidden urban gem in Barrio Amón with a controlled habitat housing 50–60 butterfly species, cascading waterfalls, lush plants, and even live caterpillars. A peaceful escape where nature thrives within the city.

7. Additional Museums & Cultural Sites

National Museum (located in the former Bellavista Fortress)—exhibits Costa Rica’s rich colonial past, archaeological, geological, and modern history (great city views from the top)

Museo de Arte Costarricense in La Sabana Park—showcases local art and design.

I am marginally interested in the museums because I have been to many museums in South America.  

In the morning, after breakfast I took an Uber to the Central Market in San Jose.  On the map it doesn't look too far but there is a highway between the hotel and downtown San Jose.  The hotel people told me that I have to take a taxi or Uber because you can't walk across the highway.

One of the entrances to the Central Market

It costs about 3,000 Colóns, or about $6, to take an Uber ride to downtown San Jose.  Because of the traffic it took about 20 minutes.  The market was not hard to find.  It has entrances on several sides of the single-story building.  There was no organization as to what kind of business is located where.  It seems to be random.  A restaurant may be next to a souvenir shop, which may be next to a butcher shop.  I walked around randomly, seeing many interesting businesses.

A souvenir shop

An alley of different shops

Banana leaves are commonly used as plates

Empanadas are popular here

A variety of vegetables

Shop selling spices

I have not seen the pink fruit anywhere else

Two fish guys

After walking through most of the inside of the market I stepped outside, intending to walk around the neighborhood.  There are just as many businesses on the streets around the market as there are in the market.  They come in many varieties.

Street with meat market

Yucca or Cassava

Woman selling cilantro

Selling red peppers

Selling all kinds of vegetables

He is selling avocados

Cooking banana or Plantains

Guanábana, also know as Soursop

When I saw this fruit at one of the shops I was intrigued.  I asked the man if it's called cherimoya.  He said no.  It's called Guanábana. I told him that I ate the same fruit in Peru and it was called cherimoya and it's very sweet.  He did not know anything about cherimoya.  When I was growing up I often ate a fruit that looks very similar called soursop and it is sour.  But this guanabana I was told, is sweet.  Another fruit that looks similar but smaller is the Custard apple

A Toy Shop

As I walked away from the Central Market I found a very popular pedestrian mall called Carr. Interamericana Sur that was leading me to the National Theater.  On the top of the list of places to go to in San Jose is the National Theater.  That morning the receptionist at the hotel told me that she would make a 3pm reservation for me for the tour of the theater.  I was told that the theater has an ornate architecture inside.  But when I went to the Theater ticket office I was told that the English tour is at 4pm.  I decided to walk to the National Museum, 5 blocks away, to see if I can get in.  Unfortunately, I only had an hour before the theater tour and decided to save it for the next day.

Front entrance of theater

Part of ceiling and seating

Stage and seating

Painting by Italian artist Aleardo Villa in 1897

The above painting is called Allegory of Coffee and Bananas.  It was so well like by the President of Costa Rica, President Rafael Iglesias Castro, that he decided to put it on the 5 colon bill.  However 5 colon is worth much less today so it was taken out of circulation.

5 colon bill depicting the above painting 

Foyer of theater

Pura Vida - Costa Rica

Pura Vida literally means "pure life."  It is Costa Rica's unofficial motto, reflecting on a philosophy of happiness, simple living and a positive outlook.  It is also used as a greeting or thank you or farewell or everything's good.  It's what Costa Ricans mean by a relaxed simple life and appreciating everything positive in life.

So many of my friends have been to Costa Rica.  Many Americans love Costa Rica for exactly the above reasons.  Many have moved and live here because it is such a simple and relaxing lifestyle.  I finally told myself that I have to come and see this country, after I saw some airline flights on sale.  I have been eyeing this company, Caravan Tours, for a long time.  They have been in business since the 1950s' and offers many tours to different places for a very reasonable price.  About three years ago I booked tour with them to Eastern Canada but less than 2 weeks before the tour, I caught COVID.  Sadly, I had to cancel the tour although I got most of my money back.

Caravan runs this tour almost every day and it's always sold out in advance.  I finally just went ahead and picked a date in January 2026 and put a deposit down.  So, here I am, writing this blog in San Jose, Costa Rica (CR), on the eve the start of the tour.

Eight-day tour of Costa Rica

The tour says it's an eight-day tour but it's really only six days because the first and last days are travel days.  The price for two people traveling together is $1,195 each.  For someone traveling solo, you add another $300 to the price.  Below is a summary of the itinerary, courtesy of ChatGPT, which summarized the detailed itinerary.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Arrival in San José Travelers arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and transfer to their hotel in San José. A welcome briefing and dinner are scheduled for the evening.

• Day 2: Sarchi and Coffee Plantation The day begins with a sightseeing drive in San José, followed by a visit to a family coffee farm and a wildlife rescue center. The artisan village of Sarchi is explored, where traditional handicrafts are available for purchase.

• Day 3: Sloth Park and Hot Springs After visiting Zarcero and its topiary gardens, travelers head to Sloth Park to observe sloths in their natural habitat. The day concludes with a visit to volcanic hot springs.

• Day 4: Hanging Bridges and Nicoya Peninsula A guided hike through Hanging Bridges Park offers views of the rainforest. The journey continues through the cloud forest to the Nicoya Peninsula, where travelers will stay at a beach resort.

• Day 5: Scarlet Macaws and Wildlife Hike A visit to a scarlet macaw sanctuary is followed by a wildlife observation hike. The afternoon is free for resort activities.

• Day 6: Leisure Day at Playa Tambor Travelers enjoy a full day at leisure on Playa Tambor, known for its beautiful beach and sunsets.

• Day 7: Gulf of Nicoya and Tarcoles River Cruise The day includes a ferry ride across the Gulf of Nicoya and a wildlife cruise on the Tarcoles River, where various bird species and crocodiles can be observed. The tour concludes with a farewell dinner in San José.

• Day 8: Departure The tour ends with breakfast and scheduled transfers to the airport for departure.

It is a very busy schedule and covers a big part of CR.  However, it's not an activity-heavy schedule because many friends who have been here did things like zip-lining, hiking, surfing, etc.  It's a good overview schedule and if you like certain things or area, you might come back and spending more time here.  Most of Caravan clients are older.  So it will be a leisure pace enjoying the sights and culture and learning about CR's forests and wildlife.

Although we start and end in San Jose, we are not spending much time here, other than driving through the city.  As it's typical for me, I like to come a day or two earlier so that I can walk around the city on my own.  We'll be staying at the Barcelo Hotel in San Jose so I booked an extra two days before the start of the tour.  Including breakfast it came to about $75 a night.  On its website it looks like a nice hotel.  It has many properties in Central America.  During the last part of the tour we'll be staying 3 nights at the Barcelo Hotel in Tambor.

Adios Cuba!

This has been a short beautiful trip to Cuba.  I want to congratulate Inspiring Vacations for putting on such a budget-friendly trip with a taste, but not a heavy-dose, of life in this country.  You can't help comparing what they have, which is virtually nothing, to what we have in the United States.  Why is it necessary to suppress the majority of the people, while only a few of the rich and powerful get to enjoy life?

I also want to give a BIG SHUTOUT to our tour leader, Yasiel.  He is a native-born Havanan and his knowledge and life of Cuba is unequal.  His quirky and gay personality adds spice to our group of seven.  He openly talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Cuba.  Like most Cubans we met, they long for a happier life.  Twenty-four hour electricity, availability of medicine, reliable WiFi, no gas lines, clean streets, etc.  He and his mascot "Alejandro" make quite a pair.

Yasie, with Alejandro

Another pose of Yasiel

There were supposed to be 10 of us in the group but 3 canceled, for whatever reasons.  In every tour that I have been to there is always one or two who stand out.  Someone who is always late.  Someone who is loud.  Someone who tells bad jokes.  Someone who smells.  Someone who is constantly talking.  Someone who always want to taste your food.  Someone with bad table manners. 

We have an over-zealous videographer in our group, whose passion is recording videos of all his trips.  He carries an unbelievable amount of equipment with him, perhaps rivaling some of the professional shows you see on TV, YouTube or TikTok.  

A chair is part of the video equipment

Traveling in a small group is nice, especially with less than 10 travelers.  There is much less friction and personality conflicts.  It is easier to find consensus of opinions.  Moving around is much easier.

Our group of seven travelers plus the driver and guide fit nice into a large passenger van.  It's neither too roomy or too tight.  Our luggage fit nicely into the back.

Our group fits nice into this van

We left Cuba with sadness in our heart.  There is so much potential for this country, yet the people are so poor.  There are no basic food and necessities of everyday life.  How and when will things get better no one knows.  As long as the current government is in control nothing is going to happen.

Latest Update:  The US sent a military force into Venezuela and capture President Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the US.  Why is this important to Cuba?  Venezuela supplies most of the oil to Cuba and without this oil there will be more blackouts.  Without electricity the country cannot function.

Trinidad in Cuba

We are now in the southeastern part of Cuba, in a town called Trinidad.  Many confused this with the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, a pair of Caribbean islands.  We stopped at a pottery shop after driving into town.

Pottery Shop

Then we checked into the Casa Lieser for a 2-night stay, a nice and clean AirBnB run by a family.  Unfortunately, there were constant blackouts while we were here.  They have to rely on generators for a limited amount of electricity, which is not even enough to power a fan.

We set out to explore the town and have lunch.  The town looks old and the streets are made of stones or rocks.

A street in Trinidad

A common form of transportation

one of the buildings

A lobster lunch

The church, which is also a museum, in front of the square

We next have a lesson on Cuban percussion instruments.  It was a fun time for everyone.

Names of percussion instruments

Ready to play the bongo drum

The evening ended at a rooftop bar with live music.

A neighborhood

Neighborhood Street

Sunset view of the city

Rooftop Bar

Sunset from the roof

We had a free day in Trinidad the next day.  All of us chose to go snorkeling.  We drove about an hour outside of Trinidad to a beautiful, mostly empty Ancon Beach.  At its peak there must have been many tourists that come here.  The warm waters of the Caribbean Sea is inviting.  We boarded our catamaran and rode about 20 minutes off the beach.  For $15 we were provided snorkel gear and a ride to a dive spot.  All of us snorkeled, some with life jackets, some without.  There were beautiful corals and colorful fish.  The warm water and sun felt good.

Ancon Beach

Restaurant

Catamaran that we took out to sea

Our location in Cuba

That night we had our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  We were entertained by a duet playing acoustic guitars.  We had a wonderful time listening to songs we loved:  Guantanamera, El Condor Pasa, Felix Navidad, La Bamba, Besame Mucho, etc

It's technically our last day of the trip.  We are taking a long drive, about 7 hours, back to Havana.  On the way we'll stop at Santa Clara, to visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum.  Three of the most notables names in the Cuban Revolution are Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro and Che Guevara.  The mausoleum tells the story with pictures of the life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara.  

A 1960 Iconic Photo, from Wikipedia

"Until Victory Always"

A Che Guevara Statue

After a very long drive in a not very spacious van, we are finally in Havana.  We checked into the Casa D'Osbe, a multi-floored AirBnB.  This is our group's last night together in Cuba.  I was supposed to stay an extra day so that I can revisit some of the sites that I missed.  However, I think I have seen enough of Havana.  I decided to change my flight to leave a day early.  The wifi was slow and I had to repeat some transactions several times to get the flight changed on Delta Airlines.  Finally, with much relief, I was able to change my flight to leave a day early.  My flight leaves in the late afternoon so I have time to walk around the neighborhood before heading to the airport.  Some of the classic cars pictures were taken during this walk.  I also walked along the Malecón or the esplanade along the coast in Havana.  It feels unreal walking here after seeing so many pictures of Cuba, especially the Malecón.

We enjoyed out last dinner together at a restaurant across the street.  A few in the group ordered steaks.  They came out badly, almost uneatable.  They were returned.  Most of us were not too hungry because we had a big buffet lunch at the Che Guevara Plaza.

At long last our beautiful trip in Cuba came to an end.  In the morning we'll be taking taxis to the airport.  Since my flight leaves late in the afternoon I have another morning to walk around Havana.  I took pictures of more classic cars and sights that I missed.  I even stopped at Casa Azul, the hotel where I stayed the first few nights, to say good-bye to Frankie at the front desk.  He was the first Cuban I met who speaks very good English and took good care of me.  I said good-bye the night before to the hotel "go-to" guy, Cesar. who also took good care of me while I was staying there.

To answer the question that everyone has been asking, "No.  It's not dangerous in Cuba.  People are very friendly here."