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