糖心传媒

San Jos茅 has certainly grown since it became the capital of Costa Rica in 1823. Known as 鈥淐hepe鈥� by locals, the city boasts world-class museums, creative cuisine, avant-garde art and culture.

Each neighborhood 鈥� or barrio 鈥�  remains small and walkable, with its own distinct character. Here鈥檚 our pick of San Jos茅's best neighborhoods to visit.

1. Downtown

Best for major museums and local culture

Downtown San Jos茅 is the hub of Costa Rican culture and commerce. Hectic it may be, but it鈥檚 still easy to museum-hop on foot.

Save money with a  covering three museums: the contemporary Museo del Jade, home to the world鈥檚 biggest collection of American jade; the subterranean Museo de Oro Precolombino showcasing Costa Rica鈥檚 Indigenous peoples, and the fortress-like Museo Nacional de Costa Rica that dives into the country鈥檚 history. 

On the Plaza de la Cultura 鈥� perfect for people-watching 鈥� the neoclassical Teatro Nacional was inspired by the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris. Take a tour of its grand auditorium or catch a performance, followed by a coffee-and-cake break at its beautiful .

Head west on the pedestrianized Avenida Central to the maze-like Mercado Central, where the stalls are piled high with tropical fruits, aromatic spices and made-in-China souvenirs. It鈥檚 been feeding San Jos茅 since 1880 and still serves traditional treats, such as chorreadas (corn pancakes).

Where to stay: You can鈥檛 get more central than the handsome 1930s  overlooking the Plaza de la Cultura. 

Where to eat: Head to  in the market for delicious local dishes. Or for pan-Asian food, you can鈥檛 beat . 

2. Barrio Escalante

Best for eclectic dining and nightlife

East of downtown, Barrio Escalante is the city鈥檚 hippest 鈥榟ood, known for its diverse dining scene and lively nightlife.

Calle 33 is the main drag, bursting with bars and eateries from vegan caf茅s to brewpubs. And it鈥檚 all within walking distance of downtown鈥檚 sights and in stumbling distance of numerous lodgings.

There are specialty coffee shops, like  and , creative restaurants in handsome period houses such as , communal dining at indoor-outdoor food courts, including  and. In the mood for Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Mexican? You鈥檒l find it here.

Sample Costa Rica鈥檚 cerveza artesanal (craft beer) scene at the barrio鈥檚 gastropubs. Try , the  and  for some of the best local brews.

Where to stay: Towering over Barrio Escalante,  is a modern 29-story building with studios to two-bedroom apartments available for rent.

Where to shop: Shun the tourist tat with locally designed ceramics, woodwork and accessories at . 

3. Barrio Am贸n

Best for architecture and atmosphere

A 10-minute walk north of downtown, historic Barrio Am贸n鈥檚 charming streets are made for wandering. 

It鈥檚 a rich mix of architectural styles and many of its pastel-colored mansions 鈥� dating from the late 19th century coffee boom 鈥� now house boutique hotels, cool caf茅s and cutting-edge art galleries.  

is one such indie gallery with the tagline 鈥渁rte + pensamiento鈥� (art + thought). Its fa莽ade is covered in regularly changing murals and exhibitions that focus on social issues such as feminism and migration. Head to  for the work of local designers.

As part of a national program, the state-run Parque Zool贸gico Nacional Sim贸n Bol铆var closed its doors in 2024; now the site is being transformed into Costa Rica鈥檚 first Urban Natural Park. 

Forested areas are being restored, the botanical gardens are being revamped, and former animal enclosures are being reinvented as recreational and educational spaces. It鈥檚 slated to open in phases between 2025 and 2028.

Where to stay: Set in a restored mansion,  is overflowing with vintage charm and quirky modern art.

Where to eat: Head to  for a contemporary take on Costa Rican fare in a historic setting,  for Vietnamese-inspired cuisine and culture, and the colorful  for coffee and churros.

4. La Sabana  

Best for green space and family fun

Escape the urban jungle in Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, the city鈥檚 green lung built on the site of its first international airport. 

Stroll along the web of walking paths shaded by native trees, jog along the racetrack 鈥� there鈥檚 an inline skating rink, too 鈥� or join the locals in a game of baseball or volleyball. 

And there鈥檚 fun for all the family, with an old-school playground and picnic benches.

Looming over the western end of the park is the state-of-the-art , which hosts the country鈥檚 national soccer team and big-name concerts. To the east, the Museo de Arte Costarricense is in a Spanish-style former airport terminal, with rotating exhibitions and a tranquil sculpture garden.

The perpetually busy Paseo Col贸n heads east towards downtown, and there鈥檚 easy access to Juan Santamar铆a International Airport.

Where to stay: North of the park,  offers comfortable modern lodgings and a pool, and  is a charming, wallet-friendly guesthouse. In a peaceful spot, a 15-minute walk east of the park, the boutique  is in a converted Victorian mansion.

Where to eat:  is a sizable brewpub in front of the National Stadium. The ever-popular  serves up a mix of comida t铆pica and juicy burgers until late.

5. San Pedro

Best for partying

Around 5km east of downtown, sprawling San Pedro is home to the Universidad de Costa Rica 鈥� known as 鈥淟a U.鈥� There鈥檚 no shortage of boisterous bars and budget-friendly eateries around its main campus, and it鈥檚 a fun place to stay and hang out with young Ticos.

During the day, you can explore the campus and check out its Museo de Insectos and  or shop at wallet-friendly .

After classes, Calle de la Amargura 鈥� or just 鈥淟a Calle鈥� 鈥� becomes a magnet for young partygoers. Expect overflowing dance floors, loud music and lots of shots. If you鈥檙e looking for something a little quieter, try .

Where to stay: has everything from dorms to family rooms at prices that are hard to beat.

Where to eat: Along La Calle,  and  offer creative vegan and vegetarian fare; speaks for itself.