San José travel guide
San José Tourism | San José Guide
You're Going to Love San José
With 335,007 inhabitants, San José is the most populous city in Costa Rica. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in San José to see all of its attractions.
Where to Eat in San José
If you’re looking for affordable options, L’ile de France (First floor Residence Inn Marriott, Avenida Escazú) and Sapore Trattoria (San Jose, Avenida Segunda, 1 cuadra al oeste de la Plaza la Democracia) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Ilha da Costa (Ciudad del Este Centro Comercial) and Doma Escalante (#1146, esquina sureste de la rotonda El Farolito) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in San José.
When to visit San José
Looking for warm weather? Then head to San José in April, when the average temperature is 21 °C, and the highest can go up to 26 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 14 °C, with an average temperature of 18 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in September, when precipitation is around 300 mm. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in San José, with an average rainfall of 0 mm.
How to Get to San José
Plane
San José is served by 2 airports: San José Tobias Bolanos Intl (SYQ) and Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO). The closest to the city centre of San José is San José Tobias Bolanos Intl, which is located 3 miles from the city centre. Further away is Juan Santamaria Airport, 9 miles from the centre of San José. The shortest flight to San José from Singapore departs from Singapore and takes around 32h 10m.
Bus
The most popular bus station is San José Terminal Buses, located 0.5 miles from the city centre of San José. San José Tralapa is also a commonly used station, and is 0.7 miles from the city centre.
Airlines serving San José
Where to stay in San José
From 5-star hotels such as the Real InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall to great affordable options like the Hotel Suites Cristina, San José offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around S$ 92 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to S$ 191 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Hotel Sura B&B and Casa Jardin Del Mango. There are also lots of holiday rental options in San José, with prices from S$ 18 to S$ 508 per night. Pavas is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in San José are about 20% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.
Catedral - In San José’s most popular neighbourhood to stay, recommended hotels include Hotel Presidente, Costa Rica Guesthouse and Costa Rica Backpackers - Hostel.
Merced - Here you’ll find travellers’ favourites such as Hotel Novo, Auténtico Hotel and Hotel Quinta Avenida. The average nightly price for a double room in Merced is S$ 26.
Mata Redonda - La Sabana Hotel Suites Apartments, Rincón del Valle Hotel & Suites and Crowne Plaza San Jose La Sabana, An IHG Hotel have some of the best reviews among hotels in this area. A 3-star room in Mata Redonda will cost you about S$ 58 per night.
Where to stay in popular areas of San José
Most booked hotels in San José
Hiring a car in San José
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo and Thrifty are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to hire a car in San José is the Deal Mobility Rent a Car branch at Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica, which is 8 miles from the city centre.
Expect to pay S$ 1.96 per litre in San José (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between S$ 23.51 and S$ 31.35. The most frequently booked car type in San José is Intermediate (Class Intermediate SUV or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is, on average, 94% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.