San José
Costa Rica's capital and largest city, known for European-style theaters, pre-Columbian gold and jade museums, and a strong arts scene.
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San José is Costa Rica's capital and largest city, in the center of the country on the Central Valley plateau at about 1,300 m elevation. It is the seat of national government and the main hub for transport and business. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) serves the city and handled 5.6 million passengers in 2023, mostly on international flights. The city is known for its European-style theaters, its museums and its arts scene. The National Theatre is considered the finest historic building in the capital.
The climate is tropical, with a dry season from roughly January to April and a rainy season from roughly May to November. The heaviest rain falls from July to September. Temperatures are usually around 12 to 28 °C, and mornings and evenings can be cool, so bring a light layer. Plan one or two days for the theaters, museums, historic center and Barrio Amón before heading out of town. The Pacific coast is about 99 km away by road.
San José in five
- Allow time from the airportJuan Santamaría airport is in Alajuela, about 30–60 minutes from downtown depending on traffic. Official airport taxis are orange.
- See the Gold Museum and National TheatreBoth sit on the Plaza de la Cultura downtown, a short walk from the Central Market.
- Use red taxis with a meterLicensed city taxis are red and should run the meter, called la maría.
- Keep valuables close downtownCanada's travel advice flags the Coca-Cola bus terminal area, the inner downtown and the Mercado Central as high-risk theft areas. Carry only what you need and keep your passport secure.
- Book the morning shuttle to the next stopShuttles and buses leave San José for Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, mostly in the morning. Book the night before and avoid tight same-day flight connections.Arenal
Things to do in San José
See all attractions in San José
Need to know
- Airport
- Juan Santamaría (SJO), about 30–60 min to downtown
- Getting there
- Costa Rica's main international airport
- Getting around
- Red metered taxis and walking downtown
- Best base
- Barrio Amón or Escalante, or Alajuela near the airport
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Dry, breezyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Dry, sunnyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Dry, warmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°WarmestAprilRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 478 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Afternoon rainJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 542 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Afternoon rain
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Short dry spellJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 376 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Afternoon rainAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 506 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Afternoon rain
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°RainySeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 578 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°WettestOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 654 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Rain easingNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 388 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Dry, festiveDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, festive
Average daily high and low in San José, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in San José
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
San José
02:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°19°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue24°17°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed21°17°99%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu19°18°95%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Fri23°17°100%Friday: Rain. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat20°18°100%Saturday: Rain. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun25°17°100%Sunday: Rain. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 02:17 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cartagoabout 1 hour by carCosta Rica's former colonial capital, home to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels.
- Herediaabout 30 min by carA university city north of the capital, linked to San José by the passenger train. Check current service before you plan around it.
- Poás Volcano National Parkabout 2 hours by carHome to a crater lake, reached by road. Clouds often cover the crater by afternoon, so go early in the day.
- Pacific coastabout 2 to 2.5 hours by carAbout 99 km by road from San José, so pick a beach before you set out, since the drive depends on the route.
Before you go to San José
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Rules for San José, checked
- Private cars may enter San José only on certain weekdays, set by the last digit of the licence plate; your hire company can explain (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around San José
The capital as the start of a longer route.
Read the guideJacóSurf and the closest Pacific beach.
Read the guideManuel AntonioBeach coves and wildlife, about 3 hours south.
Read the guideArenalThe volcano park near La Fortuna.
Read the guideMonteverdeCloud forest on the ridge.
Read the guideCaribbean CoastCanals, reefs and Afro-Caribbean towns.
Read the guideGetting aroundShuttles, buses and driving.
Read the guideSan José FAQ
Is San José worth visiting?
For a day or two, yes. The museums, the Central Market and the food scene fill a day, and it is a practical stop between flights and the coast.
How do I get from SJO airport to San José?
Take an official orange airport taxi or a shuttle, about 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Public buses also run to downtown.
Should I stay near the airport or downtown?
Stay in Alajuela near the airport for an early flight, or downtown in Barrio Amón or Escalante to see the city.
Is it safe to walk around San José at night?
Stay in busy, lit areas such as the restaurant streets of Barrio Amón and Escalante, and take a taxi between venues after dark. Downtown streets empty out in the evening, so avoid walking them alone.
When is the best time to visit San José?
December to April is driest. May to November brings afternoon showers, usually after a clear morning, so schedule museums for the afternoon and walks for the morning.