Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton
A national landmark steps from the National Theatre, restored by Hilton for its Curio Collection, in the middle of San José's museums and plazas.
4-starView hotel
San José, Costa Rica's Capital
The capital, 30 minutes from the airport, with the National Theatre, the Gold Museum and the Central Market. Most of our clients spend 1 night here, on arrival or before flying home.
- Fly into
- SJO
- About 30 minutes from the city
- Stay
- 1 night
- What most of our clients choose
- Best weather
- Dec to Apr
- Spring-like and dry
- Region
- Central Valley
- The capital, volcanoes, coffee
- Pairs with
- Arenal
- Private transfer, 3 to 3.5 hours
Why go
A night in the capital, done well
San José grew around the Plaza de la Cultura, and the best of the city is still within walking distance of it: the National Theatre, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum beneath the plaza, the National Museum inside the Bellavista Fortress and the Jade Museum, with more than 7,000 pieces. Walk down Avenida Central to the Central Market, then have dinner in Barrio Escalante, where many of the city's most interesting restaurants are.
MuseumsGold, Jade and the National Museum
MarketsThe Central Market and Avenida Central
Day tripsPoás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens
The map
Every hotel we book in San José
17 hotels, our favourites numbered.
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
Hotel Grano de Oro
A Victorian-style mansion near Paseo Colón and La Sabana, with 40 rooms, fountain courtyards, fresh flowers and fine art, and the city kept quietly outside.
4-starView hotel
What our clients book most in San José
Ranked from the trips we planned in the last 12 months.
- 01San José city tourPrivate or shared, 4 hours
- 02La Paz Waterfall GardensShared, 7 hours
- 03Poás Volcano, Doka coffee and La Paz in one dayTour
When to go
Spring-like weather December to April
May to November is the green season, with more rain. The theatre and the museums make San José a good stop in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Driest monthsGreen season, more rainSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
30 minutes from the airport
From the airport (SJO)about 30 minutesPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals
From Manuel Antonioabout 3 hoursPrivate transfer, for a last night before flying home
On to Arenal3 to 3.5 hoursOr by way of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a day of sightseeing on the road
Where to go next
Where our clients go after San José
Good to know
San José questions we answer every week
Should I stay in San José?
1 night is what most of our clients choose: on arrival if your flight lands late, or before an early flight home. Your Specialist plans it around your flights.
How far is San José from the airport?
About 30 minutes by private transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
What is there to do in San José?
The National Theatre, the Gold, Jade and National museums, and the Central Market. A city tour covers the highlights in one afternoon.
What day trips can I take from San José?
Poás Volcano is about an hour away and La Paz Waterfall Gardens about an hour and a half. A day tour can combine both with the Doka coffee plantation.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística