San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Los Presentes

  We begin at the Monumento de los Presentes, where we'll introduce the tour by discussing how the city and its culture have endured through many changes. The monument itself personifies the typical inhabitants of the city, who are at risk of disappearing due to modernization. These figures stand firm, serious, and represent a silent rebellion against the sweeping changes around them, symbolizing resilience and the preservation of identity in the face of transformation.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Correos de Costa Rica

  This is the best to understand, why is hard to find an address on here.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Mercado Borbón

  --- We will visit the Borbón Market, also known as the Market of the Carretas, where local families have proudly sold fresh fruits and vegetables for over four generations. This bustling market is a cornerstone of the community, offering a window into the daily lives of vendors who have passed down their knowledge and traditions through the years. As we explore, you’ll be immersed in the vibrant colors, scents, and flavors of the market while learning about its rich history and its essential role in sustaining the city with fresh, local produce. This market serves as both a cultural and agricultural hub, connecting the people of the city with the region’s bountiful harvests.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Central Market (Mercado Central)

  We will visit the Central Market, established in 1880, where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the foundations of Costa Rican agriculture and daily culture. This historic market is a vibrant hub of local life, offering a glimpse into the traditions and practices that have shaped Costa Rican cuisine for generations. As we explore the market, you'll discover the essential ingredients, meet local vendors, and gain insight into the agricultural practices that sustain the region. It's a perfect introduction to the rich cultural tapestry that makes Costa Rica unique.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Joseph of Costa Rica

  We will visit the historic Cathedral of San José, whose origins date back to 1788. This cathedral was part of a grand design involving the construction of five churches arranged to form a cross, a symbol of deep religious significance. The cathedral, built in Romanesque style, features beautiful architectural details and a serene atmosphere. Beneath its foundation lie catacombs, adding a layer of mystery and history to this sacred space. As we explore, you'll learn about the church's importance in Costa Rica's religious and cultural development, as well as the stories embedded within its walls.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Teatro Nacional Costa Rica

  Is include a visit to the entrance hall of Costa Rica’s National Theater. In the heart of San Jose, the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) remains one of the capital city’s most popular tourist attractions.” The ornate Neo-Classical theatre is considered the finest historic building in San Jose, and is known for its exquisite interior decorated with lavish furnishings and beautiful murals.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Parque Espana

  With this walking tour we can also enjoy of the beauty of the nature when we visit the Spain park.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  Templo de la Música

  La Laguna Plaza was initially called in 1887 because it was erected over a small lake in which the inhabitants of San José of the nineteenth century obtained the mud necessary to make the adobes with which they built their houses. There the New Year holidays were celebrated. The lake, of artificial origin and known as the Villanueva well, was known at least since 1790. In 1808, the then Spanish governor of the Province of Costa Rica, Tomás de Acosta, had urged the authorities to dry out the place. Around it, there was a ditch, called Las Arias, so some families had begun to settle, forming a neighborhood called La Laguna. Between 1853 and 1856, President Juan Rafael Mora Porras ordered the construction of the National Liquor Factory in the neighborhood, which came to consolidate the housing presence in the area

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9
  Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop

  We will visit Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop and head up to the second floor, where you'll enjoy a home-cooked meal featuring tamales made from ancient colonial recipes, lovingly prepared by a local family. You'll also have the chance to taste unique dishes such as banana ceviche, Guanacastecan ceviche, or pejibaye ceviche—authentic pre-Hispanic foods. The experience continues with a hands-on cooking class, where you'll learn how to make artisanal chocolate empanadas, all while enjoying specialty coffee brewed in traditional vandolas.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Safety Tips, San Jose is a big city like any other, it is a preventive measure to dont wear flashy jewelry.
• Dont eat before the tour.
• The groups are 12 people with a guide.

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