San Jose Landmarks and Monuments

(San Jose, Costa Rica)

The city is known for its abundant parks and plazas, a leftover from its days as a Spanish settlement. Among the most pleasant and appealing of these past landmarks are the Democracy Plaza and the Plaza of the Culture, both of which offer interesting sculptures and street vendors.

Parks contain some of the city's second more distinctive landmarks and provide respite from the otherwise bustling city centre. Both the Parque Morazán (Morazán Park) and the Parque Nacional (National Park) are well-known in San Jose for their interesting monuments and structures, along with seasonal flowers and picnicking opportunities.

Poas Volcano

Address: Poas Volcano, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
No visit to Costa Rica would be complete without seeing some of the volcanoes that make up the tropical landscape of the country. Poas is one of the easiest to reach from San Jose, with buses departing from Parque La Merced daily for the ride to the volcano.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Democracy Plaza (Plaza de la Democracia)

Address: Plaza de la Democracia, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
This busy plaza is a great spot for admiring the mountains which surround the city. Featuring sculptures and an outdoor market selling arts and crafts, the plaza makes for an interesting visit.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Morazán Park (Parque Morazán)

Address: Parque Morazán, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
Housing some of the city's most interesting monuments is this popular city park. Not only are there statues, but the park is home to the centrally situated, domed Temple of Music (Templo de Música) and a pretty Japanese garden in its northeastern corner.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

National Park (Parque Nacional)

Address: Parque Nacional, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
This shady park offers respite from San Jose's busy streets and features two significant statues. One statue depicts national hero Juan Santamaria, while the other presents a scene of William Walker being banished by the Central American nations. The National Park is referred to by the local Costa Ricans as the Parque Nacional, and is also lined by some of the capital's most important landmarks and historical buildings.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Plaza of the Culture (Plaza de la Cultura)

Address: Plaza de la Cultura, San Jose, Costa Rica, CR
Visited not only for its interesting museums and buildings, but for its street vendors too, this busy plaza is a great place to people watch. Lining the plaza is the National Theatre and underneath it are two city museums. The Plaza of the Culture has become an integral part of the city and very much central to the action.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free