Costa Rica Guidebook
Food Scene
The Tree House
Excellent eats with fantastic ambience.
Go-Fish
Great little seafood spot.
Fine dining steakhouse with the best beef in the country all imported from Texas.
19 locals recommend
Restaurante Doris Metropolitan
En calle 1, entre avenidas 1 y 3Fine dining steakhouse with the best beef in the country all imported from Texas.
Smashburger
No frills burger joint with excellent, quick food.
Sbarro Escazú
My favorite place to grab a few slices for a quick lunch.
Restaurante La Casona de Laly
The best traditional Costa Rican food in the country hands down.
PF Changs in Avenida Escazu is a trendy restaurant with good eats and an excellent environment.
12 locals recommend
P.F. Chang’s
PF Changs in Avenida Escazu is a trendy restaurant with good eats and an excellent environment.
Avenida Escazu is filled with fantastic luxury dining, shopping and a movie theater. One of the hot spots for dinner on the weekends in San Jose.
114 locals recommend
Avenida Escazu
102 Avenida 2Avenida Escazu is filled with fantastic luxury dining, shopping and a movie theater. One of the hot spots for dinner on the weekends in San Jose.
This is my favorite little Cafe in San Jose. Fantastic local coffee, amazing food and pastries made fresh.
12 locals recommend
Wö Kàpi
This is my favorite little Cafe in San Jose. Fantastic local coffee, amazing food and pastries made fresh.
Bacchus
Calle 5Fantastic Italian Joint in Santa Ana .
Fabulous Pizza joint in Santa Ana with buy one get one free pizzas on Mondays.
8 locals recommend
Pizza República
Radial Santa Ana - San Rafael - BelénFabulous Pizza joint in Santa Ana with buy one get one free pizzas on Mondays.
A little hole in the wall Mexican joint with excellent traditional Mexican food. And YES the owner/chef is from Mexico.
Maria Bonita
A little hole in the wall Mexican joint with excellent traditional Mexican food. And YES the owner/chef is from Mexico.
Dark Kitchens
Calle 5Trendy spot for good eats and a great atmosphere.
ncredibly tender and perfect bife de chorizo. Great wine menu, attentive and fast service and very nice ambiance. Lively but not too noisy.
57 locals recommend
La Esquina de Buenos Aires
ncredibly tender and perfect bife de chorizo. Great wine menu, attentive and fast service and very nice ambiance. Lively but not too noisy.
In the heart of Barrio Escalante, next to the iconic "El Farolito" roundabout, stands DOMA. A house of Costa Rican architecture and Spanish colonial dyes built-in 1945, which was restored for 10 long months; rescuing it from time, updating its design through a colorful façade, and giving it the value it deserves within the neighborhood.
"Donato, Óscar, Marcel and Adrián", its founders, are dreamers, lovers of design, art, and fashion; passionate about cooking and fine dining.
Through fresh products and honest flavors, DOMA has created a gastronomic experience with local products that rise at the foot of the volcanoes, the plains, and the Costa Rican mountains. Which are transformed into art thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our chefs.
DOMA is happy to share this house, a space designed to inspire and encourage creative and entrepreneurial minds to work as a team under a feeling of community and collaboration, with the aim of serving as an oasis in the heart of San José.
DOMA ESCALANTE
In the heart of Barrio Escalante, next to the iconic "El Farolito" roundabout, stands DOMA. A house of Costa Rican architecture and Spanish colonial dyes built-in 1945, which was restored for 10 long months; rescuing it from time, updating its design through a colorful façade, and giving it the value it deserves within the neighborhood.
"Donato, Óscar, Marcel and Adrián", its founders, are dreamers, lovers of design, art, and fashion; passionate about cooking and fine dining.
Through fresh products and honest flavors, DOMA has created a gastronomic experience with local products that rise at the foot of the volcanoes, the plains, and the Costa Rican mountains. Which are transformed into art thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our chefs.
DOMA is happy to share this house, a space designed to inspire and encourage creative and entrepreneurial minds to work as a team under a feeling of community and collaboration, with the aim of serving as an oasis in the heart of San José.
Costa Rica Beer Factory
Calle 33Good food and great selection of local beers.
to theaters, museums, and galleries. Originally, the house belonged to Don Cuco Arrieta, an interesting personage who became famous as a lender (“When he squeezes, Cuco Arrieta”), and as a victim of the first kidnapping in Costa Rica’s history. In any case, a beautiful house was built, which my parents rent from their widow in 1972 after arriving in Costa Rica from China, taking refuge from the Cultural Revolution. Shortly after the restaurant Tin jo opened its doors.
28 locals recommend
Tin Jo Asian Restaurant
Calle 11to theaters, museums, and galleries. Originally, the house belonged to Don Cuco Arrieta, an interesting personage who became famous as a lender (“When he squeezes, Cuco Arrieta”), and as a victim of the first kidnapping in Costa Rica’s history. In any case, a beautiful house was built, which my parents rent from their widow in 1972 after arriving in Costa Rica from China, taking refuge from the Cultural Revolution. Shortly after the restaurant Tin jo opened its doors.
Furca
Excellent ambience, service, food, parking.
Located inside the Intercontinental Hotel. This place has a super good breakfast buffet and lunch menu.
The Market
Located inside the Intercontinental Hotel. This place has a super good breakfast buffet and lunch menu.
One of the best gastronomic experiences in San José. Delicious meat and cocktails. Great service and kind staff, parking, security, nice fancy place, pretty, eco and modern decoration, really clean. The food is fantastic !
17 locals recommend
Nunc City Garden
One of the best gastronomic experiences in San José. Delicious meat and cocktails. Great service and kind staff, parking, security, nice fancy place, pretty, eco and modern decoration, really clean. The food is fantastic !
A very nice place. They have a pleasant, second-story outdoor terrace that is perfect for relaxing - listening to the little river below and trying any (or all - they serve 'tasting' trays) of their well-crafted beers. The food is also well-presented and tasty.
Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co.
A very nice place. They have a pleasant, second-story outdoor terrace that is perfect for relaxing - listening to the little river below and trying any (or all - they serve 'tasting' trays) of their well-crafted beers. The food is also well-presented and tasty.
Sightseeing
Our absolute favorite place in La Fortuna to enjoy the hot springs. They offer accommodation and sell day only day passes for the hot springs. We highly recommend this place !
10 locals recommend
The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
Our absolute favorite place in La Fortuna to enjoy the hot springs. They offer accommodation and sell day only day passes for the hot springs. We highly recommend this place !
Located 2 hours south of San Jose. This is one of my favorite areas in the country. Bring some warmer clothes as it does get chilly at night .
11 locals recommend
San Gerardo de Dota
Located 2 hours south of San Jose. This is one of my favorite areas in the country. Bring some warmer clothes as it does get chilly at night .
Poás Volcano
The closest Volcano to San Jose and definitely worth a day trip.
Santa Teresa
A distance from San Jose but definitely one of my favorite beach towns in the country.
Britt Coffee Tour has educated and entertained more than a million visitors since 1991. Enjoy a half-day tour through our working gourmet coffee plantation and roastery and fullfill your Costa Rican coffee experience! Our expertise goes into that delicious beverage you enjoy every morning. We’ll show you how we do it!"
48 locals recommend
Britt Coffee Tour
Britt Coffee Tour has educated and entertained more than a million visitors since 1991. Enjoy a half-day tour through our working gourmet coffee plantation and roastery and fullfill your Costa Rican coffee experience! Our expertise goes into that delicious beverage you enjoy every morning. We’ll show you how we do it!"
Museum featuring historic gold artifacts, including figures & coins, in a modern, underground space.
133 locals recommend
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Avenida CentralMuseum featuring historic gold artifacts, including figures & coins, in a modern, underground space.
Playful children's museum offering hands-on exhibitions in a castle-style structure.
63 locals recommend
Kid's museum
Calle 4Playful children's museum offering hands-on exhibitions in a castle-style structure.
Lively, mazelike market with vendors for produce, fish, coffee, hot snacks & traditional crafts.
65 locals recommend
San José Central Market
Avenida CentralLively, mazelike market with vendors for produce, fish, coffee, hot snacks & traditional crafts.
Sprawling tropical forest with a huge variety of plant & animal species, plus guided tours & trails.
141 locals recommend
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Carretera a Reserva de MonteverdeSprawling tropical forest with a huge variety of plant & animal species, plus guided tours & trails.
Eco park with hiking trails to 5 cascades & a wildlife sanctuary home to jungle cats & monkeys
288 locals recommend
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Eco park with hiking trails to 5 cascades & a wildlife sanctuary home to jungle cats & monkeys
The Irazú Volcano is an active volcano in Costa Rica, situated in the Cordillera Central close to the city of Cartago.
235 locals recommend
Irazú Volcano
The Irazú Volcano is an active volcano in Costa Rica, situated in the Cordillera Central close to the city of Cartago.
Arenal Volcano
Everything about this place is amazing.
Neighborhoods
Super family oriented suburb of San Jose. Sunday fruit market downtown. Lots of little local eats and some fine dining options . Located just 10 minutes away from Santa Ana and Escazu where you ca find unlimited loads of options for entertainment and dining.
13 locals recommend
Ciudad Colón
Super family oriented suburb of San Jose. Sunday fruit market downtown. Lots of little local eats and some fine dining options . Located just 10 minutes away from Santa Ana and Escazu where you ca find unlimited loads of options for entertainment and dining.
A suburb of the capital city San Jose, Santa Ana is nestled in the foothills between Puriscal and Escazu.
This quaint little town is a balance of traditional Costa Rican culture and modern amenities.
Nicknamed “Valle del Sol” meaning “valley of the sun,” the town boasts two professional golf courses, restaurants, commerce and much more. Whether vacationing or relocating in a luxury condo here, this is the perfect place to find handcrafted pottery stores.
Each sunday morning visitors and residents can take in the Feria del Agricultor, a farmers market with fresh produce, fresh snacks and the opportunity to visit with the local merchants and growers while getting a glimpse of traditional Costa Rican life.
Santa Ana
A suburb of the capital city San Jose, Santa Ana is nestled in the foothills between Puriscal and Escazu.
This quaint little town is a balance of traditional Costa Rican culture and modern amenities.
Nicknamed “Valle del Sol” meaning “valley of the sun,” the town boasts two professional golf courses, restaurants, commerce and much more. Whether vacationing or relocating in a luxury condo here, this is the perfect place to find handcrafted pottery stores.
Each sunday morning visitors and residents can take in the Feria del Agricultor, a farmers market with fresh produce, fresh snacks and the opportunity to visit with the local merchants and growers while getting a glimpse of traditional Costa Rican life.
Escazu is a suburb of San Jose in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. In Escazu you’ll find great bars, restaurants, shopping, and medical care. It is home to one of the best shopping malls in San Jose, the Multiplaza Escazu, the modern Hospital La Cima and several high-end hotels. A lot of European and North American expats have settled in Escazu and Santa Ana because it is physically close to San Jose yet seems so far away from the bustling city atmosphere. Escazu is a great location for those looking for a combination of modern amenities and high end real estate, gated communities sophisticated dining and Tico culture.
San José - Escazú
Escazu is a suburb of San Jose in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. In Escazu you’ll find great bars, restaurants, shopping, and medical care. It is home to one of the best shopping malls in San Jose, the Multiplaza Escazu, the modern Hospital La Cima and several high-end hotels. A lot of European and North American expats have settled in Escazu and Santa Ana because it is physically close to San Jose yet seems so far away from the bustling city atmosphere. Escazu is a great location for those looking for a combination of modern amenities and high end real estate, gated communities sophisticated dining and Tico culture.
Once just another residential neighborhood in Costa Rica’s capital, Barrio Escalante has transformed into one of the trendiest spots in San José.
With enough restaurants to please even the most serious foodie, outdoor spaces to enjoy the warm Costa Rican air and nightlife to keep the festivities going well into the evening hours.
190 locals recommend
Barrio Escalante
Once just another residential neighborhood in Costa Rica’s capital, Barrio Escalante has transformed into one of the trendiest spots in San José.
With enough restaurants to please even the most serious foodie, outdoor spaces to enjoy the warm Costa Rican air and nightlife to keep the festivities going well into the evening hours.
Kids fun
Jump Center Terrazas Lindora
Kid's museum
Calle 4Refugio Animal de Costa Rica
Centro de Conservación de Santa Ana
Santa Ana Town Center
BAMOBAM