Budget-Friendly Things to Do in San Jose
THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in San Jose
Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in San Jose
- Traveller favouritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveller rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
Category types
Traveller rating
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83 places sorted by traveller favourites
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
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Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
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What travellers are saying
- David G4 contributionsWent to the opera, Madam Butterfly, at the theater many years ago. The building is really nice, an historic landmark that is alive today.Written January 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Janet MToronto, Canada5 contributionsBeautifully presented exhibit. Very informative, with creative layout. Exhibits are well spaced so you can see clearly without feeling crowded. Respectful of indigenous culture.Written January 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- luvin2goDurham, NC221 contributionsThere is a great selection of jade and other materials in this museum and the art of it is wonderful.Written January 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Monica MSan Antonio, TX23 contributionsThe museum is fantastically curated in the former home of the Costa Rican army prior to its abolition in the late 1940s. Bite sized information in English and Spanish throughout. Plan for 1.5-2 hours to do it justice. Don’t rush.Written January 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, MN2,142 contributionsThis is an authentic experience. Indoor bustling market in the center of downtown San Jose with vendors selling all sorts of items including fruits and vegetables, flowers, clothing and electronics. This place is filled with locals and tourists like me are few, but I felt comfortable here. There are several places with a counter and seats to grab some food so make sure you take advantage of trying some local fare while here.Written January 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Monica MSan Antonio, TX23 contributionsHoly cow it’s a great place in the historic airport building. Art indoors, out and built into the amazing woodwork in the building itself. Great variety of mediums - art installations in fabric and video in addition to sculptures, drawings, paintings and photographs. Pleasantly surprised to see art from as recently as 2022 on display. Certainly a long way from an old, stuffy, stereotypical art museum. Plan for 1-1.5 hours & take a taxi or an Uber unless you are already near La Sabana park or the University of CR.Written January 25, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kizzyjennyllanelli108 contributionsA nice park with paved paths, a lake, sculptures made from wood and concrete, sitting areas, a running/cycling track, a snack shack, trees and bushes and amazing birdsong.Written November 15, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- mnzamoraCosta Rica179 contributionsWe were celebrating our wedding anniversary and wanted to visit a different national park in Costa Rica and close to San Jose. We decided to visit Braulio carillo and chose the second entrance of this park which is the easiest and most popular the Zurqui ranger station. It is just 12 miles (20 km) northeast of San Jose along the Guapiles Hwy (32) and we surprised with a mysterious but lovely animal (An anteater) that was hidden in a tree, this was the first time we ever saw an anteater in the wild such a lovely animal.Written June 21, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kizzyjennyllanelli108 contributionsWell worth a visit during a day in central San Jose, even though it's a 20 minute walk away. Fairly cheap entrance fee. Information is given on the life cycle of butterflies and on the species that they have, If you are also going to be walking in the nature of Costa Rica during your holiday, expect to see the same butterflies many times over in the wild.Written November 15, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LolaGo1Washington DC, DC5,803 contributionsI passed by this huge, beautiful park on my way to the Atlantic Train Station. Located near the National Museum and a small museum for modern arts, it is easy to locate this park. The huge trees and beautiful plants provide shades to those resting at the benches.
Stop by and enjoy its beauty if you’re in the area.Written November 29, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Colin FToronto, Canada879 contributionsI've gone in a couple of times for a few minutes of contemplation and prayer, for those who want a respite from the busy streets of San Jose. It's not one of the grand cathedrals of the world but pleasant nonetheless. I found it a nice way to give thanks and centre yourself amidst all the hustle and bustle.Written May 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dan Gillotte107 contributionsTrip Advisor doesn't seem to have a listing for the Museo Penitencerio that shares space with the Kids museum but it's ultimately separate.
A small but informative museum reckoning with the terrible history of this prison. The museum recreates the conditions using original cells. It includes actual graffiti from the prisoners as well as statues of inmates with authentic artifacts of the the period.
The museum does a good job at taking responsibility for the atrocious conditions they allowed at this site.Written October 18, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Wayphian H6 contributionsJen our tour guide was great and extremely informative! We saw some many different birds, insects and trees. The best part was seeing the baby sloth. The university campus is beautiful as well.Written June 14, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LolaGo1Washington DC, DC5,803 contributionsI stumbled upon this place while walking back to my hotel. There are lots of beautiful hand-made stuffs to buy here and take home.
I was surprised to see that prices of goods are in US $ and they are quite expensive and not within my travel budget for souvenirs. For example, small embroidered sling bags are $20! I just looked around here and did not buy a thing.
Come here for the experience but be prepared to pay high prices!Written November 30, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stefano BCartago, Costa Rica889 contributionsA wonderful place to have a great time with family, friends or business colleagues. We had a great time in a dinner activity organized by the company for which I work for. Live entertainment, good typical food and a beautiful scenario at Pueblo Antiguo.Written June 3, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
