San Jose is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. San Jose works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around San Jose, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 2 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from San Jose, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in San Jose starts at around €71 per night, with a typical rate near €101 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Hyatt Place San José/Pinares, 3-star, guest rating 9.2 from 136 reviews, from €93 per night; Hotel Presidente, 4-star, guest rating 9.2 from 240 reviews, from €96 per night; Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Escazu, 4-star, guest rating 9.2 from 359 reviews, from €127 per night; Grano de Oro Hotel, 4-star, guest rating 9.2 from 641 reviews, from €190 per night; Sheraton San Jose Hotel, Costa Rica, 4-star, guest rating 9 from 140 reviews, from €87 per night.
Day trips & routes: Alajuela — about 136 km, 2h 21m drive; Liberia — about 211 km, 3h 27m drive. Fastest option is Alajuela: 2h 21m by car.
San Jose: what to know
Things to see: "Ebano Waterfalls and Rainforest Safari Tour", rated 5 from 72 reviews, from €75.92; "Rafting Sarapiqui River Class II-III Costa Rica", rated 5 from 57 reviews, from €53.59; "Horseback our Hacienda - 4 hours Coffee Tour", rated 5 from 48 reviews, from €49.35; "Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari Tour", rated 5 from 42 reviews, from €107.19; "Queveri Horseback Riding Tours", rated 5 from 36 reviews, from €58.06.
San Jose has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 2 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in San Jose is around €101, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in San Jose you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 2 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Costa Rica, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
