Costa Rica Pura Vida Experience
San Jose, Costa Rica
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Unmask the beauty of contemporary Costa Rican life on this walking tour of San Jose and Escazu. Get hooked up with some of Costa Rica's local legends, freshest food (make your own tortillas anyone?) and rustic restaurants on this San Jose tour that has you walking in holy footsteps and riding public transport for the ultimate insiders experience!
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Highlights
- Discover a tale of two cities, exploring the real Costa Rica in San Jose and Escazu, the “city of witches”
- Walk the spiritual route of churches and learn the rich local history of Catholicism
- Experience the lively atmosphere of the Central Market, and stroll through San Jose’s largest green space, La Sabana Metropolitan Park
- Visit a legendary masquerade family, renowned for their traditional Costa Rican masks
- Feast on authentic local cuisine at an eighty-year-old inn and learn the traditional way to make tortillas
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
Northeast corner of España Park at the cafeteria – Avenue 7 and Street 11A next to Embajada de Mexico.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 11.30 AM
- Ending point:
National Theatre
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, traditional Costa Rican tapas, local transportation, masquerade show, Chicha drink, tortilla classes, a cup of organic coffee, and ice cream snack.
Exclusions: Transportation to and from meeting point, food and drink other than specified above, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, beverages and alcoholic drinks, tips / gratuities for the guide.
Setting off from the beautiful city park España, you’ll instantly fall in love with San Jose’s beauty. Fortunately, this city has so much more to offer, so you still have loads to look forward to!
Our San Jose walking tour will continue through to the National Museum, past many local churches and graffiti giving you a taste of rich history before delving right back into contemporary Costa Rican life. We think the best way to get to know San Jose is to live it like a local, so we’ll do just that aboard local transportation.
You can’t visit San Jose without checking out the Central Market. A place with over a century of history really is a mandatory stop for anyone looking to enjoy typical Costa Rican food. The San Jose Central Market is also the perfect place to learn about local traditions – like herbal medicines – and to grab a freshly roasted cup of that famous Costa Rican coffee. We’ll visit little shops and explore local artisan stalls. The Central Market is always buzzing with energy, and is a truly authentic cultural experience – a must-see in San Jose.
After walking through the Central Market, we head to one of the oldest cities in Costa Rica, Escazu. On our way to the city of the witches, we’ll visit La Sabana Metropolitan Park which used to be the San Jose international airport visited by John F. Kennedy in 1963. Full of knowledge, secrets, and inspiration, we’ll shift gears to delicious, authentic Costa Rican cuisine. We’ll venture to an 80-year-old inn known for its traditional fare to get a real taste of Costa Rica with a choice of over 20 different Costa Rican Tapas. After lunch we’ll taste chicha, a traditional local drink, in preparation for one of the coolest local traditions - Costa Rican masks and masquerade - and naturally we’re going to take you straight to the legends. We’ll pay a visit to a legendary local master’s house, where three generations of the same family have been making some of the country’s most beautiful masks for celebrations and special holidays. Here we’ll be privy to his creative genius, and he’ll let us in on the family’s secrets for making Costa Rica’s most famous masks.
We’ll continue to a 80-year-old bakery to do as the locals do with an afternoon coffee with homemade bread. You’ll learn how to make your own tortillas too! By the end of this San Jose tour, you’ll feel so much like a local, we bet you’ll be speaking Costa Rican Spanish and everything!
By the end of this San Jose tour, you’ll feel so much like a local, we bet you’ll be speaking Costa Rican Spanish and everything!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, traditional Costa Rican tapas, local transportation, masquerade show, Chicha drink, tortilla classes, a cup of organic coffee, and ice cream snack.
Exclusions: Transportation to and from meeting point, food and drink other than specified above, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, beverages and alcoholic drinks, tips / gratuities for the guide.
Dress standard: Casual dress is fine, but please bring a hat and sunscreen.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: The temperature drops in the late afternoon, so please bring light jackets and/or long sleeved shirts.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.
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Local contact
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