The Art of Craft Beer in San Jose
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.
-
Tour snapshot
Did you get the memo? There’s a beer revolution going down in Costa Rica! Craft beer is here in a big way, and this San Jose beer tour is out to prove that by showing you just how crazy locals are over their beer, and plying you with samples so you understand the phenomenon on a first-hand basis.
-
Highlights
- Explore San Jose’s Barrio Escalante and its collection of awesome local pubs
- Experience the Costa Rica craft beer revolution first-hand
- Sample some of San Jose’s best local craft beers in the microbreweries where they’re made
- Dive head first into local pub culture, discovering which watering holes are most beloved by locals
- Indulge in perfectly paired Costa Rican tapas dishes
-
Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
National Theatre, next to the Costa Rica Grand Hotel
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 2.00 PM
- Ending point:
Stiefel Pub
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, ten small beer samples (approx. 4 oz each), Costa Rican tapas pairings.
Exclusions: Transportation to and from the meeting point/end point, food and drink other than specified above, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for the guide.
As locals have travelled and experienced craft beer abroad, Costa Rica has seen an increase in the popularity of craft beer and microbreweries. With new flavours, new beers, and a new beer culture to boot, now is the time to experience the beer revolution in Costa Rica.
Most of the microbreweries and craft beer-obsessed pubs are based in San Jose, which is pretty fortunate for us. Before we get into the beer, we’ll make a quick stop at the Artesanos Market, which is hands-down the best place in town to grab authentic local souvenirs. After a quick market shop, our San Jose beer tour will kick into full gear as we head to the eastern part of the city: Barrio Escalanate.
Time to get into the heart of this San Jose beer tour! We’ll pay a visit to a local spot that brews their own beer, so you’ll get a full intro to craft beer, brief history of the craft beer movement in Costa Rica, and – of course – sample some of their fine brews! You’ll get to try three small samples of their different beers, which is definitely a solid way to start any tour, isn’t it?
From there our San Jose beer tour will continue through the neighbourhood, popping into some of the area’s most popular pubs, rubbing elbows with locals and learning why these spots are so beloved. At each pub you’ll get to sample either their own in-house beer or a local craft beer, and there will also be some Costa Rican tapas to indulge in (paired with the beer – fancy that!).
Your beer tour of San Jose will finish up in the most popular pub in San Jose, which is a great location to continue on into the evening. Our local guide will be more than happy to provide you with further recommendations and tips on where to keep sampling San Jose’s best craft beers and where to grab a local bite to eat.
-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, ten small beer samples (approx. 4 oz each), Costa Rican tapas pairings.
Exclusions: Transportation to and from the meeting point/end point, food and drink other than specified above, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for the guide.
Dress standard: Casual clothing.
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: If you’d like to purchase things like souvenirs or a bottle of water, please bring some cash with you. Children are welcome in bars, so it’s not an issue to bring them along (age six and over).
Child Policy: Children below the age of 12 are not permitted on this tour.
-
Local contact
BACK TO TOP