Avenida Central (Central Avenue), San Jose

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Avenida Central (Central Avenue), San Jose

Avenida Central (Central Avenue), San Jose

Central Avenue stretches for a lively mile through the heart of San José, linking the northern and southern parts of the city. The pedestrian street hums with activity, where locals and visitors mingle amid the rhythm of street performers, musicians, and dancers that bring energy and color to the thoroughfare.

The Central Avenue serves as a gateway to the city’s key attractions, including the Central Market, Plaza de la Cultura, Museo del Jade, and numerous historic buildings. Shops, restaurants, and local art galleries pepper the street, offering everything from handcrafted souvenirs to traditional Costa Rican cuisine.

Central Avenue in San José is dotted with an eclectic mix of bronze statues, colorful murals, and creative art installations that reflect the city’s vibrant culture and history. Life-sized figures, abstract sculptures, and playful public art pieces provide striking visual highlights along the pedestrian boulevard.

The murals on building walls add bursts of color and storytelling, depicting everything from local legends to everyday city life, and providing vibrant backdrops for photos and a sense of the city’s creative spirit.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Avenida Central (Central Avenue) on Map

Sight Name: Avenida Central (Central Avenue)
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in San Jose, Costa Rica

Create Your Own Walk in San Jose

Create Your Own Walk in San Jose

Creating your own self-guided walk in San Jose is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Jose Introduction Walking Tour

San Jose Introduction Walking Tour

Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno, former president of Costa Rica, once said: “San Jose is the heart of Costa Rica, where the pulse of the nation beats.”

San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The city's origins are tied to the country’s shift toward independence and urban development. Before becoming the capital, Costa Rica’s main...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Historical Buildings Tour

Historical Buildings Tour

What's known today as San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, came into being as a small settlement during the Spanish invasion, circa the mid-16th century. From a town of little importance, San Jose eventually evolved into a densely-populated cosmopolitan city, built mostly with proceeds from coffee trade.

The historic architecture of San Jose is a mix of European and Latin American styles...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Shopping and Food Walking Tour

Shopping and Food Walking Tour

Walking the pedestrian-friendly promenades of Costa Rica's capital – San Jose – is a great way to experience the local culture. Despite an occasional rainstorm, the country's tropical weather makes outdoor shopping an undeniably fun experience. The downtown part of San Jose has no shortage of department stores, traditional marketplaces and souvenir shops selling handcrafts.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose

17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose

Not to be confused with San Jose, the sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural...