Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square), San Jose
Right in the heart of San Jos茅, Culture Square is where the city comes alive. Set along the Central Avenue Pedestrian Mall, it鈥檚 the perfect spot to people-watch, toss a few crumbs to the ever-hungry pigeons, or catch an impromptu street performance.
Take a leisurely stroll around the square or relax under a shady tree鈥攖here鈥檚 always a bench waiting for you. When hunger strikes, caf茅s, shops, and restaurants are just steps away, offering everything from Costa Rican coffee to local treats.
Built between 1977 and 1982, the square transformed what was once a neglected park into a lively public gathering place, thanks to architects Jorge Bertheau, Jorge Borb贸n, and Edgar Vargas. And don鈥檛 miss what lies beneath your feet鈥攖he Pre-Colombian Gold Museum, completed in 1985. Home to over 4,000 glittering artifacts, it鈥檚 a treasure trove of Costa Rica鈥檚 ancient history, hidden just below the city鈥檚 modern pulse.
Take a leisurely stroll around the square or relax under a shady tree鈥攖here鈥檚 always a bench waiting for you. When hunger strikes, caf茅s, shops, and restaurants are just steps away, offering everything from Costa Rican coffee to local treats.
Built between 1977 and 1982, the square transformed what was once a neglected park into a lively public gathering place, thanks to architects Jorge Bertheau, Jorge Borb贸n, and Edgar Vargas. And don鈥檛 miss what lies beneath your feet鈥攖he Pre-Colombian Gold Museum, completed in 1985. Home to over 4,000 glittering artifacts, it鈥檚 a treasure trove of Costa Rica鈥檚 ancient history, hidden just below the city鈥檚 modern pulse.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: 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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Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square)
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Jose, Costa Rica
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.
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
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
San Jose Introduction Walking Tour
Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno, former president of Costa Rica, once said: 鈥淪an Jose is the heart of Costa Rica, where the pulse of the nation beats.鈥�
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鈥檚 shift toward independence and urban development. Before becoming the capital, Costa Rica鈥檚 main... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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鈥檚 shift toward independence and urban development. Before becoming the capital, Costa Rica鈥檚 main... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Shopping and Food Walking Tour
Walking the pedestrian-friendly promenades of Costa Rica's capital 鈥� San Jose 鈥� 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
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
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...