The Mercado Central is a maze of narrow alleys with more than 200 shops, stalls and small family eateries called 'sodas', selling everything from coffee and herbs to cowboy saddles. It has been declared part of Costa Rica's cultural heritage. Mercado Borbón, two blocks to the north, focuses on fresh produce, meat and fish.

Cartago served as the colonial capital of Costa Rica for over two centuries. However, after a brief civil war in 1823 known as the Battle of Ochomogo, the victorious republican forces decided to move the capital to San José. Today, Cartago remains a deeply historic city, famous for hosting the annual pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels.

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The famous Lolo Mora stall in the Mercado Central has been making its secret-recipe sorbetera for more than a hundred years. This custard-like ice cream is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, and its slightly icy texture is quite different from ordinary vanilla.

Known today as the lungs of San José, La Sabana served as the country's main international airport from 1940 until 1958. When the airport was relocated to Alajuela, the area was transformed into a massive public park. The original art deco terminal building was preserved and now beautifully houses the Costa Rican Art Museum.

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Unveiled in 1895, this prominent bronze monument depicts the Central American republics driving away the American filibuster William Walker, who attempted to conquer the region in the 1850s. The sculpture was created in Paris by Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse and shipped to Costa Rica. It remains a powerful symbol of national sovereignty and unity.

President Óscar Arias Sánchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for drafting the Esquipulas Peace Agreement. This historic accord aimed to end the devastating civil wars raging across several Central American nations during the 1980s. Arias famously used the prize money to establish a foundation promoting global peace and human security.

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Modeled after the opulent Palais Garnier in Paris, the National Theatre opened in 1897. It was funded by a special tax on coffee exports, which was the country's main source of wealth at the time. Inside, you can admire beautiful marble statues, exquisite ceiling paintings, and an elegant golden lobby that transports you straight to 19th-century Europe.

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This tranquil sanctuary is nestled right along the Torres River, providing a lush green oasis in the middle of urban San José. It acts as a vital biological corridor, helping to conserve native butterfly species and their host plants. Visitors can walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies while listening to the soothing sounds of the nearby river.

Designed by Belgian architect Charles Thirion, this unique iron schoolhouse was made in Belgium, shipped across the Atlantic in pieces, and assembled in San José, where it opened in 1896. It was the first metal building in Central America, and it still works as a primary school today.

The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is situated in a subterranean building directly beneath the bustling Plaza de la Cultura. This architectural choice keeps the plaza open for pedestrians while protecting a priceless collection of over 1,600 individual pre-Columbian gold artifacts. Visitors descend three levels underground to explore these ancient indigenous treasures.

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