San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
Description
Unmask the beauty and culture of contemporary Costa Rican life on this San Jose walking tour. You'll get up close and personal, through local food, history, culture even the herbal remedies of folk medicine. Enjoy exotic, fruits, in the Borbon Market. We’ll take a stroll through the vibrant Central Market, tasting local ice cream, Lolo Mora is over 100 years old. Seeing diverse sites the Cathedral, National Theater, the beautiful Central and Morazan parks will help you get to know the country and its rich history and from this experience, you'll have another sense taste to get more in tune with San Jose. For the end visit Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop where you will find gourmet coffees and chocolates, in this special place tasting and learn to prepare Cafe Chorreado, enjoy coffee tasting, picadill, tamal cooked by local families and wrapped in a banana leaf, make your own plantain empanadas with cheese, try our famous Agua de Sapo make with ginger, sugar cane and lemon.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We begin at the Monumento de los Presentes, where we'll introduce the tour by discussing how the city and its culture have endured through many changes. The monument itself personifies the typical inhabitants of the city, who are at risk of disappearing due to modernization. These figures stand firm, serious, and represent a silent rebellion against the sweeping changes around them, symbolizing resilience and the preservation of identity in the face of transformation.
--- We will visit the Borbón Market, also known as the Market of the Carretas, where local families have proudly sold fresh fruits and vegetables for over four generations. This bustling market is a cornerstone of the community, offering a window into the daily lives of vendors who have passed down their knowledge and traditions through the years. As we explore, you’ll be immersed in the vibrant colors, scents, and flavors of the market while learning about its rich history and its essential role in sustaining the city with fresh, local produce. This market serves as both a cultural and agricultural hub, connecting the people of the city with the region’s bountiful harvests.
We will visit the Central Market, established in 1880, where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the foundations of Costa Rican agriculture and daily culture. This historic market is a vibrant hub of local life, offering a glimpse into the traditions and practices that have shaped Costa Rican cuisine for generations. As we explore the market, you'll discover the essential ingredients, meet local vendors, and gain insight into the agricultural practices that sustain the region. It's a perfect introduction to the rich cultural tapestry that makes Costa Rica unique.
We will visit the historic Cathedral of San José, whose origins date back to 1788. This cathedral was part of a grand design involving the construction of five churches arranged to form a cross, a symbol of deep religious significance. The cathedral, built in Romanesque style, features beautiful architectural details and a serene atmosphere. Beneath its foundation lie catacombs, adding a layer of mystery and history to this sacred space. As we explore, you'll learn about the church's importance in Costa Rica's religious and cultural development, as well as the stories embedded within its walls.
Is include a visit to the entrance hall of Costa Rica’s National Theater. In the heart of San Jose, the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) remains one of the capital city’s most popular tourist attractions.” The ornate Neo-Classical theatre is considered the finest historic building in San Jose, and is known for its exquisite interior decorated with lavish furnishings and beautiful murals.
We will visit Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop and head up to the second floor, where you'll enjoy a home-cooked meal featuring tamales made from ancient colonial recipes, lovingly prepared by a local family. You'll also have the chance to taste unique dishes such as banana ceviche, Guanacastecan ceviche, or pejibaye ceviche—authentic pre-Hispanic foods. The experience continues with a hands-on cooking class, where you'll learn how to make artisanal chocolate empanadas, all while enjoying specialty coffee brewed in traditional vandolas.
In front of Mr. Sloth Coffee, you can find two beautiful parks: Morazán Park, which features El Templo de la Música, and Spain Park. Additionally, the Barrio Escalante area is just a 10-minute walk away.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Safety Tips, San Jose is a big city like any other, it is a preventive measure to dont wear flashy jewelry.
- Dont eat before the tour.
- The groups are 12 people with a guide.
- We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.
Reviews(1,917)
Great experience had great time with Oscar. He is very personable and knowledgeable. I enjoyed trying different fruits that I have never had before and the food was tasty. And to top off some delicious coffee. I definitely recommend to anyone coming to San Jose.
"Thank you so much for the fantastic recommendation! We are thrilled to hear that you had a great time with Oscar and enjoyed discovering exotic fruits you'd never tried before. Finishing the tour with our delicious Costa Rican coffee and tasty local food is the ultimate local experience. Thank you for exploring with San José Urban Tours, and safe travels on all your future adventures! Pura vida!"
Wear comfortable shoes it is a lot of walking. Our tour guide Marcelo was funny and very knowledgeable. Also offered to wait if anyone wanted to check out something that interested them on the tour.
"Thank you so much for the great review and for sharing that helpful tip about comfortable shoes! We are thrilled to hear that Marcelo’s humor, deep knowledge, and attentive pace made your walking tour so enjoyable. Giving our guests the freedom to explore what sparks their interest is what local hospitality is all about. Thank you for choosing San José Urban Tours, and safe travels on all your future adventures! Pura vida!"
A nice tour; not too long or too short. Just right. Our tour guide Marcel was very upbeat and knowledgeable. He shared a lot of interesting information about food and also the history of San Jose and Costa Rica. We tasted ice cream, fruits, tamales, frog juice, and we made our own sweet empanadas. Of course the tour ended with a coffee tasting. A nice introduction to downtown San Jose and its tasty foods.
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that the tour length felt 'just right' and that Marcel made such a great impression with his upbeat energy and deep knowledge. Trying unique flavors—from local fruits and tamales to ice cream, herbal blends, and making your own sweet empanadas—is what makes this journey so special! Thank you for exploring with San José Urban Tours, and safe travels on all your future adventures! Pura vida!"
We are a family of five, my teens were reluctant to do this activity but in the end, they all really enjoyed it and the parents just as much!
Un grand merci pour ce super commentaire ! Nous savons à quel point il peut être délicat de captiver des adolescents, alors savoir que toute la famille a passé un excellent moment est la plus belle des récompenses pour notre équipe. Rien ne nous fait plus plaisir que de voir les doutes du début se transformer en de super souvenirs partagés autour de notre culture et de nos spécialités locales. Merci d'avoir choisi San José Urban Tours pour votre séjour, et très bonne suite de voyage en famille ! Pura vida ! »
It was good and informative and well planned. Food was very flavorful. Guide was on point and we'll organized
"Thank you so much for the great review! We are thrilled to hear that you found the tour well-planned, informative, and packed with flavor. Our guides take huge pride in keeping every group organized while sharing the very best local dishes and hidden culinary gems of the city. Thank you for choosing San José Urban Tours, and safe travels on your future adventures! Pura vida!"
Relaxed way to spend a morning in San Jose. Nice to see the markets and a couple of key sights. Our guide was lovely and very informative. I was expecting to be trying street food along the way, however this was not the case and the 'bites' happened at the tour operator's cafe at the end. Therefore, I would say the advice to not eat beforehand is not a good idea, as you don't actually eat anything except some fruit for the first 2/2.5hrs! Overall though an enjoyable experience for a good price.
Thank you so much for your review and honest feedback! We’re so glad you had a relaxed morning exploring the city sights and markets with our guide. Regarding the food timing: we intentionally host our main culinary tastings and empanada workshop in our dedicated cafe space toward the end of the tour to ensure the highest standards of food preparation, comfort, and hygiene—starting with light fruit tastings in the markets to keep things fresh. However, your point about having a light bite before heading out is completely fair and super helpful for future guests to pace themselves! Thank you for choosing San José Urban Tours, and we appreciate your recommendation. Pura vida!"
Great tour. I enjoyed being in the main downtown and seeing the markets. The tasting of the fruits and local food was delicious. I would have love a bit more history but thats just me. The guide was very informative. The coffee store was amazing and the coffee specialist was a perfectionist when it came to coffee. Everyone was very friendly
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed exploring downtown San José, tasting fresh fruits in the local markets, and experiencing our specialty coffee session—our coffee expert truly takes pride in perfecting every single cup! We also really appreciate your note regarding the city's history; balancing food, culture, and historical context is always our top priority, and we love tailoring those details for guests who want a deeper dive. Thank you for choosing San José Urban Tours, and safe travels! Pura vida!"
The experience was just great! Perfect pace, clear explanations, attentive guide, and very beautiful discoveries in the center of San José, both culturally, gastronomically, and historically. I highly recommend it if you are fond of tours that are off the beaten path, accessible to everyone, and very informative. Thanks to our guide and Pura Vida!
"Merci infiniment pour ce magnifique commentaire ! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que le rythme de la visite, l'attention de notre guide et les découvertes vous ont autant plu. Proposer une visite culturelle et gastronomique à San José qui sorte des sentiers battus tout en restant accessible à tous est exactement ce que nous cherchons à offrir. C'est un vrai bonheur de partager l'histoire, la cuisine et les traditions cachées de notre capitale avec vous. Merci pour votre recommandation, et Pura Vida !"
This was such a fun couple of hours. I loved visiting the markets, and the cathedral. It was fun to taste fresh fruits from the market! The ice cream was yummy! The tamales at the end were so delicious especially with the gold sauce on it. It was really fun to make our empanada to enjoy with coffee. The staff were amazing!
Thank you so much for such a lovely review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed exploring the vibrant markets and the Cathedral with us. Trying fresh tropical fruit, traditional market ice cream, and authentic Costa Rican tamales (with that legendary golden Lizano sauce!) is what makes our San José market and food tour so special. Making your own empanada to pair with local coffee is always a highlight! Our team truly appreciates your kind words. Pura vida!"
Angel was a terrific guide. Very knowledgeable about the history of Costa Rica and the local food scene. The only downside was that there weren’t a lot of foods being sampled during the tour. And he didn’t really get into the street food scene at all. He did a good job covering some of the traditional Costa Rican food but I felt like I didn’t really discover much more than what I’d already known about Costa Rican food…and my knowledge is limited.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We’re glad to hear that Angel made a great impression with his deep knowledge of Costa Rican history and traditional cuisine. While our San José walking food tour is designed around classic recipes, historic market stops, and cultural roots rather than street food stalls, we take your comments about tasting variety very seriously. We're constantly refining our stops and portions to offer the best possible taste of our country. Thank you for exploring the city with us!"
