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San Jose Central Market (Mercado Central) Tours
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San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture

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San José, Costa Rica
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San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture
Pedestrians stroll past a church rising above a main street in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Fresh seafood is on display at a restaurant in San Jose’s central market.
Turtle eggs in salsa are for sale at a seafood restaurant in the central market.
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From US$38.00

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Up to 24 hours in advance
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icon3 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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Overview

Get a taste of San Jose’s culture and cuisine on this 3-hour walking tour. Explore Costa Rica’s capital accompanied by an expert guide and learn about the city’s history, architecture and flavor. Explore the produce stalls of two traditional markets and discover what makes Costa Rican coffee so delicious as you sample some local brews. The tour is capped at 12 people for a personalized small-group experience.
  • San Jose walking and food-tasting tour
  • Explore the city on foot with a local guide who shares insider knowledge
  • Wander through San Jose’s Borbón Market and view its famous stands
  • Stroll through the Central Market and sample Costa Rican food while you sip its legendary coffee
  • Small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people ensures a personalized experience
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Local English speaking guide
Food samples
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional food and drinks

Departure Point

Banco Central de Costa Rica, Av. central y 1, calles 2 y 4, Paso De La Vaca, San José, Costa Rica

Return Details

Central Avenue, Av Central, Los Yoses, San José, San Pedro, Costa Rica
Awaken your taste buds on this flavorful walking tour of San Jose. Start the morning off right with an aromatic cup of Costa Rican coffee when you meet your local guide at the local Mercado Borbón. Explore the stalls of this traditional market and discover the agricultural history of the produce and medicinal products you see. Sample fresh tropical fruit and stop by a coffee stand to learn about traditional bean roasting and brewing methods.

Your next stop is the historic Central Market, which has been providing fresh produce and local goods to San Jose residents since 1882. Wander through the maze of vendor stalls and sample from the incredible variety of fresh produce and other Costa Rican kitchen specialties while your guide discusses the history of the market.

Finish your tour with another cup of rich Costa Rican coffee. You can then continue to explore the market and shop for tasty treasures on your own.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Central Market (Mercado Central)
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Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
San Jose Urban Adventures
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Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Minimum age is 6 years
  • The timing of this tour fits perfectly with our Total Bites and Gold Museum tour or our Pura Vida Experience tour, so you can do both in the same day, if you wish!
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • New Meeting Point effective on March 9th: Main entrance of the Costa Rica Central Bank, in between Avenue 1 and Central by the people monument.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Urban Adventures - Latin America

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture?
A:
The policy on sanitization is:

  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture?
A:
The policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture?
A:
The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by San Jose Walking Tour: Food, History and Architecture.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "Comfy walking shoes is a must and local currency if you want to purchase gifts." See review

Reviews

5.0
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166 Reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 166 reviews
star-5
Good
Kim
, Jan. 2021
It was such a great experience trying the different fruits and learning new traditions. The instructor was very attentive, and knowledgeable.
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star-4
Enjoyable tour
Sanford_F
, Dec. 2020
It was a good tour and the guide was friendly and knowledgeable. It was limited to the markets and some outdoor places due to the virus. We went to many places for eating and drinking.
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star-5
Learning about witches
Nicholas_S
, Oct. 2020
Eric is my tour guide...just me and him! Eric is very professional and is always making sure your ok. This young man is very knowledgeable and pretty much knows everyone....he has taught me a lot about the culture and I really found a new friend.
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star-5
Delicious and informative!
Stephanie_F
, Mar. 2020
My friends and I had an excellent time sampling the food and learning about San Jose. Eric was a great guide and we enjoyed the experience!
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star-5
Authentic experience
Nicky_B
, Mar. 2020
Great way to explore San Jose and take in the history, sights, sounds and tastes of the city (including chocolate!). Angel our guide was super knowledgeable and simpatico!
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star-5
Exactly what I hoped for
Jeremy
, Mar. 2020
I loved the detail and the personal attention we got on the tour. Would highly recommend. We even got a few personal “soda” recommendations which I used for lunch later that day. Great day!
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star-5
Food and history in San Jose
Adrian_G
, Mar. 2020
Initially our guide was late,but turned out a car crash had held him up! The tour was excellent-after a warning about pickpockets and security,we entered the Central Market-tried interesting different food-sterile turtle eggs,unusual fruits. Then explored San Jose,getting info on the history as we walked. Learnt lots!. Finished with a hands-on demonstration of how to make hot cocoa drink by grinding Cacao nibs,plus making tea from the Cacao pod;accompanied by hot tamales! All in all,a tour nobody should miss!
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star-5
Great insight into San Jose!
StephieMac
, Mar. 2020
Fantastic tour. Loved the walk through the food market, seeing all the stalls, understanding the history of the markets, tasting the fruit, seeing the architecture - especially the National Theatre and the Monument to the Workers. Our guide was excellent!!
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star-5
Wonderful taste of Costa Rica!
Ken_R
, Mar. 2020
Excellent tour! Almost four hours wandering around the markets and sights of downtown San Jose. Tasted many fruits I had never even seen before. Also sampled a unique ice cream, and great empanadas. Ended with coffee and tamales. Our guide Angel was knowledgeable and entertaining. He shared some of the history of Costa Rica and its people. I would definitely recommend this tour as a great introduction to the country.
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star-5
Excellent guide!
Nathaly_D
, Mar. 2020
Such a wonderful time visiting San Jose with an exceptionnal guide, Gladys! Learn alot with her. Bright educated young woman who knows her country, its politics, its chalenge and history. A real treat!
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Attractions in San Jose

Metallic Building (Ed)ificio Metálico)Morazan ParkYellow House (Casa Amarilla)Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte Costarricense)Plaza de la CulturaTuru Ba Ri Tropical ParkChirripó National ParkOrosi River Valley (El Valle del Rio Orosi)National Museum (Museo Nacional)Children's Museum (Museo de los Ninos)La Sabana Park EscazuGold MuseumNational Theater (Teatro Nacional)Jade Museum (Museo del Jade)Rescate Animal Zooave
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