Lonely Planet Experiences: San Jose Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit

Gladys, the tour guide, was just fantastic. Personable, professional and knowledgable. I was very happy her English was excellent, since my Spanish is not. The tour content was varied and interesting. Lunch was good and the coffee stop was great. I really enjoyed it. Worth the fee for over a half day of entertainment/sightseeing.

With a day to spare as a solo female traveler, I was looking for a way to demystify San Josè and Eric certainly did that. A relaxed, well paced walk through the city and then a drive to Escazu to see how people live. I liked the little traditional paper machè display. You’ll have fun!

Tour guide Gladys was excellent. She was knowledgeable, able to answer our questions, and after the tour we knew so much more about the Costa Rica people and life. She was also very solititous of our comfort. The foods she helped us sample were all new to us, but delicious. We might have liked to see more of Central Market.

Our Urban Adventures guide Gladys was very friendly & knowledgeable about the history & culture of San Jose & Escazú. We all had a great time!

This was a terrible experience, our tour guide was not very informed. The fact that we started in San Jose at the national Theater and ended up in Escazu and had to pay for an Uber back was not very professional. I would not recommend this tour to anyone.

I booked this because it looked a bit different to the usual city tour it ended up being a private tour as i was the only client that day. Carolina met me at the National Teatro where she told me a little about the building's history as well as the history of Costa Rica. We walked to the market, where again she pointed out unusual, interesting and historic traders. A few moee stops around the city centre before hopping in the bus to San Antonio where we had lunch. we then went to see the mask maker who showcased his masks and puppets, gave a little of their history. the bakery visit was about 2 mins, in to pick up traditional biscuits and out again, there was no tortilla making or even an opportunity to buy anything. then onto a coffee shop which had been a settler house built next to the church for coffee to go with the traditional biscuits. the write up had conflicting information at one point it says the tour ends in San Jose and at another outside San Miguel church. It's the latter so make sure you have enough money to get back. It's definitely different, I wouldn't describe it as a tapas tour, it just includes lunch and coffee. Bit's were missing and it didn't really have a natural ending, I'd suggest perhaps a look around the church as it's right next door, but the coffee shop is a bit enclosed. I enjoyed chatting to Carolina about;life in Costa Rica. Quite a bit of walking so not necessarily suitable for those who struggle with hills or heat. I suspect the masks wouldn't overcome the rest of the tour for younger visitors.

My wife and I had the most intimate and enjoyable time with our Guide Catalina. Her English was very good and was pleasant to talk to! We learned a lot about the culture and ate some amazing local food! Would love to come back someday!

Angel did a wonderful job guiding our tour!! We were two Moms with 3 teens from the US and it was a great day. He shared so much about the city, the history, the culture and the sites. He showed local sites that really helped us understand the people and the city. Our tour of the market was fantastic and he allowed us to move at our own pace. Everything he shared was done in a way that both the adults and teens could understand and appreciate. Lunch was GREAT!! Some of the best local food we had on our trip - the girls wanted to return the next day. Finally the trip to the masquerade shop was wonderful and really gave us further insight into the people and the culture. A GREAT tour we would recommend for anyone only made better by our guide Angel!!!

I was the only person on this tour, but that did not diminish the excitement that Claris had. I did not have any concerns about being the only one and in fact felt privileged that I was able to take this tour. Claris was very knowledgeable and friendly.

Wonderful, customized tour. Loved the city and this tour. Tour guide was very friendly.