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Vibrant street art in a lively San José alleyway, showcasing Costa Rica's urban culture.
A train moves through a green neighborhood in San José, Costa Rica on a bright day.
Captivating aerial shot of Iglesia de la Inmaculada in Heredia, Costa Rica, with lush surroundings.
Photo by Mario Spencer on Pexels
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San José

San José, Costa Rica · North America

About San José

San José sits on the route: 5 minutes from San Pedro, 33km from Poás Volcano.

San José is in Costa Rica, with about 340,000 people. The nearest town is San Pedro, about 4 km away.

Where to Stay in San José

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see near San José?

Within an hour or so of San José: Poás Volcano (33 km), Cerro de la Muerte (55 km).

Are there any good drives near San José?

The nearest famous roads are Cerro de la Muerte.

Where is San José?

San José is in San José, Costa Rica, about 4 km from San Pedro.

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What's nearby?

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Quick Information

Population
335,007
Continent
North America
Country
Costa Rica
Region
San José
Timezone
America/Costa_Rica
Coordinates
9.9339, -84.0849

Tags

North AmericaCosta RicaSan JoséCity

Worth the detour from San José

2 notable places within an hour's drive.

natural wonder

Poás Volcano

An active volcano with one of the world's largest crater lakes, an acidic turquoise pool measuring nearly 300 meters wide.

33 km · about 40 min drive

mountain pass

Cerro de la Muerte

The 3,335-m 'Mountain of Death', the highest point on Costa Rica's Pan-American Highway: a cloud-forest pass of paramo, quetzal country and roadside soda cafes.

55 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near San José

  • 55 kmCerro de la MuerteThe 3,335-m 'Mountain of Death', the highest point on Costa Rica's Pan-American Highway: a cloud-forest pass of paramo, quetzal country and roadside soda cafes.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near San José.

San Rafael

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

6 km awayPop. 25,410

Plan a trip around San José

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence