Welcome to Costa Rica!! Historical and Cultural Walking Tour

Duration: 2h and 30min
Languages: English
Guru: Jules
Quality Verified Registered on June 21, 2022

Hello travelers! Welcome to San Jose! My name is Jules. I was born here in Costa Rica and raised in the United States. Experiencing both cultures has deeply broadened my perspectives of the world in a meaningful way. With more than 15 years of living in Costa Rica, I can truly say I have adopted the “Pura Vida” lifestyle – from excursions deep into the jungle to experiencing the music and food unique to the country. And as an avid reader and cultural buff, it’s been a fascinating journey to learn about the history that surrounds this amazing city. It will be my pleasure to be your guide! Let me share the stories that can open your eyes to the wonders that are in front of you as we take a journey from the past and see things in the present in a fresh way as we walk through history and its ties to the present – and beyond! This tour is tips based – so just know your tour is incentivized for the highest quality and enjoyment! The idea is to provide you with more than just a standard walking tour. I was an ESL teacher for many years so I know the value of keeping a group engaged and interested.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

Join our tour and come along with fellow travelers as we explore the concrete jungle of San Jose (but don’t worry, there will be plenty of green as well). The tour is designed for maximum scenic views of the city. Each location will offer its unique flavor to the landscape. There will be plenty of stories and fun facts to keep kids/adults of all ages entertained and informed.

Did you know that San Jose was not originally the Capital of Costa Rica? What events brought it to be? How did old pirates in the Caribbean influence decisions of new settlers?  How did Costa Rica go from a forgotten outpost of the old “New Spain” territory to the modern country that blends simple life in the country with contemporary comforts in modern cities? What the heck does Napoléon have to do with all of this? Explore the area on a guided 2-hour tour that will show how the past has shaped the present as we move into the future.

Some of the places we will visit:

  • Teatro Nacional 
  • Iglesia Metropolitana
  • Paseo de los Estuadiantes 
  • Plaza de la Democracia 
  • Parque Nacional 
  • La Casa Amarilla 
  • Parque Morazan


We know that your time is valuable. The idea is to provide you with a fun and often interactive circuit through the city that highlights the themes and stories of old San Jose. Breathe some fresh air into your San Jose vacation and see the city with new eyes. One of the benefits of the tour is that you will be able to share many unique and interesting stories with your friends, family, and companions. Impress them with fun anecdotes about the culture and history that you may not find in any guidebooks.

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  • Meeting point:
    Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Plaza de la Cu...
    Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Plaza de la Cultura, Catedral, San José, Costa Rica
    View on map

    The meeting point will be right in front of the National Theater, by the main entrance, near the statue of Juan Mora Fernandez. I will have a sign with the GuruWalk logo and be wearing a PURA VIDA baseball cap.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

83 ratings
4.9
By category
Professionalism
4.95
Fun
4.86
Expression
4.83
Quality
4.9
Route
4.95
Generic
5 stars
80
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Mela 26 May 2023
Panama City

Verified booking
Travelled alone - May 2023
I loved … thank u …. Pura vida Mae ☺️
Fred... 22 May 2023
Stockholm

Verified booking
Travelled alone - May 2023
Great
Ieesha 14 May 2023

Verified booking
Travelled in group - May 2023
Jules went above and beyond. He was flexible and patient when we wanted to take pictures. He was extremely knowledgeable and you can tell he puts in so much effort into knowing fun facts and things people might ask him. We really enjoyed our time with him. The American-Tico cultural aspect was great too. Thank you Jules!
Bill 06 May 2023

Verified booking
Travelled alone - May 2023
Jules helped me understand San Jose, Costa Rica.... the vibe of the place and how history has had a profound influence on who they are today. I enjoyed my tour today and learned a lot of interesting things. Highly recommend.
Dani... 04 Apr 2023
Victoria

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2023
Jules was really interesting, we learned a lot about the history of the city and the country. He is really knowledgeable and passionate. It made me see the city with a different eye. He even carries a bag full of fruit to share with his clients and various people that we met during our tour.
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
When do you want to go?
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