Welcome to Costa Rica!! Historical and Cultural Walking Tour

Duration: 3h
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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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • 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.

  • 1
    Outside visit
    National Theater of Costa Rica

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

142 ratings
4.9
By category
Professionalism
4.95
Fun
4.82
Expression
4.86
Quality
4.88
Route
4.89
Generic
5 stars
135
4 stars
5
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0
Frederico 01 Oct 2023
Viseu

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Recomendado!!!
Viviana 27 Sep 2023

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Jules gave me a tour of all San Jose, making me fall in love with the beautiful parts of the city. Amazing tour!!!
Adli 26 Sep 2023
Mexico City

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Fantastic guide
Jenny 19 Sep 2023
Kirchheim unter Teck

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Sep 2023
Ein so tolles Erlebnis. Jules war der beste Guide überhaupt, total authentisch. Habe San José von einer einzigartigen Seite kennenlernen dürfen durch ihn und seine Geschichten.
Annika 19 Sep 2023
Mainz

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Wir hatten sehr viel Spaß mit Jules und haben viele Hintergrundinformationen zur Stadt und der Geschichte des Landes bekommen
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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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