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Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose
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Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose
Pura Vida Experience: Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit
Pura Vida Experience: Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit
Pura Vida Experience: Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit
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Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose

star-4.596 reviews
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Badge of Excellence
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San José, Costa Rica
Safety measures
icon4 hours  (approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds
Safety measures
icon4 hours  (approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

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Why you are seeing these recommendations
Safety measures
icon4 hours  (approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Enjoy an insider’s perspective of San Jose on this half-day city walking tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll get a sense of daily life in the Costa Rican capital as you ride public transportation, stop by a beautiful local park and visit the artisan workshop of a third-generation craftsman. Taste local flavors while you browse stalls at the historic Central Market, savor a traditional lunch at an 80-year-old inn and learn to make tortillas.
  • Discover a tale of two cities, exploring the real Costa Rica in San Jose and Escazu, the “City of Witches"
  • Experience the lively atmosphere of the Central Market, and ride like a local about public transport
  • Visit a legendary masquerade family, renowned for their traditional Costa Rican masks
  • Enjoy a sample of traditional chicha as well as a coffee tasting
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Local English speaking guides
Traditional Costa Rican Tapas
Local Transportation
Masquerade Show
Chicha drink
Cup of organic coffee
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Beverages and alcoholic drinks
National Theater of Costa Rica , Avenida 2, C. 5, Catedral, San José, Costa Rica
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Main entrance of the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica), at 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street, San José

11:30 AM
Central Park Escazu , Parque Central de Escazú, C. 134, San José, Escazú, Costa Rica
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Escazu Central Park, near the taxi rank

Discover the hidden urban treasures of San Jose with a knowledgeable local guide. Kick off your walking tour at España Park, a popular urban refuge with lovely, tree-shaded pathways. After walking by the Costa Rican National Museum, hop aboard a local city bus and head to the historic Central Market. Learn about local produce and agriculture as you explore the labyrinth of stalls and enjoy an aromatic cup of Costa Rican coffee.

Your next stop is the old city of Escazu, home to the beautiful La Sabana Metropolitan Park. Enjoy traditional Costa Rican cuisine and take in the daily lunch scene at an 80-year-old inn. Top off your meal with a glass of chicha, a popular local drink.

After lunch, take a peek into the traditional artisan scene at the home and workshop of a renowned mask-making family. Colorful masks are an important part of Costa Rican festivities, and you’ll get to hear about their history and handmade creation when you meet a third-generation craftsman.

Finally, tour a local bakery that’s been churning out delicious, fresh-baked goods for almost a century. Learn how to make traditional tortillas and wash down a sampling of house-made bread with another cup of fresh-brewed coffee. Your tour will wrap up in front of the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre back in central San Jose.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Please wear comfortable, casual clothing for walking
  • This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
  • The temperature drops in the late afternoon, so please bring light jackets and/or long sleeved shirts.
  • Porras Bakery is closed on Sundays
  • In Escazu, you will learn about local folklore and meet with local artisans, giving you a look into local culture that you might not get on your own.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • You will visit a a legendary masquerade family where three generations have been making some of the country’s most beautiful masks for celebrations and special holidays. By participating in this tour, you are helping to preserve local cultural heritage and traditions.
  • This tour will take you to locally-owned, traditional restaurants, where you will try a range of local produce and organic coffee.
  • Most travellers can participate
  • Effective September 1, 2021, travellers aged 18+ must produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination on Intrepid Urban Adventures tours. Children aged 6-17 must present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or lateral flow) conducted no more than 72 hours before your tour, proof of recovery dated no more than 9 months or proof of vaccination.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • OPERATED BY Intrepid Urban Adventures - Latin America
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

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 sanitisation during Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose?
A:The policy on sanitisation is:

  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
See all safety measures taken by Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose?
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 Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose?
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 Private Tapas, Traditional Masks and Escazu Visit from San Jose.

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Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
96 reviews
5 stars
77
4 stars
9
3 stars
5
2 stars
0
1 star
5

Reviews by Viator travellers

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Showing 1-10 of 96 reviews
star-5
Interesting and recommended.
Michael_F
, Dec. 2020
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.
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1 traveller found this review helpful
star-5
Great day in San Josè
Zelda_W
, Dec. 2020
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!
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star-5
A Fun Day in San Jose
Mary_F
, Mar. 2020
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.
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star-5
Great day tour!
Patricia_S
, Jan. 2020
Our Urban Adventures guide Gladys was very friendly & knowledgeable about the history & culture of San Jose & Escazú. We all had a great time!
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star-1
DO NOT book this tour
Marsha E
, Jul. 2019
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.
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star-3
Not quite what it says on the tin.
Christine_W
, May 2019
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.
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star-5
Pura vida
Dreamer32589258490
, Jan. 2019
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!
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1 traveller found this review helpful
star-5
Fabulous Tour of San Jose - Best Day ever learning about the people and the city
Yvette_S
, Dec. 2018
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!!!
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star-5
Interesting trip
martinr4598
, Jun. 2018
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.
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star-5
Wonderful, customized tour. Loved the...
Michelle K L
, May 2018
Wonderful, customized tour. Loved the city and this tour. Tour guide was very friendly.
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star-5
Great way to see the city. Our...
JeanMarie_V
, May 2018
Great way to see the city. Our guide, Ernesto, was friendly and knowledgeable. I'm glad I did this tour.
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1 traveller found this review helpful
star-5
This was a great way to experience a...
Nicole M
, Mar. 2018
This was a great way to experience a piece of San Jose that you wouldnt experience on your own. Clariz was very knowledgeable on the history of San Jose. She taught us the history of the central market, allowed us to taste some authentic Costa Rican ice cream and coffee. We had a surprise on our tour where we encountered an oxen festival that also included food. I would highly recommend this tour.
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star-4
I had to wait for this tour, as the...
Rebecca_L
, Mar. 2018
I had to wait for this tour, as the allocated tour guide had an accident, but it was worth the wait. Getting to walk around San Jose and go up to Escazu was fantastic. A good tour if you want to see more of San Jose.
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star-5
Our guide, Eric, was experienced...
David L
, Feb. 2018
Our guide, Eric, was experienced, educated, and kind. A great day! Highly recommended.
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star-5
The central market was a highlight...
Ramon V
, Jan. 2018
The central market was a highlight for us because we love souvenirs shopping and this place is the place to go for that ! They have everything!!! From clothing to food to little trinkets. The lunch included was delicious and filling! Highly recommend!!
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star-5
Our guide Eric was very careful in his...
ALBERTO A R
, Jan. 2018
Our guide Eric was very careful in his detailed explanations. Highly recommended!
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star-5
I am so glad I went on this tour! My...
Frances T
, Jan. 2018
I am so glad I went on this tour! My guide Gladys took me all around the Central Market and historical buildings in the city center and told me about their stories and trivia. We then took the bus to a suburb overlooking downtown and made a few more stops before returning to the city. I feel like after going on the tour I had a much deeper understanding and appreciation for Costa Rican culture and history. My guide was also very professional, knowledgeable and fun! I definitely recommend this tour to other visitors of San Jose.
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star-5
amazing trip! I am glad they are...
omaralaa92
, Jan. 2018
amazing trip! I am glad they are keeping an old CR tradition alive with visiting Don Fernando in his residence to see the masks he creates. The food was really good and the guide was excellent. I had a lot of fun, you should check it out if you're in beautiful CR!
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star-4
Great tour! This was a great way to...
AnyriK
, Dec. 2017
Great tour! This was a great way to explore the local architectural and cultural gems that San Jose has to offer. We spent a great time in Escazu with stunning views and experienced delicious food in a local restaurant. The mask-making exhibit was a cherry on top! Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable.
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star-5
This tour was amazing. Such a...
Milanka D
, Dec. 2017
This tour was amazing. Such a beautiful way to see the city. I had tour guide Eric, who was so knowledgeable, very informative and flexible. We tasted amazing charcoal roasted coffee, we saw amazing masks used for Halloween celebrations in Costa Rica and we ate amazing tapas... and much more! So fun
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