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Touring the National Theater in San Jose, Costa Rica

July 28, 2014 By Sammi 8 Comments

The national theater in San Jose is one of the most beautiful buildings in Costa Rica with great importance to the cultural and historical aspect of the country. It opened in 1897, representing Costa Rica’s high degree of fine art and is a grand display of neo-classical architecture.

If you’re staying a day or two in San Jose, then you must visit the National Theater. Even if you’re not an architecture buff, you will be amazed at how beautiful this building is!

National Theater of Costa Rica Schedule

Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Monday – Sunday

National Theater of Costa Rica Cost

$10 USD for foreigners for the entrance fee. Free for children under 12.

National Theater of Costa Rica Tour

You can visit on your own but many San Jose city tours operated by tour companies also stop by the National Theater (get our discount for the city tour here!)

If you’d like a guided tour with the theater, you can fill out inquire at the ticket office.

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national theater is currently only accepting visitors with pre-purchased tickets which you can buy on their website starting June 1, 2020.*

National Theater of Costa Rica Location

The National Theater of Costa Rica is in San Jose on Avenida Segunda, between Calles 3 and 5 (next to the plaza where all the pigeons are, right above the Gold Museum).

History and Facts of the Costa Rica National Theater

The construction of the theater started in 1891 with the funds coming from a coffee tax since it was their main export at the time. After 7 years of hard work under the direction of an Italian engineer, the theater opened and quickly became Costa Rica’s prized cultural jewel.

Decoration, Ornaments and Design

The inside of the theater is filled with lavish decorations and intricate detail which is so well done, it must have taken some very talented workers to make them all! I’m sure they needed to have a lot of patience to create every single little decoration.

Statues and paintings depicting the Costa Rican lifestyle in the 19th century are placed carefully in the theater, creating a magnificent atmosphere.

national theater in san jose
The lobby. Even the lobby is this pretty!
national theater of Costa Rica lobby
Lobby

The Theater

The National Symphonic Orchestra performs in the theater as well as other artists, both Costa Rican and foreigners. When there are no concerts going on, visitors can tour the building and see the splendid decor.

As you walk into the seating area, you can’t help but marvel at the theater’s beauty. Sitting down in one of the chairs makes you feel so sophisticated and elegant being in such an exquisite theater. I can only imagine how amazing it is to listen to a symphony here, which I really hope to do one day.

national theater of Costa Rica main theater
The main theater
national theater of Costa Rica
The ceiling and chandelier

Upstairs

There are several floors of the theater which you can explore. The most impressive room is the foyer where there is a huge painting on the ceiling, delicately carved statues, brilliant chandeliers and gorgeous gold detailing.

national theater of Costa Rica foyer
Foyer, the most beautiful room inside the building besides the theater
national theater of Costa Rica
Statues
national theater of Costa Rica
Gorgeous furnishings

Secret in the Painting!

The big painting on the ceiling was especially interesting because there is a little secret to them. If you look at the girl in pink from the right side, walk over to the left and look up at her again, she’s looking the opposite direction from before!

Same with the little kid banging the cylinders, when you walk from one side to the other, he is looking the other way as well!

national theater of Costa Rica
There’s a secret when you look up at this painting!

I love the gold decoration on the doors, I definitely wouldn’t mind having one of these in my future house!

national theater of Costa Rica
Gold doors

Inaccuracies in the Paintings

There are several paintings of banana farmers since that is also an important resource for Costa Rica. What’s funny is that the painter incorrectly showed a man carrying bananas in his arms when they actually put them on their shoulders.

national theater of Costa Rica
That’s not how you carry bananas

On the old bills, there are also several mistakes since they were painted by Europeans, not Costa Ricans. When you take the tour, see if you can figure them out!

Cafe

The National Theater has its own cafe to the left when you enter the building. They have soup, coffee, cake and sandwiches.

Visiting the Theater

We also recommend visiting the Central Market and Municipal Craft Market which you can do on the same day as the National Theater for a full day of sightseeing in San Jose.

Filed Under: Activities and tours Costa Rica

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John Cross says

    July 5, 2017

    The cafe off the Foyer was relaxing for a coffee or a snack.

    What was the story about European opera stars snubbing San Jose and this was a reason to build the theatre.

    John, Atlanta

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      July 8, 2017

      The cafe is super nice! I am not sure the story, I heard about it from the guide but can’t remember :/

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    July 30, 2014

    This place is incredible! The detail is beautiful as are the circular couches:)

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      July 31, 2014

      The detail is truly amazing!

      Reply
  3. Adelina // Pack Me To says

    July 29, 2014

    What a stunning building! It’s so gorgeous inside. Imagine all that gold in your own house 🙂

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      July 29, 2014

      I know how amazing would that be!

      Reply
  4. Sand In My Suitcase says

    July 28, 2014

    What a gorgeous building! Wouldn’t it be lovely to catch a performance of the symphony in there…

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      July 28, 2014

      It would be amazing… still on my bucket list !

      Reply

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