National Theater (Teatro Nacional)

Admission tickets include a tour of the theater covering stories about its storied history and its most celebrated performances, plus the building’s eclectic design. Admire elements inspired by classical Greece and Rome in the foyer, plus swaths of marble and the ornate neoclassical Pompeian style of the first and second lobbies. For the final act, step inside the sumptuous auditorium adorned with a large chandelier and romantic paintings depicting scenes from 19th-century life. At the end of the tour, visit the on-site café for a coffee and a bite to eat.

• The National Theater is an ideal spot for art and culture lovers.
• A gift and coffee shop is located just off the lobby.
• Tours are offered in English and Spanish.
• The theater is wheelchair-accessible.

The National Theater is located on Avenida Segunda between Calle 3 and Calle 5 in the center of downtown San José. Walking is one of the best ways to get around the compact city as traffic can get chaotic and parking can be difficult to find. Public buses are plentiful and inexpensive. Be aware that drivers don’t often speak Spanish and they accept only local currency. The closest stops are Sabana Estadio and Barrio Luján, on opposing corners across the way.

The theater is open daily from morning until evening. Check the calendar for performance schedules. Free tours of the building take place typically at 11am and 3pm. Peak season in Costa Rica is from mid-December to April during the dry season. Come in March for the annual International Festival of the Arts when the capital city transforms into a giant stage with live concerts and festivities, organized by the National Theatre.

After catching a performance at the theater, visit the National Museum just down the street. Housedxa0 in the barracks of the Bellavista Fortress, the museum displays indigenous and pre-Columbian artifacts, religious artwork, and geological and archaeological pieces linked to the country’s colorful history since 1950. Separate rooms explore ancient cultures dating back some 12,000 years, as well as collections of ornate jewelry, medallions, and statues made of gold.

Guided tours of the National Theater cost CRC₡3,500 for foreigners and CRC₡1,500–2,000 for nationals. Kids under the age of 12 are free. There’s also a café, Alma de Café, that only charges the price of your beverage or meal. Ticket prices for concerts and performances vary.

Yes, there are several ways to go into the National Theater. You can take a daily guided tour in English or Spanish, have a drink or a meal at the on-site Alma de Café, or watch a concert or performance. Shows are usually held on the weekends and scheduled weekdays.

Things to do at the National Theater (Teatro Nacional) in Costa Rica include attending a concert, dance performance, opera, or other show. You also can admire the theater’s interior and learn about its history on a guided tour and have a drink or meal at the on-site Alma de Café.

The National Theater of Costa Rica is more than 120 years old. Its construction was completed in 1897 and represents various architectural and artistic styles. The columned facade follows a neoclassical style, the café evokes an early-20th-century Viennese coffeehouse, and the interior design reflects aspects of 19th-century Costa Rican life.

The dress code for visiting the National Theater in Costa Rica depends on what you will be doing. There is no dress code to take a guided tour or visit the café. However, wear stylish clothes for ticketed performances; the dress code does not allow shorts or overly casual clothes.

Tours of the National Theater of Costa Rica last between 45 minutes and one hour. They run daily on the hour, from 9am until 4pm. To spend more time in the theater, attend a performance or drink a cup of local coffee in the Viennese-style Alma de Café.