San José Central Market

The Mercado Central de San José (Central Market) is one of Costa Rica's most iconic urban attractions — a sprawling, maze-like covered market that has operated since 1880 in the heart of the city. With over 30,000 Google reviews and a 4.4 rating, it's clearly doing something right.

For families, the market is part cultural immersion, part food hall, part sensory adventure. The narrow corridors are lined with hundreds of stalls selling everything from fresh tropical fruits and medicinal herbs to hand-sewn hammocks, traditional Costa Rican coffee, and raw seafood. It's the kind of place where older kids genuinely get excited by the chaos and variety, and where even reluctant travelers tend to loosen up.

The food stalls are the highlight for many families. The inner-market sodas serve traditional Costa Rican lunches (casado — rice, black beans, plantains, salad, and a protein) for roughly USD 4-6 per person, making this one of the most affordable family lunches in the capital. Fresh fruit smoothies and freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee are available everywhere.

The whole market is indoors, making it a perfect wet-weather option. Note that the market is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.