Metropolitan Cathedral of San José

Metropolitan Cathedral of San José tickets: which one to buy

San Jose's Metropolitan Cathedral stands on the east side of the Central Park in the heart of Costa Rica's capital, and entry is free. It is a short walk from the National Theatre, the Gold Museum and the Central Market, and walking tours of the city centre usually include all of them, since San Jose is often only a stopover on the way to the country's beaches, volcanoes and rainforests. A half-day city tour is enough to see the main sights.

The cathedral is an active church, and visiting pauses during mass. The area around the park is busy by day with shoppers and street vendors; as in any large city, keep an eye on belongings and use taxis at night. The cathedral's cool, calm interior makes a pleasant break from the traffic and noise of downtown. Tourist police patrol the pedestrian avenues near the cathedral and can give directions.

Visiting Metropolitan Cathedral of San José: what to see

The first church on this site was built in the eighteenth century, when San Jose was a small town, and it was damaged by earthquakes more than once. The present cathedral dates from 1871, rebuilt in a Greek-inspired neoclassical style with a columned portico and a triangular pediment, crowned with a small tower and dome. The interior is unusual: after damage in an earthquake in 1991, the cathedral was restored with a lightweight structure, and its vaulted ceiling and columns are painted in soft colours.

Stained glass windows made in Spain show biblical scenes, and there are wooden altars and a fine pipe organ. A chapel holds a statue of the Christ of Esquipulas. Next to the cathedral is the archbishop's palace, and the park in front, with its large kiosk donated by Nicaraguan leader Anastasio Somoza, is a meeting place for residents. The main altar is made of carved wood and marble, and the side chapels hold statues of saints carried in Holy Week processions.

Metropolitan Cathedral of San José opening hours and the best time to go

San Jose has a mild climate thanks to its altitude; the dry season from December to April is the most pleasant, and the rainy season brings afternoon showers from May to November. Mornings are best for sightseeing in the city centre, and the cathedral is open throughout the day. Holy Week brings processions and many businesses close. The festival of lights parade in December is a major event.

Sunday mornings are busy with worshippers. The National Theatre, with its sumptuous interior, and the Gold Museum below the Plaza de la Cultura are a few minutes away. Allow about twenty minutes for the cathedral, and combine it with the theatre and a coffee in its elegant cafe. The Central Market, a few blocks west, is a lively place for a cheap lunch of casados, the traditional Costa Rican plate.