My biggest advice
Do not judge a book by its cover. If you judge some buildings or neighborhoods too quickly and assume the experience will not be good, you may miss the culture, food, people, and details that make San José worth exploring.
Is San José worth visiting?
For me, yes. I would give the trip an 8 out of 10. San José is not necessarily Costa Rica's top tourist showpiece, and the central city feels more local than resort-focused. But that is part of what made it interesting.
The surrounding areas are often larger tourist draws, especially for nature and adventure, but I still found plenty to do in and around San José during a weekend trip.
First impressions: airport, traffic, and weather
The first challenge was getting around the airport due to construction and figuring out exactly where our van was picking us up. If you have a shuttle or tour transfer arranged, make sure you know the specific pickup point before arrival.
Traffic was also much heavier than expected. The ride from the airport to the hotel took about an hour at that time of day, while the same route back to the airport at 4 a.m. took only about 12 minutes.
The weather was a highlight. It was slightly cool with a breeze, which made exploring more comfortable than I expected.
Safety in San José
I felt somewhat safe in the busier parts of downtown, especially in active areas with plenty of people around. I would not recommend leaving the busier parts of downtown or wandering through unfamiliar areas at night.
Use the same common-sense precautions you would in any large city. Keep your wallet close, use your front pocket, avoid flashing valuables, and stay aware of your surroundings. Opportunistic theft and pickpocketing can happen.
One thing I learned is not to immediately interpret bars on windows as a sign that everything is unsafe. In San José, they are also part of local architecture and practical security culture.
Getting around: Uber was the winner
Uber was great and would be my main recommendation for first-time visitors staying in San José. Most of our rides were under $5, which made it easy to get around without needing a rental car.
I do not recommend driving for most visitors because the traffic can feel chaotic. If you are booking a volcano tour or another day trip, choose an excursion that includes transportation. It is worth it to avoid the logistics.
Local buses exist, but they were crowded and not something I would recommend for ease or comfort during a short trip.
Barceló San José: what I liked and what I would skip
I would recommend the hotel for couples, families, business travelers, and budget-conscious travelers who choose the right room. I would not make it my top recommendation for first-time visitors who want to step outside and immediately be in the center of tourist activity. One convenience was that our excursion picked us up directly at the hotel.
Food and coffee observations
The food felt approachable for American travelers. Expect standard Costa Rican food with fruit, rice, beans, meats, and familiar Hispanic-style items.
Costa Rica is known for coffee, but be cautious with expectations. Unless you visit a specialty coffee shop, many places may serve a regular coffee experience. If you buy ground coffee to bring home, look for light or medium roast. Costa Rican specialty coffee is not usually dark roast.
We also tried McDonald's, which was surprisingly interesting. Costa Rica uses a different McDonald's app than the U.S., and the menu included familiar items along with different options like fried chicken.
We tried SaiSaki, a restaurant with some Filipino options. There were only a handful of Filipino items, but it was good and worth noting for travelers looking for something familiar.
Top 3 things I would not miss
1. Downtown, Central Market, and Central Park
Explore downtown San José, food spots, Central Market, Central Park, and beautiful buildings like the National Theatre.
2. A volcano excursion
Take an excursion to see a local volcano, but bring a jacket and rain gear.
3. A downtown food tour
A food tour is one of the best ways to learn about the culture.
Final verdict
San José is best for couples, culture seekers, and foodies. It is not the polished resort version of Costa Rica, but it rewards travelers who are open-minded and willing to look deeper.