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Experience the best of
San Jose with Withlocals

  1. Find the perfect private tour

  2. Select one of our local experts

  3. Enjoy San Jose like a local

Explore San Jose

Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Think hidden gems, insider stories, and all the local vibes. Ready to find your private tour of San Jose? Your adventure-packed day is just one click away!

Top 3 tours in San Jose

Make your stay in San Jose complete with these things to do

  1. 1Experience image
    Portrait from local Alberto - Everyday Magic Seeker
    Portrait from local María José - A local artist with a storyteller heart
    Choose your favorite local

    City Kickstart Tour: San Jose

    31 reviews
    2 hours | City highlights tours | San Jose

    Welcome to San Jose! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to San Jose to start your city trip on the right foot.

    €36.77 per person
    Explore
  2. 2Experience image
    Portrait from local Alberto - Everyday Magic Seeker
    Portrait from local María José - A local artist with a storyteller heart
    Choose your favorite local

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of San Jose

    31 reviews
    3 hours | City highlights tours | San Jose

    Want to see the best of San Jose? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real San Jose!

    €59.56 per person
    Explore
  3. 3Experience image
    Portrait from local Alberto - Everyday Magic Seeker
    Portrait from local María José - A local artist with a storyteller heart
    Choose your favorite local

    The 10 Tastings of San Jose

    31 reviews
    3 hours | Food tours | San Jose

    Ready to taste the best food in San Jose? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in San Jose.

    €101 per person
    Explore
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Real People. Real Stories. Really Good Travel.

  • Feel like a local, not a tourist

    Always private. It's just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.

  • More you, less checklist

    Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.

  • Travel that feels good

    Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.

Private tours with locals in San Jose

Our locals will give you the best experiences that San Jose has to offer

  • City Kickstart Tour: San Jose
    Alberto - Everyday Magic Seeker
    María José - A local artist with a storyteller heart
    Choose your local

    City Kickstart Tour: San Jose

    5.0
    31 reviews
    2 hours • City highlights tours
    from €36.77 per person
  • Highlights & Hidden Gems of San Jose
    Alberto - Everyday Magic Seeker
    María José - A local artist with a storyteller heart
    Choose your local

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of San Jose

    5.0
    31 reviews
    3 hours • City highlights tours
    from €59.56 per person
  • The 10 Tastings of San Jose
    Alberto - Everyday Magic Seeker
    María José - A local artist with a storyteller heart
    Choose your local

    The 10 Tastings of San Jose

    5.0
    31 reviews
    3 hours • Food tours
    from €101 per person
See all experiences


Explore San Jose with our incredible locals

Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore San Jose with locals

  • María José

    A local artist with a storyteller heart

    21 reviews
    English・Español
  • Alberto

    Everyday Magic Seeker

    10 reviews
    English・Português


Find experiences by category

Discover experiences based on your interest

  • City highlights tours 2
  • Food tours 1

Enjoy the Best of San Jose
Like a Local

Why is Withlocals the best place to book a tour?

  • Private & Personal

    Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.

    You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.

  • Tailored to your wishes

    From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.

    Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.

  • Chat before you book

    Message your host directly to customize your experience.

    Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.

  • Travel that supports locals

    Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.

    We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.

  • Feel good about where your money goes

    You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.

    Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.

  • Trusted by millions

    Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.

    Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.

  • Secure & flexible booking

    Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.

    Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.

  • Private & Personal

    Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.

    You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.

  • Tailored to your wishes

    From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.

    Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.

  • Chat before you book

    Message your host directly to customize your experience.

    Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.

  • Travel that supports locals

    Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.

    We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.

  • Feel good about where your money goes

    You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.

    Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.

  • Trusted by millions

    Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.

    Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.

  • Secure & flexible booking

    Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.

    Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.



Private & Personalized Tours in San Jose with a Local

When you hit the road and land in a new city like San Jose, there's an exciting way to dive into its soul: personalized local tours. Forget the typical touristy routes – these tours are like having a local friend show you around all the cool spots.

Imagine having someone who lives and breathes San Jose spill its secrets. That's what local guides bring to the table. They know the hidden alleys, the best bites, and stories that never made it to the guidebooks. Whether you're into munching through food tours, wandering the city's streets, or going off the beaten path, a local guide hooks you up with a private tour that's authentically San Jose.

The best part? These tours are all about you. No herding in big groups or rushing through places you're not interested in. With private tours, you're the boss. Whether it's snapping pics at iconic landmarks, diving into history, or checking out the art scene, the tour is tuned to your vibes at your tempo.

But it doesn't stop at city limits. Day trips let you escape the urban jungle and explore nearby wonders. And if you're just setting foot in San Jose, kickstart tours give you a taste of everything. Think of it as a crash course in San Jose awesomeness, guided by a local who knows the city like the back of their hand.

So, next time you're in San Jose, ditch the ordinary. Grab a local tour and unlock the city's real magic – the stories, flavors, and places that make it uniquely San Jose. Get ready to explore like a local!



Related San Jose pages

You might be interested in these

  • Guides in San Jose
  • City Highlight Tours in San Jose
  • Food Tours in San Jose
  • Walking Tours in San Jose
  • Short Tours in San Jose
  • Luxury Tours in San Jose
  • Things To Do Tomorrow in San Jose
  1. Costa Rica
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  3. Tours in San Jose

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Travelers love our locals

Reviews from guests about our tours and locals

  • 5.0

    Maria is a delight.

    "Maria took us to experience food and drinks and treats apart from the fare from our week in country. At our request, she took us to mural installations that she painted around downtown. She’s a great artist, guide and a delightful person. "

    local María José
    guest Laurie
    LaurieAbout local María JoséSan Jose, June 2, 2026
  • 5.0

    Choose Alberto

    "Alberto was an excellent guide for our food tour in San José. He was kind, knowledgeable, and made the experience both fun and engaging from start to finish. His insights into Costa Rican culture, history, and local cuisine added so much more depth than just tasting great food. Alberto created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone and kept the tour enjoyable with his friendly personality and sense of humor. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an authentic and memorable experience in San José."

    local Alberto
    guest Matthew
    MatthewAbout local AlbertoSan Jose, May 18, 2026
  • 5.0

    Very enjoyable!

    "Maria Jose gave us a great tour of historic San Jose. She has a charming demeanor and shares a lot of information from a local's perspective. She tailors the tour, meeting us at our hotel, and when we told her we enjoyed walking she kept us moving along. We expressed interest in art, and her murals, and she included murals, mosaics, and sculptures in the tour. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and wholeheartedly recommend her tour."

    local María José
    guest Leanne and Howard
    Leanne and HowardAbout local María JoséSan Jose, January 20, 2026
  • 5.0

    Who said money can't buy you friends? :)

    "You know those moments when you visit your friend who's living in a city you've never been to? You've already spent last night catching up. And today, they are taking you around town to show you around! Our time with María José was exactly that. She was very personable and time with her did not feel like an assignment that she's been repeating regularly like what other tour guides would do. It was also very clear from her that while she's here to help us get acquainted with the city she calls home, she prioritizes safely for us -- making sure we know what to look out for so when we go our separate ways, we are well equipped for. We were introduced to a lot of things that we wouldn't have been exposed to if we were to go with a tourist agency or alone. If you are looking to get some guidance from a friend you don't have, this María José is the best. "

    local María José
    guest Crystal
    CrystalAbout local María JoséSan Jose, January 15, 2026
  • 5.0

    Lunch in the rain

    "Despite visiting San Jose during the rainy season, I still think a food tour is one of the best ways to get to know a city. Maria took me to multiple local spots. At great variety of dishes that left me satiated, but wanting to explore more. She’s a great tour guide. She’s very knowledgeable about the city, and her being an artist and Muralist only Aviad. Would highly recommend."

    local María José
    guest Jonathan
    JonathanAbout local María JoséSan Jose, October 26, 2025
  • 5.0

    Fun Food Tour with Maria

    "Maria took us to several of her favorite restaurants and we sampled local food and drinks. She was so informative and fun, full of energy and you could feel her love of the city. The food she chose for us was delicious and just enough to fill us up. We also walked quite a bit around the city and she pointed out key areas and buildings for us. It was a great tour! Thank you! "

    local María José
    guest Jan
    JanAbout local María JoséSan Jose, September 27, 2025
  • 5.0

    Great host, great tour

    "I have three criteria for a great food tour. It should take me places I wouldn't have found via Google reviews, it should give me a window to the city's culture, and the guide should bring an interesting personality. This tour, while a bit pricey, absolutely delivered on all three. Maria was excellent company throughout the day, her intimate knowledge of the local art scene greatly enhanced the tour, and she picked great bites that felt very authentic and true to city's culture. The food selections focused on what every day Costa Ricans eat rather than high end culinary one-offs. We very much enjoyed this approach and left feeling like we had been given the chance to connect with the city through its food."

    local María José
    guest Chris
    ChrisAbout local María JoséSan Jose, September 1, 2025
  • 5.0

    A wonderful experience!

    "María José was amazing, and she made sure to answer all our questions. She is a wonderful human being and a pleasure to learn from. We walked away happy to have learned so much about San José and Costa Rica in general, and sad that our tour had ended. If you are lucky to have her as your guide, we have no doubt you will have a fun and meaningful experience too."

    local María José
    guest Henry
    HenryAbout local María JoséSan Jose, June 19, 2025
  • 5.0

    Fun evening with Alberto

    "We had a great time with Alberto. He is kind and engaging, a pleasure to talk to. He chose well for the 10 tastings. Great variety of food and locations, and at a casual pace. We were introduced to many new tastes even though we had been in Costa Rica for two weeks! Highly recommend."

    local Alberto
    guest Brenda
    BrendaAbout local AlbertoSan Jose, February 11, 2025
  • 5.0

    Fun and fabulous walking tour

    "Alberto was very personal. Asked us about ourselves and told us some of his background. He was very knowledgeable about San Jose and showed a real love and passion for his city. He showed us all the highlights as noted in the tour."

    local Alberto
    guest Marilyn
    MarilynAbout local AlbertoSan Jose, February 4, 2025