5 Best Performing Arts Venues in San Jose, Costa Rica

Background Illustration for Performing Arts

The best source for theater, dance, film, and arts information is the "Viva" entertainment section of the Spanish-language daily La Nación. The paper also publishes the "Tiempo Libre" section each Friday, highlighting what's going on over the weekend. GAM Cultural, a free monthly flyer found in many upscale hotels and restaurants, publishes features about what's going on around town. Listings in both publications are in Spanish but are easy to decipher. The website of the English-language The Tico Times (www.ticotimes.net) lists many events of interest to visitors and the expat community.

Unfortunately, arts offerings in the city are nearly nonexistent during the high-season weeks from mid-December through early February. That's school vacation time.

Centro Nacional de la Cultura (National Cultural Center)

Barrio Otoya

There are frequent dance performances and concerts in the Teatro FANAL and Teatro 1887, both in the Centro Nacional de la Cultura.

C. 13, Avdas. 3–5, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
2257–5524

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Eugene O'Neill Theater

Barrio Dent

This theater has chamber concerts and plays many weekend evenings. The cultural center is a great place to meet North American expatriates.

Avda. 1, C. 37, San Pedro, 11501, Costa Rica
2207–7549

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Teatro La Aduana

Barrio La California

You'll find frequent dance and stage performances at this theater, housed in the country's one-time customs terminal. It is home to the Compañía Nacional de Teatro (National Theater Company).

C. 25, Avda. 3, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
2257–8305

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Teatro Nacional

Barrio La Soledad

This 1897 neobaroque theater is the home of the excellent National Symphony Orchestra, which performs on several Friday evenings and Sunday mornings between March and November. The theater also hosts visiting musical groups and dance companies. Tickets are $10–$50—far less than you'd pay for a comparable production back home.

Plaza de la Cultura, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
2010–1100

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Teatro Popular Melico Salazar

Barrio La Merced

San José's second-most-popular theater has a full calendar of music and dance shows, as well as a few offbeat productions. There is something on a couple of nights a week; tickets are $5–$25.

Avda. 2, Cs. Ctl.–2, San José, 10102, Costa Rica
2295–6000

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Not finding what you're looking for?

We've got a few suggestions for nearby spots.
Downtown

Teatro Popular Melico Salazar1 miles away

Avda. 2, Cs. Ctl.–2, San José, San José, 10102, Costa Rica
We recommend 3 Performing Arts in Downtown
Downtown

Teatro Nacional1.1 miles away

Plaza de la Cultura, San José, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
We recommend 3 Performing Arts in Downtown
Downtown

Centro Nacional de la Cultura (National Cultural Center)1.4 miles away

C. 13, Avdas. 3–5, San José, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
We recommend 3 Performing Arts in Downtown
North and East of Downtown

Teatro La Aduana1.7 miles away

C. 25, Avda. 3, San José, San José, 10101, Costa Rica
We recommend 2 Performing Arts in North and East of Downtown
North and East of Downtown

Eugene O'Neill Theater2.1 miles away

Avda. 1, C. 37, San Pedro, San José, 11501, Costa Rica
We recommend 2 Performing Arts in North and East of Downtown