Things to Do at Parque Metropolitano La Sabana

Parque Metropolitano La Sabana in San Jose is the city's important green lung, a large escape from the concrete grid. You'll immediately feel the shift from the honking traffic to the humid air under the canopy of massive old trees, their leaves rustling in the breeze that carries the distant thwack of a soccer ball. It's the kind of place where you'll see office workers on their lunch break jogging past sun-dappled ponds and smell the earthy scent of damp grass after a morning rain. For whatever reason, this park in Costa Rica feels less like a manicured tourist attraction and more like the communal backyard for the entire capital, a democratic space where you can watch families picnic, hear the rhythmic bounce of a basketball, and taste the simple pleasure of an ice cream from a cart vendor. It gives us a sense of how San Jose balances urban life with a deep-seated appreciation for open, natural spaces.

Parque Metropolitano La Sabana is centrally located, bordered by major avenues. Public buses from all over the San Jose metropolitan area have routes that stop near the park's entrances. The fare is among the cheapest you'll find for urban transport in the country. Metered red taxis are a straightforward, mid-range option from most hotels in the city center. If you're driving, you'll find paid parking lots along the perimeter, though they can fill up on weekends.