National Theater, San José

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The National Theatre is located next to the Plaza de la Cultura and the Museo de Oro Precolumbia y Numismatica (Gold museum). As you enter go to the first door to the right into the gift shop to purchase tickets to tour the building ($3). A brief overview and history of the building are given inside the theatre and then you are free to walk around and check out the beautiful rooms and murals. Cameras are allowed but no flash photography.

In my opinion the most beautiful building in San José. I should have gone in to see what it looks like, but now it is too late to think of it! The theatre was opened in 1897.

During the day the building is open to the public for viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Very interesting place to go not to mention very beautiful. The archetecture is amazing. Although the most interesting thing to me and the people I was with was outside. There are vendors selling everything from pottery to artists who are painting right outside the theater bought a painting from a artist named montevo. Have no idea if he is still there but was very talented. Always negotiate with vendors they expect it and you can get a very good deal, knowing a bit of spanish helps. I would recommend walking around the national theater for the day very interesting there were interesting people all around, performers, and stores. Really enjoyable day was had. Would not worry about crime at all, never had any problems in the whole country.

No doubt that the National Theatre is the prettiest building in San Jose. It has a Renaissance facade with 3 statues on top. The interior is even more intriguing, decorated with life-sized statues in the marble foyer. The theatre was built in late 19th century, and its exterior is currently under renovation.

A 1-hr guided tour of the building is available for a small fee. I would have joined if I didn't have my heavy backpack with me. You can also buy tickets for operas and symphony orchestra performances.

costa rica doesn't have many cultural jewels but the national theatre is definitely one of them. its origins go back to the late 19th century when a famous opera singer didn't consider costa rica on her tour because the country didn't have a nice theatre. very quickly the costa rican government charged a tax on coffee exports to finance this building. you can either visit it by day (they charged me 3 dollars) or you can attend a show in the evening (the price depends from the position you choose). visitors are not allowed to take photos of the interior.

It's really beautiful, both inside and out. See as many shows as you can here and all around San Jose. It's one of the amazing parts of this city. There are ballets, operas, amazing plays, and art shows all the time. The local paper is a great source for these things.

Teatro Nacional has daily tours, and there is a cafe inside.

To me, the most beautiful building in San José. The National Theater, first opened in 1897, is important for not only its artistic treasures (the baroque architectonic style, following the model of the Paris Opera House; the decoration in the inside; the Italian paintings, ceiling frescos and sculptures, etc.) but also for their spectacles (the day I went there was a flamenco show). Attending the National Theater is the best way to get in touch with the cultural life in San José.

Take a seat and watch the people. I found them where more interesting than the building. We did not enter it unfortunately.

A very old place but made with the finest stuff and arquitectinhical detailed, make this place unique