Costa Rica
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City lights in San José beneath a pink and purple sky.

Costa Rica · San José

Closed, restricted or changed

Places that appear in older guides but are now closed, can only be seen from outside or have limited access, with what to do instead.

9 places8 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    NatureRestricted access

    Simón Bolívar Urban Natural Park (former zoo)

    Barrio Amón, by the Torres River2.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The country’s oldest botanical garden (1916) and zoo (1921), in Barrio Amón. It will become a park without animals, with a 15 m lookout tower, a walkway over the Torres River, an amphitheatre and cafés.

    The zoo closed in May 2024 and no longer displays animals. MINAE is turning it into the country’s first Urban Natural Park and plans to open it to the public in 2027. For now it only opens on announced dates: the Amón Cultural festival (March 2026), guided walks (August 2026) and Coffee Day on Saturday 3 October 2026, 10:00–16:00, free. Otherwise, walk Barrio Amón or visit the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden next door.

    Source: La Nación – Parque Simón Bolívar vuelve a abrir sus puertas · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    For the guided walks, Teletica reported bookings by phone at 2547-6852.

    Nearby: Spirogyra Butterfly Garden (0.1 km) · Barrio Otoya (0.2 km) · Casa Amarilla (Foreign Ministry) (0.3 km)

    Sources: La Nación – Parque Simón Bolívar vuelve a abrir sus puertas · Teletica – Parque Natural Urbano Simón Bolívar abrió sus puertas con caminatas guiadas · El Observador – Primeras etapas del Parque Natural Urbano en el Simón Bolívar · Wikipedia – Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar

  2. 2

    NatureClosed or prohibited

    INBioparque (closed)

    Santo Domingo de Heredia, about 5 km north of downtown San José as the crow flies5.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Former biodiversity park of the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio), with trails and, from 2011, the National Serpentarium. It no longer receives visitors.

    Closed to the public since 2015 for lack of staff and budget. MINAE bought the 5.5 ha site, which now houses SINAC offices. There is a plan to turn it into an Urban Natural Park, but no opening date. Meanwhile, visit the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden or the National Museum.

    Source: AmeliaRueda.com – Tras 10 años del cierre de INBioparque, nuevo plan · 2025 · +2

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Children’s Museum and National Gallery (Costa Rican Centre of Science and Culture) (4 km) · Mercado Borbón (4.4 km) · Costa Rican Art Museum (MAC) (4.4 km)

    Sources: AmeliaRueda.com – Tras 10 años del cierre de INBioparque, nuevo plan · CRHoy – Sala IV ordena al SINAC atender abandono en el INBioparque · La Nación – 32 especies de serpientes toman INBio

  3. 3

    CultureClosed or prohibited

    Atlantic Railway Station (former MUFES museum)

    Avenida 3, calle 21, east of downtown2.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Station of the railway to Limón, built in 1908. It had a touch-and-sound museum designed for people with visual or hearing impairments, closed for years now.

    The Museum of Forms, Spaces and Sounds operated in the station from 2002 until 2007–2008 and no longer exists. The 1908 building has been heritage-listed since 1980 and is now a terminal for the commuter train: you can see the façade or ride the train, but there is no museum.

    Source: Wikipedia – Estación del Ferrocarril al Atlántico · 2026

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Murals and street art (0.1 km) · Parque Nacional and the National Monument (0.2 km) · Nightlife: La California, Escalante and San Pedro (0.3 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Estación del Ferrocarril al Atlántico

  4. Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint)4

    Photo: Peter Andersen, CC BY 2.5

    NatureRestricted access

    Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint)

    Route 120 via Poasito, about 37 km north of Alajuela34 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    One of the world’s largest active craters, about 1,320 m wide, with a hot acidic lake seen from a viewpoint at the end of a short paved path.

    Since 27–28 August 2026 a green alert has been in force for earthquakes, eruptions and gas: daily capacity halved, a maximum of 56 people per turn at the viewpoint, mandatory helmets and only two trails open (the main one to the viewpoint and Sombrilla de Pobre). It can close at short notice; if it does, Irazú is the nearest alternative with a visible crater.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $16.95 for foreign adults ($5.65 for children 2–12), VAT included. Light-vehicle parking: ₡2,750, by card.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00, last entry 14:00 (SINAC). It can close or cut capacity at short notice.
    Booking
    Mandatory, online only and prepaid. No gate sales.
    Time needed
    About 20 minutes at the crater viewpoint per turn (according to press and guides).

    Tip: Book the first morning slot: cloud usually fills the crater by midday.

    Nearby: Botos Lagoon trail (Poás) (1.1 km) · Sombrilla de Pobre trail (Poás) (1.4 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (5.9 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · Delfino.cr – CNE declara alerta verde en el Poás

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  5. 5

    NatureOpen

    Barva Volcano (Braulio Carrillo National Park)

    Sacramento de Barva, Heredia; last 3 km on a dirt road23.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $13.56
    Hours
    8:00 to 15:30
    Booking
    Not stated

    The high sector of Braulio Carrillo, with cloud forest and four trails (about 10 km in total) reaching Barva Lagoon, a water-filled crater, and a lookout toward Vara Blanca.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $13.56 for non-residents over 13 and $5.65 for children 2–12 (VAT included). Camping: ₡5,000 per person per night.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 15:30, including holidays. Camping only Friday to Sunday and holidays, entering before 15:00.
    Booking
    Ticket bought online through SINAC’s system.

    Tip: The last stretch from Sacramento is unpaved: a 4x4 is recommended, especially in rain. Bring warm and waterproof layers.

    Nearby: Poasito strawberry farms (8.7 km) · Hacienda Alsacia (Starbucks coffee farm) (8.8 km) · La Paz Waterfall Gardens (9.1 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo · Adobe Rent a Car – Volcán Barva

  6. 6

    CultureRestricted access

    Castillo Azul (Blue Castle)

    Avenida Central, opposite Plaza de la Democracia and north of the National Museum2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Mansion from 1911-1912 designed by the Hennebique firm of Paris and built by Andreoli e Induni; it got its name from a lookout with blue glass. It served as the presidential house from 1914 to 1920, then as the US legation, and since 1989 has been part of the Legislative Assembly; the Museum of Democracy was inaugurated there in 2021.

    It belongs to the Legislative Assembly and is normally closed to the public. It opens on occasional days with advance registration (for example 10-12 April 2026 during the Transitarte festival). Otherwise, view it from Avenida Central and pair it with Plaza de la Democracia and the National Museum, right opposite.

    Source: Asamblea Legislativa – Edificios patrimoniales · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    The April 2026 open days were free.
    Booking
    For open days you register in advance through an online form and pick a time slot. The Museum of Democracy (run by the electoral tribunal, National Museum and Assembly) was inaugurated on 24 March 2021 but had no visiting hours at the time, and we found no regular schedule since.

    Tip: The construction date varies by source: 1911 on Wikipedia and 1912 according to the Legislative Assembly. In 2012 it received structural reinforcement supervised by the national heritage centre.

    Nearby: National Museum of Costa Rica (Bellavista Barracks) (0.1 km) · Legislative Assembly Building (0.1 km) · Plaza de la Democracia (Square of Democracy and the Abolition of the Army) (0.1 km)

    Sources: Asamblea Legislativa – Edificios patrimoniales · Chepetown – Recorridos gratis por el Castillo Azul y el antiguo edificio legislativo · Culturacr.net – El Castillo Azul será desde hoy el Museo de la Democracia · Wikipedia – Castillo Azul

  7. 7

    CultureRestricted access

    Legislative Assembly Building

    Avenida Central and Avenida 1, between calles 15 and 172.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    9:00-18:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    Seat of Congress since 19 October 2020: a 21-storey, 51,000 m² tower with the plenary chamber on the lowest level, as a symbol that the people stand above the deputies. The central courtyard holds four pre-Columbian stone spheres.

    It is a working building with controlled access. Guided visits must be arranged in advance and, under internal rules from 2023, only on Fridays or days without sessions, in two groups and with approval from the Executive Directorate. If you cannot get a slot, view the building from Avenida Central and Parque Nacional.

    Source: Asamblea Legislativa – Instalaciones y horario · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Hours
    Office hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00-18:00 and Friday 9:00-12:00 (official page, 2026). In 2023 the plenary public gallery was open 15:00-18:00 on session days, for up to 30 people.
    Booking
    Email atencionciudadana@asamblea.go.cr or call the switchboard on (+506) 2243-2000 to request a guided visit.

    Tip: The old Cuesta de Moras legislative complex and the Castillo Azul opened free to the public on 10-12 April 2026 for the Transitarte festival; check whether it happens again.

    Nearby: Jade Museum (Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Culture) (0.1 km) · Plaza de la Democracia (Square of Democracy and the Abolition of the Army) (0.1 km) · Castillo Azul (Blue Castle) (0.1 km)

    Sources: Asamblea Legislativa – Instalaciones y horario · Asamblea Legislativa – Nuevo edificio legislativo abre una ventana a la democracia costarricense · Teletica – Diputados despiden viejo edificio legislativo · CRHoy – Asamblea cambia reglas de ingreso por seguridad de diputados · Chepetown – Recorridos gratis por el Castillo Azul y el antiguo edificio legislativo

  8. 8

    CultureRestricted access

    Casa Amarilla (Foreign Ministry)

    Avenida 7 and calle 11, El Carmen district, next to Parque España2.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Yellow neo-colonial palace funded by Andrew Carnegie for the Central American Court of Justice and designed by American architect Henry D. Whitfield. The court never sat there, and the Foreign Ministry has used it since 1922; it has been a National Monument since 1976.

    It is the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry and its website advertises no public visits (checked 2026). See it from the street and, in front, look for the ceiba tree planted by John F. Kennedy in 1963.

    Source: Wikipedia – Casa Amarilla (Costa Rica) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free to see from outside.

    Tip: Wikipedia gives two dates: work finished in 1916 and construction “in 1920”. There is a bust of Carnegie in neighbouring Parque España.

    Nearby: Parque España (0.1 km) · Metal Building (Buenaventura Corrales School) (0.1 km) · Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MADC), CENAC (0.2 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Casa Amarilla (Costa Rica) · Wikipedia – Parque España (San José) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto – sitio oficial

  9. 9

    CultureRestricted access

    Metal Building (Buenaventura Corrales School)

    Between Parque España and Parque Morazán, El Carmen district2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Iron building prefabricated in Belgium, shipped over and assembled in San José, where the Buenaventura Corrales School operates. It was declared a national historic and architectural relic on 29 July 1980.

    It is a working public primary school, so you see it from outside. Walk around it from Parque España and Parque Morazán, which sit right next to its façades.

    Source: Wikipedia – Edificio Metálico · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free to see from the street.

    Tip: Sources disagree on the date: Wikipedia gives 1896 in the building’s article and 1889 in another. The city council tells the story that the structure was meant for Punta Arenas, Chile, and ended up in Costa Rica; treat it as local lore.

    Nearby: Parque España (0.1 km) · Parque Morazán and the Temple of Music (0.1 km) · Casa Amarilla (Foreign Ministry) (0.1 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Edificio Metálico · Wikipedia – Arquitectura de Costa Rica · Municipalidad de San José – Chepeando: Parque Central, las verjas de la discordia

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