What to do in San Rafael

Activities, attractions and tours

Escazú Costa Rica: Captivating Views of the City
Topiary garden archways and path in Zarcero Costa Rica leading to stairs and church
Topiary garden bushes and path in Zarcero Costa Rica leading to stairs and church
Escazú, Costa Rica: Panoramic View of San José Valley

San Rafael Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that San Rafael has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

San Rafael is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in San Rafael to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

San Rafael Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of San Rafael.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to San Rafael attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in San Rafael

Tours & day trips

See all 197 activities
Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San José

Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San José

Activity duration is 16 hours
8.4 out of 10 with 41 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $152 per adult
Day Trip to Tortuga Island from San JoséOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 68 activities
From San José: Hots Springs, Arenal Volcano view with Lunch

From San José: Hots Springs, Arenal Volcano view with Lunch

Activity duration is 16 hours
7.0 out of 10 with 14 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $186 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 54 activities
Aerial Tram Tour - Half Day Pass Braulio Carrillo

Aerial Tram Tour - Half Day Pass Braulio Carrillo

Activity duration is 2 hours
8.0 out of 10 with 30 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $108 per adult
Aerial Tram Tour - Half Day Pass Braulio CarrilloOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 48 activities
Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Spring

Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Spring

Activity duration is 10 hours
8.0 out of 10 with 16 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $280 per adult
Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot SpringOpens in new tab

Shows & concerts

See all 4 activities
San Jose : Night Tica Gastronomy and Folk Dance in Costa Rica

San Jose : Night Tica Gastronomy and Folk Dance in Costa Rica

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $122 per adult
San Jose : Night Tica Gastronomy and Folk Dance in Costa RicaOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in San Rafael

Number of things to do
225
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of San Jose Highlights: CA $8
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in San Rafael

Discover the most popular places to visit in San Rafael

Estadio National and La Sabana Park. San José Costa Rica

Sabana Park

Explore the great outdoors at Sabana Park, a lovely green space in San José. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its acclaimed art scene.

Sabana Park
Beautiful aerial view os the city of San Jose Costa Rica, and its main park The Sabana

National Stadium of Costa Rica

Catch an event at National Stadium of Costa Rica during your trip to San José. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

National Stadium of Costa Rica
Autódromo

Parque Viva

Learn about the events happening at Parque Viva during your trip to Guacima. Take in the festivals while you're in the area.

Parque Viva
Parque Central de San José en Costa Rica

Central Park

You can find out about the history of San José with a visit to Central Park. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Central Park
Beautiful aerial view of the National theater in Costa Rica

National Theater of Costa Rica

You can get tickets for a performance at National Theater during your trip to San José. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this vibrant area.

National Theater of Costa Rica
Beautiful aerial view of the Morazan Park in Costa Rica

Morazan Park

Morazan Park is just one of the places to see in San José, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the top-notch restaurants and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

Morazan Park
San Jose, Costa Rica, National Museum Building in historic city center

National Museum of Costa Rica

You can spend time studying the exhibits at National Museum of Costa Rica in San José. Discover the entertainment choices and shops in this vibrant area.

National Museum of Costa Rica

Multiplaza Mall Escazu

During your visit to San Rafael, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Multiplaza Mall Escazu. Amble around the area's picturesque gardens or seek out the local tours.

Multiplaza Mall Escazu

Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu

Explore the great outdoors at Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu, a lovely green space in Cascajal. You can enjoy the coffeehouses while in the area.

Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from San Rafael

San José

San José

Santa Ana: Costa Rica's Central Valley Suburban Beauty

Santa Ana

Waterfall, Hacienda Guachipelin, Rincon de la Vieja, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Central America

Guachipelin

Sunrise over Escazu, San Jose, Costa Rica

La Asunción

Typical costa rican tree - you can find it in bright orange and intense red

Pozos

Frequently asked questions

Is San Rafael worth visiting?
Famous for its shopping and dining, discovering fun things to do in San Rafael is a breeze. Don't forget to add Refugio Animal de Costa Rica to your trip itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in San Rafael?
After you've visited top attractions like Refugio Animal de Costa Rica, spend the rest of your day enjoying the retail and food options in San Rafael.
What is the top tourist attraction in San Rafael?
Spend the day at Refugio Animal de Costa Rica and experience why it's rated as the top tourist attraction near San Rafael.
Is three days enough to stay in San Rafael?
With a three-day trip to San Rafael, you'll easily be able to discover the area's many great attractions, such as Refugio Animal de Costa Rica and Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle.
Is San Rafael a walkable neighbourhood?
It all depends on what you want to do in and around San Rafael. Several key sights, such as Refugio Animal de Costa Rica and Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle are accessible on foot. Up for a stroll through some other nearby neighbourhoods? Uruca is 3 kilometres from San Rafael, while Mata Redonda is 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in San Rafael with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, a schedule filled with fun activities sets the tone for a great escape. Check out our ideas for what to do in San Rafael with kids.

What to do in San Rafael for adults?
Multipark is one of the main things to do in San Rafael. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in San Rafael?
You won't have to search high and low for free things to do in San Rafael. Simply ask a local tour guide and they'll share tips for attractions and places you can enjoy at no charge. A good free option to check out is Sabana Park.