Plaza de la Cultura
Plaza de la Cultura
3.5
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Downtown's main plaza often hosts celebrations, demonstrations, performances, etc.
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3.5
253 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
81
Average
87
Poor
18
Terrible
4
mikeankirsty
Devon128 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
I'm sorry but there really isn't anything special here. If you want to visit it just to tick it off the list of places to say you've seen then go but otherwise relaxing around the pool for the morning will be more fun. The area is surrounded by cheap 3rd rate shops and beggars on virtually every corner. The only thing that was enjoyable was the coffee and carrot cake we had outside the front of the gran hotel opposite the national theatre.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bjstarx
Teaneck, NJ17 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
Walk around. Hang out with the locals. I felt safe even though I was alone. Worth the visit. Enjoy the local color!
Written 14 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaRth2
Cairo73 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
A nice place to take a break in central San Jose, it is the place to meet up with people in the city and always full of life. It is fun to watch the kids feed and/or chase the pigeons, and it is next to or on top of several of San Jose's sights so it is quite convenient.
Written 22 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck n Suzanne H
Sallisaw, OK341 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
The cultural plaza is where just about everyone hangs out sometime or another. It's crowded, noisy, and full of all kinds of streetlife, from everyday Ticos and tourists to the scammers to the truly downtrodden. It's well patrolled by the police, and they'll keep you safe. They may not keep your stuff safe.
In this plaza, you'll find the National Theatre. This is truly a must see in San Jose. The Hotel Gran is another historical building. Under the pedestrian plaza are wonderful museums, holding treasures of jade, gold, and banking history. And when you've had your fill of culture, walk across the plaza and have a Big Mac. It's a one-stop cultural haven.
There's no telling what you may find here. We visited in early December, with fair weather and mild temperatures. There were street performers, face painters, trinket hawkers, money changers, the everpresent drummer and ocarina blowers, and Christmas decorations. It's worth a day and night in San Jose, just to see the sights of the plaza and surrounding paseo. But, much more than a day, and you've run out of things to do.
In this plaza, you'll find the National Theatre. This is truly a must see in San Jose. The Hotel Gran is another historical building. Under the pedestrian plaza are wonderful museums, holding treasures of jade, gold, and banking history. And when you've had your fill of culture, walk across the plaza and have a Big Mac. It's a one-stop cultural haven.
There's no telling what you may find here. We visited in early December, with fair weather and mild temperatures. There were street performers, face painters, trinket hawkers, money changers, the everpresent drummer and ocarina blowers, and Christmas decorations. It's worth a day and night in San Jose, just to see the sights of the plaza and surrounding paseo. But, much more than a day, and you've run out of things to do.
Written 7 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Melbourne, Australia1,162 contributions
Feb 2020
People mill about in this plaza, a meeting place for visitors and locals and setting for the delightful National Theatre. In any other city it would have little significance but in San Jose where the city character is generally somewhat down at heel, it assumes a pivotal role.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arie S
Jerusalem, Israel233 contributions
Aug 2019
a must place to pass if you are staying downtown and walkingin everywhere.
Apart from standing for several minutes and llooking at crwods go by there is nothing exciting , A very noticed police presence unseen in other places in the country .
Apart from standing for several minutes and llooking at crwods go by there is nothing exciting , A very noticed police presence unseen in other places in the country .
Written 12 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneAgerbo
50 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
A small plaza, which is a nice place to sit and watch people, and sense everyday life in San Jose. During weekends/afternoon you have the chance for enjoy street-artist, some good and some not so good.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emdee570
Washington DC, DC18 contributions
July 2017 • Family
Good place to take it easy and do a little learning of the local culture. Went on one of our lazy days where we did not fancy anything too frenetic.
Written 10 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Parvin S
1,489 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
This very big square surrounded by National Theater, Gold Museum, Tourist information center, and shops. the fountains on the floor make children having lots of fun.
Written 21 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CR_Drifter
Seattle36 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I was there last week and I was disappointed to find the plaza completely cordoned off to the public. Evidently they are renovating the museums that are (were?) underneath the plaza. Unfortunately, many of the nearby shops have closed also. I'm not sure why. The pedestrian walkway is still open and the streets were not closed.
Written 31 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a public parking at Plaza de la Cultura and also how much is it ?
Written 2 July 2019
Noetics
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
San Jose has many cabs to just wave down so l didn't drive there. Buses are clean and quiet and a way to get to rub elbows with the natives.
Written 31 October 2019
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