Mercado Borbón

Tip

Eat lunch at one of the counters inside, try fruit you don't recognize, and carry small bills and a tote bag.

Be careful

Bring only what you need, keep bags zipped in front, and go in daylight. The neighborhood is rough after dark.

Places nearby

• Soda Tala #1 (Mercado Central)Sodas & Local FoodSoda Tala is a no-frills counter soda inside San José's Mercado Central, the 1880 market on Avenida Central, and it has been feeding locals for more than five decades.
• Lolo Mora's Ice CreamFood & CoffeeTiny stall in the central market that has long sold one thing: a cinnamon-vanilla ice cream served in cups.
• Café RojoFood & CoffeeSmall, much-loved café-restaurant in Barrio Amón with a Vietnamese-inspired menu of noodle bowls and rolls and good vegan and vegetarian choices.
• San José Free Walking TourTours & AdventureGuided walk through central San José covering the main squares, the National Theater area and the historic centre, advertised as a free tour, with morning and afternoon departures and a Spanish-language tour.
• La CriollitaFood & CoffeeLong-running Costa Rican restaurant in central San José serving generous plates of meat, chicken or fish with rice, beans and salad, Tico-style ceviche, chicken soup and daily specials, with a covered patio.
• Museo del Jade y de la Cultura PrecolombinaTours & AdventureMuseum of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros with one of the largest jade collections in the Americas, plus ceramics, gold and stone sculpture in five themed permanent rooms and two rooms for temporary shows.