A traveller's reflection: 06: Costa Rica: Bites and Sights City Tour...

Thursday, 3 July 2025

06: Costa Rica: Bites and Sights City Tour...

"I follow my heart and it leads me to the airport. Running to the boarding gate is my cardio..."

(Bites and Sights Walking Tour in the rain)

Day 06: 24/06/25 (Tuesday)
Activity: San Jose Bites and Sights City Tour
Hotel: Cultura Plaza Hotel San Jose, Costa Rica

We had Waffle, toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

(Waffle with maple syrup and fruits)

(The early birds)

At 8.00 am, the four of us went for a self-tour around Walking Street and the Central Park area. Our first stop was the Metropolitana Cathedral, standing gracefully in front of the park. After making a full circle around the square, we headed back toward the hotel.

(Self walking tour around town)

(The Central Bank of Costa Rica)

(The Central Park of San Jose)

(The Metropolitana Cathedral opposite the park)

(The Culturo Plaza - central gathering place)

(San Jose Walking Street, not crowded in the early morning)

(Museo de los Niños, formerly a central penitentiary)

On the way, we stopped for coffee at La Casa Del Zason, one of the many inviting sidewalk cafés, and browsed through a few souvenir shops.

(Vibrant display of flower bouquets)

(One of the many murals on the wall)

(La Casa Del Zason, a Mexican style Cafe)

After freshening up, we took an Uber to visit Masjid Omar and Islamic Centre. Unfortunately, the mosque was closed, and despite waiting for a while, no one came for prayers.

(Masjid Omar and the Islamic Centre)

(The mosque was locked)

Staying connected in Costa Rica proved to be a challenge, as none of us managed to activate roaming services. Thankfully, the owner of a nearby convenience store kindly helped us call an Uber to reach a Halal Pizza Restaurant. To our disappointment, the restaurant was closed on Tuesdays, so we crossed the street to Marelli’s Pizza and settled for a vegetarian pizza lunch.

(The Halal Pizza Restaurant was closed!)

(Waiting for our order of vegetarian pizza)

(Tasty and filling lunch)

(Extra pizza, ready to go)

Later, when returning to the hotel, we had to rely again on an Uber driver’s assistance since we couldn’t book online. This time, the fare was USD10 instead of the usual USD6.

( Well covered up for the heavy rain)

(Identifying the tropical fruits)

(Herbs with health and medicinal benefits)

In the afternoon, we joined a group of fellow travelers for the 'Bites and Sights Food Walking Tour' led by our guide, Mr. Oscar. The three-hour experience promised a rich immersion into local flavors, culture, and city landmarks.

(The Borbon Market or Fruit Market)

(Fruit tasting in Borbon Market)

( Varieties of hot chilli peppers)

It was pouring rain when we began, but spirits were high. The walk started at Mercado El Registro (Borbon Market) and continued to Mercado Central, where we sampled exotic fruits such as pejibaye, guanábana, and cashew fruit. Inside the bustling market, we explored local staples, herbal remedies, unusual peppery ice cream, and caldosa corn chips.

(One of Costa Rica’s oldest ice cream shops).

(Varieties of food and desserts)

At Mr. Sloth Coffee Shop, we enjoyed a hands-on cooking session - brewing traditional Café Chorreado, making sweet plantain empanadas, tasting tamal wrapped in banana leaves, and sipping Agua de Sapo, a refreshing drink of sugarcane, ginger, and lemon.

(The famous Mr Sloth Coffee Shop)

(Mr Oscar's banana pancake cooking demonstration)

(Cooking our own pancakes)

(Sweet plantain empanadas)

(Sweet tasty banana pancakes, my style)

(Vegetarian Tamal wrapped in banana leaves)

The tour also included cultural highlights as we passed notable landmarks: the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Theatre, Morazán Park, and the Central Post & Telegraph Building. Our journey ended at the lively Plaza de la Cultura, leaving us with a deeper taste of San José’s vibrant spirit.