Things to do in Los Yoses & San Pedro
-
A
Restaurante Whapin
If you don’t make it to the Caribbean, then absolutely make sure you eat here: an intimate corner spotpainted Rasta red, yellow and green, and serving up spectacularly delicious meals. Enjoy a steamy bowl of rondón (seafood gumbo cooked in coconut milk), a plate of rice and red beans, or fish simmered in spicy coconut sauce. Don’t forget the fried plantains and, in season, the crisp breadfruit. Wash it all down with agua de sapo, a zesty sweet ginger drink.
reviewed
-
Pane e Vino
Delicate superthin-crust pizza comes in 90 different variations at this rustic San Pedro family spot, where you can satisfy your cravings for salame picante (pepperoni). The heaping bowls of pasta are a deal, including the delicious Pasta Pane e Vino, penne in a light tomato sauce studded with artichokes and mushrooms. There is a decent selection of wine (from ₡4100). Recommended.
reviewed
-
Olio
This cozy, Mediterranean-flavored gastropub serves a long list of tempting tapas, including divine stuffed mushrooms (hongos madrileños), goat-cheese croquettes and garlic shrimp. There are also more than 17 house-made pastas to choose from and a decent beer and wine list (bottles from ₡13,500). Don’t miss desert, specifically vanilla ice cream doused in coffee liqueur.
reviewed
-
B
Le Chandelier
Whether you’re sitting next to the fireplace or outside on the patio, it’s hard to find a more romantic place than this two-decade-old Los Yoses outpost. Here, chef Claude Dubuis serves traditional French specialties (think duck à l’orange) with a few Costa Rican flourishes. Save room for the crêpes suzette for two (₡6000) – and bon appétit!
reviewed
-
Aya Sofya
A hidden gem with a diminutive outdoor patio serves a variety of Turkish and Mediterranean specialties, including fresh hummus, green salads laced with feta cheese, chicken sandwiches doused with tangy yogurt sauce and a rotating selection of daily specials. Don’t miss their impeccable (and razor-thin) apple tart, perfect with an inky shot of Turkish coffee.
reviewed
-
Bagelmens
It’s not Brooklyn, but if you’ve been on the gallo pinto diet, you’ll be glad to know that Bagelmens offers decent bagels – as well as delicious freshly made waffles, supermoist banana bread and surprisingly good Italian gelatos (pistachio is our favorite). Bonus: there’s free wi-fi for customers.
reviewed
-
C
Il Pomodoro
This very popular family chain draws office workers, families and packs of expats for fresh-from-the-oven pizzas topped with everything from olives to shellfish. Parents will appreciate the expansive location on the park, and there are even high chairs and changing stations.
reviewed
-
D
Ichiban
You’ll find all things Japanese at this modern San Pedro sushi bar, which dishes up well-rendered ramen, teppanyaki and specialty sushi rolls. They even have a Tico Roll (₡6200), which comes loaded with cream cheese, shiitake mushrooms, fried plantains and crab.
reviewed
-
E
Río Bar
Just west of the fountain, this popular bar with an upstairs lounge has live bands on some nights and a pyrotechnic house drink called the cucaracha (cockroach). Early in the evening it’s a good spot to watch the rush-hour traffic crawl by in the company of an after-work crowd.
reviewed
-
El Buen Comer
Popular with office workers, this homey, two-story soda is an excellent bet for budget-minded folks looking for tasty Tico home-style cooking, including casados and gallo pinto (a common meal of blended rice and beans).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Sand Rock Bar
A raucous beer-swilling spot that gets rolling at 5pm and keeps going until the last customer leaves. Expect the soundtrack to be rock, rock and more rock – with some heavy metal thrown in to spice things up.
reviewed
-
G
Un Lugar
This small wood-lined bar serves as a neighborhood hangout that draws artsy types and young professionals for cold beer and bocas (₡1800 to ₡3300). This is a good spot for solo women travelers.
reviewed
-
Comida Para Sentir
This informal, bustling student spot serves an international menu of veggie everything including curried rice with cashews, vegetable casados, whole-grain sandwiches and a mean cappuccino.
reviewed
-
H
Boliche Dent
If you’re interested in knocking down some pins, Boliche Dent in Los Yoses is an old-school bowling alley that looks straight out of 1969 (when it was built).
reviewed
-
I
Tao
A dimly lit lounge decorated with lots of Buddhas, this hip spot has fusion cocktails and decent Vietnamese appetizers, including satay and spring rolls (from ₡2000).
reviewed
-
Teatro Eugene O’Neill
Has performances sponsored by the Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano (Costa Rican–North American Cultural Center).
reviewed
-
La Canastita
This strip-light-and-plastic-table joint serves up delicious casados and blares out soccer to animated punters. It is a local favorite.
reviewed
-
J
Salón Los Patines
Just east of the rotunda in San Pedro, the 1970s are alive and well at Salón Los Patines, a throwback roller rink.
reviewed
-
TAM Travel
This reputable agency organizes half-day walking tours of the city, along with travel throughout Costa Rica.
reviewed
-
K
Outlet Mall
Small and economical is this spot right across from the Iglesia de San Pedro.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
L
Multicines San Pedro
This popular multiplex has 10 screens showing the latest Hollywood flicks.
reviewed
-
M
Terra U
reviewed
-
N
Tavarúa
reviewed
-
O
Caccio's
reviewed
-
P
Teatro Bellas Artes
On the east side of the UCR campus is the Teatro Bellas Artes, which has a wide variety of programming, including works produced by the university’s fine-arts department.
reviewed
