Sabana's Hidden History Walk

San Jose is frequently dismissed as a mere transit point for beaches and rainforests, but to bypass the Sabana-Rohrmoser corridor is to miss the city’s architectural evolution. This route centers on La Sabana, a massive urban green space that once served as the country’s primary international hub. The walk begins at the Museo de Arte Costarricense (MAC), housed within the 1940s colonial-style former airport terminal Museo de Arte Costarrice…Art lovers delight in Sa…. While the rotating galleries offer a solid survey of regional modernism, the architectural highlight is the upstairs 'Golden Room.' This former VIP lounge features a 360-degree bas-relief mural in bronze-dipped wood, chronicling national history from the pre-Columbian era to the mid-20th century Museo de Arte Costarrice…. It is one of the most significant and overlooked interior spaces in San Jose. Transitioning from the museum into the 72-hectare park, the path moves through a space that locals treat as the city's lungs Costa Rica's Largest Urb…. While the central lake is often more functional than scenic, the perimeter reveals the city's social fabric. On Sundays, the park transforms into a dense theater of fitness classes and pickup football games La Sabana Metropolitan P…. The walk then leads westward into Rohrmoser, a neighborhood defined by wide boulevards and a shift toward Brutalist and early mid-century residential styles. It is a stark contrast to the colonial grid of the city center, offering a window into the affluent suburban aspirations of the 1970s and 80s. The final destination, Café A La Moda, exemplifies the refined coffee culture that has taken hold in these western residential blocks. This isn't a quick-stop corner shop; it is a destination for rigorous specialty coffee preparation. The transition from the sprawling, public nature of the park to the curated, intimate atmosphere of the cafe reflects the broader shift occurring in San Jose’s urban planning and social life, moving from grandiose public projects to high-quality, neighborhood-centric development.

What to Expect

The walk is largely flat but takes place at an altitude of 3,800 feet, so the sun is stronger than it feels. MAC museum is free and requires about 90 minutes Art lovers delight in Sa…. Weekend mornings are ideal, as the park is vibrant and the heat is manageable. Dress is casual-athletic. Most areas are pedestrian-friendly, though navigating the transition into Rohrmoser requires awareness of traffic at major intersections.

The Route

1

Costa Rican Art Museum

84

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity92

Infrastructure53

Terrain80

Safety72

Lighting100

Amenities100

Transit80

"Start by heading upstairs to the Golden Room; it’s a former airport terminal, and the wood-carved murals there are the real reason to visit before exploring the garden."

30-45 min8 min

8 min · 707 m84

2

Parque Metropolitano La Sabana

84

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity92

Infrastructure53

Terrain80

Safety72

Lighting100

Amenities100

Transit80

"Skip the dusty lakebed and find the monument tucked near the street for the best photos, or join a free Sunday Zumba class to see the park at its liveliest."

30-45 min30 min

30 min · 1.6 mi82

3

Café A La Moda

82

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity99

Infrastructure65

Terrain84

Safety67

Lighting100

Amenities100

Transit63

"Grab a spot by the window for that cool Sabana breeze and order the French toast—the portions are huge, but don't leave without trying their specialty coffee as it cools to pick up those sweet flavor notes."

45 min - 1 hr12 min walk

Frequently Asked Questions