Discovering the San Jose street art in Costa Rica.
Nature and the Pacific ocean made my trip to Costa Rica special.
However, I found the artistic side of the nation to be an important part of the pura vida lifestyle that the locals enjoy.
So discovering the street art of San Jose was an awesome experience!
If you are heading to the capital of Costa Rica soon, then you should add some artistry to your travel plans, as San Jose is abundant with local and International flair.
Due to Costa Rica’s location on the Central American Isthmus, its culture is heavily influenced by its visitors, creating a very diverse range of themes in the murals across the city.
Join me as I embarked on a journey to downtown San Jose to find the cool graffiti murals, and urban art!
The best place to start is the City of Colors District.
A sketchy area of San Jose.
The City of Color Murals.
The best place for street art for you to visit during your time in San Jose is a dedicated area of the city, which is known as ‘City of Colors’.
Calle 17 (17th Street) just behind the National Museum is the particular street where the urban art movement began in the capital, with the artists of the city given freedom to express their thoughts and feelings through bright colours and murals.
With minimal restrictions on artistic expression compared to other cities, this allows the artistic landscape of San Jose to flourish, with it continuously evolving in line with the dynamic changes in Costa Rica.
As you can see, City of Color Murals is located centrally in San Jose.
I enjoyed the fact that all of the street art in this area can be explored by foot, so made for an interesting free activity on my Costa Rica itinerary.
The official sign of San Jose.
A fitting location for a monkey in a suit.
I stumbled across this striking mural, known as ‘Monkey Politician’, which is the work of Fralem, a local artist whose online presence may not be as prominent as his art.
He strategically positioned the monkey in the heart of San José’s business district, and dressed the animal in a suit, which is satirical commentary on corruption and the often frustrating political landscape of the region.
On my tour, our guide told us that this clever placement amplifies the artwork’s message, making it a poignant reminder of the struggles many Costa Ricans face with their political systems.
It is certainly an interesting, and humorous way of learning about the deeper issues in the capital, which tourists don’t often see!
A monkey in a suit mural.
Native wildlife.
The graffiti in San José, Costa Rica showcases the country's rich biodiversity, which is a big draw to the country, and highlights the importance of preserving native wildlife in many spots in the city.
Many murals feature iconic animals that are synonymous with Costa Rica’s natural landscape, such as sloths, toucans, jaguars, and monkeys.
Wildlife themed art.
A quirky sloth piece.
These vibrant portrayals celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of these species, often using bold colours and dynamic forms to capture their essence.
Another bright one.
Artists use their platforms to raise awareness about the threats facing native wildlife and advocate for conservation efforts.
By bringing attention to these issues, the murals encourage viewers to reflect on their role in protecting the environment.
A quirky corner in the capital.
Lizard wall.
A gritty vibe.
I found that the colourful murals and graffiti provide a striking contrast to the weathered buildings, and barbed wire walls found in some areas of San José, creating gritty aesthetics.
This juxtaposition definitely adds depth and character to the streets of the capital, by transforming neglected spaces into canvases of expression!
Gritty.
Whether you're wandering through abandoned narrow alleyways or busy streets, the artistic side of the city tells stories that resonate, making San José an awesome street art destination.
A national hero.
As I wandered around the downtown area of San Jose, I noticed that the locals celebrate the sporting heroes of Costa Rica through art also.
This piece is a prominent tribute to the country’s celebrated football goalkeeper, who has gained international recognition for his impressive spell at Real Madrid, along with his long term position in the Costa Rican national team.
A mural dedicated to Navas.
The smiley faces from Gussa.
The smiley faces by artist Gussa are a notable feature in San José, Costa Rica, bringing a joyful and playful atmosphere to the city.
Gustavo Gutiérrez is a contemporary Costa Rican artist known for his vibrant and whimsical designs, including smiley faces like below.
I found this happy building as I explored the bohemian neighbourhoods in the downtown area of the capital, with his brightly coloured happy walls being located throughout San Jose.
A famous smiley face from local artist 'Gussa'.
Gussa’s smiley faces can be found in various public spaces including parks, plazas, and even on the sides of buildings. Their strategic placement makes them accessible for spontaneous encounters, which was certainly the case for me.
My take on the smiley faces was that it is a simple representation of the happy life in Costa Rica, although I wouldn’t associate San Jose with the pura vida vibes, as much as other popular spots in the country.
Cartoon themed murals all the way down this street.
The street art in San Jose appeals to all ages, with cartoon themed art engaging the younger generation, which is usually shared on Costa Rican themed Instagram posts.
This helps to spark the creative influences in the city!
I interpreted the cartoon murals as a lighthearted approach to societal issues, with politics and nature preservation being common in San Jose.
This combination of humour and commentary makes serious topics more approachable.
More animal themed artwork.
Quirky statues throughout the city.
As I wandered around the capital, I kept noticing quirky statues, which all seemed to tell a story.
The unique sculptures not only add character to the urban landscape but represent Costa Rican culture, history, and creativity.
On my San Jose walking tour, I learned some interesting facts about the country through the statues, as many have information boards close by.
The urban landscape of San Jose is like an open-air gallery, with new surprises on every corner!
Some random statues I found in a park near the street art murals.
One of the most famous statues in San José is "Los Presentes", located outside the Costa Rican National Museum.
This striking monument, designed by renowned Costa Rican artist Fernando Calvo, commemorates the abolition of the military in Costa Rica in 1948.
These artistic statues definitely captured my attention as I explored the city.
Los Presentes statues in San Jose.
Some other street art destinations in Costa Rica.
Beautiful nature, sunshine, and fresh air are part of the fabric of the nation, however, art is just as important now, with creative freedom flourishing due to the happy life which people are subjected to.
All of the other popular destinations in Costa Rica also encourage artist expression, whether it is near the iconic beauty spots of La Fortuna, or the lively bar street in Tamarindo, I noticed quirky art everywhere!
Visiting at the correct time of year makes a big difference in the vibrant art standing out amongst the abundance of nature.
Here are three popular street art spots in Costa Rica:
Puerto Viejo - Carribean surf town with murals reflecting the Afro-Caribbean culture.
La Fortuna - Art mainly depicts the local volcanoes, waterfalls, and wildlife, adding to the town’s charm.
Tamarindo - It’s surf culture, and carefree lifestyle is reflected in the town’s street art.
Street art in Montezuma.
Some other street art cities for you to visit.
Finding street art is one of my favourite things to do on my travels, so here are three other cities with a thriving street art scene:
Amman, Jordan - the beautiful street art murals in the Jordanian capital surprised me, as the hilly city has historically been very bland in colour, so the creative twist offers an ancient vs modern juxtaposition in the city.
Berlin, Germany - The vast history of Berlin is showcased through art in many spots in the city, including popular street art places such as the East Side Gallery, and Dead Chicken Alley, both of which have an alternative theme.
Mostar, Bosnia - There is no doubt that Mostar has been through some testing times in recent decades, however, the locals are now focused on a bright future, and the colourful murals in the city are an expression of that.
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