If you have time, I definitely recommend doing the 40 minutes guided tour. The two actors get really into character, especially the actress who plays multiple roles. Plus they are knowledgeable and answered a lot of questions about the theatre. They talk about the theatre room, upstairs, the paintings, sculptures and historical people connected to the theatre. I also recommend booking the tour in advance, but you pay on the day of your visit. I booked the 11am tour in advance. When paying and collecting my ticket, there was a couple behind me who also wanted to do the 11am tour but it was fully booked and the next available slot was the 1pm tour. You can email uboleteria@teatronacional.go.cr to book. The price was CRC 3,500 per person.

There are certainly nicer and larger theaters, but this is very special: everything was designed, made and shipped in Europe and put together on site. With a very nice result. Very good guides who tell their story with passion. And in the café you can drink very nice coffee...

You must see this museum when in Costa Rica. It is located in an old fortress, where you can see old prisoner cells, the lookout towers, and other parts of the fort. You enter through a lovely butterfly garden and the history of the country unfolds as you walk through the exhibitions that have transformed the fort. There are exhibits from and about indigenous peoples and all stages of the country's history. Very well presented, with fabulous artifacts and through and engaging presentations. I learned so much about the country, its art, its politics, its ecomony, and the current plans of its people. Do not miss this.

I didn't expect to enjoy my visit so much. Excellent guided tour with "charming" visits for characters from Costa Rica's past. Amazing floor that is raised every four years for new president's gala. Treasure of art work. Cafe is a little pricy but very comfortable setting. Safe walking area. 10 minutes from Holiday Inn.

The glowing reviews are absolutely right: this place is a gem and the hour-long tour is both informative and fun. Hard to believe the amount of gold leaf! - and it’s great to be able to see much of the restoration taking place. The video about the auditorium floor, which can all be raised and lowered, is just one remarkable element. Listen out for the explanation for the separate entrance for those with tickets for the third circle top…! Highly recommended (& don’t miss the chance to have an excellent coffee & some equally excellent food in the wonderful theatre cafe next door - a timeless gem).

An absolutely beautiful little gem of a theatre. Worth the guided tour despite it being limited- you don't go on the stage or behind it. The guides are knowledgeable & fun. The coffee shop attached is good if pricey.

There are only two tours per day in English and both are in the afternoon which is a shame. We went on the Spanish tour as this was the only way we would get to see inside the building. It is very beautiful and worth the visit. The guides were very enthusiastic. Shame we could not understand.

Beautiful building. Nice bits of history. Tasty cafe. Interesting part of town. **HINT! For English speaking tours you need to go to the box office outside of the theater on the right side. (This is not very obvious). There was only one English tour on the day of my tour, at 3:00pm. The other 8 or so tours were all in Spanish and several were sold out. It cost around $8 per person.

This is a short but interesting & informative tour. A good history & social explanation of Costa Rica. The actors are very entertaining. Tour takes about 45 minutes. Only one English tour per day. Our tour was at 10am. You can visit the lobby & coffee shop without taking the tour.

The Theatre is located in the heart of San Jose. When you access the main hall, you can see paintings and sculptures that mark an era and neoclassical style (1897). It is a small theater (it has a capacity of 850), but no less distinguished. You can visit the beautiful cafe located on the left of the Hall (which retains aesthetics not only on the ceilings and walls but also on the tables and chairs) and guided tours are also offered. We went to witness the premiere of the ballet "in the branches of the cypress" with a very complete and accomplished putting. We are pleased to have known this National Theatre and to have agreed to witness a Play of this level.