San José's foremost architectural showpiece, the National Theater is a source of pride to Costa Ricans everywhere. Inaugurated on October 19, 1897 with a performance of Faust by the Paris Opera Company, the building's origins date to 1890 when coffee barons funded its construction to attract European opera companies. The interior is lavish: marble floors, gilded columns, and a ceiling mural depicting coffee and banana harvests. Daily guided tours are available; check for evening performances.
National Theater
Gilded 1897 opera house funded by Costa Rica's coffee barons
| Address | Avenida 2, Calle 3-5, San José |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Mon–Sat 9:00–17:00 |
A story
The theater was financed by a coffee export tax — Costa Rican coffee growers agreed to pay a levy on every bag exported to Europe to fund the construction, ensuring the country had a stage worthy of the touring companies they wanted to attract.