Café de los Deseos

Top choice in San José


Abuzz with artsy young bohemians, this colorful Barrio Otoya cafe makes a romantic spot for drinks (from sangria to cocktails to smoothies), bocas (handmade tortillas with Turrialba cheese, salads, teriyaki chicken, individual pizzas) and tempting desserts. Walls are hung with the work of local artists and rooms are adorned with hand-painted tables, beaded curtains and branches entwined with fairy lights.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San José attractions

2. Spirogyra Jardín de Mariposas

0.17 MILES

Housing more than 30 species of butterfly – including the luminescent blue morpho – in plant-filled enclosures, this small butterfly garden is a great…

3. Casa Amarilla

0.23 MILES

On Parque España’s northeast corner, this elegant colonial-style yellow mansion (closed to the public) houses the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ceiba tree…

4. Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo

0.23 MILES

Commonly referred to as MADC, the Contemporary Art & Design Museum is housed in the historical National Liquor Factory building, which dates from 1856. It…

5. Centro Nacional de la Cultura

0.25 MILES

Housed in the historical National Liquor Factory, this cultural center contains the museum of art and design, a video museum, a gallery and two theaters.

6. Parque Nacional

0.27 MILES

One of San José’s nicest green spaces, this shady spot lures retirees to read newspapers and young couples to smooch coyly on concrete benches. At its…

7. Parque España

0.28 MILES

Surrounded by heavy traffic, Parque España may be small, but it becomes a riot of birdsong every day at sunset when the local avian population comes in to…

8. TEOR/éTica

0.28 MILES

This contemporary-art museum is the brick-and-mortar gathering space for the TEOR/éTica Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Central…