FILM-FRIENDLY ZONES

Central

Film Locations in Central

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Architecture
Beaches
Coasts
Countryside
Farms
Forests
Historic Sites
Hotels
Infrastructure
Lakes
Mountains
National Park
Rivers
Towns
Urban Areas
Volcanoes
Waterfalls

Cementerio General

The San José General Cemetery, founded in the 19th century and declared Historical Architectural Heritage, is a unique location for productions seeking a solemn, historical, or dramatic atmosphere. Its scale, symbolism, and variety of architectural elements make it a versatile setting, ideal for period, suspense, or memory-themed narratives, with the advantage of being located in downtown San José.

Sanatorio Durán

Ruinas De Ujarrás

The Ruins of Ujarrás, located in the Cachí district, Paraíso canton, Cartago province, are a historical and visual treasure that provides a unique setting for audiovisual productions. Surrounded by the lush Orosi Valley landscape and near Lake Cachí, the ruins offer a serene and mystical atmosphere, ideal for historical, religious, or romantic settings.

Museo Nacional De Costa Rica

The National Museum of Costa Rica, located in the former Bellavista Barracks in downtown San José, is a building of great historical and visual value, ideal for audiovisual productions with institutional, heritage, or period settings. Its architecture combines 19th-century military elements with contemporary museum renovations, featuring stone walls, towers, colonial corridors, and interior courtyards surrounded by vegetation. The rooftop offers panoramic views of downtown San José, and the interior houses exhibition rooms with sober, colonial, or archaeological atmospheres.

Barrio Amón

Barrio Amón, in the center of San José, is an ideal location for audiovisual projects seeking a historical atmosphere with urban character. Its Victorian, neoclassical, and eclectic houses, tree-lined streets, and ornamented facades offer a visually rich environment for period or locally inspired narratives. Its heritage value and versatility make it perfect for cultural, residential, or artistic settings.

Liceo De Heredia

Located in downtown Heredia, the Liceo de Heredia combines neoclassical architecture with a rich historical background, ideal for school, period, or institutional scenes. Its Magna Hall, with classical details and excellent acoustics, is perfect for filming speeches, concerts, or formal events. Wide corridors, gardens, and old classrooms offer visual variety in a controlled, accessible setting.

Estación Del Ferrocaril Al Atlántico

The Atlantic Railroad Station, located in San José’s Carmen district, is an architectural gem and a versatile location for audiovisual productions seeking period, industrial, or institutional settings. Inaugurated in 1908 and declared Architectural Heritage in 1980, its eclectic design blends Victorian, neoclassical, and baroque styles with modernist details. Its façade features a baroque pediment flanked by mythological figures, mansard-style metal roofs, and wide eaves protecting the entrances.

Centro Nacional De La Cultura

The National Center of Culture (CENAC), located in the El Carmen district of San José, Costa Rica, is a cultural complex housed in the former National Liquor Factory (FANAL), built between 1853 and 1856. Its 19th-century industrial architecture combined with restored spaces makes it a versatile location for audiovisual productions requiring historical, artistic, or institutional environments. Additionally, its wide corridors, courtyards, and inner gardens provide ideal settings for various visual narratives.

Barrio Otoya

Located in the Carmen district, in the heart of San José, Barrio Otoya is a historic residential enclave that reflects the architecture and lifestyle of the capital’s center. Its tree-lined streets, heritage façades, and small local shops create an authentic and welcoming visual environment, ideal for productions seeking urban settings with Costa Rican character—neighborhood scenes, family stories, or documentaries on everyday life. Its proximity to downtown San José and main roads ensures logistical accessibility, while the calm atmosphere allows controlled filming without losing urban dynamism.

Centro Recreativo Bosque de la Hoja

The Bosque de la Hoja Recreational Center, located in San Rafael de Heredia, offers a lush natural setting just 30 minutes from downtown San José—ideal for audiovisual productions seeking to capture the essence of the high-altitude tropical rainforest. Its trails among centuries-old trees, viewpoints overlooking the Central Valley, and open areas with occasional fog create a versatile environment combining mystery, freshness, and serenity. The location has vehicle access, basic services, large parking areas, and logistical facilities that support outdoor production work.

El Castillo Country Club

Located in a mountainous and exclusive area of San Rafael de Heredia, the Castillo Country Club offers a visually striking setting for productions seeking elegance, privacy, and contact with nature. Its distinctive manor-style architecture, extensive gardens, and terraces with panoramic views of the Central Valley create a versatile atmosphere suitable for lifestyle, social event, advertising, or cinematic storytelling scenes. The location offers vehicle access, parking, and controllable spaces for filming, ensuring both logistical functionality and aesthetic appeal within a safe, prestigious environment.

Avenida Escazú

Avenida Escazú is the main urban and commercial hub of the canton, featuring modern architecture, restaurants, offices, and condominiums. Ideal for productions requiring contemporary urban or premium lifestyle settings, it offers easy access from San José and convenient logistics for filming.

Fortín De Heredia

The Heredia Fort is an emblematic historical monument in the city, located in front of Central Park. This location is ideal for productions requiring a historical, heritage, or romantic atmosphere, especially in scenes that seek to highlight local identity or the contrast between old and urban elements.

Hospital Clínica Bíblica

Clínica Bíblica is a renowned private hospital located in the heart of San José, combining modern architecture with a central urban setting. Its interior spaces—from care rooms to corridors and administrative areas—offer versatile scenarios for audiovisual productions requiring medical, corporate, or institutional environments. Its central location facilitates logistics, equipment access, and shoot coordination, while its advanced infrastructure ensures a controlled and safe environment for filming hospital scenes.

Basílica De Nuestra Señora De Los Ángeles

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, in Cartago, is one of Costa Rica’s most emblematic locations due to its historical, spiritual, and architectural value. Its neo-Byzantine façade, stone-carved ornamental details, and spacious gardens provide a majestic and solemn visual context. Inside, the main nave and stained glass windows create a mystical atmosphere with excellent natural light during the day. The temple features wide corridors, an underground crypt, and exterior areas that allow for varied shots. It is ideal for religious, heritage, or ceremonial settings.

Centro Cultural Omar Dengo

The Omar Dengo Cultural Center, located in the heart of Heredia, is a historic and architecturally distinctive space that combines classic elegance with contemporary functionality. Its heritage design—with large windows, wooden floors, and colonial details—offers a warm and versatile atmosphere for audiovisual productions seeking institutional, cultural, or period settings. Surrounded by gardens and pedestrian areas, the center includes exhibition halls, auditoriums, and educational spaces adaptable to various filming needs. Its central location within the Greater Metropolitan Area ensures logistical accessibility and technical coordination for film crews.

Museos del Banco Central y Plaza de la Cultura

Located in the heart of San José, the Central Bank Museums and the Plaza de la Cultura form an emblematic urban complex that combines contemporary architecture with city dynamism. The underground museum complex features modern design, minimalist galleries, and controlled lighting corridors ideal for institutional productions, documentaries, or introspective scenes. On the surface, the Plaza de la Cultura offers open space, constant movement, and a vibrant atmosphere that reflects everyday life in the capital—perfect for urban, commercial, or socially driven productions with an authentic Costa Rican touch.

Palacio De Los Deportes

Antigua Aduana

Edificio Metálico / Escuela Buenaventura Corrales

The Metal Building, inaugurated in 1896 and declared Historical and Architectural Heritage, is a unique structure in the heart of San José, built with prefabricated galvanized iron pieces imported from Belgium. Designed by architect Charles Thirion, it stands out for its neoclassical style, ornamental details, and a central courtyard organizing its two levels and symmetrical pavilions. Its 19th-century industrial aesthetic, combined with a bright, functional layout, makes it an ideal location for productions seeking a historical, educational, or period atmosphere with distinctive visual character.

Estadio Nacional De Costa Rica

The National Stadium of Costa Rica, inaugurated on March 26, 2011, is a high-value location for productions requiring modern, institutional, or large-scale settings. With a capacity of over 35,000 spectators, this multifunctional stadium is located in La Sabana Metropolitan Park in San José and stands out for its contemporary architecture, advanced technology, and versatile spaces.

Teatro Popular Melico Salazar

The Melico Salazar Popular Theater, located in downtown San José, is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic performance spaces. Inaugurated in 1928 and restored in 1985 after a fire, it combines neoclassical architecture with modernist details and a main hall with a capacity of 1,180 people. Its elegant interior design, excellent acoustics, and heritage value make it an ideal location for audiovisual productions requiring a theatrical, historical, or high aesthetic atmosphere in an accessible urban setting.

Valle De Orosi

The Orosi Valley, located in Cartago province, is one of the most picturesque and cinematic landscapes in Costa Rica. Surrounded by misty mountains and coffee plantations, the valley combines lush nature, flowing rivers, and a rural atmosphere rich in history. Its geography offers a variety of locations in one place: from viewpoints with panoramic views to dirt roads, old bridges, colonial churches like Orosi (one of the oldest in the country), and traditional houses.

Volcán Irazu

Irazú Volcano National Park, located in Cartago province, Costa Rica, is a natural location of high visual impact and scenic value for audiovisual productions. The park is divided into two sectors: the Crater Sector, home to the main crater with its characteristic changing-toned lake, and the Prusia Sector, which offers coniferous forests and natural trails ideal for scenes in forest environments.

Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría

Parque del Este

Parque del Este, located in San Rafael de Montes de Oca within the Greater Metropolitan Area, is a 24-hectare natural environment combining wooded areas, trails, sports fields, and recreational zones with views of the Central Valley. Its rolling topography, with light clearings and dense vegetation, provides great visual versatility for scenes of urban nature, family recreation, or outdoor activity. Just 15 minutes from downtown San José, the park offers accessibility, technical setup space, and a calm atmosphere ideal for productions seeking a balance between nature and metropolitan life.

Jardín Botánico Lankester

The Lankester Botanical Garden, located in Dulce Nombre, Cartago, is one of the most exquisite and visually rich natural spaces in the Greater Metropolitan Area. Internationally recognized for its orchid and tropical plant collection, it offers a serene and colorful atmosphere with themed gardens, shaded trails, ponds, and wooden structures that evoke harmony and contemplation. Its carefully designed aesthetics and botanical diversity make it an ideal location for productions that seek to portray natural beauty, science, sustainability, or spirituality—with easy access from San José and nearby support services.

Parque Nacional Volcán Poás

Located in the canton of Poás, Alajuela, about 50 km from San José, Poás Volcano National Park offers a unique audiovisual setting with its active crater, volcanic lagoons, and cloud forests. Ideal for dramatic panoramic shots and scenes requiring mystical, adventurous, or suspenseful atmospheres, it combines paved-road accessibility with visually authentic protected landscapes—perfect for documentaries, adventure films, fantasy productions, or commercials.

Teatro Nacional De Costa Rica

The National Theater, inaugurated in 1897, is one of Costa Rica’s most emblematic locations. Its neoclassical architecture, marble interiors, and European frescoes offer a visually striking setting for productions that require sophistication and historical character. Located in the heart of San José, it features a lobby, halls, main theater, and an imposing façade. It is ideal for period, institutional, or cultural scenes and has hosted both national and international productions.

Ruinas De Cartago

Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría

The Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela just 25 minutes from downtown San José, is the main gateway to Costa Rica and a versatile location for audiovisual projects aiming to portray the dynamism of international transit. Its modern architecture, large windows with views of the Poás Volcano, and cosmopolitan atmosphere provide a visually attractive setting for scenes of arrivals, farewells, or corporate stories. With solid infrastructure, high-level logistics services, and easy access from the capital, the airport combines operational efficiency with a contemporary aesthetic that can represent airport terminals from various parts of the world.

Universidad De Costa Rica

The University of Costa Rica (UCR), located in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, is a large campus that combines modern architecture with extensive green areas, ideal for filming academic, urban, or natural settings. Its emblematic buildings, such as the Carlos Monge Library and the Law School, offer versatile interior spaces with functional design and abundant natural light.

Parque Metropolitano La Sabana

La Sabana Metropolitan Park, known as the “lungs of San José,” is an exceptional location for audiovisual productions that aim to capture the urban dynamic in harmony with nature. The diversity of spaces and its central location make La Sabana a versatile and accessible option for various production needs.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

La Paz Waterfall Gardens, located in Vara Blanca, Heredia, is one of Costa Rica’s most stunning natural locations for audiovisual productions. Its surroundings combine five majestic waterfalls surrounded by cloud forest, stone trails, tropical gardens, and rustic architecture integrated into the landscape. The constant mist, vibrant greenery, and sound of water create a unique cinematic atmosphere—perfect for adventure, fantasy, or nature scenes. Only 90 minutes from San José, it offers excellent access, tourist services, rest areas, and a wildlife refuge, making it both visually breathtaking and operationally convenient.

Hotel Rinconcito Verde (Posada De Turismo Rural)

Rinconcito Verde is a mountain hotel located in a privileged rural area of Costa Rica, offering a unique experience by combining nature, culture, and hospitality. It provides access to a wide variety of cultural, sports, and historical activities — from coffee and chayote plantation tours, visits to colonial churches and museums, to outdoor adventures such as rafting, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and birdwatching.

Iglesia De La Inmaculada

Museo de Arte Costarricense

Located in the heart of La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the Costa Rican Art Museum (MAC) is one of San José’s most emblematic and cinematic cultural spaces. Installed in the former international airport building, it combines neocolonial architecture with large sculpture gardens and open park views. Its restored interiors—exhibition halls, luminous galleries, and the renowned Golden Room featuring reliefs narrating the nation’s history—offer a sophisticated and heritage-rich atmosphere ideal for institutional, artistic, or historical productions. Its central location and easy logistics make it a versatile setting within the Greater Metropolitan Area.

Hospital CIMA

CIMA Hospital is a modern private medical complex located in Escazú, combining contemporary architecture with high-tech healthcare facilities. Its clean façades, bright spacious interiors, orderly corridors, and specialized care areas provide an ideal setting for productions requiring clinical, corporate, or science and technology environments. With easy access from San José and large parking areas, the hospital allows efficient logistics for filming, ensuring safety and control for medical or institutional scenes.

Centro Cultural Herediano Omar Dengo

The Omar Dengo Heredian Cultural Center, located in downtown Heredia, is a neoclassical heritage building ideal for audiovisual projects with a historical or educational focus. Restored in 2010, it features versatile halls, a covered courtyard with a stage, and an amphitheater, making it suitable for cultural, institutional, or community scenes in both interior and exterior spaces with character and authenticity.

Universidad Nacional

The National University of Costa Rica (UNA), located in Heredia, is a vibrant and versatile location for audiovisual projects seeking academic, urban, and natural environments in one place. Highlights include spaces like the Joaquín García Monge Library, the Plaza de la Diversidad, and multiple auditoriums and open corridors that provide visual dynamism. It is ideal for university, institutional, or social reflection scenes, with easy access and a lively cultural and student atmosphere.

Edificio La Alhambra

La Alhambra Building, located in downtown San José, Costa Rica, is an architectural gem from the early 20th century that offers a unique setting for audiovisual productions. Declared Historical Architectural Heritage in 2000, it is currently managed by the Memoria de las Artes Escénicas Foundation (La MAE), which offers its spaces for rehearsals, workshops, and cultural events.

Parque Nicolas Ulloa Soto

Nicolás Ulloa Soto Park, in downtown Heredia, is an urban location with high heritage and visual value. Its elegant octagonal bandstand, 19th-century cast-iron fountain, and mature vegetation framing pedestrian paths and open spaces make it ideal for scenes of civic interaction, historical moments, or cultural activities, offering a classic and versatile atmosphere with easy logistics.

Barrio Rohrmoser

Located west of downtown San José, the Rohrmoser neighborhood combines modernity, accessibility, and a green urban environment—ideal for productions depicting contemporary Costa Rican life. Its wide avenues, parks, cafés, upscale residential architecture, and corporate buildings offer a clean and versatile aesthetic adaptable to urban, commercial, or lifestyle narratives. With proximity to La Sabana Park and Tobías Bolaños Airport, Rohrmoser provides efficient logistics for filming and a safe, visually cohesive environment reflecting the capital’s dynamism.

Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba

Turrialba Volcano National Park offers an imposing landscape with a unique volcanic atmosphere, featuring wide ash plains, active craters, and cloud forests that enhance visual drama. Its topography and climate create ideal light and mist effects for adventure, nature, or otherworldly scenes. The park’s access allows panoramic views of both the Caribbean and the Central Valley, providing versatility for large-scale productions or documentary filming.

Plaza de la Democracia y de la Abolición del Ejército

Located in the Catedral district, in the heart of San José, the Plaza de la Democracia and the Abolition of the Army is an iconic space combining historical symbolism and strong visual appeal. Its open terraces, overlooking the National Museum and downtown urban surroundings, provide a contrast between republican memory and contemporary vitality. Ideal for productions seeking to reflect identity, history, or civic dynamics, the plaza offers easy logistical access, ample technical setup space, and a vibrant urban environment within the Greater Metropolitan Area.

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