Foursquare

Nearby Places

nearby_places

Read-onlyIdempotent

Return POIs sorted by distance from a lat/lon without a text query. Requires latitude+longitude; optional radius_m (default 500m) and numeric fsq_category_ids filter. Returns name, categories, address, distance, rating, hours, and popularity.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`limit`	No	Results (1-50, default 20)
`latitude`	Yes	Latitude
`radius_m`	No	1-100000 metres (default 500)
`longitude`	Yes	Longitude
`categories`	No	OPTIONAL numeric fsq_category_id values only (from a prior result). Do NOT invent IDs; unknown IDs are ignored.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`count`	Yes	Number of results returned
`center`	Yes
`results`	Yes

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

Changed1 schema field changedJun 21, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / categories / description

Previous value: -"Comma-separated category IDs"New value: +"OPTIONAL numeric fsq_category_id values only (from a prior result). Do NOT invent IDs; unknown IDs are ignored."

Changed2 schema fields changedMay 22, 2026

addedInput schema / examples

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "latitude": 51.5074,
+    "limit": 20,
+    "longitude": -0.1278,
+    "radius_m": 500
+  },
+  {
+    "categories": "13000,13001",
+    "latitude": 35.6762,
+    "limit": 15,
+    "longitude": 139.6503,
+    "radius_m": 2000
+  }
+]

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "center": {
+      "properties": {
+        "latitude": {
+          "description": "Search centre latitude",
+          "type": "number"
+        },
+        "longitude": {
+          "description": "Search centre longitude",
+          "type": "number"
+        }
+      },
+      "required": [
+        "latitude",
+        "longitude"
+      ],
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "count": {
+      "description": "Number of results returned",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "results": {
+      "items": {
+        "properties": {
+          "address": {
+            "description": "Formatted address",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "categories": {
+            "description": "Place category names",
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "category_ids": {
+            "description": "Foursquare category IDs",
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "chain": {
+            "description": "Chain name if applicable",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "country": {
+            "description": "Country name",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "description": {
+            "description": "Place description",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "distance_m": {
+            "description": "Distance in metres from search centre",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "foursquare_url": {
+            "description": "Foursquare profile URL",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "fsq_place_id": {
+            "description": "Foursquare place ID",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "hours": {
+            "description": "Hours of operation display text",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "latitude": {
+            "description": "Latitude coordinate",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "locality": {
+            "description": "City or locality name",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "longitude": {
+            "description": "Longitude coordinate",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "name": {
+            "description": "Place name",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "open_now": {
+            "description": "Whether place is open now",
+            "type": [
+              "boolean",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "popularity": {
+            "description": "Popularity score",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "postcode": {
+            "description": "Postal code",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "price": {
+            "description": "Price level",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "rating": {
+            "description": "Place rating",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "region": {
+            "description": "State or region",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "tel": {
+            "description": "Phone number",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "timezone": {
+            "description": "Time zone",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "website": {
+            "description": "Place website URL",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "center",
+    "count",
+    "results"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

First observedMay 12, 2026

TDQS

A4/5.0

Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint, so safety is clear. The description adds behavioral context: sorting by distance, default radius, and return fields (name, categories, address, etc.), and notes unknown category IDs are ignored. This provides useful transparency beyond the annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, front-loaded with the primary action and key distinguishing feature. No extraneous words; every sentence adds value. Highly efficient.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool has an output schema (implied from context), the description need not explain return values. It covers required inputs, optional parameters with defaults, and return field highlights. Could mention limit default and pagination, but those are in the schema. Overall adequate for a 5-parameter tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description repeats schema info (required lat/lon, optional radius_m default 500, category IDs) but adds no new meaning beyond what the schema already provides. It is consistent and adequate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states 'Return POIs sorted by distance from a lat/lon without a text query,' which is a specific verb (Return) plus resource (POIs) and a distinguishing feature (no text query). This clearly differentiates from siblings like search_places which likely use text queries.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description lists required and optional parameters clearly but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like search_places. The context is implied but not explicit about exclusions or alternative tool recommendations.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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