Best San Jose Tours & Activities | Costa Rica Experts

Doka Coffee Plantation, Poas Volcano, & La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour

Sarah Mayo — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 21:13:27 +0000

Early this morning, meet your guide for a drive to Costa Rica’s Central Highlands. On the way, you’ll stop at the Doka Coffee Estate for breakfast and a brief tour of the coffee plantation. Some of the best coffee in Costa Rica comes from the Doka Estate, and you’ll have the chance to witness the ancient techniques used to produce it! After, you’ll head off toward the Poas Volcano, where the sulfur fumaroles and the water-filled crater give stunning views on a clear day. Finally, head for La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you’ll enjoy lunch and take a hike to a waterfall. Inside the park, explore the butterfly observatory, serpentarium, frog exhibit, hummingbird garden, massive tropical bird Aviary, and more. The drive back to San Jose takes about one hour.

Continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Leisurely explore and enjoy waterfalls, rainforests, hummingbirds, butterflies, orchids, and tropical flowers. Finish with a tasty lunch before returning to your San Jose hotel.

Minimum Age: 3 years
Duration: full day, departs early in the morning and returns mid-late afternoon
Passenger Minimum: 2
Difficulty Level: easy with some stairs and inclines
Includes: transfers, guide, entrance, breakfast, and lunch
What to Bring: comfortable clothing, light jacket or sweater, sunscreen, hat, or bandana,
Tour Type: active, nature, cultural

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La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour (afternoon)

Sarah Mayo — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 20:54:21 +0000

1 hour north of San Jose is the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a sprawling animal sanctuary and nature experience that gets you up close and personal with wildlife and waterfalls. Follow your guide through the giant aviary, hummingbird garden, serpentarium, butterfly garden, frog house, and the big cat exhibit.

Next, you’ll explore the La Paz waterfalls, which are connected by a network of paved trails and stair paths. The views of the falls and the surrounding cloud forest are a sight to behold. Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch before returning to your San Jose area

Duration: half-day, departs mid-morning and returns after lunch
Passenger Minimum: 2
Difficulty Level: easy
Includes: transfers, guide, and entrance
What to Bring: camera, comfortable shoes or sandals, sunscreen, and a hat
Tour Type: cultural, nature, wildlife

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Poas Volcano National Park Tour

Sarah Mayo — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 20:07:10 +0000

You’ll depart San Jose and head to Alajuela, driving through coffee plantations and strawberry farms before arriving at a higher cloud forest altitude. Arrive at Poas Volcano, which is one of the more active volcanos in central Costa Rica. It is not uncommon to see a continuous flow of steam spewing out of the crater. Spend time overlooking the impressive crater (visibility weather dependent), then hike a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as your guide explains the different ecosystems in the park.

Duration: half-day, departs in the morning and returns in time for lunch
Passenger Minimum: 2
Difficulty Level: easy/moderate with some inclines
Includes: transfers, guide, and entrance
What to Bring: comfortable shoes, light clothing, light jacket or sweater, sunscreen, hat
Tour Type: nature, active

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Manuel Antonio National Park Tour from San Jose

Sarah Mayo — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:48:16 +0000

Early this morning you’ll depart on a 2.5-hour drive to Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Costa. Arrive at tiny Manuel Antonio National Park, home to rainforest wildlife and beautiful Pacific beaches. With your guide, you’ll hike along the park trails, observing rainforest vegetation and trying to spot wildlife along the way. You might spot monkeys, reptiles, tropical birds, and possibly even the three-toed sloth! Bring a towel and swimsuit so you can hit one of the park beaches after your hike. Enjoy lunch before heading 2.5 hours back to San Jose.

Minimum Age: 3 years
Passenger Minimum: 2
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty Level: moderate
Includes: transfers, guide, entrance, and lunch.
What to Bring: rain jacket, comfortable shoes, a light coat, and a camera
Tour Type: nature, active

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Chef’s Twist Foodie Tour

Sarah Mayo — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:31:08 +0000

Explore the up-and-coming Amon neighborhood in central San Jose. With each new stop on the tour, your guide will familiarize you with local culinary history and culture. Sit back as local chefs prepare dishes that combine Costa Rica’s most traditional ingredients with international cooking techniques. You’ll sample the flavors of Costa Rica while you learn what goes into preparing the signature dishes and hand-crafted drinks.

*Please advise if you or any members of your group have food allergies at booking or if you are choosing to consume only non-alcoholic drinks*

**Not available on Sundays or Mondays**

Passenger Minimum: 2
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: easy
Includes: transfers, guide, entrance
What to Bring: comfortable shoes, light jacket or sweater, sunscreen
Tour Type: culinary, cultural

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Pacuare Whitewater Rafting Day Tour: Class III-IV

Sarah Mayo — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:11:56 +0000

You’ll depart your central San Jose hotel early in the morning on a drive to the Tropical Rivers Operations Center. Here you will enjoy a Costa Rican breakfast before heading to the put-in on the banks of the Pacuare River. Here, your guides will give you rafting & safety instructions. Then, you’ll begin to paddle 14 miles deep into the heart of one of the primary rainforest. As you master the river’s wild rapids, you’ll pass through densely vegetated rainforest gorges and pristine waterfalls. After this adrenaline-packed adventure, you’ll return to the operations center to change and have lunch. Return to San Jose late afternoon.

*An extra pickup fee applies for pickups outside of the Central San Jose area: Heredia, Alajuela, etc.

Passenger Minimum: 2
Minimum Age: 14 years
Duration: full day
Difficulty Level: moderate to high
Includes: transfers, guide, rafting equipment, breakfast, and lunch.
What to Bring: secure shoes, fast-drying clothing and bathing suit, change of clothes for after the rafting portion, sunscreen, glasses strap, and towel
Tour Type: adventure, active

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Bay Island Cruise to Tortuga Island

Sarah Mayo — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 21:05:49 +0000

Early this morning, you will transfer by ground about 2 hours to Puntarenas on the Central Pacific. Here you’ll board a catamaran for an exciting cruise through the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island. Located 12 nautical miles from Puntarenas, Isla Tortuga is a popular spot thanks to its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing under the shade of palm trees. Other activities available include beach volleyball and banana boat rides! Enjoy a tropical lunch before heading back to Puntarenas by boat, and then back to your hotel by ground.

Minimum Age: 3
Duration: full-day, departs early in the morning and returns late afternoon
Difficulty Level: easy/moderate
Includes: transfers, guides, morning snack, lunch, refreshments, equipment
What to Bring: secure shoes or sandals, day bag for essentials, light comfortable clothing, light jacket or sweater, hat or bandana, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen
Tour Type: adventure, active

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San Jose City Tour (afternoon)

Sarah Mayo — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:33:38 +0000

This afternoon, explore Costa Rica’s quaint capital, San Jose. You’ll stop at Democracy Place and the National Museum, the Courts, Los Yoses, Hispanidad Fountain, and the Rodrigo Facio Campus in the University of Costa Rica. Stop at the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the beautiful National Theater for a guided visit. Finally, make a brief stop at a beautiful art craft store, allowing you to browse local artisan handiworks before returning to your hotel.

Minimum Age: 3
Duration: half-day, departs in the afternoon and returns before dusk
Difficulty Level: easy
Includes: transfers, guide, and entrance to the National Theater and Gold Museum
What to Bring: comfortable shoes, a light jacket or sweater, sunscreen, water
Tour Type: cultural

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Arenal Volcano & Tabacon Hot Springs

Sarah Mayo — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 23:12:36 +0000

You’ll depart San Jose on a 2.5-hour drive north to the Arenal area. Arrive at the small town of La Fortuna, with a stop to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the Arenal Volcano. Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area, Tabacon. Soak in one of the several natural hot minerals springs and warm thermal pools, all while surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Before going back to San José, enjoy a wonderful buffet dinner.

Minimum Age: 3 years
Duration: full day, departs in the morning and returns in the evening
Difficulty Level: easy
Includes: transfers, guide, entrance, lunch, and dinner
What to Bring: sandals, towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, light jacket or sweater
Tour Type: relaxation, sightseeing

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San Luis Canopy Zipline Tour

Sarah Mayo — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:22:45 +0000

Set against a cloud forest background, the San Luis canopy tour will take you on an exciting and safe adventure in the treetops of the Central Highlands. Whiz across 12 different zip lines and 18 platforms. Zip your way through a lush, green canopy, carried securely by a system of zip lines as you soar through the cloud forest. The tour also includes the Elevator, a thrilling feature that securely lifts visitors high above the forest, providing a panoramic view of the area.

Minimum Age: 6
Duration: Full day, departs in the morning and returns after lunch
Difficulty Level: easy/moderate
Includes: transfers, guide, equipment, entrance, lunch
What to Bring: comfortable clothing, secure shoes, sunscreen
Tour Type: active, adventure

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