Travel Planning Guide for San Jose, Costa Rica: Tour Packages

If you don't have a great deal of time in Costa Rica, but want to see it all, this full day guided tour including breakfast and lunch is perfect. Some of the highlights include a visit to Poas Volcano, viewing the amazing waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens and a visit to Doka Estate's coffee plantation. All these attractions are accessible from San Jose!

Your journey begins as you drive from San Jose to enjoy an authentic cup of Costa Rican coffee, along with a delicious local breakfast. Burn off breakfast with an exhilarating mountain hike before traveling to Doka Estate. Surrounded by rolling hills, you'll be introduced to Costa Rican coffee in this magnificent 350-acre coffee plantation.

On your next stop, you'll venture to Poas Volcano National Park. Towering at 8,884 feet high and resembling a natural amphitheater, marvel at this active crater from the Volcano's rim.

Escape into a world of splendid gardens amongst La Paz Waterfalls. You'll venture to the Butterfly Observatory and the Hummingbird Gallery and enjoy riverside hikes through the rainforest, before a scrumptious lunch is served.

Your tour includes entrance fees and concludes with return hotel transfers in San Jose.

Enjoy scenic views as you travel to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui for a riverboat trip and canopy adventure. Swinging through the treetops of the Central American rainforest gives you a unique perspective of Costa Rica!

Your naturalist guide will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning to start your 1.5-hour journey to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, passing through one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica.

Once in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, you will board a boat to discover Costa Rica's varied flora and fauna along the river. The boat ride lasts approximately two hours, during which time you have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent rainforest. Look out for forest inhabitants such as toucans, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and many other species.

You will then arrive at a private reserve where you have the choice of reaching the canopy starting point by horseback or hiking. The canopy tour starts with an explanation of the basic principles needed to make this experience enjoyable and safe. This is an adventure that lets you roam through the treetops, leaping from platform to platform using a special system of steel cables and professional climbing gear. The unique excursion requires no experience.

After an adrenaline-packed two hours, you will enjoy a home-style lunch at the private reserve before returning to your hotel in San Jose.

If you thought walking through a Costa Rican rainforest would be exciting, imagine the experience of traveling on top of it! This private park adventure takes you on an exhilarating ride on an aerial tramway, enabling you to fly through the rainforest canopy without wings.

Located a scenic drive away from San Jose, the private reserve's grounds border the renowned Braulio Carrillo National Park, where you will explore the hanging gardens of the rainforest up close in comfort and safety.

After taking a walk along forest trails, your bilingual guide will lead you to the awaiting aerial tram. The vehicle will take you on a 70-minute ride through the canopy, allowing you to discover the beauty of air plants, animals and birds. It's a hidden world of tremendous beauty and extraordinary biological diversity.

For an exciting day of unforgettable fun with friends and family, add this tour to your Costa Rica itinerary today!

Combine adrenaline with relaxation and prepare for an unforgettable experience on one of the most popular tours in Costa Rica. You'll exploreCosta Rica's active Arenal Volcano and then unwind in the natural hot springs nearby.

Breathtaking and alluring, the thundering Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. The Arenal Volcano has been active since 1968, and to this day continues to produce a daily mixture of glowing red lava and explosions. Feel the earth rumbling as the sky explodes with nature's own fireworks. Then, relax and rejuvenate in the mineral pools and hot springs created by the volcano itself.

Then, while dining under the stars, continue to watch the natural firework show as the red-hot lava tumbles down the slopes, outlining Arenal's almost perfect cone shape against the night sky.

This is an evening you will not want to miss while in Costa Rica. Perfect for a romantic getaway, be sure to reserve this popular tour now!

Spend a day exploring one of Costa Rica's most beautiful attractions ' Manuel Antonio National Park, on a guided full day tour from San Jose. With a stunning combination of beach, tropical forest and an abundance of flora and fauna, there is plenty to do and see on this popular day trip.

Manuel Antonio National Park is considered one of the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica. It combines a beach of crystal-clear waters with coral reefs, bordered by exuberant tropical vegetation and rainforest. Its beaches are counted among the best of the country, where snorkeling and the surfing are very popular.

On the way to Manuel Antonio National Park, you will cruise along the coastline enjoying scenic views and crossing plantations of African palms. You'll also travel past photogenic villages along the Pacific Coast, until you reach the port of Quepos and the National Park.

Since the park itself is closed to vehicles, you will hike to the preserve, crossing a creek. Once in the park, you can simply relax and enjoy the beach, sunbathe or join a nature walk along the park's trails, which will allow you to observe the park's abundant flora and fauna. In particular, several species of monkeys, iguanas, birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth can be seen. One of the trails borders Cathedral Point, from where the view of the park and the sea is spectacular.

Enjoy the perfect sunset on a scenic drive back to your Costa Rica hotel.

Discover the rich history and culture of Costa Rica on this comprehensive sightseeing tour of San Jose. You will learn about all the popular monuments as your guide tells you about the architecture and history of the downtown area.

On this tour, you will visit the magnificent Opera House. The pride and joy of Costa Rica, this century-old cultural symbol represents an important era in history. Other sites include the University of Costa Rica, beautiful Sabana Park and various museums.

One museum of particular interest is the national Museum of pre-Columbian art. Transformed from an old military fort to show the country's peaceful tradition, this museum will give you an insight into the heritage of Costa Rica. It features a stunning gold, jade, stone and pottery collection.

You will also be amazed by the historic National Theater, completed in 1897 and a masterpiece of architecture. This tour will immerse you in Costa Rica's rich culture and history by taking you to the beautiful museums and historical sites of San Jose.

Please note: Museums are closed on Mondays and the National Theatre is closed on Sundays.

Experience the adrenaline-charged thrill of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River! The scenery while rafting is simply unique. The tropical vegetation and power of the waters will transport you to a Central American fantasy world. This one-day adventure battling class III and IV rapids is an unforgettable Costa Rican experience not to be missed!

While in Costa Rica, head out rafting (approximately 3-4 hours) on this perfect tropical river, which due to its scenery and rapids has been declared one of the five best rafting rivers in the world. This is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating fun.

The Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native Cabecar Indians, jaguars, monkeys, sloth and an incredible variety of birds, butterflies and reptiles. You can look for these species, and enjoy the raw power of the pounding river, during your relaxing lunch break.

After the rafting has finished, relax on an enjoyable ride back to San Jose through the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park after an adventure of a lifetime.

We recommend you bring the following:

• Camera
• Sandals
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Extra Clothing

Join us on an expedition through the dense jungle of one of the most beautiful and scenic regions of Costa Rica. You'll sail through exotic channels and visit an important nesting site for the endangered green turtle at Tortuguero National Park on a full day guided tour from San Jose.

Leaving early, you'll travel through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, passing mountains covered in dense forests, and numerous rivers and waterfalls. Crossing the banana plantations, you'll then board a boat and sail to Tortuguero National Park.

Cruising through a navigable network of lagoons allows you to be in direct contact with the park's great variety of flora and fauna. You'll sail the exotic channels of Tortuguero National Park, famous for its secluded beaches where the seasonal nesting of gigantic green turtles takes place.

If it's adventure your looking for, then let your hair down and take a ride on an ATV, Quad Four-Wheeler bike in Costa Rica. An off-road drive on a 15,000 acre (60,000 sq. km) private property will take you through a Laguna and an old coffee plantation before climbing 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) to a spectacular view over Central Valley and the Pacific Ocean.

Your Central Costa Rica Valley ATV Tour is conducted with state of the art all-terrain vehicles and experienced bilingual speaking guides. The operator is currently the only ATV operator in Costa Rica with an ICT Action Adventure License. You can rest assured that your safety and well being are never an issue, but it is recommended that you always be careful and follow instructions of your guides.

Enjoy a wide variety of Central American nature and sights on this Costa Rican day trip from San Jose. You'll visit the highest volcano in Costa Rica, the old city of Orosi and the colorful Lankester botanical gardens ' all in one day!

Your first stop for the day will be at the City of Cartago at the foot of the Irazu Volcano. This is the home of the Basilica of Los Angeles (Basilica de Nuestra Semora de Los Angeles), the focal point for pilgrims throughout Central America. Inside you will find a fine collection of small gold and silver images of human body parts, offered in the hope of healing.

Next you will discover Irazu Volcano, which at 11,000 feet (3.4 kilometers) above sea level is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. You will be amazed by how much the grey earth that surrounds the crater, half a mile wide, resembles the moon's surface.

After you have descended from the mountain you will arrive at the historic and colorful Valley of Orosi. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the oldest church of Costa Rica, the colonial church of Orosi, and its town.

Before being transported back to your San Jose hotel, you will have the opportunity to explore the stunning botanical gardens of Lankester.

Sitting in the middle of the national park is the still-smoking and gurgling Poas Volcano. The majestic and imposing crater, 1.7 miles (2,708 meters) high, allows you to enjoy a magnificent view of the central valley.

After the sights at Poas Volcano, you will visit the Doka Coffee Estate to be guided through all the stages of coffee making. You will have the opportunity to closely observe and understand how a first choice bean turns into a fabulous cup of coffee.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will continue to the town of Sarchi, the artisan center of Costa Rica. Don’t miss out on the construction and painting of the oxcarts.

Combine art, beauty, coffee and nature on this popular cultural half-day guided tour. You will drive through the stunning scenery of Costa Rica as you travel to Doka coffee plantation, followed by Grecia and Sarchi, two of the country's most special towns.

Immerse yourself in authentic Costa Rican culture on a guided tour through Doka coffee plantation. Witness the professionals at work as they cultivate, harvest and roast coffee beans to perfection, before enjoying your aromatic coffee and buffet lunch.

After lunch, admire the tropical landscape and sugar cane plantations as you arrive in the town of Grecia. Renowned for its famous steel church of the Lady of Mercy, Grecia is rich in architectural beauty. The church is made entirely of pre-fabricated metal plates which have been painted red. A rare sight, and a must-see while in Costa Rica.

The magic of this tour continues with a visit to the country's artisan town of Sarchi, where the famous oxcarts are built. You will have the opportunity to tour the fascinating factories and watch how the carts are constructed. Splendidly decorated in various sizes, these oxcarts are treasured for their unique beauty. The carts were once used to transport coffee beans over the mountains to the coast, and you won't want to leave Costa Rica without one!