Top Central Valley Day Trips - page 5

Visit the Braulio Carrillo National Park on this bird-watching tour from San José. Located northeast of the city in the Caribbean lowlands, the park boasts an average of 365 species of birds from 50 different families; 72 species are considered to be abundant and common. For avid birders, the park is a must-see destination when visiting Costa Rica.

Marvel at one of Costa Rica's most impressive volcanoes and get close to its enchanting wildlife on this 2-in-1 combo tour. Stand above the steaming fumaroles and lake-filled crater of Poas Volcano with direct summit access, and then admire smaller-scale natural wonders at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a beautifully landscaped animal sanctuary. A typical Costa Rican lunch and hotel pickup complete this all-inclusive tour.

Escape the city for a day in the wild without the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads on your own on this full-day tour from the San Jose area. Set off directly from your hotel and enjoy an action-packed day with a cruise down the Sarapiqui River, visits to various animal sanctuaries at the Black Madero private wildlife reserve, and a traditional buffet lunch. Make it easy to see Costa Rica’s famous wildlife on this inclusive tour featuring a sample of popular rainforest and river activities in and around Braulio Carrillo National Forest.

If you’re short on time in the La Fortuna area, this small-group tour will let you see and do a lot in one day. After a handy pickup from your La Fortuna hotel, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Test your fear of heights from the six high bridges in the forest. Continue to Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna Waterfall, to experience more of Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity.

Don’t let your experience of Costa Rican nature be rubbing elbows with 100 other travelers. With this small-group tour, your guide leads you into the jungle for a moderate hike, where you’ll follow bubbling streams, trek in the world of volcanoes, and get misted by waterfalls. With transportation and lunch provided, it’s a ready-made adventure into the wild.

Raft 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) down the Balsa River with more than 30 continuous rapids, while leaving plenty of time for swimming and eating Costa Rican fruits. Afterwards, your guide rewards you with water, towels and takes you to lunch at a local restaurant in La Fortuna. Rio La Balsa is also surrounded by lush vegetation, giving you the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife during the tour, including sloths, iguanas, toucans and monkeys.

Discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens on this all-day guided tour. The popular natural attraction boasts five waterfalls, a cloud forest, rainforest, an aviary and butterfly observatory, and more, plus capuchin and black-handed spider monkeys and plenty of educational animal exhibits with jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and margays. Plus, visit the largest coffee plantation in Costa Rica and learn about its production.

Learn about the chocolate industry in Costa Rica on this private 7-hour tour from San Jose. You'll visit Tirimbina, a private biological reserve in the rain forest and take a guided hike across a suspension bridge to a cacao plantation. Get an intimate look at the chocolate-making process, from fruit to chocolate bar. Lunch is included.

Traveling to the Caribbean coast from San Jose is a big trip, but this tour makes it possible to achieve in just one day. Private transportation makes it possible to breeze straight across the country to Cahuita National Park, known for its picture-perfect beaches and turquoise waters. When you arrive, your guide takes you to park highlights to make sure you get the most out of your trip.

Explore more of the dramatic landscape around Arenal Volcano on a day tour than you could going independently. This small-group tour from La Fortuna offers a blend of active time and relaxation. Hike the hanging bridge trail, swim at scenic La Fortuna Waterfall, and visit Arenal Volcano around sunset. Spend the evening soaking in the hot springs, where you’ll refuel with dinner.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Costa Rica’s famous coffee industry with this tour to a coffee farm from San Jose. Learn first-hand how beans are grown, harvested, and roasted for the perfect cup of coffee. Plus, visit the towns of Sarchi and Gracia to visit popular monuments and learn how they keep handicraft traditions alive.

Trade the hustle and bustle of San Jose for a private day on Jaco Beach. Enjoy hotel pickup and a 90-minute drive to the coast, where sun and sand reign supreme. Lunch, afternoon coffee, all-day beach pass, and a private guide come standard, with options to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or relax by the pool.

On this tour we will visit the beautiful canton of Quepos Puntarenas. We will start our tour hiking along the mountains that border the Pacific coast. From the mountains we will see the different turquoise and blue tones of the great Costa Rican Pacific coast. We will visit a variety of hidden beaches where we can relax and enjoy the natural beauty. You can expect to encounter some native species of the area such as limpets, white-faced monkeys, among others in their natural habitat. Beaches to visit during our walk: La Macha, La Vaca, Tulemar, Los Altos, and Biezans. So exotic. So dramatic. A place you feel lucky to have experienced! Distance: 6 - 7 km approx. (A shorter or longer distance can be arranged if previously requested, as long as it is within the same time schedule) Duration: 9 - 11 hours Difficulty: Medium Departure: 5:30 a.m. Note: The terrain on this hike includes dirt roads, mountain trails through forest paths and along beaches

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest is Costa Rica’s largest private reserve and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. On this guided jungle expedition, set out from the Pocosol Station, and enjoy a thrilling 4.5-mile (7-kilometer) hike to the Pocosol Waterfall. Along the way, hike around a volcanic lagoon and look out for howler monkeys, wild boar, and rare birds such as the Bare-necked Umbrellabird.

See the best of Costa Rica in a single day on this 4-in-1 tour that's perfect for outdoor adventurers. Cross the famous hanging bridges, where you'll experience the beauty of walking high above the jungle floor. Take in the incredible wonder of La Fortuna Waterfall and hike to the top of a nearby volcano where you'll capture incredible views of Costa Rican countryside. This tour includes a stop at Eco Termales Hot Springs and a traditional meal of regional cuisine prepared in the home of a warm and welcoming local. It's the perfect way to experience the beauty, excitement and adventure of Costa Rica in a single day.

Your breath-taking, adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a relaxing private drive through the wonderful Costa Rican countryside. After a 90 minute drive from San Jose, you will arrive to Tarcoles River. The Tarcoles River is home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild and they are very easy to admire during our 90 minutes boat tour. Get up close with American crocodiles of all sizes and observe an abundance of beautiful exotic birds! Enjoy spectacular rainforest scenery and cruise through dense mangrove forest canals. Spot jungle wildlife such as iguanas, lizards, and monkeys. After the tour, enjoy a delicious typical lunch and explore the souvenir store. Continuing our tour, a short drive to Carara National Park will allow us to get deep inside the rainforest in this unique ecosystem, where many beautiful wildlife species are common to see such as the Scarlet macaw, monkeys, snakes, armadillos and more.

Get away from the city and into a world of magic, relaxation, and beauty. After pickup from your San Jose hotel, you’ll travel via private, air-conditioned vehicle across the countryside to beautiful Arenal Lake. Here you’ll enjoy a private boat tour, take in views of the volcano, and grab lunch at Baldi Hot Springs. Then it’s time for a soak in Arenal’s thermal pools—and soaking in Mother Nature’s luxury.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens showcases Costa Rican wilderness at its most picturesque, with lush tropical rain forest, thundering cascades, white rivers, and a rich variety of wildlife. This tour provides round-trip transportation from San José and allows you to see the highlights of La Paz in a single day. Your guide navigates through the park’s many trails and takes you to White Magic Waterfall, the butterfly observatory, and other attractions.

This small group tour takes you on a peaceful float down the Penas Blancas River where you’ll end up reaching the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall Reserve. The tour starts with a convenient hotel pickup (from selected hotels), then you’ll float, paddle, take an optional hike, and enjoy an included lunch, all organized by your guide, so you can just enjoy the day out.

Jungle Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River Cruise along the Tarcoles River, one of the best places in Costa Rica to safely observe massive American crocodiles in their natural habitat. ✔ See crocodiles, iguanas, and exotic birds like scarlet macaws and herons ✔ Safe, comfortable covered boat with bilingual naturalist guide ✔ Perfect for wildlife photography and birdwatching Carara National Park Nature Walk Explore the transition zone between dry and humid tropical forest — a hotspot for biodiversity. ✔ Easy guided walk through the forest trails ✔ Opportunities to spot monkeys, toucans, coatis, butterflies, and more ✔ Learn about the unique flora and fauna of this ecological bridge Puntarenas Coastal Highlights Enjoy a relaxed scenic drive through Puntarenas town, including: ✔ Lighthouse & Paseo de los Turistas ✔ Local fruit stands or souvenir shops ✔ Photo stops at panoramic viewpoints

Admire Costa Rica's vibrant wildlife from a fresh perspective on an adventurous tour that involves trekking across hanging bridges suspended above the treetops. Your guide is on hand to help you spot a wide variety of flora and fauna, including birds, sloths, monkeys, and rare insects. Plus, you can upgrade to include a traditional lunch and access to some small hot springs

Get deep inside Venado Caves at Arenal Volcano National Park, which are 15-20 million years old! This 1.5 hour tour of the caves takes you to an underground river where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, marine fossils, bats, spiders, and crickets! You’ll get wet and muddy when you explore, so keep that in mind!

Explore one of the most serene spots in Tenorio Volcano National Park: Rio Celeste. You’ll receive hotel pickup and private transportation to the park and hike alongside a bilingual guide. Venture into the park to see two craters, walk across suspension bridges, and see where the Rio Celeste’s waters originate. After the visit, enjoy a Costa Rican lunch at a restaurant then swim in a nearby river.

Combine six popular rain forest activities into a single day jam-packed with adventure on this tour to Braulio Carrillo National Park from San Jose. Fly down ziplines over the rain forest canopy, visit a terrarium and butterfly garden, walk along nature trails, and more, all with hassle-free round-trip transportation from your San Jose hotel and a typical Costa Rican lunch to keep you going.