Top San Jose Day Trips - page 4

Day Trip from San Jose to Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs

4.4

(12)

13 hoursFree Cancellation

from $200

From San José: Monteverde Cloud Forest & Local Farm Experience

4.8

(8)

8 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

from $675

Per group

4.5

(4)

Birding Watching tour from San José

8 hoursFree Cancellation

from $190

Our company focuses on going beyond what first meets the eye, this means that we'll guide you through the jungle with a naturalist spirit, full of curiosity and wonder. We have designed this experience to go deep into the tropical forest and also have a dose of relaxing but exciting time while jumping on a boat ride that will leave you amazed by the biodiversity and richness of a mostly overlooked destination. We carefully design every stop in order to support local families and businesses to get you closer to the costarican culture and to let our Pura Vida lifestyle embrace you. • The only birdwatching and wildlife One Day Tour to Carara National Park • Walk the trails of the most important forest in the Central Pacific side-by-side with our biologists • Embark with us on a boat journey • A percentage of the earnings goes to Funga Conservation, a non-profit foundation. • Small-group tour with a maximum of 4 people ensures an intimate experience

From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

(52)

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

from $257

Discover the heart of adventure in Costa Rica with this exhilarating ATV activity. Explore the lush jungles, picturesque river paths, and pristine beaches, all while taking in the beauty of the landscape from the mountaintop with an unobstructed view of the majestic ocean. This privately guided tour promises a thrilling and unforgettable experience, offering a perfect blend of nature, adrenaline, and fun.

Private ATV Tour from San Jose Enjoy jungle, Beach, River Paths and Ocean Views

4.5

(18)

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $189

Beach Break Day in Pacific Ocean with Lunch. Private from San Jose

Beach Tour from San Jose. Private Tour

(2)

from $275

Explore the dramatic landscapes of Irazú Volcano National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic natural wonders. Depart from San José and travel through the scenic Central Valley, passing charming rural towns, traditional farms, and potato and onion fields that showcase the region’s agricultural heritage. As you ascend the slopes of Irazú, watch the scenery transform from fertile farmlands to misty high-elevation forests and volcanic terrain. At the summit, take in breathtaking panoramic views and admire the impressive craters, including Playa Hermosa and Diego de la Haya. On clear days, enjoy the rare opportunity to see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the same viewpoint. Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and explorers, this half-day adventure offers an unforgettable look at Costa Rica’s volcanic power, dramatic landscapes, and diverse ecosystems — all within easy reach of San José.

Half-Day Irazú Volcano National Park Experience from San José

3.3

(8)

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $85

Classic Britt Coffee Tour from San Jose. Private Tour with Lunch

Coffee lovers, get your fix on a tour of the Café Britt plantation including private transfers from your San Jose hotel. Learn the history of this famous Costa Rican export, and see firsthand how coffee beans are cultivated, roasted, and transformed into fragrant elixir with a behind-the-scenes look at the farm and processing facilities. Browse products at the Britt factory store, order a freshly brewed drink from the coffee bar, and enjoy a buffet lunch from the plantation’s own restaurant.

Britt Coffee Tour with Lunch. Private Tour

4.5

(10)

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $195

Escape into Costa Rica’s majestic nature—and get away from the crowds—on this multi-activity tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll head for lunch beneath the active Arenal volcano. From there, you’ll kayak the country’s largest lake (always keeping an eye out for exotic creatures), working toward a relaxing dip into nearby hot springs, all heated by the volcano you’re getting to know and love.

Full day kayaking and hot springs with lunch at Arenal Volcano from San Jose

(3)

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

from $154

Spend a day out in nature on this adrenaline-pumping zipline tour. Lines range from 16 to 1,800 feet (50 to 550 meters) and are a variety of different heights so you can get the best views of the varied landscape including waterfalls, rivers, and lush vegetation. Enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch before the return trip home. The tour is family-friendly and suitable for guests four years old and up.

Day Trip from San Jose to Braulio Carrillo Canopy Tour

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $179

Costa Rica is famous for its coffee, natural wonders, and diverse wildlife, and this full-day tour from San Jose combines all three. Learn how Costa Rican coffee is made on a guided tour of the Doka Coffee Plantation, enjoy magnificent views of the Poas Volcano crater on a scenic walk, and spot wildlife around the La Paz Waterfall, including a visit to the country’s largest butterfly observatory.

Doka Coffee Tour, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day Trip from San Jose

(35)

from $184

Chocolate Tour in the Rain Forest & Hanging Bridge Crossing at Tirimbina Reserve. Private Tour

Chocolate Workshop. Private Tour from San Jose

(16)

7 hoursFree Cancellation

from $265

Just one hour and ten minutes from San José we have the beautiful Irazú volcano, one of the highest and most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, cataloged as one of the most beautiful and impressive on the planet. We will be able to walk through one of the 3 main craters, and after the tour we will go to the highest point of the National Park, which is also the second highest point in Costa Rica, then we will descend the volcano to visit the most important church in Costa Rica. We know a little about the architecture and the different constructions that the structure has had. Then our guide will take you directly to the city of San José. Discover San José like never before, we are the only operators that give you the opportunity to integrate and really get to know the culture of Costa Rica on a city tour. We combine the walking tour and guarantee maximum benefit from the experience while also having all the comforts of tourist transportation.

2 in 1 Volcano Irazu + San Jose City Tour

See Costa Rica’s iconic La Paz waterfall during this full-day guided, tour with animal sanctuary visit and an eco-boat ride down the famous Sarapiqui River. Get up close and personal with toucans and monkeys and learn about the five waterfalls, flowers, and rainforest within the sanctuary. Afterward, absorb the biodiversity on a relaxing boat trip down the Sarapiqui river ecosystem surrounded by wildlife in the water and on land.

from $187

Semi Private La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Safari in Sarapiqui River from San Jose

(13)

9 hoursFree Cancellation

from $225

Just 90 minutes from San Jose lies a world of fiery, steaming, white-hot adventure, and with this private tour, you’ll walk into it yourself. Picked up from your hotel, you’ll make the drive to Poas Volcano National Park, where you’ll literally step into the volcanic crater. After getting your fill of this lava land, you’ll cool down with stops at a bucolic farm, coffee plantation, or other Alajuela attractions.

Poas Volcano National Park. Private Half Day Tour

Poas Volcano Half Day. Private Tour

4.0

(4)

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $185

During this all-day guided tour, explore Monteverde, a popular wildlife sanctuary in the Costa Rican tropics. The 10,500-hectare reserve features incredible biodiversity including 400 species of birds, more than 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, and about 2,500 species of plants, which you’ll be able to spot with the help of a guide. Take in the rainforest as you travel along a series of trails connected by suspended bridges.

Full day to Monteverde from San Jose with Canopy and Reptil Amphibians watching

(3)

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

from $178

Waterfall Bajos del Toro Hiking Experience

(21)

9 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

from $250

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.

Private La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Starbucks Alsacia Coffee Tour

(4)

6 to 7 hoursFree Cancellation

from $250

Irazu Volcano National Park Half Day. Private Tour from san jose

4.9

(11)

Irazu Volcano Half Day Private Tour

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $185

Experience the bio diversity and natural majesty of Costa Rica’s most-visited nature reserve on this full-day, guided tour to La Paz Waterfall gardens with safari boat tour on the Sarapiqui River included. Learn about and see exotic animals and insects living in the animal sanctuary. Relax during a boat cruise as your guide points out monkeys, birds, sloth, ocelots, jaguar and more along the shore line.

Day Trip from San Jose to La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Safari in Sarapiqui River

(13)

from $225

Thanks to its warm waters and lushly forested shores, the Pacuare River is widely considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Costa Rica. This white-water rafting tour from San Jose is a fun and exciting way to experience the river in just one day. Go up against class III and IV rapids along with a guide who helps you spot wildlife like blue morpho butterflies, sloths, and toucans along the way. Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to San Jose.

Day Trip to Pacuare River Rafting Class III-IV from San Jose

(3)

11 hoursFree Cancellation

from $139

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

Ocean Hike Tour at Manuel Antonio Beach

9 to 11 hoursFree Cancellation

from $260

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.

Crocodile Boat Tour & Carara Park. Private Tour

8 hoursFree Cancellation

from $295

Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago City and Orosi Valley from San Jose

4.9

(22)

8 hoursFree Cancellation

from $149

Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience

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Top Attractions in San Jose

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Attractions

What are people saying about San Jose

Nora_K, Apr 2026

We really enjoyed this...

We really enjoyed this tour with 3 different and beautiful destinations. We saw and experienced so many things in one day: we learned about coffee planting, we climbed up two volcano craters with stunning views, we admired a multitude of animals and we hiked up and down to see the fantastic waterfalls in the tropical forest. Everything was well organized, the lunch was tasty, we had enough time in every destination and our guide Raquel was knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you!

Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Falls and Poas Volcano

Sophie_K, Apr 2026

Viktor was a super nice...

Viktor was a super nice guide and very happy to answer questions. He even took us to an extra stop (strawberry - cheese - wine - shop and tasting) after the 3 stops. I didn't understand why we first went to the coffee farm and then to the volcano because it's better to visit the volcano early so you can actually see something. We were lucky, but 10-15min after we arrived everything was cloudy and you couldn't see anything anymore. I hope they'll change it for future tours, so people can actually enjoy a good view.

San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets

Payton_T, Apr 2026

Eric was a wonderful...

Eric was a wonderful guide and incredibly informative! My friend and I really felt immersed in the culture in San José and felt even more comfortable navigating through the markets and parts of the city after this tour. The food was absolutely delicious and worth every penny. I highly recommend doing this tour with Eric!

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

Marisol_S, Apr 2026

Amazing experience

My trip to Isla Tortuga in Costa Rica was an amazing experience! I decided to go solo, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made. Our travel guide, Roy, was incredibly friendly, patient, and helpful throughout the entire trip, which made everything even more enjoyable. I also loved meeting new people along the way, it really added to the experience. And the drinks? Easily a 10/10! 🍹 I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone looking for a fun, relaxing, and memorable adventure.

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Brianna_T, Apr 2026

Must do 10/10!!!

I had an amazing experience on this full-day tour in Costa Rica! Our guide was incredibly sweet, friendly, and made the entire day feel so enjoyable and relaxed. We made plenty of stops along the way to take pictures and spot wildlife, which made the experience feel really special and not rushed at all. One thing I really appreciated was how the guide took the time to take photos of us.They were also very communicative, explaining what we were seeing and making sure everyone felt comfortable throughout the tour. Overall, it was such a memorable experience, and I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Costa Rica!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Wildlife Refuge Tour from San Jose

Blair_B, Apr 2026

This tour was a great...

This tour was a great experience! Our tour guide, Roger was very kind and passionate about allowing us to have a memorable experience. Before arriving to the waterfall, we made two stops along the way to get coffee and wine. Both places allowed us to also buy souvenirs. The lunch was SOOO GOOD! Very fresh and delicious. Toward the end of the trip, there was a lot of walking and climbing steps so keep that in mind when booking

4 in 1 : Irazu + Orosi + Lankaster + Lake Cachi with Lunch

Lukas_R, Mar 2026

This tour is great if you...

This tour is great if you want to see a variety of places in one day. The lunch was a highlight — probably the best meal I had during my 7-day stay in Costa Rica. I also appreciated that the guide added an extra stop at the Cartago ruins when I asked. Highly recommended.

From San Jose: Zipline, Horseback, ATV, Surfing, & Chocolate Tour

Razel_D, Mar 2026

Spectacular activities

This tour was worth every penny, from San Jose pickup to dropping us off were so smooth. Our driver, Diego, picked us up on time and was knowledgeable about the roads and some of the mountains we passed by. We did surfing and atv. Both were amazing. Our instructor, Mario for surfing was very nice, accommodating and very patient with us. We learned so much from him and taught us so well. He was very funny as well. Sebastian was our tour guide for atv, he was also amazing and accommodating. Just beware, there’s only specific locations for pickups and drop-offs, we were just fortunate that our hotel is one of those.

White Water Rafting Pacuare River From San José

Christopher_T, Mar 2026

You gotta go

I’d just like to say for everyone who said this made their trip NO LIES WERE TOLD. For my first time rafting the guides were 10/10 great energy, funny, knowledgeable all around great people really. Prepare for an arm workout you do get breaks in between paddling. Breakfast was ok but the lunch was great. They have lockers and changing stations bring a change of clothes you get soaked depending on your placement. We thank yall for the longest but most eventful day.

Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose

Kylie_G, Mar 2026

Alex is an awesome guide, great tour

Alex our guide was amazing, he was so funny and knowledgeable. We called him Eagle Eye Alex because he was able to spot even the smallest insects on the hike. The day was enjoyable, my mother and I were actually the only one on the tour because many cancelled due to the construction on the alligator bridge. Breakfast and lunch was very good, they had vegetarian options for us which was great! The day is long and you’re in the van for a while but it’s mainly due to the traffic and construction. Overall, Alex and the tour was great, I loved seeing all the animals in their natural habitat! Make sure you have sunscreen and lots of water it is very humid. If you want to swim at the beach bring your swim suit and a towel. There are foot washing stations on the trail back to where you’ll meet your guide but it’s a bit of walk till you get there. Make sure you go to the bathroom before you get back on the bus to San Jose, it is a long way back and you might have to take a different back route that goes through the mountains with no places or very limited places to stop to use the bathroom.

San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

Anitra_D, Nov 2025

Fantastic San Jose Walking & Bus City Tour!

I had an absolutely amazing time on the San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour! Everything was so well organized, and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire experience fun and engaging. I loved getting to see the city from both perspectives—walking through the historic streets and then relaxing on the bus while taking in even more sights. The pace was perfect, the information was interesting, and I came away with a much deeper appreciation for Costa Rican culture, history, and beauty. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It was truly a memorable experience and well worth it!

Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

Joslyn_G, Nov 2025

A Great Experience

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Must-Do Experience — Especially with Eric as Your Guide! The Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs Full Day Tour was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Costa Rica, and that is largely thanks to our incredible host, Eric. If you’re looking for a tour that immerses you in the true culture, history, and rhythm of Costa Rica — this is it. From the moment we started, Eric’s passion for his country was undeniable. He didn’t just point out landmarks — he taught us about the central cities, the number of volcanoes in the region, and even the crops that are planted and valued across Costa Rica’s beautiful wetlands. His knowledge was as impressive as his heart, and he made sure every member of our group felt welcomed, informed, and included. We were able to eat like locals, stay perfectly on schedule, and have all our (many!) questions answered with patience and enthusiasm. Some of the most memorable parts of the experience included: • Friendly, engaging tour guides at every stop • Fantastic food at thoughtfully selected local restaurants • A meaningful stop at an ox cart workshop, where we learned about the labor history behind ox carts and the traditional hand-painted designs created by paid local artists Although the weather didn’t allow us to see the volcano due to fog (a reminder to avoid travel during peak wet season if a clear view is a must), the day was still unforgettable — and honestly, we’d gladly return just to tour with Eric again. He was professional, kind, funny, and kept the group engaged from start to finish. We always knew where we were headed next, when we’d eat, and what to expect — which made the full-day tour feel smooth, organized, and relaxing. Highly recommend this tour — and even more so, highly recommend Eric. Costa Rica came alive through his eyes, and that’s something we will always remember.