Top San Jose Day Trips - page 4

Poás Volcano, Coffee & Crafts Tour-Grecia & Sarchí from San José

9 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(14)

from $125

Catamaran at Tortuga Island from San Jose

Leave behind the urban bustle of San Jose for the clear, aquamarine waters and unspoiled beauty of Tortuga Island on this full-day sailing adventure. Cruise on a yacht or catamaran through the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga and the surrounding archipelago, where protected forests, white-sand beaches, and pollution-free waters house an amazing array of plant and animal species. Enjoy a fresh lunch on board, sip tropical cocktails, and sway to live music as you sail through this picturesque island paradise.

Catamaran at Tortuga Island from San Jose

14 hoursFree Cancellation

3.8

(12)

from $169

Doka Coffee Tour- Grecia & Sarchi From San José

6 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(22)

from $131

Private La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Starbucks Alsacia Coffee Tour

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

6 to 7 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

from $250

Private Day Trip from San Jose to Cahuita National Park (Caribbean Coast)

12 hoursFree Cancellation

(7)

from $265

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.

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

Britt Coffee Tour with Lunch. Private Tour

4.5

(10)

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

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

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(3)

from $154

Lake Arenal Boat & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose

10 hoursFree Cancellation

from $305

Birding Watching tour from San José

4.5

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.

from $190

Poas Volcano National Park. Private Half Day Tour

Poas Volcano Half Day. Private Tour

4.0

from $185

Enjoy some of the most beautiful attractions in Costa Rica on this private full-day excursion to the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Visit the highlights of the Rio Celeste area, including the Rio Celeste waterfall and the Blue Lagoon. If you wish, you will have the opportunity to swim in the Rio Celeste. Receive personalized attention from your guide and enjoy tons of wonderful sights in just one day.

Tour to Río Celeste from San Jose with Lunch and River Bath

Tour to Río Celeste from San Jose with Lunch and River Bath

11 to 13 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(9)

from $282

Day trip DOKA Coffee Plantations & La paz Waterfall Gardens

Connect with two key pieces of Costa Rican life: coffee and wilderness on this combination tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Doka Coffee Estate plantation. This full-day, guided tour kicks off with a tour of plantation where you’ll learn how your cups gets from bean to breakfast. Afterwards, hike over volcanic terrain, under waterfalls, and into the rainforest during a challenging hike in the nature reserve.

Day trip DOKA Coffee Plantations & La paz Waterfall Gardens

4.6

(29)

from $175

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

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

8 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

Experience two of Costa Rica’s impressive natural wonders in one day with this private full-day tour from San Jose. Enjoy a scenic hike through the Poas Volcano National Park, admire magnificent views of the crater, and look out for hummingbirds and quetzals in the cloud forest. After lunch, explore the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you can spot wildlife such as white face and spider monkeys, wildcats, snakes, and butterflies. Finally, visit a coffee farm to learn about its production process.

(3)

from $178

Poas Volcano + La Paz Waterfall Gardens + Coffe tour PRIVATE

Poas Volcano + La Paz Waterfall Gardens + Coffe tour PRIVATE

7 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(8)

from $295

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

Irazu Volcano Half Day Private Tour

4.9

(11)

from $185

Beach Tour from San Jose. Private Tour

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

10 hoursFree Cancellation

(2)

from $275

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

Crocodile Boat Tour & Carara Park. Private Tour

(1)

from $295

Chocolate Workshop. Private Tour from San Jose

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

7 hoursFree Cancellation

(16)

from $265

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

San Jose on Foot: Market Food Delights and City Sights Tour

(2)

from $260

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(231)

from $96

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

Jungle Crocodile & Carara National Park-Punta Arenas Highlights

Jungle Crocodile & Carara National Park-Punta Arenas Highlights

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

Get closer to nature while still experiencing thrills during a fun-filled day in the jungle at the Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic eco-reserve. Your multi-pass gives you access to six different activities, so you can ride an aerial tram, encounter native critters at a butterfly and frog garden, cross a hanging bridge, and explore the jungle on a nature hike at your own pace. Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar through the treetops on ziplines, including one of the longest and fastest in the country.

(12)

from $170

6 in 1 Full Day Pass: Aerial Tram & Zipline-Braulio Carrillo Park

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.

4.6

(84)

from $116

Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens Private Tour

Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens Private Tour

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.

4.8

(23)

from $255

La Paz Waterfall Gardens From San José

7 hoursFree Cancellation

4.4

(33)

from $145

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Top Attractions in San Jose

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Attractions

What are people saying about San Jose

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

Samantha_S, Jul 2026

Islad Tortuga

Great experience traveling to Isla Tortuga from the moment I was picked up to the moment I was dropped off. The guide was Very informative and the island was beautiful. Was able to enjoy a restful and relaxed afternoon and was also able to see some animals in sight.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Wildlife Refuge Tour from San Jose

lynn_p, Jul 2026

Beautiful experience. ...

Beautiful experience. Harlan (tour guide) was amazing - kind and knowledgeable. He knew many of the staff and because there were only two of us we had some lovely encounters other larger groups would not have. Highly recommend. And bring a raincoat or poncho!

San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets

Veronica_R, Jul 2026

What a fantastic way to...

What a fantastic way to start our Costa Rica vacation! This was a nice and entertaining opportunity to see main sites and a have a taste of great bites. Marcelo - Chelo was an amazing tour guide, very good explanations, great costumer service, and such a pleasant personality! We never felt rushed. I highly recommend this experience!

Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner

Grisel_C, Jun 2026

Great all day tour!

Full 14 hr experience filled with adventure, sightseeing, and beauty! Alex was great in explaining all about the culture, food, and history. About 10 stops through the entire day starting with a coffee plantation, visiting waterfalls, ziplining, and thermal springs all while enjoying fruits, lunch, and dinner. Our guide made this trip phenomenal explaining each place where we stopped. He even pulled over to make sure we saw a sloth. Only piece of advice is to make sure you buy the package with ziplining and rappelling if that’s what you want. Would recommend and repeat without any hesitation!

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

Carol_U, Jun 2026

Animals, Birds and Bugs!

Great day trip from San Jose. We had a wonderful guide and driver, Oxana was our guide and we saw many animals because of her sharp eyes! Breakfast and lunch stops were very good. We did an extra stop for water. Be sure to bring plenty of water! The tour does not have water on the van. (They should have a cooler).

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Marion_H, Jun 2026

Arenal Volcano Experience Full Day Tour.

If you are being picked up in San Jose for this tour adventure, expect a long ride. But it is well worth it. Our driver and tour guide were amazing, The tour guide keep us entertained with information about Costa Rica as we made several stops during our journey. Once we got to our destination, our planned activities were all very enjoyable. Please take this tour. You will enjoy it. The lunch and were also very good. Our driver and tour guide were amazing.

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

Javier_O, Jun 2026

Pura vida!

Had a great time. Driver and tour guide were both bilingual and very personable. Driver made it a point to keep the van tidy - van itself was modern and in very good condition. Every stop had excellent service. I had forgotten my phone in the van after drop off and they returned it quickly. As the locals say, pura vida.

San Jose Sightseeing City Tour

Kay_W, Jun 2026

Great city tour

Ricardo was a great guide. Loved being picked up at our hotel! We were driven all around San Jose including the art museum, parks, and Steven’s restaurant for local cuisine. He told us a lot about the history of the country and SJ. I would recommend this tour for length and convenience. I didn’t see the need for the jewelry factory stop.

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

jeanine_r, May 2026

Super fun! Diego our...

Super fun! Diego our driver was so nice and would make any stops necessary like going to the bathroom or grabbing breakfast real quick. The people at the park were so nice as well! They made us feel safe and have a good time while doing the zipline/ ATV. I’m glad I took a chance on this!

Poás Volcano, Café Doka and Peace Falls Day Tour

Sneha_K, May 2026

Day well spent

Filander was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and informative. He was very patient and eager to answer our questions. He told us about many hidden gems of costa rica and places to eat and see. It shows how passionate he is and how much he enjoys sharing his wisdom. I was picked up on time from my hotel around 6:15 am. We drove to the coffee plantation where he walked us through the farm. We had an excellent breakfast and then drove to poas volcano. It was foggy with no visibility when we reached. He told us to visit the lagoon since he knew it was clear and knew the crater would clear out by the time we returned. He was right on spot and we saw the gorgeous views with full visibility. We then drove to waterfall garden where we saw different wildlife. We finished off with the 5 stunning waterfalls before we started our drive back to our hotels. Filander explained us about different plants, flowers insects, animals. Overall he had an amazing knowledge about everything. He even provided great options of other tours that I could take and how to book them. Overall It was a great day. Absolutely worth doing for someone visiting Costa Rica.

Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

cn2qqgrvp5, May 2026

Great experience!

The experience was amazing! Ricardo was very attentive with our group and very informative about every activity we were doing. The coffee tour was amazing. We even got to pick our own coffee bean. The Poás Volcano was breathtaking as well as the lake! The restaurant we stopped at had amazing food. Get the Chi-frio!!!! The La Paz waterfall was breathtaking. I would highly recommend Ricardo to anyone interested in visiting Costa Rica, PURA VIDA!

San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

Nasim_A, May 2026

Very informative

Their timings were amazing. Our guide Enrique was very knowledgeable, sweet and kind guy. He was able to tell us all the highlights of the city. The trips into the Museums of arts and gold were good. The National Theater lobby was beautiful and lastly the lunch was good. A very good trip for half of the day.