Top San Jose Day Trips

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

12 to 18 hoursFree Cancellation

4.4

(690)

from $115

Get out of San Jose on a day tour to the Arenal Volcano region, where you’ll get a glimpse of Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity and natural beauty. Travel through scenic farmland and villages to reach the volcano. Stop at a coffee plantation, waterfall, and look out for wildlife en route. In the shadow of the volcano, soak in natural hot springs for a refreshing experience, before returning to San Jose.

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

14 hoursFree Cancellation

View several of Costa Rica's top scenic attractions in a single day, and leave all the logistics and planning to someone else, on this hassle-free day trip from San José. Traveling via air-conditioned vehicle, head first to Poás Volcano, an active volcano known for its vast crater and bubbling lake. Then, make a scenic stop at La Paz Falls before enjoying a tour and tasting at a local coffee farm.

(1,621)

from $165

Special Offer

Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

7 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

Special Offer

Poás hides wonderful traditions and stunning landscapes that captivate every visitor. Start your tour with a cup of freshly brewed coffee on an authentic local estate, where you can enjoy panoramic mountain views and experience the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality. A few minutes away, discover the majestic La Paz Fall, a 35-meter waterfall that rushes through a green-covered canyon, in the middle of a cloud forest full of wildlife. Then head to the imposing Poás Volcano. Its huge crater, one of the largest in the world, reveals a turquoise acid lagoon surrounded by steam and volcanic formations. The views are surreal and the atmosphere transmits the living force of nature. Whether you love nature, culture or are looking for a peaceful getaway, Poás offers the perfect combination of adventure and serenity. Come and explore a place where tradition meets natural wonder.

Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Falls and Poas Volcano

San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(1,178)

from $35

Costa Rica’s capital is located inland but you don’t need a weeks-long vacation to enjoy time at the beach. This day trip to Tortuga Island makes it easy to swim and sunbathe directly from San Jose. After a pickup in the capital and transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, spend the day on a beach featuring clear turquoise water and surrounded by rainforest. Swim, snorkel, and refuel with the provided lunch.

Visit Tortuga Island with Lunch from San José

Visit Tortuga Island with Lunch from San José

12 to 15 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(81)

from $115

Rainforest Aerial Tram Half Day Pass – Braulio Carrillo Park

2 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(101)

from $78

La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Wildlife Refuge Tour from San Jose

Safely immerse yourself in Costa Rican nature and wildlife on an 8- to 9-hour tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Leave the busy streets of San Jose behind in comfortable air-conditioned transportation from your hotel. Discover more than 100 species at the sanctuary, including titi monkeys, 2-toed sloths, pumas, and toucans. You can even feed hummingbirds by hand. Have your camera ready for the cloud forest, waterfalls, and aviary.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Wildlife Refuge Tour from San Jose

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(315)

from $135

Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Full-Day Tour from San José

11 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.0

(24)

from $197

San Jose Sightseeing City Tour

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

4.3

(62)

from $95

Full Day Tour to Tortuga Island from San José

10 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(97)

from $129

Explore Irazú Volcano, the highest volcano in the area, reaching 11,000 feet (3,432 meters) above sea level, on this full-day combo tour. After visiting the volcano, descend to the city of Cartago, the former capital of Costa Rica, where you will stop at the Basilica of the Angels. Also see the Orosi Valley, known for its diversity of crops, such as coffee and sugar cane. Next, explore the ruins of one of the oldest ruined churches in Costa Rica in Cartago.

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

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.7

(68)

from $150

White Water Rafting Pacuare River From San José

Navigate Class III-IV rapids under the guidance of an expert during this white-water rafting course down the Pacuare River from San Jose. Paddle your way through one of Costa Rica's most picturesque river gorges, looking out for native wildlife between rapid runs, on an exciting day trip ideal for thrill seekers. Hotel pickup and drop-off, equipment, and lunch are all included, so you can focus on the thrills.

White Water Rafting Pacuare River From San José

Enjoy an exciting zipline adventure with incredible views of the Arenal Volcano (if weather permits) at Airtime Zipline Adventure, located just minutes from downtown La Fortuna and next to the famous Sloth Watching Trail. The course features 9 cables (including a practice line) and 10 platforms, built with sustainable and recycled materials. Perfect for families and beginners, this activity offers a thrilling experience without extreme heights children 4 years and older are welcome! Our professional guides will ensure your safety and fun throughout the tour. We operate with all official permits and insurance from the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), giving you total peace of mind. On clear days, you’ll soar with amazing volcano views while enjoying a memorable experience surrounded by nature. The adventure lasts only a couple of hours, so it’s easy to fit into your La Fortuna itinerary.

4.7

(247)

from $125

Zipline Tour in La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano Views

Zipline Tour in La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano Views

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(328)

from $55

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica's Most beautiful regions but can be difficult to reach from San Jose, As there are essentially zero public transportation options. on this full-day tour let someone else take care of the driving logistics. Highlights include stopping for breakfast and crocodile sightings, hiking with a naturalist guide who helps you identify plants and wild animals in the national park, and relaxing on the white Sands of Playa Espadilla.

Manuel Antonio Beach & National Park Day Tour from San José

13 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(18)

from $162

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

This sampler adventure tour from San Jose fits the best of Costa Rica's rivers and rainforests into one action-packed day. En route, go croc-spotting at a famous overlook on the Tarcoles River. Then head to the jungle adventure park where you can choose two activities from a list of thrilling options, including ziplining, horseback riding, surfing lessons, an ATV adventure, and a mountain bike tour.

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

As one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for visitors. This guided tour from San Jose makes visiting on a time crunch a cinch—your guide takes the guesswork out of deciding which trails are worth the effort, plus helps you spot wildlife along the way. This tour includes breakfast and lunch, and is specifically timed to avoid the crowds, helping you have the best possible experience exploring.

4.7

(145)

from $171

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

12 hoursFree Cancellation

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

(827)

from $169

San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets

(800)

from $185

Special Offer

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Visit three Costa Rican highlights in one day on this guided tour from San José. First explore a Starbucks-owned coffee farm, learning all about how your morning brew is grown, harvested, and roasted. Next, visit the Poas Volcano Crater and marvel at its powerful geysers and bubbling lake of aquamarine water. Then, experience La Paz Waterfall Garden–a lush rainforest that boasts spectacular waterfalls and exotic wildlife. Finally, stop by another coffee plantation and enjoy a lunch of traditional Costa Rican fare.

Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

8 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(174)

from $149

Manuel Antonio National Park Day Trip from San Jose

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.4

(103)

from $175

In just one day, it’s possible to visit top Costa Rica attractions including Arenal Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, and Arenal Hot Springs when you book this full-day guided tour from San Jose. All-inclusive private transport smooths over otherwise tricky transportation logistics, and your guide keeps you entertained and informed as you explore. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, plus two meals, adding up to a great value.

Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner

14 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(3,697)

from $185

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

11 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(5)

from $139

Zip Line, Rappel, Hiking La Carpintera Tour in San Jose

3 hoursFree Cancellation

La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Wildlife Refuge Tour from San Jose

(533)

from $51

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Top Attractions in San Jose

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Attractions

What are people saying about San Jose

Terri_R, Aug 2026

Fantastic excursion!

Everything about the trip was fantastic! We were picked up on time and immediately handed a bottle of water. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable. He shared great information about the plants and animals, and was engaging in all of our locations. Sharing information while keeping kids and older adults excited and interested is a gift, and Mario definitely has that gift!

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

Susan_K, Aug 2026

I walked in a crater!

I’m a solo traveler and I appreciated this tour company because they allowed me to book as a solo when there were several others that would only allow me to book as a couple. I also appreciated being picked up, even though I was the first stop in the early morning and the last stop at the end of a long day. Once we had collected all the guests, we made a rest stop to use baños and get something to eat before we made the drive up to the volcano. It rained along the way and the clouds were thick, but our guide told us that the clouds roll in and they roll out very quickly. He was right. There were clouds obscuring the first crater we visited and just as I was heading back to the van in disappointment, the clouds rolled out and there was a clear view of the Playa Hermosa crater. Then we drove down to where we could actually walk on the crater. The clouds rolled in and out of the main crater so you could see it clearly, but because of safety barriers you can’t see to the bottom (unless you are 25 ft tall). Other stops on this tour were the Basilica of Los Angeles in Cartago, the beautiful Lankester Botanical Garden, the ruins of Ujarrás, and a lovely viewpoint overlooking the Orosi Valley. We had a great lunch at La Casona del Cafetal with a wonderful view of the lake. Our guide Donald switches effortlessly between Spanish and English so it felt like he was talking to all of us at the same time instead of talking to one group and then another group. Marco was a safe and patient driver. It was billed as a 7-1/2 hour trip, but with the pickups and the traffic, it was a bit longer for me. Still, it was a good day and I would recommend this tour.

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

BethAlly_F, Aug 2026

ATV and zip lining day

We had such a great day from the moment the driver picked us up at our hotel until he dropped us off. We loved the Atv Tour and got to swim in the waterfall pools. Our guide. Darien was so fantastic. The lunch was delicious. After lunch, we went zip lining and all of the guides were really great. Our Driver Diego was amazing as well. He pulled over to show us a Costa Rican parakeet, we stopped to see alligators and grab anwe stopped to see alligators and grab a snack, and he brought us to a local spot for the most delicious fresh ceviche. Would highly recommend this amazing tour.

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

MichelleD_H, Jul 2026

Lovely tour!

The day was long but soooo worth it! The day started with a timely pick up from our tour guide, Olman. He was kind, had a fun personality, communicated very well in English, and he was also very patient with me as I practiced my Spanish! The tour van was very clean, the A/C was in perfect order, and lovely jazz music was played on the ride home. The tour was great. We enjoyed our first stop at the coffee plantation. Olman was very knowledgeable about all things coffee! After visiting the grounds, we enjoyed a delicious cup of coffee. This was a very relaxing experience. We also made an impromptu stop to taste locally grown strawberries. What I appreciated is that each stop left enough time for us to chill out--we never felt rushed. The volcano and lagoon tour was slightly less eventful due to the weather. It was a very cloudy and foggy day. At some point, the clouds shifted for a couple of minutes and allowed for a blurry glimpse of the volcano and lagoon. Unfortunately,Mother Nature wasn't very friendly! Finally, the visit to La Paz was beautiful. The animals and waterfalls were spectacular. We took some really nice photos. Be prepared for lots of steps! The lunch buffet was plentiful and tasty. I'd recommend this tour with Olman and wish you a sunny day to see the Poás Volcano and blue lagoon! Enjoy!

San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets

Jennifer_o, Jul 2026

Good Bites, fun experience!

This was such a fun couple of hours. I loved visiting the markets, and the cathedral. It was fun to taste fresh fruits from the market! The ice cream was yummy! The tamales at the end were so delicious especially with the gold sauce on it. It was really fun to make our empanada to enjoy with coffee. The staff were amazing!

Zipline Tour in La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano Views

Vinodkumar_B, Jul 2026

Great experience

Great experience overall! This is the perfect zipline adventure for beginners and intermediate thrill seekers. The staff were friendly, professional, and communicated clearly in both English and Spanish, making the entire experience enjoyable and easy to follow. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

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.

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

ashariak, Jun 2026

Amazing and highly recommended day on the water!

Our Tortuga Island excursion was amazing from start to finish. They picked us up, stopped for breakfast, then took us to the dock before heading out on the boat. The ride was beautiful and we even saw monkeys and dolphins along the way. Lunch was included and very good, and the island itself was stunning with clear water and a relaxing atmosphere. Highly recommend for a memorable day.

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!

Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner

Miranda_B, May 2026

Best Tour!

Firstly, Steven our guide and Victor our driver were absoulutely wonderful. We love Steven! Absolute best guide and so blessed we had him for our trip. He also made little stops along the way to show us animals like a toucan, macaw, and sloths! The food included was great as well. The hot springs were beautiful. The ziplining was fun! Id definitely do another tour with Steven again.

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.