Top Alajuela How to Get Around in 2026

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

Learn all about the coffee growing and making process on this private tour of the Starbucks chain’s Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Farm. Explore the farm on a guided tour where you’ll visit the tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio, and roasting machine. Learn about sustainable farming practices, and about the people who produce the coffee you drink every day. An educational tour that travelers with a range of interests will enjoy.

Live an unforgettable night hike in La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano, and discover the wildlife that comes alive after dark. Explore the nature trails of Mirador El Silencio accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide who will help you find and get to know Costa Rica’s fascinating nightlife. We will search for red-eyed frogs, poison frogs, snakes, lizards, spiders, insects, resting birds and other nocturnal creatures. With any luck, we can also observe sloths and other mammals. All animals live free in their natural habitat, so every night is different and sightings are not guaranteed. Our family-friendly small group experience allows for a more personal and educational adventure, with opportunities to photograph fauna. Discover the hidden world of the Arenal tropical forest and experience one of the best nature experiences in La Fortuna.

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.

Explore and swim under the Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortés waterfalls, without the pressure of getting there on your own, with this group activity package. Enjoy a seamless experience that covers your itinerary, optional transportation, park fees, and lunch, meaning you can relax and immerse yourself in the day's activities. Along with the waterfalls, hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit a sloth sanctuary.

Finally, what everyone was after! TravelWellCR picks you up early in the morning, starting at 6:00 a.m. at your hotel in downtown San Jose, to take you straight on the adventure to the majestic Poás Volcano. Along the way we will look for sloths in their natural habitat and thus continue with your volcanic experience. Includes: - Roundtrip transportation hotel or airport: Travel comfortably and safely in air-conditioned tourist transport. Includes pick-up from your hotel and return to the hotel or airport at the end of the tour. - Admission to Poás Volcano National Park

Instead of juggling multiple tours and reservations, combine coffee, a volcano, and wildlife on this full-day combo tour from San Jose. Travel to San Isidro to learn about coffee production at a coffee plantation. At Poas Volcano, admire the main crater, then hike to Botos Lagoon. Afterward, see the animals and waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

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.

The lush rainforest and white-sand beaches of Isla Tortuga are part of the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve, and are located along the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. With this tour, you'll set sail aboard a large cruise ship, admire views of Isla San Lucas and Isla Tortuga from the water, and enjoy time on the island to swim, snorkel, or relax on the beach.

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.

Visit Poás Volcano's massive crater and stop at Starbucks' Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm for an included coffee tasting. Includes an expert guide and transport from San José. Perfect for nature and coffee lovers. Discover Costa Rica's most iconic natural wonder and world-class coffee culture in one unforgettable day. Journey from San José to Poás Volcano National Park, home to one of Earth's largest active volcanic craters at 2,708 meters above sea level. Begin your journey venturing into the mystical cloud forest, where trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints of the turquoise acidic lagoon and steaming fumaroles. Visit serene Botos Lagoon, a pristine crater lake surrounded by lush vegetation. Your expert bilingual guide shares fascinating insights about volcanic geology, coffee cultivation, and local biodiversity throughout the journey. With comfortable round-trip transportation and small group sizes, this tour perfectly balances adventure, education, and authentic Costa Rican culture.

Take the hassle out of organizing transportation by booking it in advance. This is a private transport service that will comfortably transfer you from SJO to Los Suenos, Jaco, in an airconditioned vehicle with Wi-fi onboard. They can also set you up with day tours and other adventures once you arrive- just ask!

Wildlife enthusiasts love this tour of Arenal’s only frog sanctuary. Tour the wildlife sanctuary at night for chances to see rare and colorful tropical frogs in their natural habitat; a guide leads the way and helps you spot frogs and other creatures that only come out at night. Tours even include pickup and drop-off from La Fortuna so you don’t have to worry about driving at night.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of San Jose on an evening bus tour. Starting from your hotel, board a comfortable double-decker bus with a welcome drink. See over 25 of the city’s landmarks as you take a bus tour, and stop for bilingual guided tours at key locations, including the Costa Rican Art Museum. Enjoy an included dinner of local cuisine before drop-off back at your hotel.

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.

Relax and unwind with a day at La Fortuna’s famous hot springs at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transportation from San Jose and relax at either Los Lagos or Baldi Hot Springs (depending on the option you've chosen), enjoying free time to rejuvenate at a pace that suits you. A delicious lunch at the resort is included, so you can focus on relaxing in the soothing thermal waters.

Get out of the city and experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife heritage with this half day private tour to the Toucan Rescue Ranch. What started out as a rescue facility for toucans has expanded to include other charismatic species such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls. Learn all about them from the dedicated staff committed to their care.

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.

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.

Enjoy a safe and family-friendly horseback riding tour through the beautiful landscapes of Arenal. Ride calm, well-cared-for horses along rainforest trails, open fields, and across the Arenal River. Small groups allow for a relaxed pace and personal attention, making this tour perfect for both beginners and experienced riders, including children. Along the way, enjoy nature, possible wildlife sightings, and views of Arenal Volcano on clear days. The tour includes a fun photo shoot to capture memories and share on social media, a visit to a small farm with cute animals like pigs and sheep, and a relaxing riverside stop with fresh tropical fruits.

This day we will leave your Hotel for the Poás de Alajuela area, we will make a stop for a brief explanation about our golden grain, the coffee where we will stop to see the coffee bushes, also having the opportunity to take a photograph of the Ventral Valley and from the coffee plantation. We will continue the tour through fern, flower and strawberry crops. .

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.

Escape the city and discover one of Costa Rica’s most stunning natural destinations on this full-day Monteverde experience from San Jose. Travel comfortably with our team to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you will experience the renowned Treetopia Suspension Bridges, walking among the treetops with spectacular views, lush nature and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. This experience is ideal for travelers who want to know Monteverde without complicating with logistics, routes or planning, enjoying a complete and organized excursion from San Jose. Your experience includes roundtrip transportation from San Jose, guide during the tour and entrance to the suspension bridges, offering a comfortable and stress-free way to visit one of the most famous natural destinations in the country.