Day Trips from Costa Rica to San Jose

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the best of Costa Rica in one day with an experience that combines adventure, nature, culture, and local gastronomy. From Heredia, tour the mountainous landscapes between the Poás and Barva volcanoes, admire the La Paz Waterfall, and enjoy stops at the Strawberry Route and Mi Cafecito, where you will learn about the flavors and traditions of the region. The adventure continues at Sarapiquí Outdoor Center with rafting on the Sarapiquí River, in class II and III rapids, an exciting experience for beginners. Enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch, a demonstration of the sugar mill and a tasting of sugarcane juice. Explore the natural environment, with the opportunity to observe wild fauna, before returning through the tropical landscapes of Braulio Carrillo. 8 experiences in a day: volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee, culture, rafting, and tropical jungle. Discover authentic Costa Rica!

Visit the Irazu Volcano and a nearby hot springs wiht this tour. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, or Cartago and take you out to the volcano, the highest in Costa Rica. You'll then go on to visit a thermal spring, where you can soak in hot mineral waters heated by the volcano's activity before returning to your hotel.

Discover three of La Fortuna’s most iconic experiences in a single day! Hike the historic lava trails around Arenal Volcano, cool off in the crystal-clear waters of La Fortuna Waterfall, and cap off the adventure with a relaxing Float Safari down the Peñas Blancas River, accompanied by a naturalist guide as you enjoy the tranquility of the tropical forest. You’ll also enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican lunch and included transportation for a complete experience among volcanoes, rainforest, and nature.

Get on the Pejibaye River totally worry-free with this all-inclusive tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll hop into your private car for a ride to the river—and a stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Once at the water, your guides will set you up for an exciting 3-hour float through the jungle, complete with photos, water, and towels provided.

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.

Canopy tour, Rock climbing, Tarzan swing, via Ferrata, hanging bridges, that’s just the first activity that will be done in the morning, then a delicious lunch to get our energy back for the next activity, horseback riding through the dry forest and beautiful pasture land, for the last part of the day, what can be better than relaxing in hot water pools, water that comes directly from the volcano Rincon de la Vieja, also cover your body with volcanic mud extremely therapeutic, the volcano that is being the most important part of the beautiful panoramic views that you will be seeing during all day.

If simply looking at waterfalls from afar is too tame for you, join this half-day guided tour to Nauyaca Waterfall. Your friendly guides will show you how and where to climb the waterfall safely, and where to jump from for a refreshing swim. Make new friends on a small-group tour, and learn about the biodiversity of this beautiful area.

Discover one of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets: the Eco Chontales waterfall. Take a scenic drive along the coastline, admiring the landscape and preparing for your adventure. You’ll hike to the river where you’ll find the 150-foot waterfall. Learn about the different features as you and your guide hike to swimming holes. The unique features created by the waterfall allow you to waterslide and even leap into the water from rocks.

A guided expedition one hour away from Quepos in the southern mountains, one of the main attractions and majestic waterfalls of Costa Rica. In a walk of 7 kilometers in total, 3.5 kilometers to get there and return. An experience in connection with nature walking to one of the most impressive waterfalls known as Nauyaca. Starting a 45-minute trip approaching the tropical humid forest until you find the two waterfalls, one 45 meters in free fall and the next 20 meters high that go to a deep natural pool 6 meters deep. After walking in both sections, resting, and snacking, we will be ready for the return hike. On the way back we do a stop to enjoy a costa Rican-style meal before we drop you back at your place. The water level can increase or decrease depending on the rainfall, as well as the chance to swim. generally september and October are the months with the most water.

Rafting day in one of the best rivers to practice this sport, the Pacuare. Valid for any level, if you have not done it before, you will learn and if you have already done so you will enjoy it again. Departures from any hotel in San José. Includes breakfast and picnic lunch on the river. We will pick you up at your hotel in San José to travel to the Pacuare River. Upon arriving at the operations center we will wait for you with a delicious breakfast to gain strength. Once equipped and after the safety talk, we will launch in 6-person rafts for 4 hours along the river sailing class III and IV rapids. Halfway we will have a picnic to eat and continue to the operations center again. Once finished, we can change before returning to San José, we will leave you again in your hotel

Enjoy a more complete Costa Rica experience on this full-day tour from San Jose, combining hidden waterfalls, wildlife encounters, and local beach spots along the Central Pacific coast. The journey begins with a hidden waterfall known mostly by locals. A short walk leads to an emerald-colored waterfall full of rocky formations and lush vegetation, perfect to relax, take photos, and enjoy a peaceful off-the-beaten-path setting. We'll stop at the famous Tárcoles River Bridge to observe crocodiles in natural habitat from a safe vantage point. The experience continues at Playa Mantas, a lively local beach with scenic surroundings. If conditions allow, we may also visit nearby Playa Blanca. Later, we explore Jacó town, where you can walk around, enjoy a local meal, or relax with a drink, and visit the iconic Jacó sign viewpoint. Designed for travelers who want to go beyond the typical itinerary, this experience offers a unique mix of nature, culture, and authentic places in one day.

Most tours show you Costa Rica. This one is designed to help you experience it. This premium tour is built around a simple idea: combining iconic destinations with places most travelers never find, all in one well-paced and carefully planned day. You will explore volcanoes, waterfalls and hidden spots while your local driver-guide handles the logistics and shares the kind of insight that turns a place into something meaningful, not just something you see. The experience is flexible and adapts to your pace. No rigid schedules. No unnecessary stops — only well-timed, unexpected ones along the way that feel natural, not forced. Along the route, you will notice the difference. Small details. Local moments. Places that are not on maps but somehow become part of the story. A smooth day designed to help you see more, feel more and enjoy Costa Rica in a way that stays with you long after it ends.

As one of the best places for birding in Costa Rica, Carara National Park’s diverse ecology makes it a popular destination for spotting endemic and seasonal bird species. This tour begins early in the morning and stops at spots where you may see flycatchers, trogans, and hummingbirds. Your guide will have a Swarovski Crystals Scope that you can use throughout the experience, though be sure to bring your own binoculars.

If your goal is to see the resplendent quetzal, this birding tour of the Costa Rica highlands is a must-do. Journey from the Quepos area to Los Quetzales National Park early in the morning for your best chances of seeing the beautiful birds. As you enjoy a leisurely hike through the park, you'll also have the opportunity to spot hummingbirds, flycatchers, woodpeckers, haws, wrens, tanagers, and more.

Witness all types of birds with this private birdwatching tour to San Gerardo De Dota from Manuel Antonio. With your private licensed tour guide you’ll wander through private forest in search of native birds, including hummingbirds and woodpeckers, but most importantly the resplendent quetzal. Between stints of birdwatching, you’ll enjoy breaks for breakfast and lunch, provided by your guide. Binoculars are recommended, but are not provided.

Costa Rica’s home to multiple volcanos and Poas is one of the most active. See this stunning, smokey stratovolcano during a guided trip to Poas Volcano National Park. Walk through lush forests, keeping your eye out for diverse wildlife sightings. Discover a waterfall in La Paz and pass by the serene Sarapiqui riverside before visiting a coffee farm. During the tour, you’ll also stop for a delicious, local lunch.

Con Iguana Tours tendrán una experiencia muy diferente por nuestra visión de desarrollar tours con contenido natural por supuesto, pero también con valores, servicio y mucha información sobre la naturaleza e información relevante del área que visitamos. Nos caracterizan guías con mucha experiencia y conocimiento. Vas a encontrar con Iguana Tours el balance entre la aventura y la experiencia de aprender mucho sobre Costa Rica.

Make the most of limited time and visit two Arenal Volcano area highlights—La Fortuna Waterfall and another attraction of your choosing—during a half-day excursion from La Fortuna. Opt for a rainforest hike with hanging bridges, a volcano tour on old lava flows, a safari river float, or a chocolate tour, and customize your itinerary to your preferences. Plus, lunch and hotel pickup are included for a seamless experience.