Top San Jose How to Get Around in 2026

Step into the heart of San José’s everyday flavor with this immersive street food crawl, where local vendors, family-run kioskos, and night-market bites tell the story of Costa Rica’s culinary soul. Guided by a bilingual local host passionate about Costa Rican foodways, you’ll explore a curated lineup of must-try snacks and comfort dishes, from golden empanadas and chorreadas to regional twists on tamales and freshly griddled tortillas. This is not a tourist trap.. this is where locals go when they’re hungry. Between bites, you’ll learn the cultural roots behind each dish, explore vibrant neighborhoods, and pick up tips on what and where to eat next during your trip. A few refreshing drinks and a sweet surprise round out the experience. You’ll walk moderate distances through a few bustling blocks of San José, stopping frequently to eat, chat, and learn. Bring an appetite, a camera and a spirit of discovery!

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.

Experience the very best of Costa Rica’s northwestern provinces on this action-packed 8-day tour. Soak in bubbling natural hot springs with views of the Arenal Volcano, cruise through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge on a boat tour. This perfectly planned tour includes 7 nights of accommodation, professional guides, many meals and all transport.

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

From San Jose, you will take a half day making your way to the Poas Volcano, making a few stops along the way. You'll stop at the coffee plantation in Alajuela and see how it is cultivated. You'll also stop at a strawberry plantation to see what that is all about too. When you get to the top of the volcano, you can take a 20 minute walk for the views.

Relax and enjoy your vacation instead of stressing over trip planning when you join this ten-day guided tour of Costa Rica. Travelers interested in nature and wildlife will love this tour, which includes visits to Volcan Arenal, Monteverde, and the Manuel Antonio National Parks. Learn about Costa Rica’s biodiversity as you look out for special animals, insects, and plants. Accommodation is included–choose from standard, superior, and deluxe options.

Climbing the tallest volcano in Costa Rica need not be daunting; keep it easy with this guided tour to Irazu Volcano from San Jose. Join this guided tour to the summit of the volcano, an easy hike after the scenic drive, and take your time at the top admiring the views. This tour includes round-trip transportation from San Jose as well as all entrance fees.

The tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens is ideal for travelers who do not want to stray too far from the city to live a unique experience surrounded by nature and wildlife. The adventure begins from the moment we begin to climb the mountain, entering through the province of Alajuela, this tour will allow you to experience the changes in climate, accompanied by a wonderful landscape, which will be the prelude to the magnificent experience that travelers will have in La Paz Waterfall Gardens Natura Park & Wildlife Refuge This tour includes travelers, transportation, park tickets, and a delicious buffet lunch, so you won't have to worry about anything other than enjoying the experience.

Discover the vibrant heart of Costa Rica with an exciting tour through San José, the bustling capital! Begin your adventure at the picturesque Parque de La Sabana, then be captivated by the stunning National Theater, a symbol of cultural pride since 1897. Dive into the rich history of pre-Columbian times at the fascinating Gold Museum. As you explore the city, you’ll pass by iconic spots like the National Stadium, University of Costa Rica, embassies, and the charming old train station. Each stop reveals a new layer of San José's history and culture, making this tour an unforgettable dive into the soul of the city!

Visit the active Poas Volcano, an epic waterfall, and the one-and-only Starbucks Coffee Farm on a day trip perfect for nature and coffee lovers who are short on time but want to see it all. The small-group tour reveals cloud-forest scenery, plantations, and farms along the way to the second largest crater in the world. Plus, see behind the scenes at the farm that grows Starbucks’ renown coffee.

Experience the best of Manuel Antonio National Park from San José, on a tour combining a catamaran cruise with a guided visit to one of the country's most celebrated national parks. Cruise in search of dolphins and sea turtles, snorkel in clear waters, then explore rainforest trails with opportunities to spot monkeys and sloths. With transfers, meals, and activities arranged, it's a seamless way to experience Costa Rica's coast and wildlife in one day.

You can enjoy spectacular views, numerous species of high-altitude birds, such as the quetzal, and walk in the habitat of different mammals that inhabit our forests, such as the cougar, the danta and the mountain goat, among others. Our abundant vegetation will dazzle you and hopefully you will have the experience of walking among the clouds. All this, along with the benefits of physical activity that a mountain hike provides. The proximity to San Jose and the opportunity to walk and visit the cloud forest is a must-see experience!

We are the first and only commercial winery in Costa Rica and Central America with international quality; as well we produce the first and only liqueur produced from the Golden Berry fruit, also known as the uchuva

Join naturalist biologists on a guided tour through Parque La Libertad, where you will discover the restoration of 32 hectares once occupied by an old cement factory and learn about the ongoing reforestation process. You will observe birds that arrived with ecological regeneration and easily identify more than 30 species. Along the way, you’ll learn about waste management and pollinator gardens, and discover how the community comes together through art, sports, and social projects. Most importantly, by joining this experience you become part of a social well-being initiative that supports local communities in need.

Experience a thrilling day out on the Sarapiqui River with this half-day guided whitewater rafting adventure. Make your way to the base camp, then get transported to the river, where you’ll tackle more than 10 class II and III rapids with a certified rafting guide.

Certified Professional Guides: Skilled and experienced to provide safe and enjoyable trips. Verified & Insured Adventures: All trips are fully insured for your peace of mind. Unmatched Experience & Professionalism: Decades of expertise in rafting and kayaking tours. Commitment to Sustainability: We prioritize eco-friendly practices to protect Costa Rica's natural beauty. Worldwide Adventure Compliance: Adhering to international adventure tourism regulations. Perfect for Families, Friends, Groups, and Schools: Tailored adventures for every type of guest.

It is a place with a lot of nature and wildlife with a large number of species of birds and flora that you cannot miss. In addition, due to its geographical location, we are very close to the international airport and GAM with easy access to visit in a day with little time.... It also has a history of the 70s, how some towns began to form in rural areas and how lived the upper class of Costa Rica

Try your skills at canyoneering on this group tour in Turrialba. You’ll be rapelling, ziplining, crossing hanging bridges, and more. You’ll keep costs down by booking this group tour, but still have a great adventure with some new friends. All your safety gear is provided, so no need to organize that separately. Lunch is also provided to keep your energy up.

The first museum of water in Costa Rica, our company is a tribute to the science and magic of water. Immerse yourself in a natural paradise, with a series of waterfalls that drives the cycle of life. Touch it and feel it. Dive and swim, walk and climb, be inspired and be moved. Give yourself an incredible experience. Experience a magical connection with water and its many secrets and wonders. In this tour, you will also get an exclusive access to all our premises.

It is a private family reserve, managed by local national owners who are dedicated to forest conservation and tourism. Thanks to our exceptional location and easy access to our private reserve, nestled in the heart of Costa Rica’s vibrant rainforest, you can easily see the wonderful flora and fauna of the site What makes our tour special is the quality of our tour guides, always gentle and willing to share their knowledge about nature; our paths, composed of cement and gravel, guarantee excellent accessibility; and you will be provided with high quality lanterns to discover the various living things that the wonderful forest gives us. It should be noted that this is a tour suitable for the whole family, designed to enjoy without great difficulties. By visiting us, you will actively contribute to the preservation of the flora and fauna species of Sarapiquí.

Our guide will go through each hotel previously coordinated, to pick up the passengers who will accompany us in this beautiful experience. Hanging Bridges in the Cloud Forest, a very spectacular adventure, In our tours you can enjoy the greatness of nature in Costa Rica, it is the perfect tour for the whole family, enjoy the most beautiful orchids in Costa Rica, Bird watching, various types of animals such as howler monkeys, coatis and more species that you can enjoy throughout the trip. As a second Canopy Tour activity, we have cables between 50 and 550 meters long at the points with the most adrenaline. In these tours you can enjoy various views of the Cataraticas River. Our platforms are located on bases with heights from 3 to 106 meters high, some of them on trees and on land bases depending on the points of attraction and adventure. To close we will enjoy a delicious typical lunch

Zoom through the Costa Rican jungle on a full-day zip-lining tour in San Ramon. The tour is perfect for adrenaline junkies and active families alike. Thanks to provided safety equipment and the watchful eye of your experienced guide, you’re able to sail through the cloud forest with ease. Walk across six hanging bridges, measuring up to 360 feet across (110 meters). Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for hummingbirds, sloths, and monkeys.

Visit the Irazú Volcano National Park and Lankester Botanical Garden on this all-day tour from San Jose. First, head to Irazú Volcano, the highest active volcano in Costa Rica at 11,260 feet (3,400 meters) tall and see its most popular attraction, the giant Diego de la Haya crater. On the return trip, stop at the Lankester Garden, which was established to protect types of flora.

This La Fortuna combo pairs late-afternoon adventure with nighttime wildlife discovery, starting with an exciting zipline tour at 4:00 PM. Glide through the treetops on 9 cables and 10 platforms, enjoying beautiful views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato as the light begins to fade. Children must be at least 4 years old to participate, and guests over 125 kg (275 lbs) are not permitted on the zipline. Then, at 6:00 PM, continue with a guided night walk through the rainforest, where an expert naturalist helps you search for nocturnal creatures such as owls, tarantulas, snakes, and the iconic Red-Eyed Tree Frog. This unique experience offers a memorable way to discover a different side of La Fortuna’s rainforest from sunset into the evening.