Private Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Central Pacific, Costa Rica

5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore one of Costa Rica's supersize natural attractions and the country’s famous wildlife on this half-day shore excursion from Puntarenas. Journey to the top of active Poas Volcano for incredible views of the turquoise lake that fills its steaming crater, and observe rescued wildlife like jaguars, spider monkeys, and electric-colored frogs at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a private eco-tourism reserve.

Half-day combo shore excursion from Puntarenas
Stand at the summit of active Poas Volcano
See the distinctive turquoise lake that fills the volcano's main crater
See rescued jaguars, monkeys, birds, and amphibians at La Paz Waterfall Gardens eco-reserve
Admire a beautiful tropical waterfall
Great way to experience Costa Rica's natural highlights during a day at port
Free port pickup and drop-off included

What's Included

Professional guide
Port pickup and drop-off
Private tour

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Costanera Sur, Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica

Itinerary

our driver and guide will be waiting to greet you at the Puntarenas port when your ship arrives. Travel from the Gulf of Nicoya inland across the fertile plains of Costa Rica's Central Valley and into Alajuela province. Observe the temperature and vegetation change as you begin to ascend the slopes of Poas Volcano.

From the summit, which stretches an impressive 8,885 feet (2,708 meters) above sea level, admire sweeping panoramic valley views and gaze down into the main crater filled with a bright blue, acidic lake and steaming fumaroles. Although the volcano has erupted dozens of times, it has not seen a period of major activity with ash clouds since the 1950s, so geologic experts consider it safe to visit. Poas Volcano National Park is also home to many scenic hiking trails and exceptional biodiversity.

After descending from the volcano, journey next to the tropical habitats of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a private eco-reserve and animal sanctuary that’s home to more than 100 different species. Designed to educate visitors about Costa Rica’s natural bounty and preserve the surrounding ecosystem, La Paz features a network of walking paths that wind through wildlife exhibits like hummingbird and butterfly gardens, a serpentarium, and an aviary. You can also observe rehabilitated mammalian residents like spider monkeys, jaguars, and pumas.

Soak up the lush scenery and see the tropical waterfall that gives the reserve its name before hopping back in the van for the return drive to Puntarenas, where the 5-hour shore excursion concludes at your waiting cruise ship.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens (Pass By)

Poas Volcano National Park

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Not wheelchair accessible
A minimum of two people per booking is required

To buy volcano tickets we need passport details of passengers (complete name, number and country).
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

An awesome tour. We had an amazing...

JackieA_P, Apr 2017

An awesome tour. We had an amazing driver, Cali, that was very informative. He also walked the entire tour with us explaining things. I've had other tour drivers not speak and stay next to their vehicles. Again, Cali is your man! The downside to this tour was it was not approximately 5 hours. It's an all day tour. The drive from Puntarenas was over 2 hours. Also try to get to the volcano before 10 am as the clounds tend to roll in.