Irazú Volcano National Park (Half Day)
Badge of Excellence
San Jose, Costa Rica
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit the Irazú Volcano National Park in just half a day with this excursion from San José. Your driver will pick you up early in the morning and take you to the volcano, where you can see the crater and learn about the history of the area from a local guide. Next, you'll head to the Los Angeles Basilica, a church and museum with a holy water source.
- Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle
- snacks will be provided
- Includes round-trip transportation from your hotel.
- Optional return airport transfer available
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Professional tour guide
- Entry tickets and charges
- Excess BaggageBags exceeding 23 kilograms
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We pick up at all hotels in San Jose and surrounding areas. We can drop you off at SJO airport at no additional cost, you must request it in advance.
Operating hours.6:30 am
Itinerary
1
Irazu Volcano National Park
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Caroline_W
The guide Donald was excellent and very informative and helpful. The weather was fantastic the day we visited Izairu volcano, so we had great views and really enjoyed the walk around the crater site.
Reviews
4.2
based on 109 reviews
Daniel_R, Mar 2026
The view was beautiful but the tour was over promised and under delivered. The bus was over 20 minutes late and no one answered the phone to say whether we missed it. There were no promised snacks, instead we stopped at a convenience mart for 20 minutes soon after leaving and watched the guide eat breakfast. Contrary to the promotional photo and description of a cauldron, the crater is bone dry - the guide said the water leaked out 8 years ago. And the visit was short, though not as short as the 15 minutes given us at the basilica.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful views at Irazú Volcano, it is truly one of the highlights of the Central Valley.
This tour operates early in the morning and sometimes small delays during the pickup route can occur due to traffic or multiple hotel stops, but our goal is always to collect all guests and complete the itinerary smoothly. The brief stop during the drive is included so guests have the opportunity to use restrooms, grab coffee, or purchase breakfast if they wish before continuing up the mountain.
Regarding the crater, the volcanic activity at Irazú changes naturally over time and the crater lake has appeared and disappeared multiple times over the years depending on geological conditions. Even without the lake, the volcanic landscape and views from the summit remain one of the most unique sights in Costa Rica.
As this is a half day tour, the schedule is designed to visit several locations within the morning while returning to San José around midday. Time at each stop may vary slightly depending on park conditions, weather, and traffic on the mountain road.
We appreciate your comments and your visit, and we hope you were still able to enjoy the impressive scenery and cultural landmarks included in the experience.
Sam_A, Mar 2026
I was left feeling slightly shortchanged by this tour. The volcano itself was stunning. However, the tour guide did not provide much information and our time at the volcano was quite rushed (1 hour). The basilica was even more rushed, with us only getting 15 minutes to go around the whole area rather than the advertised hour. I wonder if the reason the tour was so rushed was due to the pick up being over 20 minutes late, and us taking a long break during the drive to the volcano. At Izarú the tour guide dropped us off, talked very briefly and then drove down the hill, while at the Basilica he simply dropped us off and left us to explore until it was time to leave. Whilst it was nice to explore at our own pace, I would’ve preferred to learn a bit more about the places we were visiting and had more time at each. The tour was advertised as 3 hours at the volcano and an hour at the Basilica so I did leave feeling shortchanged. Additionally the lake at the volcano drained away about 8 years ago. Whilst I could’ve found this out by doing a bit more googling beforehand it feels misleading for the photos provided by the tour operator to all be of the now absent lake.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the views of the Irazú Volcano, it is truly one of the most impressive landscapes in Costa Rica.
This tour is designed as a half day experience, which means the schedule must remain efficient in order to visit several locations in one morning while also returning to San José before midday traffic becomes heavy. For that reason the time at each stop can sometimes vary slightly depending on weather conditions at the volcano, traffic on the mountain road, and the operation schedule of the national park.
Regarding the guide, in some parts of the visit guests are given time to explore independently so they can enjoy the viewpoints and the basilica at their own pace, which many travelers prefer. However, we always appreciate feedback like yours because it helps us continue improving the balance between guided explanation and free exploration time.
About the crater lake, you are correct that the water level has changed over the years due to natural volcanic activity. This is something that unfortunately changes periodically at Irazú and is outside the control of tour operators, but the views of the crater and surrounding landscape remain spectacular.
We truly appreciate your comments and hope you still had the opportunity to enjoy the unique scenery and cultural sites visited during the tour.
Karen_S, Feb 2026
Absolutely, the most amazing experience to visit a live volcano. The sky was so clear blue, you could see the clouds craters, ash and plants. Host Pedro and driver were really knowledgeable and made it interesting and fun. When in Costa rica this is a must do experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Muchas gracias, Karen, por compartir tu experiencia.
Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste de un día despejado en Irazú Volcano National Park. Cuando el cielo está completamente claro, las vistas del cráter y del paisaje volcánico son realmente impresionantes, y permiten apreciar con mayor detalle la formación, la vegetación de altura y el entorno natural único de la zona.
Agradecemos también tus comentarios sobre Pedro y nuestro conductor. La preparación y el conocimiento del equipo son fundamentales para que la visita no solo sea visualmente impactante, sino también informativa y dinámica.
Gracias por recomendarnos como una experiencia imprescindible en Costa Rica. Será un gusto recibirte nuevamente en el futuro.
Saludos cordiales,
Sierra_R, Dec 2025
We had an excellent time on this tour. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about history, plants and animals, and I felt like we learned so much while we were seeing everything.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Sierra,
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that you had an excellent time at Irazú Volcano National Park and that the tour felt both educational and enjoyable.
Our guides take great pride in sharing their knowledge of Costa Rica’s history, wildlife, and natural environment, so it is wonderful to know that this added real value to your visit.
Thank you for choosing our tour. We truly hope to welcome you again on another experience in Costa Rica.
Kind regards,
Daniel_M, Nov 2025
Overpriced and underwhelming, then they had the cheek to try and upcharge me $50 for lunch! Would not recommend
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
Regarding the lunch, this service does not include it, as clearly stated in the tour description. Even so, we understand how important these details are for our guests, and we will carefully review your comments to ensure clearer communication and continuously improve the overall experience.
We genuinely appreciate your input and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again under better circumstances.
Best regards,
Nam_H, Nov 2025
We had a good tour to Irazu Volcano. There were only five of us tourists, so it was a manageable group. We were the only ones when we got to the volcano site. It was pleasant to have the whole area to ourselves. It was a beautiful place to see the Caribbean and Pacific sides from there, and above the clouds! We had a little migraine from being so high up in altitude and coming down the volcano.
Trip was well worth it. Thank you.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Nam,
Thank you very much!
We’re so glad you enjoyed your visit to Irazú Volcano and had the chance to experience it in such a peaceful way.
It’s truly a special moment to stand above the clouds and take in those incredible views. We appreciate your kind words and are happy to know the trip was worth it for you.
Hope to see you again soon for another memorable experience in Costa Rica!
Best regards,
Cosmo_Z, Oct 2025
Bad coordination between customer service and guide. Also, the driver refused to send me to the airport even it was mentioned on the website.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear customer,
I hope you are well. I'm sorry for your experience with us. Normally, you must request airport transportation from the company. It is free and can be arranged. However, you cannot request it directly from the driver. The driver cannot make changes.
I would also like to clarify that your reservation was last-minute and you were given all the necessary information.
I appreciate your comment because it helps us improve the quality of our services.
Best regards,
Richard_L, Oct 2025
Excellent trip with experienced and informative guide, the volcano trip is highly recommended. I would recommend this trip.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Richard,
Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to know you enjoyed the Irazú Volcano tour and appreciated the knowledge and experience of our guide. Your recommendation means a lot to us, it’s the best reward we can receive.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again for more adventures in Costa Rica!
Jean M.
Summer Travel Costa Rica
Sambhu_S, Aug 2025
Excellent tour guide! Hotel pickup was right on time, and the schedule was well maintained throughout the tour. The guide gave explanations in both English and Spanish, and was very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello Sambhu
Thank you for your great feedback. I am happy to know everything went on schedule and that our guide made the experience enjoyable with clear explanations in both languages. We truly appreciate your recommendation.
Kind regards
Jean Morales
Alexander_K, Aug 2025
It was a very interesting tour! Despite the size and international composition of the group, guide Raquel managed everything very competently and presented a lot of background information clearly. However, a little more time to visit the different points would be good. Unfortunately, contrary to the program, the visit to the Basilica of the Virgen de los angeles in Cartago was not included. I therefore visited it on my own and then took the public bus back to San José. Apart from that, it was a very nice tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello Alexander
Thank you for your detailed feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and that Raquel made it an interesting and well-organized experience.
Regarding the Basilica, during the pilgrimage period from the end of July to the first week of August, more than one million people gather there, which is why we could not include it this time. Normally, it is part of the itinerary. I truly appreciate your suggestion about having a bit more time at the stops, and your comments will be taken into account for future improvements.
Pura Vida
Jean Morales
Georsadd_G, Jul 2025
Guide was really knowledgeable, but didn’t respond very warmly when I asked a question, a kinder explanation would’ve helped. Went in early July; it was rainy and cloudy the whole time, but we caught brief glimpses of the crater when it cleared for a few seconds. Hike to the highest viewpoint is worth it, would’ve been amazing with better weather. Quick stop at the church, but a service was on, so it was difficult to explore.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello Georsadd_G,
Thank you for sharing your experience on the Irazú Volcano tour. We’re glad the guide was knowledgeable and that you were able to catch some views despite the weather.
We apologize if the guide’s attitude wasn’t as warm as expected. We have already addressed this with the guide to ensure friendlier service in the future. Your feedback helps us improve.
We hope to welcome you again under clearer skies.
Best regards,
Colleen_H, Jul 2025
The travel guide did not give us any information about the volcano or any location we visited. He even got into an argument with one of the customers when he was asked to provide information.
Very unprofessional.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Colleen,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We regret to hear that your experience did not reflect the high standards of service that Summer Travel Costa Rica is committed to providing. Our guides are trained to offer both professionalism and valuable information, and we take it seriously whenever a guest feels this was not achieved.
Please know that we will be reviewing this matter internally to ensure that all our guests continue receiving the quality experience we are known for. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and value your input as it helps us maintain and improve our service.
Best regards,
Meave_T, Jul 2025
Safe drive and friendly guide and driver. It was very rainy so we could not see much of the volcano and it was cold but if the weather is nice it must be a great experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad to hear you felt safe and welcomed by our guide and driver. While the weather at the Irazú Volcano can be unpredictable, we’re pleased you were still able to enjoy the journey with us. On clear days, the views are truly spectacular, and we hope you’ll return to experience them in the future.
Best regards,
CarolinaMayumi_S, Jul 2025
It was great! I received confirmation the day before with the exact pickup time - and the next day's guide arrived on time! I really enjoyed the experience. Just a reminder that (of course) they can't guarantee volcano visibility - but regardless, the experience is very enjoyable! The weather changes very quickly there! From sunny to cloudy to rainy in just a few minutes—so be prepared!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that everything ran smoothly, from the confirmation to the timely pickup.
You're absolutely right, weather at the Irazú Volcano can be unpredictable, and we appreciate you highlighting this for future travelers. Even when the volcano isn't fully visible, we're happy to know the tour was still memorable for you.
Best regards,
The Summer Travel Costa Rica Team
Stephen_M, Jun 2025
Guide was great. Only downside was there is no water in the crater lake so pictures are a little misleading.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for your feedback and for joining us on the Irazú Volcano tour. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated the work of our guide.
Regarding the crater lake, we understand your concern. It’s important to note that the presence of water in the crater can vary significantly depending on recent volcanic activity, rainfall, evaporation, and even landslides that may affect its formation. These natural conditions change with the seasons and are beyond human control, which is why the appearance of the crater may differ from time to time.
We appreciate your understanding and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon.
Best regards,
Jean
Roberta_G, Apr 2025
Safe way to check out the volcano and learn more about Costa Rica. It was nice not needing to drive.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your review!
We're glad you enjoyed the visit to Irazú Volcano and felt safe throughout the tour. Not having to drive definitely makes the experience more relaxing.
We hope to see you again on another adventure in Costa Rica!
Caroline_W, Apr 2025
The guide Donald was excellent and very informative and helpful. The weather was fantastic the day we visited Izairu volcano, so we had great views and really enjoyed the walk around the crater site.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're so glad to hear you had such a great experience at Irazú Volcano National Park. Donald truly is an exceptional guide, and it's wonderful to know his knowledge and helpfulness made your visit even more enjoyable. You were lucky to have such fantastic weather, the views from the crater are incredible on a clear day. We hope to welcome you back soon to explore more natural wonders with us!
Glynnis_P, Feb 2025
This was a great tour with a lot of sight seeing! We had an amazing guide too! The volcano is very beautiful
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the extensive sight-seeing and that our guide made your tour even more memorable. It’s fantastic to know that the beauty of the volcano left such a positive impression on you.
Your feedback inspires our team to continue providing exceptional experiences. We look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Cristiano_B, Feb 2025
We went on a perfect day and managed to see the volcano crator as well as a good view of other nearby volcanoes. The Cathedral part was a bit underwhelming.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear guests,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a good tourist service. We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica. Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
milton_t, Jan 2025
It was rainning and there it was cold. It is better with clean whether. Good structure for the tourists.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Dear guests,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a good tourist service. We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica. Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
Osvaldo_L, Jul 2024
This is a great choice for a Tour, a must-see attraction. Irazu volcan and the Cathedral are great. The views from the mountains are excellent. The tour departs early but it's because it's better to arrive in the morning to those areas. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a good tourist service.
We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica.
Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
Florens_M, May 2024
Great experience, absolutely stunning views from the volcano. The basilica was also breathtakingly beautiful! 10/10 recommend
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a good tourist service.
We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica.
Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
Amy, May 2024
We really enjoyed this tour. It was very informative Mr. Hayro was out tour guide. He was very knowledgeable, spoke very fluent english and was very patient to answer our questions. We also like that druring the entire ride on the way to the varios desitinations he told us so many stories sbout the history and culture of Costa Rica and showed us important buildings. We visited the Angels church, the volcano and we had delicious lunch at a restaurant after which we were brought back to our hotel. If you are coming to San Jose you definitely should do this tour.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a good tourist service.
We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica.
Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
Claudia_S, Apr 2024
We enjoyed visiting the crater at Irazú National Park. The clouds lifted and we were fortunate to have a great view. The Basilica of Los Angeles was also a nice place to visit.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a good tourist service.
We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica.
Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
Sarah_L, Jan 2024
The travel guide was amazing and so knowledgeable about the area it made the experience even thet much better
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your comments, we take into account every opinion to continue offering a competent tourist service.
We hope to see you again in our beautiful Costa Rica.
Thank you very much for preferring our services.
Best regards,
Brent_W, Oct 2023
The volcano and the vegetation around it were cool to see but the trip there and back was very tedious.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear customer,
Your comment is very important for us, it is an opportunity to continue improving our user experience, however this can happen for different reasons external to us.
For example, if traffic conditions are unfavorable transportation times will be longer, also near the airport is the farthest location from the volcano, if you stay there it is normal to have a longer travel time than normal.
In this case I would recommend you and the other travelers to choose a more central hotel, such as San Jose downtown, but if you require it and as in your case we can also pick you up near the airport.
Best regards,
Teresa_H, May 2023
Great experience, there was quite a bit of traffic, but our guide did a great job. He explained everything we saw and the history behind it. I only wish we would have had more time at the volcano. I highly recommend.
Response from Host, May 2023
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your good comments, we strive to find people committed to their profession and the best places for you to enjoy your trip.
Thank you very much for trusting us and we hope to see you again in Costa Rica.
Best regards,
guy_d, Mar 2023
The view of the volcano is amazing and the road to go up is beautiful view . The guide was very knowledgeable and we learn a lot about Costa Rica
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Dear customer,
Thank you very much for your good comments, we strive to find people committed to their profession and the best places for you to enjoy your trip.
Thank you very much for trusting us and we hope to see you again in Costa Rica.
Best regards,
Richard_S, Feb 2023
A get experience to see the volcano. Driving there can be difficult; so a guided tour makes it easier, and our tour guide was very informative and entertaining. IF POSSIBLE check the weather to of there on a good day.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Dear Customer,
Thank you very much for your good comments, we strive to find people committed to their profession.
Thank you very much for trusting us and we hope you have a great trip in Costa Rica!
Best regards,
Talal_Z, Feb 2023
On the route through the mountains to Irazu volcano we enjoyed beautiful views including views of the Central Valley. We got lucky, the weather was sunny and dry when we got to Irazu top and its craters with clear views. After that we visited Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles in Cartago which is very beautiful.
It is a half day trip that leaves the evening for you to do other things.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Dear Customer,
Thank you very much for your good comments, we strive to find people committed to their profession.
Thank you very much for trusting us and we hope you have a great trip in Costa Rica!
Best regards,
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