Depart from Central Valley
Sarchi, Arenal Volcano & Baldi
The scenic drive from San José to Arenal includes a stop in the artisan town of Sarchí, famous for its colorful hand-painted ox carts and traditional crafts. Visit local workshops and the town square to see the world’s largest ox cart, recognized by Guinness World Records. Continue to the impressive Arenal Volcano, towering over La Fortuna. Once dormant, the volcano has been active since 1968, often displaying white steam plumes from its iconic cone. The tour concludes with time to relax at Baldi Hot Springs, where mineral-rich thermal waters flow naturally from the volcano into 25 pools. Optional spa treatments are available for added relaxation.
Doka, Poas & La Paz
Begin the day at Doka Coffee Estate with breakfast and a guided coffee tour, learning about traditional cultivation, harvesting, and roasting techniques behind Costa Rica’s world-renowned coffee. Continue to Poás Volcano National Park to admire the impressive main crater, active fumaroles, and enjoy a scenic walk to the Botos Lagoon while learning about local ecosystems. The tour concludes at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch followed by rainforest trails featuring rivers, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Visit educational exhibits including the aviary, butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, serpentarium, jungle cats, and frog exhibits for a complete nature experience.
Half-Day Tour: Doka & Poas
Begin your morning at Doka Coffee Estate with a delicious breakfast and a guided coffee tour, where you will learn about traditional cultivation, harvesting, and roasting techniques behind Costa Rica’s world-famous coffee. Enjoy the aromas and flavors of the “Golden Bean” before continuing to Poás Volcano National Park. Here, admire the impressive main crater with its active sulfur fumaroles and take a scenic walk along park trails to the tranquil Botos Lagoon, learning about the region’s unique ecosystems along the way.
Cartago, Lankester & Orosi
Travel along a scenic, winding road through fertile green landscapes toward Cartago, enjoying panoramic views of mountains and valleys along the way. The first stop is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, Costa Rica’s most important pilgrimage site and a symbol of national devotion. Continue to Lankester Gardens, a renowned botanical sanctuary and research center protecting more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads, and other tropical plants. The journey then leads to the picturesque Orosi Valley, celebrated for its lush scenery and colonial heritage. Visit historic churches and conclude the tour with a delicious traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.
Half-Day Tour: Irazu Volcano
Ascend to the impressive summit of Irazú Volcano, enjoying panoramic views and changing vegetation ranging from coffee plantations to highland ferns. At Irazú Volcano National Park, explore the vast landscape surrounding the crater and admire the striking lagoon with its mystical green color set among rugged volcanic rock. After descending from the volcano, continue to the historic city of Cartago to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, Costa Rica’s most important pilgrimage site. Each year, believers from across the country journey here on foot, making it a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance.
Half-Day Tour: La Paz Waterfall
Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens for a nature-filled experience surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. Walk scenic trails alongside flowing rivers and impressive waterfalls, and explore wildlife exhibits including the aviary, butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, serpentarium, and jungle cats and frog habitats. Ideal for nature lovers of all ages, the tour concludes with a delicious buffet lunch, rated four forks by the Costa Rican Tourism Council, featuring a variety of traditional Costa Rican dishes.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Travel early to Manuel Antonio National Park, passing African palm plantations and enjoying scenic coastal views along the way. Upon arrival, relax on white-sand beaches, swim in crystal-clear waters, or choose to hike the park’s well-maintained trails. The lush rainforest is rich in flora and fauna, offering excellent chances to spot monkeys, iguanas, and sloths in their natural habitat. This iconic park combines beach time and wildlife encounters in one unforgettable visit. Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays for visitors planning flexible travel schedules accordingly.
San Luis Canopy
San Luis Canopy Tour contains some of the most exciting nature-immersed adventure activities in Costa Rica. The canopy setup has 12 different zip lines and 18 platforms, plus the famous “Tarzan Swing Trails” and “Fly like Superman”. Not a dull moment here!
The most popular activity is zip lining, in which you’ll get to fly over the tropical rainforest on a series of cables, from platform to platform. A whole lot of fun! The Elevator is another thrilling activity at San Luis, in which you’ll be lifted high above the forest canopy. It’s safe, exciting and features the most spectacular view of the surroundings.
Sarapiqui Canopy & Rafting Combo Tour
Sarapiquí is a lush region known for crystal-clear rivers, tropical forests, and charming rural communities. Perfect for adventure lovers, it features an exciting canopy tour with nine zipline cables soaring above the jungle and over the Sarapiquí River. The river is also famous for rafting, offering Class II and III rapids across a nine-mile stretch. This thrilling experience blends adrenaline with serene natural beauty, making it ideal for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike.
Sarapiqui, Selva Verde & Aerial Tram
Begin your day in Sarapiquí with a peaceful boat ride along the Sarapiquí River, surrounded by pristine rainforest scenery and fresh tropical air. Continue with a guided nature walk along the private trails of Selva Verde Eco Lodge, ideal for nature lovers seeking close encounters with local flora and fauna. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch on the way to San José. The tour concludes at the Rainforest Aerial Tram, where you will glide through the canopy by gondola while a naturalist guide shares insights about the rainforest and its wildlife.
Poas, Doka, Grecia & Sarchi
Visit Poás Volcano National Park to admire the impressive main crater and sulfur fumaroles, followed by a scenic walk to the Botos Lagoon. Continue to Doka Coffee Estate for lunch and a guided coffee tour, learning about traditional cultivation and roasting techniques. Explore the charming town of Grecia and its iconic metal church, then stop in Sarchí, famous for colorful ox carts, artisan crafts, and the world’s largest ox cart recognized by Guinness World Records.
Irazu Volcano, Cartago & Hacienda Orosi
Ascend to the summit of Irazú Volcano, enjoying panoramic views and changing vegetation from coffee plantations to highland ferns. At Irazú Volcano National Park, walk around the crater and admire its striking green lagoon surrounded by rugged volcanic rock. Continue to the historic city of Cartago to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, Costa Rica’s most important pilgrimage site. The tour concludes at Hacienda Orosí, set amid lush rainforest and valley views, where you will relax in natural thermal hot springs. These mineral-rich, non-volcanic waters emerge naturally from the earth at soothing temperatures.
Central Pacific, Tarcoles & Punta Leona
Begin the day with a scenic drive from San José to Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, stopping for a traditional local breakfast along the way. Continue to the Tárcoles River, where you can safely observe large crocodiles from the bridge in their natural habitat. The journey then leads to Punta Leona Resort, an eco-certified beach destination awarded the Environmental Blue Flag. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, the resort features beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear Pacific waters. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon sunbathing, swimming in the ocean, or unwinding by the pool in a peaceful natural setting.
Mirador Tiquicia
Only available on Thursday evenings, this tour is the perfect combination of gastronomy and view-watching. Located on the mesmerizing mountain tops of Escazu at 1,300 meters above sea level, featuring some of the impressive views of San Jose, sits the Mirador Tiquicia Restaurant. It is the ultimate look-out point in San Jose.
Tiquicia is a 150-year-old mansion-made-restaurant, and offers a genuine typical Costa Rican ambience. You’ll get to sample the local food alongside national drinks, as you enjoy the mesmerizing evening views of San Jose. As a very special treat and a glimpse into Costa Rican culture, you will get to watch a typical dance show after dinner!
Valle de Los Santos Wine Experience
Available only on Saturdays, this tour is perfect for wine lovers and connoisseurs. Travel to the Dota region to visit the first and only commercial winery in Costa Rica and Central America. Thanks to its warm climate and ideal location, Dota produces high-quality grapes with distinctive flavors. Enjoy a guided visit through the plantation, learn about the winemaking process, sample fresh fruit, and taste wines in two presentations from Costa Rica, Israel, and California. The experience includes a delicious lunch, followed by a gourmet coffee tasting featuring locally grown Costa Rican coffee.
ChepeCletas Walking Tour
ChepeCletas takes its name from local slang: “Chepe” for San José and “cletas” for bicycles. Originally a cycling tour, it now also offers a walking experience—an engaging way to explore the heart of Costa Rica’s capital.
The tour begins outside the iconic National Theatre, followed by a short walk to the vibrant Central Market. Here, you’ll browse colorful stalls, observe local merchants, sample traditional cuisine, and experience everyday city life.
A brief walk leads to Steinvorth Music Hall, where you’ll visit an artisan chocolatier and enjoy organic, sustainably produced chocolate tastings.
Continuing past historic buildings, the tour reaches Parque Morazán, then the charming Barrio Amón neighborhood, known for galleries and cafés.
The experience concludes in lively Barrio Escalante with a guided gourmet Costa Rican coffee tasting led by a skilled barista.
Tortuga Island
Located in the Gulf of Nicoya is the magical, dreamy Tortuga Island, about 12 nautical miles from the coast of Puntarenas. The island consists of 120 hectares of pristine beach and protected tropical forest, awarded the Ecological Blue Flag for its clean sands and unpolluted waters. The unbeatable combination of turquoise water and white sand is a tropical dream come true. Being an island, the journey over is made on a luxurious catamaran. It features three different sections – the main air-conditioned lounge with a bar and changing rooms, the bow with a marvelous view of all the ocean and landscapes, and the upper deck with a space designed for your relaxation featuring a spacious jacuzzi. Talk about sailing in style!
