Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls & Coffee Day Trip from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.90 (813 reviews) 93% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/36

Duration10h

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Steam rising at Poas, hummingbirds flicker by, coffee fields rolling under clouds

You’ll taste fresh coffee in Alajuela’s hills, stand above steaming Poas Volcano, and wander among rescued animals at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Expect laughter with your guide, mist on your skin from waterfalls, and that feeling you get when you see something wild for the first time.

10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit coffee plantation and volcano

Travel through coffee plantations in Alajuela
Learn coffee production history and process
Enjoy photo views across Alajuela
Travel to Poás Volcano
Visit main crater of Poás Volcano
Hike to Botos Lagoon and explore trails

Day 2 — Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens Natural Park
See over 100 rescued animal species
Enjoy buffet lunch with many options
Visit five La Paz waterfalls
Take picturesque photos at waterfalls

The Experience

I nearly spilled my coffee when our guide, Don Mario, slammed on the brakes to point out a flock of bright green parrots squabbling over something in a guava tree. He just laughed and said it happens every morning in San Isidro — apparently parrots are early risers too. The drive up through Alajuela’s coffee country was all misty hills and that rich earthy smell you get after rain. We stopped at this little place called Tres Generaciones; I tried to say “media luna” for my coffee but I think I mangled it — the barista smiled anyway and handed me a cup that tasted like chocolate and smoke.

The road wound up toward Poas Volcano, and honestly, I didn’t expect the air to feel so cold on my face when we stepped out. Steam drifted from the crater like someone left a kettle on somewhere deep below. Don Mario explained (with this half-grin) how Poas is one of only seven active volcanoes in Costa Rica — he’s been guiding here for thirty years but still gets excited when the clouds clear. We hiked up to Botos Lagoon; there was this moment where everyone just went quiet except for the wind in the trees. Kind of eerie, kind of peaceful.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens was louder — kids squealing at toucans, waterfalls thundering down rocks slick as soap. I watched a sloth blink slowly from its hammock of branches while a group next to me tried to spot jaguars behind glass (no luck). Lunch was a blur: buffet with way too many choices (I stuck with rice and beans plus something green I couldn’t name). The last waterfall sprayed us with mist so fine it felt like walking through clouds. My shoes were soaked but nobody cared by then.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in San Jose, entry fees for both Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, an air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers, a buffet lunch with lots of choices (even if you’re picky), plus guidance from someone who’s been sharing these places for decades before heading back in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by ASSISTTOURS