Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfalls Private Tour Highlights

See an active volcano's crater and five waterfalls in a single morning and afternoon

This eight-hour private tour from La Paz pairs two major natural attractions: Poás Volcano National Park, where you walk a short trail to an overlook above a 1.5 km crater, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where trails lead past five waterfalls and through wildlife sanctuaries holding monkeys, sloths, jungle cats and toucans. Your bilingual guide explains the volcano's 2017 eruption and the ecosystem it shaped, then walks you through the gardens' butterfly observatory, orchid displays and frog pond. Lunch, entrance fees and air-conditioned transport are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Poas Volcano National Park30m · entry included
2. La Paz Waterfall Gardens4h · entry included

Visit Poas Volcano and La Paz Gardens

• Walk trail to Poás Volcano overlook
• Learn about volcano eruptions and ecosystem
• Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens trails
• Visit butterfly observatory and wildlife sanctuary
• See waterfalls and rainforest wildlife

The experience

Eight hours lets you fit two separate destinations into one trip without rushing between them. Poás Volcano sits at the start: a short 0.5 km trail (about ten minutes each way) leads to the overlook where the crater opens below you. The main crater measures nearly 1.5 km across and ranks among the world's largest active ones. Your guide walks you through what scientists monitor daily to keep visits safe, how the acidic lagoon inside the crater formed, and why the fertile volcanic soil supports the rainforest surrounding it. The 2017 eruption shaped much of what you see, and that history frames the landscape.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens occupies the second half of the day. Five waterfalls cascade through the property, each reachable by trail, and the gardens layer in Central America's largest butterfly observatory, hummingbird gardens, orchid collections and bromeliad displays. The wildlife sanctuaries hold rescued monkeys, sloths, jungle cats and toucans. The Frog Pond, Serpentarium and Insect Exhibit add depth to what you encounter on the trails. The whole site is built around immersion in rainforest rather than a single viewpoint, so you move through different ecosystems and see animals in their habitat rather than in rows.

Lunch is buffet-style and included. The vehicle is air-conditioned, WiFi runs on board, and your guide speaks both English and Spanish, so you can follow in either language. Bring a rain jacket: the altitude and rainforest mean weather can shift quickly. Cruise ship passengers need to provide ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at booking so the guide can time your return.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Poás Volcano National Park and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
• buffet lunch.
• bilingual tour guide in English and Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Syl Travel Day Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to move at your own pace between two contrasting landscapes (an active volcano crater and rainforest trails with waterfalls) in one eight-hour day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the main crater of Poás Volcano like when you reach the overlook?

Poás Volcano's main crater measures nearly 1.5 km across and ranks among the world's largest active craters. From the overlook at the end of a short 0.5 km trail, you see the immense crater opening below, and your guide explains the acidic lagoon inside, the volcanic gases that shape the ecosystem, and how the 2017 eruption reshaped the landscape around it.

How many waterfalls are at La Paz Waterfall Gardens and how do you see them?

Five waterfalls cascade through La Paz Waterfall Gardens, each reachable by trail. The property is designed so you walk through rainforest and gardens to reach them rather than viewing from a single spot, letting you move through different ecosystems and see the waterfalls in their natural setting.

What wildlife will I see at La Paz Waterfall Gardens?

La Paz holds rescued monkeys, sloths, jungle cats and toucans in wildlife sanctuaries throughout the gardens. You'll also encounter animals on the trails themselves. The property includes a Frog Pond, Serpentarium and Insect Exhibit, plus Central America's largest butterfly observatory and hummingbird gardens.

Is this tour suitable if I have moderate fitness but haven't hiked much recently?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The main hike is the 0.5 km trail to Poás Volcano's overlook, which takes about ten minutes each way. La Paz Waterfall Gardens involves walking trails to reach the five waterfalls and different garden areas, so you'll be on your feet for much of the afternoon, though the pace is self-directed.

What do I need to bring or know before booking?

Bring a rain jacket, as the altitude and rainforest mean weather can shift quickly. At booking, all participants must provide passport name, number, expiry and country. Cruise ship passengers must also provide ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time so the guide can time your return to the port.