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San José: Doka Coffee, Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfalls Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/43

Duration13h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Coffee aromas volcano mist and waterfalls near San José in one full day

You’ll taste fresh-brewed coffee at Doka Estate as mist lifts off the fields, stand at Poás Volcano’s rim with sulfur clouds drifting past, then wander rainforest trails past waterfalls and wildlife at La Paz Gardens. With breakfast, lunch and transport included, you’ll feel Costa Rica’s wild beauty—all in one day.

13h

Step-by-step itinerary

Breakfast at Doka Coffee Estate
Guided coffee plantation tour
Visit Poás Volcano National Park crater
Walk trails at La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Explore animal exhibits at La Paz Gardens

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the smell—sort of nutty, warm, almost sweet—coming from the Doka Coffee Estate as we shuffled off the bus. Our guide, Andrés, grinned and handed us mugs before we’d even said good morning. I’m not a morning person but honestly, that first sip with the mountain air around us was something else. He walked us through rows of coffee plants still wet from last night’s rain, explaining how they pick each bean by hand. I tried to help but mostly just got muddy shoes. Breakfast was simple but good—eggs, gallo pinto, plantains—and I kept sneaking extra sips of coffee when no one was looking.

On the drive up to Poás Volcano, clouds pressed close against the windows and everything outside looked washed in green. We only had about twenty minutes at the crater (rules are rules), but it felt longer somehow. The crater itself is huge—like staring into another planet—with these wisps of sulfur smoke drifting out and birds calling somewhere you couldn’t see. Andrés pointed out tiny wildflowers growing in cracks between rocks. It’s colder up there than you’d think; I wished I’d brought a thicker jacket.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens was loud with birdsong and water rushing over rocks—you can’t really hear yourself think sometimes. There were toucans flashing yellow chests in the trees and butterflies landing on everyone’s hats (mine too). The animal exhibits surprised me; a jaguar sleeping with its paws curled under like a housecat, hummingbirds darting so fast they’re just blurs. The trails get muddy after rain so watch your step—I nearly slipped trying to take a photo of one waterfall and ended up laughing with a couple from Cartago who’d done the same thing. Lunch was included—rice, beans again (never tired of it), chicken stew—and we ate looking out over all that green.

I keep thinking about that moment at Poás when everything went quiet for a second except for wind moving through the trees. Maybe it’s silly but it felt like standing right on the edge of something wild and old. If you’ve got a day in San José and want to see what Costa Rica feels like outside the city—coffee fields, volcano mist, waterfalls thundering down into jungle—it’s all packed into this trip.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from San José in an air-conditioned vehicle, guided visits with all entry fees covered at Doka Coffee Estate (with breakfast), Poás Volcano crater viewing (timed per park regulations), rainforest trails through La Paz Waterfall Gardens plus a hearty Costa Rican lunch before heading back to town.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Expediciones Tropicales Day Tours