Things to do in San Jose
The unmissables
Most booked
Arenal Volcano Tour from San Jose: Zip Lining & Hot Springs★ 4.92 (3,723) · 14h
Top rated
Arenal Volcano Tour: Coffee, Waterfalls & Hot Springs★ 4.88 (1,660) · 14h
Best value
San Jose Food Tour: Markets, Coffee Workshop & Tastings★ 4.83 (1,921) · 3h 30m
Recommended (7)
San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees★ 4.94 (1,216) · 2h 30mUS$ 35View ›
Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Day Trip & Beaches from San Jose★ 4.87 (834) · 12hUS$ 169View ›
Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls & Coffee Day Trip from San Jose★ 4.90 (813) · 10hUS$ 185View ›
Tortuga Island Day Trip from San José: Dolphins & Snorkel★ 4.45 (704) · 12h–18hUS$ 104View ›
San Jose: Night Food Tour, Market Walk & Farm-to-Table Dinner★ 4.84 (559) · 4hUS$ 49View ›
San Jose: La Carpintera Zip Line, Rappel & Rainforest Hike★ 4.94 (546) · 3hUS$ 51View ›
Monteverde: Rain Forest Night Walk with Wildlife Sighting★ 4.65 (400) · 2hUS$ 31View ›Top rated (10)
San Jose: Costa Rica's Only Winery & Golden Berry Liqueur TastingYou tour Costa Rica's only commercial winery, walk through both grape vines and golden berry plantations, learn how the owner produces wines from three countries and a one-of-a-kind liqueur, then taste four wines with pairing plus two pours of Golden Rush. The guide explains each process as you move through the property, and the tasting is paced for real conversation, not speed.Is it for me?Right for wine drinkers curious about a region most wineries skip, or anyone wanting to taste something that exists nowhere else. The tour moves at a conversational pace, so plan for a morning or afternoon that lets you linger over the tastings and ask about the owner's three-country wine collection.
San Jose: Sarapiqui River Class III & IV Whitewater RaftingYou paddle 14 miles of Class III and IV rapids on the Sarapiqui River with a certified guide who reads the water and calls the moves. The day includes hotel pickup from San Jose, all safety gear, two hours of continuous paddling through jungle canyons, lunch, and return transport. Book at least two people per trip, and bring a valid passport.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline of serious whitewater without arranging transport from San Jose or figuring out which section of river to run — the fixed itinerary and certified guide handle the logistics and the safety, leaving you to focus on paddling.
San Jose: Aquiares Coffee Tour & Tasting 2 HoursYou walk through a working coffee farm outside Turrialba, watch beans roast and learn to taste coffee properly through a guided cupping session. The two-hour experience includes entry fees, a professional English-speaking guide, and all tastings. Groups max out at fifteen people, which keeps the pace manageable and the conversation real. Book ahead—they require a reservation before you arrive.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand where your coffee actually comes from and don't want to spend a full day traveling to get there—the two-hour format and small group size mean you get the real farm experience without the logistics of a longer excursion.
La Fortuna: Zipline Adventure & Arenal Volcano ViewsYou’ll fly through rainforest canopies near La Fortuna on nine ziplines with views of Arenal Volcano (if weather plays nice), spot wildlife like sloths or toucans with your local guide nearby, and share laughs with fellow travelers — all in just a couple hours. Perfect if you want adventure without going overboard.
Pacuare River Rafting from Turrialba: Class III & IV RapidsYou paddle eighteen miles of class III and IV rapids through a jungle canyon, stopping for lunch and seeing waterfalls from the water. The guide handles the route and timing; you bring swimsuit, shoes with ankle straps, and a change of clothes. Transfer from Turrialba is included, so you don't arrange transport yourself.Is it for me?Pick this if you want real whitewater and don't mind being tired at the end — the continuous rapids and the full-day format are what make it feel like an actual adventure instead of a guided float.
Pacuare River Rafting from San Jose: 29km White Water AdventureYou spend a full day paddling 29 kilometers of the Pacuare River's Class II to V rapids, guided by certified instructors through primary rainforest and past waterfalls only visible from the water. Transport from San Jose, all gear, and a traditional lunch are included. Plan for an early start and a long day—that's what fits the whole river into one trip.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in or near San Jose who want a full-day adventure on real whitewater without arranging their own transport or gear. Expect an early pickup and a long day out—that's what makes paddling the entire 29-kilometer section possible.
San Jose: National Theater & Central Market Walking TourYou walk through San Jose's historic center with a guide who knows the neighborhoods, stopping at the National Theater, two parks, the Cathedral, and the Central Market. Coffee or juice is included, as is water and a souvenir. The tour runs about four hours and stays on foot the whole time, so you see the city at the pace people actually live in it.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to understand San Jose's layout and history without arranging your own route—the guide handles the timing and the stories, leaving you free to notice the details and stop for photos when something catches your eye.
Pacuare River rafting tour: 4-hour private trip with lunchA private rafting tour on the Pacuare River near Turrialba, Costa Rica, where you paddle 18 miles of rapids through forest in a single morning, with lunch included and a photographer capturing the run. The trip departs at 8am and returns by 3pm, with a live guide speaking English or Spanish. Children from age 9 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Choose this if your group wants to raft alone and can reach Turrialba town by morning—the 4-hour river time fits a half-day schedule.
Sarapiquí River Rafting: Class II & III Rapids for FamiliesClass II and III rafting on the Sarapiquí River in Costa Rica, where you paddle through named rapids like Superman and Codo del Diablo, then float through calm jungle stretches to swim and spot wildlife. The experience includes transport to and from the river, an internationally certified guide in English or Spanish, all safety equipment, lunch, and tropical snacks; a minimum of two adults per booking is required, and the 8:30 am departure may shift if river levels change.Is it for me?The 8:30 am departure may shift with river level, so you'll need flexibility on timing. The three-hour paddle suits families and first-timers because the rapids are real but the day balances whitewater with calm jungle floats where you can swim and recover between sections.
San José: Chocolate Making & Tasting WorkshopYou taste cocoa at every stage of processing, from fresh fruit to finished chocolate, then make and package your own bars using local ingredients and your own creativity. All materials, equipment, and supplies are provided, and you take home what you've made in eco-friendly packaging. The workshop is accessible and runs a few hours, with no prior experience needed.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to understand where chocolate comes from and make something with your hands in the same afternoon, without needing to source ingredients or clean up afterward—the factory handles the supply chain and the mess.
Lowest price (10)
Sarapiqui Night Frog Tour: 35+ Amphibian SpeciesA guided night tour in Sarapiqui's humid tropical forest where you walk through different amphibian habitats to find and observe over 35 frog species. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the search, providing lanterns for each person and explaining the role these ecosystems play. The tour runs 1 to 2 hours and suits all fitness levels, though closed shoes or rubber boots are required.Is it for me?The 1- to 2-hour window means you can fit this into a morning or evening without reshaping the rest of your day, making it work whether you are staying in Sarapiqui or passing through on a longer itinerary.
San Jose Art Walking Tour: Contemporary Galleries & Street ArtA two-hour walking tour in San Jose explores contemporary Costa Rican art across galleries, street art, graffiti and public works, with a live English or Spanish-speaking guide. The route moves through the city center starting at Parque Morazan, passing historic buildings and sometimes meeting working artists. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended; the pace suits moderate fitness levels.Is it for me?Small groups keep the pace conversational and give you room to linger at pieces that catch your eye—this works well if you want to ask the guide questions and absorb the work without feeling rushed through a standard itinerary.
San Jose Walking Tour: 40+ stops, galleries & public artYou walk through San Jose's galleries, parks, and public art with a guide who explains current Costa Rica alongside the sites themselves. Forty-plus stops over a few hours, small groups, meeting at Parque Morazan at 10:15am. The route shifts based on what's happening that day—protests, concerts, ceremonies—so no two tours are identical. Book in advance; same-day availability requires an email.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to understand San Jose beyond the guidebook—someone curious about how Costa Ricans live now, not just what happened in the past. Expect to be on your feet for a few hours with a guide who reads the city as it happens that day, which is what makes the tour feel alive instead of scripted.
Monteverde: Curicancha Birdwatching Tour for Quetzals & Cloud Forest BirdsYou’ll walk slow beneath dripping leaves as your guide helps you spot resplendent quetzals and dozens of cloud forest birds in Monteverde’s Curicancha Reserve. With small groups and a high-definition spotting scope included, you’ll get close-up views—and maybe even hear monkeys overhead or orchids blooming along the trail.
Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: National Theater & Historic SitesThis is a guided walking tour of downtown San Jose lasting three hours, led by a live guide in English or Spanish, that moves through the city's most significant historic sites. The route includes the National Theater (home of the Costa Rican Symphony Orchestra), the National Monument, a historic park in the Barrio Amón neighborhood, and the main cathedral. Children are welcome from age 8.Is it for me?The three-hour pace is built for walking—you'll cover downtown on foot with stops to look and listen, so come ready to stand and move between sites rather than sit. This works well if you want the history and architecture explained as you go, rather than reading plaques on your own.
San Jose: Downtown Bar Crawl with Shots & Entry FeesYou’ll jump straight into San Jose’s nightlife with a local guide who knows every corner. Expect shots, beers or Smirnoff, music that pulls you in—even if you can’t dance—and real moments with travelers from everywhere. You’ll leave grinning and probably humming reggaeton under your breath.
San Jose to SJO Airport: Private Minivan Transfer & Meet-GreetYou're picked up at your San Jose hotel by a professional chauffeur in a private minivan, avoiding taxi lines and language barriers on the way to the airport. The driver meets you, handles your luggage, and includes bottled water and 15 minutes of waiting time. You arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport relaxed, with your flight details and phone number confirmed at booking.Is it for me?Right choice if you're leaving San Jose without a car and want to skip the taxi negotiation and language barrier. The fixed price and fixed pickup time mean you're not arranging transport on the morning of your flight.
San Jose to La Fortuna Transfer: 2.5 hours, no rental carYou’ll leave busy San Jose or SJO Airport behind for a relaxed ride north to La Fortuna—mountains rolling by your window, plus a break at Mi Rancho Restaurant for snacks or stretching your legs. With an easygoing local driver and AC comfort along the way, you’ll arrive ready for adventure—or maybe just another coffee.
San Jose - La Fortuna: Shuttle transfer with Wi-Fi & pickupOn this shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna, you’ll get picked up right at your door, settle into comfy reclining seats with Wi-Fi and power outlets, and enjoy a real Costa Rican coffee break along the way. With help for your luggage and friendly local drivers who know every twist of the road, it’s more than just a ride — it’s a relaxed start to your next chapter in La Fortuna.
San Jose Bike & Bites: City tour with local food tastingA guided bicycle tour of San Jose that covers historical landmarks, parks and neighborhoods in 3–4 hours, led by a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish. The tour includes an urban bike, helmet, empanadas from Empanadas El Frontón (operating since 1948), and specialty coffee brewed by a local barista. Children are welcome from age 12 when accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?The tour runs 3–4 hours of steady riding through city neighborhoods, so it suits anyone comfortable on a bike for that length of time. If you want to see San Jose without renting a car or joining a bus group, the pace and the stops are built around moving slowly enough to notice the streets and eat where locals do.
