Things to do in San Jose
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Liberia Airport - Guanacaste: Private transfer with driverYou’ll step out of Liberia or San Jose Airport into Costa Rica’s lush air and find your private driver waiting for you. Enjoy a smooth ride through Guanacaste’s countryside with bottled water and local tips along the way. With hotel pickup and drop-off included both ways, you can settle in and soak up those first moments — the kind you’ll remember long after the trip.
Poas Volcano & Coffee Farm Tour from San Jose: Includes lunch and park feesA full-day tour from San Jose combines Poas Volcano, an active 2,708-meter stratovolcano with a crater over a mile across, and a hands-on coffee farm tour at a working plantation near the volcano's base. Hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, a guide in English, bottled water and lunch are included. The route ascends through coffee plantations, fern farms and cloud forest, with time to view the main crater and its sulfur fumaroles before moving to the coffee farm's visitor center, tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio and roaster.Is it for me?The 10- to 12-hour commitment means you see both the volcano crater and walk the working coffee farm without cutting either one short—but it also takes most of your day, so book this when you have a full morning and afternoon free and don't need to fit other stops into the same day.
Arenal: Suspension Bridges, La Fortuna Falls & Hot Springs Day TripYou’ll hike down jungle trails to swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall, cross hanging bridges above the rainforest canopy with an expert guide spotting wildlife, then unwind in natural hot springs facing Arenal Volcano—all with transport from San Jose and lunch included. Expect laughter, new friends, and moments that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.
Tortuguero National Park day trip: Canals and wildlifeA full-day tour from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park combines a drive through Braulio Carrillo's cloud forest with a boat trip through jungle canals and lagoons where you watch wildlife in its habitat—crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas and birds. Breakfast and a typical Caribbean lunch are included, as are park fees and an English or Spanish-speaking guide. You'll need to provide your full name, nationality and passport number before departure so the operator can register you with the park's ticketing system.Is it for me?Book this if you're comfortable spending most of a full day on a boat—wildlife viewing happens from your seat, so no hiking required, but you'll need several hours of continuous boat time.
Braulio Carrillo: Aerial Tram, Zipline & Butterfly Garden DayYou’ll glide silently above Braulio Carrillo’s rainforest on an aerial tram, zipline between treetops with guides who keep things light, and get close to butterflies and orchids in peaceful gardens. Expect laughter, maybe some nerves on the cables, and plenty of small surprises along winding trails—this day is as much about feeling alive as seeing wildlife.
Tortuga Island Day Trip from San José: Dolphins & Beach LunchYou leave San José before dawn, stop for breakfast en route, then board a boat to Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya. Five hours on a turquoise-water beach includes snorkeling, lunch, fresh fruit and coffee; dolphins appear if conditions allow. The return drive to San José takes the evening, with the whole day running roughly ten hours from pickup to drop-off.Is it for me?Right for anyone based in or near San José who wants a full beach day without arranging a boat, buying tickets separately, or figuring out the drive to the coast—the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up and the rest is handled.
Monteverde Zipline Canopy Tour: 9 Lines & Tarzan SwingA canopy zipline tour in Monteverde with 9 regular ziplines, 2 superman ziplines, 1 hammock bridge, 1 rappel and 1 mega Tarzan swing, spanning 4.2 kilometers through the cloud forest. Private transportation and all safety gear are included; pickup happens 30–50 minutes before your confirmed start time. The course involves a fairly intensive hike between each platform, and weight limits apply: 253 pounds for the main tour, 220 pounds for superman and rappel activities.Is it for me?Book this tour if you are comfortable with sustained physical exertion—the hikes between platforms are fairly intensive—and want the longest and highest ziplines in the region. Small groups keep the pace steady and the platforms uncrowded, so you spend your time on the cables instead of waiting.
Horseback Riding in La Fortuna: River Crossings & Forest TrailsHorseback riding in La Fortuna takes you through tropical forest trails and across river crossings on well-trained horses, led by a bilingual local guide. The experience runs about 2 hours with flexible pacing for photos and breaks, includes fresh fruit at the start and a natural drink at the end, and suits all ages and riding levels. Groups stay small (2 to 15 travelers), and you get time to feed the horses before leaving.Is it for me?Book this if you have a free afternoon in La Fortuna and want to move through the landscape instead of watching it pass—the river crossings and forest trails are part of the ride itself, not a backdrop, and the small group size means the pace stays yours.
Poás Volcano National Park tour from San José: Main crater hikeA half-day tour from San José to Poás Volcano National Park includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional guide, breakfast and bottled water. You walk the trails around the main crater, see the sulfur fumaroles and pass through coffee plantations, fern farms and flower fields on the drive up. The tour skips the entrance lines, and the guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?If you're staying in San José without a rental car, the hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the park—the guide collects you and handles the drive, so you can leave early and spend the morning at the crater instead of figuring out how to get there.
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.
Costa Rica: Ebano Waterfalls Hike & Rainforest Safari LunchYou’ll trek rainforest trails with a local guide, cross streams and bridges under towering trees, swim beneath double waterfalls at Ebano Natural Reserve, and share a banana-leaf lunch by the river. Expect laughter, wildlife sightings—maybe even monkeys—and moments that stick with you long after you’re dry again.
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.
Pacuare River: Whitewater Rafting Tour from San Jose with PickupYou’ll feel your heart race as you tackle Pacuare River’s wildest rapids with a local guide by your side. Drift beneath rainforest canopies, catch glimpses of toucans or maybe even a sloth, and refuel with Costa Rican lunch after paddling hard. It’s equal parts thrill and quiet awe — something you’ll carry long after you dry off.
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.
Poás Volcano, Coffee & La Paz Waterfall from San JoseThis full-day tour from San Jose climbs Poás Volcano, tours a coffee plantation, and explores La Paz Waterfall Gardens with a professional guide, hotel pickup and buffet lunch included. You visit the active 2,708-metre volcano's main crater and hike to Botos Lagoon, learn how Costa Rican coffee is grown and roasted, then walk through rainforest trails past five waterfalls and animal exhibits. Entry lines are skipped at every stop.Is it for me?At 11 hours from pickup to return, this tour fills most of a day and leaves the evening free. If you want to see an active volcano, learn how Costa Rican coffee is made, and walk past five waterfalls in rainforest without arranging three separate trips, the fixed itinerary and included transport hold it together.
Carara National Park wildlife tour with biologistA small-group wildlife and birdwatching tour from San Jose that combines hiking through Carara National Park's primary and secondary forest with a boat journey down the Tarcoles River mangrove mouth. You walk the trails alongside a certified biologist or guide, spot monkeys, crocodiles, birds and reptiles, then finish at a Pacific beachfront. Hotel pickup and park entry are included; groups stay under four people.Is it for me?Book the public tour if you're flexible on dates and want to meet other wildlife enthusiasts; choose the private option if you prefer a set date and a tour built around your group's pace and interests. Either way, the small group size and biologist guide mean you're not competing for sightings or the guide's attention—the forest and the river stay the focus.
Braulio Carrillo Rainforest Zip-Line: 10 Canopy CablesZip line through Braulio Carrillo National Park on 10 cables strung between 14 platforms, gliding above the Atlantic region's lush treetops and misty valleys with an expert guide. The 2.5-hour experience includes short nature walks between lines where you spot tropical birds and giant ferns, plus access to the terrarium and butterfly garden. Children from age 5 are welcome; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?The 10 cables and 14 platforms mean you spend the whole 2.5 hours in motion through the canopy rather than waiting at a single platform—this is continuous flight with nature walks woven in, not a single-line experience. Choose this if you want the adrenaline of sustained zip-lining through an intact rainforest, not a quick thrill or a crowded tour.
Arenal Forest Horseback Riding: Cross Rivers on Calm HorsesPacos Horseback Ride is a two-hour guided tour through Arenal's rainforest and open fields on calm, well-cared-for horses, including a river crossing, a visit to a small farm, and a riverside stop with fresh tropical fruit. Small groups keep the pace relaxed and allow personal attention for both beginners and experienced riders. Children from age 5 can participate; pickup is included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?You ride the horses yourself on rainforest trails and across the river—this is not a guided sightseeing tour where someone else handles the animals. Small groups and calm horses make it work for beginners and children from age 5, but if you need a completely hands-off experience or have spinal, cardiovascular or pregnancy concerns, a different activity will suit you better.
Irazu Volcano & Cartago Tour: Crater Views & Valley LunchA day tour from San Jose to Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago City and Orosi Valley with a guide, park entry and lunch included. The driver picks you up from your hotel between 7 and 7:30am and takes you 12 miles east through the Panamerican Highway to the volcano, where you walk to the main craters and see panoramic views of the Caribbean and Central Valley. After Cartago City's Los Angeles Basilica, you stop at a viewpoint over the Orosi River Valley before lunch at a local restaurant, returning to San Jose by 3pm.Is it for me?Eight hours is enough to reach the crater, see Cartago City and the Orosi Valley viewpoint, and eat lunch without rushing, but it leaves the rest of your day free — you're back in San Jose by 3pm. The fixed schedule and included transport mean you don't arrange the drive or the park entry yourself.
San Jose to Wildlife Rescue: Sloths, Macaws, Monkeys TourA private four-hour tour from San Jose to a wildlife rescue center with hotel pickup and drop-off, where a guide teaches you about rescued animals—parrots, macaws, owls, sloths and spider monkeys—and the conservation work behind running the center. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the air-conditioned vehicle and all areas of the ranch are wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?The four-hour window fits a morning or afternoon slot without consuming your whole day, which works if you want to see the rescue center but also have time for other San Jose activities. If you need a full-day immersion or plan to spend the afternoon elsewhere in the Central Valley, this tour leaves room for that.
