Things to do in San Jose
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San José: Río Celeste hike with swim & Caldera beach stopYou’ll start your day early from San José heading north with a local guide, hiking lush trails to see Río Celeste’s glowing waterfall and volcanic pools. After lunch at a family-run spot, you’ll swim in turquoise water on private land before ending with artisan ice cream at Caldera beach — moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.
SJO Airport - San Jose: Private Minivan Transfer with Local DriverYou’ll step off your flight at SJO airport and spot your name in the crowd—no stress about language or lines. A local driver greets you with bottled water and stories about San Jose as you ride in comfort straight to your hotel. It’s an easy start that feels personal—one of those small arrivals you’ll remember long after the trip.
Central Valley tour: Markets & coffee farm, half-day privateA half-day private tour of Costa Rica's Central Valley that skips the resort loop and moves through working communities, local markets, and hidden spots a guide chooses based on your preferences. The route includes stops at places like Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm, Sarchí's artisan workshops, or a wildlife shelter, with a live guide in English or Spanish and hotel pickup included. Food stops and the exact itinerary are built around what interests you, and entrance fees stay optional so you control the spend.Is it for me?Book this if you have a morning or afternoon free and want to see how people actually live in the Central Valley, not a highlight reel. The half-day length leaves the rest of your day open, and the private format means the stops shift to match what you're curious about instead of following a bus-tour script.
Pacuare River rafting: Class III-IV white water from San JosePacuare River rafting from San Jose is a full-day activity where you navigate 19 miles of Class III-IV white water through Costa Rica's rainforest, with hotel pickup, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch and all safety gear included. The river runs warm year-round and passes waterfalls, wildlife and dense vegetation throughout the route. Minimum age is 12; moderate fitness required.Is it for me?Book this if you're ready for a full day of active paddling through Class III-IV rapids—you'll need to follow guide commands throughout and handle moderate physical exertion in the boat.
Private La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour from San JoséIf you want to see Costa Rica’s famous waterfalls and wildlife without crowds or hassle, this private tour covers it all—scenic hikes, rescued animals, and local flavors. You’ll get personal insights from your guide and plenty of time to explore at your own pace.
Tortuga Island Day Trip from San José: Snorkeling & White SandYou get hotel pickup, a 50-minute boat ride to Tortuga Island, a guided snorkeling tour of the reefs, lunch, and the afternoon free to swim, kayak, or relax on the white sand. The guide stays with you all day and handles the logistics, so you show up and the day unfolds. Return to San José by early evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Tortuga Island experience—snorkeling, beach time, and lunch—without arranging your own transport or timing; the guide and fixed schedule handle all of that, leaving you free to just show up and swim.
Private Costa Rica Waterfalls & Caverns Tour from San JoseGet off the tourist track with a private day trip from San Jose to Bajos del Toro. Hike secret waterfalls, explore caves, and soak up local Costa Rican life—all at your pace.
La Fortuna Zipline and Coffee Chocolate Tour: 9 cables with volcano viewsA combo activity in La Fortuna that pairs a canopy zipline tour with a hands-on cultural tasting. You zipline across 9 cables and 10 platforms ranging from 80 to 550 meters above the rainforest, then move to a demonstration space to learn how Costa Ricans make coffee, chocolate and sugar cane juice — and taste each one. The tour runs 3 hours, includes pickup from downtown La Fortuna, and a live guide leads in English or Spanish. Children from age 4 can zipline; guests over 125 kg are not permitted on the cables.Is it for me?Three hours leaves room for breakfast before or a late lunch after, so you can fit this into a half-day without reshaping your whole schedule. The zipline part is the adrenaline, the tasting part is the culture — if you want both in one morning without choosing between them, this combo delivers both.
Pacuare River Rafting 2-Day: Class III & IV Rapids, LodgeA 2-day whitewater rafting and hiking expedition on the Pacuare River from San Jose, paddling 13 kilometers of Class III rapids on day one and 23 kilometers of Class IV rapids on day two, with an overnight stay at a riverside lodge in primary rainforest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included; pickup from San Jose and return transport to your hotel are arranged. Minimum age is 18, and moderate fitness is required.Is it for me?The two-day structure means you paddle Class III water first and Class IV rapids on day two, when you've had practice and rest—the schedule is built around your skill progression, not compressed into one hard push. If you're arriving in San Jose with a free afternoon and want to spend a night in the rainforest without flying out to a remote lodge, this trip leaves from the city and returns you to it.
Poás Volcano National Park: Crater & Geysers Ticket from San JoseYou get entry to Poás Volcano National Park and access to the crater rim, where you'll see the sulfuric lake 320 meters below, active fumaroles releasing steam and gas, and geysers that shoot up to 250 meters high. The park sits at 2,708 meters elevation, so plan two to three hours and bring layers. Arrange your own transport from San Jose or book a separate transfer before your visit.Is it for me?Right for anyone in San Jose who wants to see an active volcano and doesn't need a guided tour or transport arranged — you handle the drive yourself and move at your own pace around the crater rim.
Private Shuttle Jaco to San Jose Airport with WiFi & Flexible PickupYou get door-to-door service from your hotel or rental in Jaco straight to San Jose airport—no hassle, no crowds. Enjoy free WiFi, cold water, and friendly local drivers who know the best routes. It’s flexible and easy—you set the schedule.
Private La Fortuna Waterfall & Baldi Hot Springs Tour from San JoseYou’ll hike through rainforest to swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall and then unwind at Baldi Hot Springs—all with private transport and a local guide from San Jose. It’s a full day of nature, adventure, and real Costa Rican flavors.
Costa Rica 5-Day Jungle & Island Tour: Tortuga, Arenal, RaftingYou’ll swim off white-sand beaches at Tortuga Island, hike rainforest trails to waterfalls near Arenal Volcano, soak in natural hot springs, and paddle down wild rivers—all with local guides who know their stuff. If you want real Costa Rican adventure without missing comfort or culture, this is your trip.
Ziplining & Horseback Riding from San Jose: Private Canopy TourA private zipline canopy tour and horseback riding activity from San Jose combines two adventures in Braulio Carrillo National Park's rainforest, with hotel pickup, a professional naturalist guide, and lunch included. The 10-hour day covers a 90-minute drive each way to the Sarapiquí region, where you'll zip across 9 lines and ride through tropical forest with a local expert before returning to your hotel.Is it for me?Book this when you have a full day free and want both ziplining and rainforest hiking in one trip; the private format lets you control the pace through each activity, and your guide handles all logistics so you move straight from canopy to forest.
