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San José ProvinceHiking

Our most recommended San José Province Hiking

From San José: Poas Volcano and Alsacia Coffe Farm

1. From San José: Poas Volcano and Alsacia Coffe Farm

Enjoy a tour to the Poas Volcano National Park, and immerse yourself in the beautiful local nature in the park and see the volcano. Finish the tour with a visit to a coffee farm where Starbucks coffee is grown. Visit the Poás Volcano National Park, enjoy the walk admiring local vegetation and animals, and notice where there is a notable change in temperature and exuberant cloud forest vegetation. See the Poás Volcano is an active stratovolcano of 2,708 m (8,885 ft), with a crater over a mile wide and 1,050 feet deep. Learn more about the volcano, which has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April 2017. Take time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and walk along a path to the beautiful Botos Lagoon while you learn about the different ecosystems of the park. End the tour with a visit to the first Starbucks coffee farm, Alsacia where you can enjoy the views and have a delicious coffee.

San José: Guided Volcano, Waterfall & Coffee Farm Day Trip

2. San José: Guided Volcano, Waterfall & Coffee Farm Day Trip

Visit the Poás Volcano, the picturesque La Paz outdoor waterfall, and a coffee farm on a day trip from San José, Costa Rica. A wonderful choice for coffee aficionados and nature lovers alike, this tour includes a hotel pickup and lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation in San Jose and make your way to your first stop for the day, the Poás Volcano. Travel in an air-conditioned van and admire coffee plantations as well as flower and strawberry farms along the way. Poás is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes and last erupted in April 2017. The volcano and the surrounding park were closed for close to 17 months and a safety perimeter of nearly 2.5 kilometers was established around the erupting crater. At the volcano, you'll have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles. Then, follow a trail to the Botos Lagoon, a crater lake located inside the Poás Volcano National Park. As you hike, learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After your trek, refuel with a delicious lunch of local fare at one of the restaurants in the area. Then, head out to your next destination, the La Paz Waterfall. Gaze at La Paz waterfall as you stroll along paved trails through cloud forests and rainforests. Make the most of excellent photo opportunitiesand see the falls from different vantage points on the outside. Then, head to your final stop for the day, the Hacienda coffee farm, the first and only Coffee farm. See the visitor center and learn what Coffee is doing to empower farmers, promote sustainable practices, and develop the next generation of coffee. At the end of your Costa Rica adventure, enjoy a convenient transfer back to your hotel in San José.

From San José: Manuel Antonio Day Trip

3. From San José: Manuel Antonio Day Trip

Admire the unique flora and fauna of the Manuel Antonio National Park on this guided day trip. Stop purchase a local lunch and take in ocean views on the ride in a spacious and climate-controlled bus from San José. Take a guided walk to a breathtaking beach and have free time to swim or explore.  Enjoy the convenience of pickup in the morning from select hotels. Relax aboard a comfortable bus on the drive through the mountains that surround the central valley. Pass along the main road that connects the capital with the coastal area. Stop at a restaurant where you can purchase a delicious typical Costa Rican breakfast in the Pacific area. Take the Costanera Sur highway into the park, enjoying beautiful views of the ocean, African palm plantations, and picturesque towns. Reach the Port of Quepos and from there continue to the National Park. Go for a walk in the rainforest along a nature trail of the national park until you reach the beach. Have free time to swim or go on a hike on one of the trails where you can spy monkeys, raccoons, iguanas, birds, and sloths. Spend some free hiking to Punta Catedral to capture pictures of the spectacular view. After having enjoyed the national park, walk back to the restaurant where a delectable lunch awaits your before taking bus back to the city.

San Jose: Irazú Volcano, Cartago City & Orosi Valley Tour

4. San Jose: Irazú Volcano, Cartago City & Orosi Valley Tour

Start with a pickup from your hotel and travel by minibus along the Panamerican Highway until you reach the base of the Irazú Volcano. Travel up the winding road through fertile farmlands where many types of fruit and vegetables are cultivated.  Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. At the summit of the volcano, on a clear day, marvel at the spectacular view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Next, descend to the city of Cartago and stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica. Discover this local pilgrimage site which has large vaulted ceilings and exquisite examples of stained glass windows.  Continue the tour through the Orosi Valley, an area of magnificent natural beauty. Visit one of the few remaining colonial churches in the region and stop for a tasty typical lunch at one of the local restaurants. Finally, be returned to your hotel to complete the tour.

San José: Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, & Zip Lining w/ Meals

5. San José: Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, & Zip Lining w/ Meals

Tour the best locations in Costa Rica and learn about local life and culture from those who live there. Visit a coffee plantation, zip line, and soak in the hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Take the scenic route to the Arenal Volcano and visit a coffee plantation along the way. Gain an insight into the world of Costa Rican coffee and taste one of the best coffees in the world. Arrive at the "La Paz" and "San Fernando" waterfalls and admire the exotic tropical birds of Costa Rica, including many species of hummingbirds and rare emerald toucanets. Take in the views at the San Fernando Waterfall observation point before heading to the "Iguana Bridge", where you will have the chance to spot iguanas, sloths, monkeys, and toucans. Stop for an authentic Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located in "La Fortuna." Then, prepare for a zip-lining adventure in the local rainforest jungles with 9 canopy cables and a 50 meter (150 feet) rappel on the Arenal River. Learn about the culture while listening to a "Maleku" Indigenous tribe presentation from locals. Relax for a couple of hours in the Paradise Hot Springs at the base of Arenal Volcano, surrounded by tropical gardens followed by dinner.

From San Jose: Irazu Volcano Crater Hike and Cartago Trip

6. From San Jose: Irazu Volcano Crater Hike and Cartago Trip

Discover the highest volcano in Costa Rica on a hiking tour from San Jose. Trek through breathtaking scenery to reach the summit of the Irazú Volcano and gaze into the emerald lagoon in its crater. Departing from San Jose, take the South Panamerican Highway to start the ascent toward Irazú Volcano National Park (entry included). The winding road travels through fertile lands cultivated with all kinds of vegetables.  On the top of the volcano, observe the main craters and, on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Afterward, descend to the city of Cartago and stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica.

Monteverde: Sky Walk, Sky Tram & Sky Trek Ziplining Tour

7. Monteverde: Sky Walk, Sky Tram & Sky Trek Ziplining Tour

Explore Monteverde in a new way by getting a new perspective on the forest through the Sky Walk, SKy Tram, and the Sky Trek system of zip lines to admire the forest from the air. Spot different flora and fauna from the air, and admire the cloud forest, Arenal Volcano, Miravelles, and Orosi Volcanoes. Begin the tour with the Sky Walk guided tour, which combines trails and suspension bridges of varying lengths and heights above the canopy of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Enjoy the flora and fauna of the area while being immersed in the forest's canopy, and learn from a guide specializing in the forest. Next, enjoy the Sky Tram portion of the tour, and have the opportunity to ride through the forest with short stops to observe the forest's biodiversity, and spot Arenal, Tenorio, Miravilles, and Orosi Volcanoes, and admire the Nicoya Gulf and Guanacaste Plain if the weather permits. For the final portion of the tour, enjoy the Sky Trek system of zip lines, which combined cover over 2.5 miles of distance through the forest. Enjoy a unique experience of adventure and adrenaline with speeds up to 40 miles per hour and distances ranging up to 2500 feet and heights of 524 feet. Absorb the views from five different observation towers over the cloud forest's treetops offering a panoramic view of the surroundings. Try the Sky Trek Vertigo drop, perfect for anyone looking for an adrenaline-filled activity.

Poás Volcano, Coffee Plantation & La Paz Waterfall Gardens

8. Poás Volcano, Coffee Plantation & La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Experience Costa Rica's nature and culture on this full-day tour from San José. Your first destination is the Doka Estate coffee plantation, where you'll learn all about the ancient techniques of producing some of the best coffee in Costa Rica and around the world. Experience the careful process involved in the cultivation, harvesting, and roasting of the Golden Bean before tasting the delectable product. After your coffee tour, continue to Poás Volcano National Park, where there is a noticeable change in temperature and beautiful scenery in a cloud forest. Climb up Poás Volcano, an active stratovolcano that most recently erupted in 2017. The crater of the volcano is over a mile across and 1,050 feet deep, making for breathtaking views. Hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as you learn about the different ecosystems in the park. Then, continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and enjoy a buffet lunch of traditional Costa Rican dishes. After lunch, explore the lush tropical rainforest. See the flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds before returning to San José.

Guanacaste: Sensoria Rainforest Walking and Thermals Tour

9. Guanacaste: Sensoria Rainforest Walking and Thermals Tour

Enjoy an eco-luxury rainforest experience at Sensoria in the Costa Rican rainforest on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Walk through the exotic jungle, see the fluorescent Aguilar Waterfall and swim in Pilon Thermal Pool, before ending your visit with a delicious lunch of local produce.  On arrival, your guide is waiting to take you on a trek through the beautiful tropical rainforest on the northern slope of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The 6km trail is alive with a vibrant ecosystem and there is plenty of wildlife and plants to be seen along the way.  Feel the strength of the fresh wind channeled through the canyon at Buenos Aires Waterfall. See continuously running fresh water at Danta Pool and Waterfall, a natural magnet for wildlife which can often be seen drinking and bathing here. Walk to Aguilar Pool and Waterfall, rich in silicon which covers the river stones in a smooth white layer. The sun’s reflection produces a magical fluorescent blue color that is hard to resist.  Explore the magnificent Jicara Pool and Waterfall, named after a very special tree - Jicaro de Danto. This unique tree is endemic to the Guanacaste and Tilaran mountain ranges and its fruit which looks like giant pickles is loved by tapirs and bats. Take a dip in the warm, curative volcanic waters of Pilon Thermal Pool. These waters are widely known for their healing and nourishing properties for the skin and hair. If weather permits, your guide can take you to the canopy of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, where on a clear day you can see the Lake of Nicaragua and the majestic Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Finish your rainforest experience with lunch. Select from a menu offering vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and omnivorous options. Enjoy delicious Costa Rican coffee afterward along with locally made sweets.

La Fortuna: Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

10. La Fortuna: Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

The hanging bridges in the Arenal Volcano Region are a perfect place for travelling the forest comfortably in revitalizing paths full of nature and wildlife. A professional and bilingual tour guide will navigate this wonderful hike through the rainforest and across hanging bridges. The trail is well marked and there is a 3.2 km of trails in total, which allows comfortably enjoying the Rain forest. With a majestic Arenal Volcano right in front, you can admire its beauty and the wonderful forest that surrounds it, as well as this reserve populated with thousands of species that inhabit this reservation, trees, flowers, plants, insects, mammals, reptiles, frogs and many others live in an ecosystem in perfect balance. This tour is a great option for families, older adults or couples who want to enjoy a closer experience through the rainforest in Costa Rica.

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Frequently asked questions about San José Province Hiking

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What people are saying about San José Province

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 23 reviews

Best tour of my trip. Edgar was great guide, very accommodating, informative, and funny. Make sure to bring warm clothing - it can be literally freezing at volcano and very windy. Lunch was terrific at beautiful restaurant. Make sure to go explore the path in the garden below.

Great tour, best way to get to La Fortuna from San Jose as you stop off at several sites including coffee plantation, two waterfalls and zip lining. It was our first day and a great introduction to Costa Rica

This was a beautiful tour of dense rainforest & beautiful scenery that involved a nature walk & tram ride. The tour guide was very informative, knowledgeable, kind, & helpful.

La caminata por el bosque es increíble. Y las tirolesas wooooow si eres fan de la adrenalina y aventura obvio debes hacerlas

Great guide, great excursion. I can only recommend