San Jose Tours and Activities
Activities and Tours
Volcan Poás
Located only 47 kilometers from San Jose Poás is a very developed and the most visited national park in Costa Rica. It draws herds of people wishing to peer into the devil's throat of an active volcano. It is easy to see the activity from the creator's edge lookout, with hot steam rising from one of the largest volcanic creators on earth. A visit to the Poás is not complete without following the 25 minute trail to the old creator, now a lagoon called Botos Lake. Walk the trails around the national park and try to spot the Poás Green-Yellow Squirrel which is only found in this area. Clouds do often gather spoiling the view so by coming early you can usually find the creator cloud free. The site also has a visitor centre, museum and café.
Expediciones Tropicales offers tours to the Poás volcano for $36 USD.
The 5 hour trip leaves around 8.00 am with pickup from your hotel.
Contact: Tels. (506) 257 41 71 / 257 41 33
Email: info@expedicionestropicales.com
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
An hour away from San Jose you can find lovely trails through primary rainforest that take you past five beautiful waterfalls. The La Paz water fall gardens also offer a hummingbird gallery, serpentarium, frog exhibit and large butterfly observatory. There are over 3.5 kilometers of walking trails and 2 hours is needed at least to appreciate the whole park. The property is open from 8.00 am to 16.00 pm.
Expediciones Tropicales offer a tour that also visits the Poás Volcano and includes lunch.
The price is $79 USD for the 8 hour tour with pickup around 8.00 am.
Tel: (506) 257 41 71 Email: info@expedicionestropicales.com
River Rafting
Pacuare River
Coast to Coast Adventures run rafting trips down the Pacuare (class 3 -4) and Reventazon rivers (class 2 -3) from San Jose. The Pacuare River is considered one of the most thrilling white water runs in Costa Rica with the trip taking you down through 27 kilometers of river while enjoying the isolated rainforest and waterfalls trickling down carved canyons. Along the way you will stop along the shore and have lunch right on the banks. The tour includes transportation, professional guides, equipment, breakfast and lunch for $95 USD.
Tel.(506) 280 80 54
Email: office@coasttocoastadventures.com
Rio Toro
Rio Toro is the closest run to the Arenal Volcano area. Adventure group Desafio are the most experienced outfit who run this river and have a knack for making your trip fun and memorable. Rio Toro is a 3-4 class river which takes you through some beautiful country. Rio Toro has the advantage of having continuous rapids which means less paddling and more time to enjoy the wildlife. After the trip they have fresh fruit waiting to tie you over until a typical lunch at their river retreat. From San Jose, its US$95 per person with a minimum of 4 people and US$85 for the class 2-3 calmer Rio Balsa. If you require they will drop you off in the town of La Fortuna close to the Arenal Volcano.
Tel. (506) 479 94 64
Email: info@desafiocostarica.com
Cafe Britt Coffee Tour
Café Britt is the big name in coffee producing in Costa Rica. The tour takes you out to Café Britt's six acre plantation at the foot of two volcanoes. A team of performers will guide you through the history of Costa Rican coffee and the coffee making process, from the seed, bean to the cup, in a multimedia performance. Afterward they have a variety of coffee flavours to try while you learn about the distinct tastes and aroma of good coffee.
The tour runs every day of the year at 11.00am, and during the dry season between December 15th and April 30th they have an extra tour time of 3.00pm. Your hotel reception should be able to help you book the tour and they have pick up from a number of San Jose locations and hotels. With transportation the price of the tour is $27 USD and $23 for children 6 - 11 and free for years 5 and under.
Tels. (506) 277 16 00 or (506) 277 15 00
Email: info@cafebritt.com
Rainforest Aerial Tram
Bordering the Braulio Carrillo Nacional Park and located 50 minutes from San Jose, the aerial tram takes you on an 80 minute ride to witness life amongst the animated rainforest canopy. There is a multimedia introductory presentation before boarding the five passenger gondolas. You are then taken on a 2600 meter circuit which navigates at different levels of the canopy for an appreciation of the variety of wild life at each level. Back on the ground, hiking trails also lead off into the 1100 acre (470 hectare) private reserve with guided nature walks available. The reserve is home to 300 bird species, 85 types of bat and numerous reptiles and amphibians.The park also has a snake, frog and butterfly garden exhibit. Including transport you should plan on six hours at the park.
It is open every day from 6.00am with the park closing at 3.30pm.
Tel. (506) 257 59 61
Tropical Bungee
The pioneers in Latin American bungee jumping operating since 1991, the Tropical Bungee crew are both fun and safety conscious. Jumps are made from the Old Colorado Bridge at 265 ft high. The company encourages jumpers of any age to feel the adrenaline and flight sensation of a bungee jump. They offer free transport to the site though charge $10 for those coming just to watch. The first bus leaves at 8.00 am returning at 11.30 and the second bus at 1.00 pm coming back at 4.00 pm. Cost of the jump is $60 USD and you can go again for $30 USD.
Tel. (506) 248-2212
Email: info@bungee.co.cr
