Costa Rica · CITY TOURS
Every route has one free day too few. These 5 city tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Spend about five hours discovering San José with a local guide, visiting the National Theater, Central Market, Electoral Plaza, and the Gold Room at the Costa Rican Art Museum. Hotel pickup, lunch, transport, and admission are included. Guides such as Enrique and Hector are known for clear history talks and warm service.
“Good overview of relevant sights to visit. Very good included lunch at local “soda” - a restaurant .”
Spend two hours walking central San Jose with a professional local guide and a group of no more than eight. Starting at Parque Morazan, you’ll visit more than 40 possible stops, from galleries and parks to historic buildings and public art, while discussing Costa Rican culture, politics, and daily life.
“Never showed up, never answered the phone calls, still waiting for a contact, a refund??? The lack of professionalism is absolutely disappointing in such a difficult time for tourism.”
Explore San José from an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. You’ll pass La Sabana, the National Theater, the National Museum, the University of Costa Rica, and the Arts and Crafts Market, with time for shopping and a Costa Rican lunch. Guides such as Oscar, Ronnie, Ricardo, and Jerry are praised for strong local insight.
“Avoid booking this tour! Did not receive services advertised. We were picked up an hour and a half late due to mechanical issues on the bus. First of all, they said it was going be a minivan and it was a double-decker bus with multiple tour groups from different companies. Did not visit sites promised. Only had 15 minutes to shop at the market and only allowed to shop at two shops owned by the tour company. We felt rushed the entire time with inadequate time at the places we did visit. The best part of the tour was our tour guide Hector who was very knowledgeable. This tour was…”
Leave San Jose early for Irazu Volcano, where your guide explains the craters, plants, and geology. Continue to Cartago’s Basilica and the Orosi Valley for lunch beside Cachi Lake. Guides such as Ricardo, Mario, Roger, and Augustine have earned praise for their local insight, though weather and traffic can change the pace.
“Ricardo was our amazing host for the Irazu tour. We picked a day with a bad accident in San Jose and traffic was crazy. As a result, the company split our group so as not to delay the tour. Two of us were lucky to get a private tour with Ricardo. We started with a beautiful drive up to the Irazu volcano and National Park through beautiful countryside and farmland (once you escape the city). The park is at high altitude and even in the sun it was cold - definitely requires a sweater/coat and ideally long pants. There is no ‘Green lake’ in the crater these days - just…”
Meet your guide at your San Jose hotel for a private, vehicle-based tour of the capital. Visit landmarks such as the National Theater, La Sabana Park, museums, and the Cathedral, then enjoy lunch in Barrio Otoya. Guides including Luis, Alberto, Mario, and Guiselle tailor the day to your interests.
“The city tour by car was very nice. Alberto was very friendly and drove with knowledge of San Jose. The pickup was punctual, the lunch included was very delicious. A good learning time of history and art.”
Pick a volcano, a canopy or a coast.
