Costa Rica · SAN JOSé TOURS

The 15 Best Tours from San José

67 tours  ·  from $35

Almost nobody stays in the capital, but almost everybody has a spare day either side of a flight. These 15 are the day trips that fit it: two crater volcanoes, the coffee country, a waterfall garden and the long run to the Pacific.

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch - Boarding at Puntarenas and crossing the Gulf of Nicoya
Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

1.Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 589 reviews · 12 to 18 hours (approx.) · from $115Our pick

Travel from San José to Puntarenas, then cross the Gulf of Nicoya by boat to Tortuga Island. You get dolphin watching, a 45-minute snorkel stop, lunch, and about five hours on the beach. Guides such as Memo, Percy, and Roy lead the trip. Expect an early start, a long day, and optional paid extras.

“For our final day before flying out we decided to sign up for this tour which was a full day of activity. Fun last day before our return.”

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San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour - Central Market puts you among everyday San José
City Tours, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

2.San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 346 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $80

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 .”

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Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour - Natural Trails and the Butterfly Garden
Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour

3.Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 315 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $35Best value

At Doka Estate near San Jose, you follow coffee from planting and picking through processing and roasting, with coffee and chocolate samples along the way. The tour also includes natural trails and a butterfly garden. Guides such as Ray and Andrea bring the process to life, but sugar-cane processing may not be operating.

“Great tour - very informative for any coffee lover! We really enjoyed learning about the process of how coffee is grown and roasted.”

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San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner - Spain Park, Casa Amarilla, and the government quarter
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San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner

4.San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 237 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Walk San Jose from Morazán Park to Barrio Escalante with a local guide, learning about Costa Rican history, architecture, legends, and daily life. You’ll see the Metallic Building, Casa Amarilla, the Legislative Assembly, and National Park before dinner at Agüizotes Gastro Pub, with two beers, sangrias, or soft drinks included.

“This was my first time to Coast Roca and I was by myself. It was nice having a plan to tour the city. It ended up just being me on the tour but still was a great experience! I definitely will book again if I return to Costa Rica.”

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Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose - The long road through Costa Rica’s agricultural belt
Arenal Volcano Tours, San José Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Volcano Tours

Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

5.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $195

Spend about 13 hours traveling from San Jose to La Fortuna for Sarchi’s famous ox cart, an Arenal volcano viewpoint and trails, included lunch and dinner, and several hours at a thermal resort. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, Pablo, and Max have helped make this long day personal, but weather, resort changes, and pickup delays can affect the plan.

“Our driver and tour guide was amazing. We got to see 30% of the volcano and enjoy the wonderful hot springs of Los Lagos. The overall tour was good for our family but we would have planned it better for us. I would do things differently. We literally only saw the volcano for 5-10 mins, which is fine, but not what I expected.”

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Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge - What the $63.28 admission includes
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Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

6.Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63

La Paz Waterfall Gardens gives you a flexible day pass to explore five waterfalls, rainforest and cloud forest trails, orchids, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, monkeys, snakes, and rescued cats. Plan on at least two hours, though four to five hours lets you slow down. You will need your own transport, and the waterfall trail includes many stairs.

“Awesome. Beautiful grounds. Beautiful up close experience with the animals. Gorgeous waterfalls. Was uncrowded.”

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3-Hour Shuttle Service from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna - What the three-hour ride really means
3-Hour Experiences, Airport Transfers, Airport Transfers in San José, San José Tours, Shuttle Services, Tour Reviews

3-Hour Shuttle Service from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna

7.3-Hour Shuttle Service from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50Top rated

This shared shuttle takes you from Juan Santamaría International Airport to La Fortuna in about three hours, with air conditioning and a stop at Mi Rancho Restaurant in San Ramón for bathrooms, snacks, and a stretch. Expect a small group of up to 17 people, hotel drop-off, and WhatsApp communication. Drivers may include Randall, Alexander, Francis, or others.

“The driver was super courteous and helpful. Apple Maps had my hotel in the wrong spot but the driver knew where I needed to go.”

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Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls - The road is part of the experience, for better or worse
Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, Food & Drink, Poás Volcano Tours, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Volcano Tours, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours in San José

Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

8.Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 137 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $105

Travel from San José into Costa Rica’s highlands for a guided Poás Volcano visit, Doka Estate coffee tour with tasting, and a short La Paz Waterfall stop. Expect an early pickup, mountain roads, a group of up to 20, and a full day shaped by weather and traffic. Guides such as Marcela, Nela, Victor, and Percy have earned strong praise.

“the guide was very helpful and had great knowledge, explained lots of things about the volcano. The coffee tour was pleasant too. The waterfall is beautiful but it's just in the middle of a road. The activity itself was very easy. Just spend a lot of time in the van. It was a very nice trip, especially to see some activity of Poas.”

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Manuel Antonio National Park from San José - Leaving San José at 6:00 a.m.
National Park Tours in San José, National Parks, San José Tours, Tour Reviews

Manuel Antonio National Park from San José

9.Manuel Antonio National Park from San José

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 131 reviews · 12 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $155

Travel from San José to Manuel Antonio in an air-conditioned vehicle, stopping for breakfast in Orotina before walking through the rainforest to the beach. The full package includes park entry, breakfast, lunch, soft drink, water, hotel pickup, and a guide. Expect a 12 to 13-hour day with roughly three hours on the road each way.

“every things incredible especially the tour guide she very knowledgeable and very hospitable and responsible,”

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SJO Airport Private Shuttle to San José - Flight Tracking and Delays
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SJO Airport Private Shuttle to San José

10.SJO Airport Private Shuttle to San José

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 121 reviews · 20 to 35 minutes (approx.)

This private transfer takes you from Juan Santamaría International Airport to a San José hotel in about 20 to 35 minutes. Your driver tracks your flight when you provide the number, then sends meeting instructions before arrival. WiFi, taxes, and hotel drop-off are included. Drivers such as Mary, Fernando, Lyn, Johnny, and Cosme have earned praise for friendly service.

“Transportation never showed up. Very disappointing. My family and I took ivermectin 2 hours to find transportation from the airport. Thank god someone from the airport helped us and found us a ride to our destination. We had to pay $160 after we paid $200 for a service we never used.”

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Chocolate Making and Tasting at a Local Factory in San José - Why the final packaging is part of the experience
Chocolate Tours, Food & Drink, San José Tours, Tour Reviews

Chocolate Making and Tasting at a Local Factory in San José

11.Chocolate Making and Tasting at a Local Factory in San José

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $57

At Tapir Chocolates in San José’s Barrio Escalante, Mauricio and his team guide you through cacao’s journey from fresh fruit to finished chocolate. You’ll taste beans, nibs, cocoa butter, drinks, and several cocoa strengths, then make personalized bars with local fillings and toppings. Package your creations in eco-friendly materials and take them home.

“Excellent session to learn on the processes of growing cacao, readying the fruit for chocolate making and then making wonderful bars. Mauricio was excellent host, very knowledgeable, and the chocolate was divine.”

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Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge - Coffee, sugar cane, and a little local spirit
Chocolate Tours, Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, Farms, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge

12.Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

Spend about two hours at Don Jorge Farm with guides such as Fabricio, Alexis, or Gabriel. Walk among cacao, coffee, fruit, and tropical plants, taste sugar cane juice, make chocolate and hot cocoa, prepare coffee, and visit a waterfall on the property. The private format keeps the experience personal and hands-on.

“Great experience for adults and kids! Really fun to learn about and make chocolate. The Don Jorge team was very engaging with the kids.”

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Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup - Museo de Arte Costarricense and the Gold Room
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Half-Day, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup

13.Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 112 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $80

Start at 3:00 pm with hotel pickup, then see San Jose’s National Theatre lobby, Art Museum, Central Market or Sunday craft market, and Plaza de la Libertad Electoral. A guide such as Sergio, Hector, David, or Maria provides commentary before a Costa Rican dinner. Expect a maximum of 25 people, walking, traffic, and some quick stops.

“Maria was our guide and she was an absolute delight! We was so enthusiastic about showing off the city she was proud of. She was informative, knew the history of the city and hustled along from place to place. She was very impressive! The not so great parts were the tour did not match the description of what would be offered. We spent more time sitting in traffic than actually seeing the sights. We only went into one museum and were rushed out. Were supposed to receive an alcoholic beverage with the tour and didn't.”

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Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose - Poás Volcano at 2,708 meters
Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, Poás Volcano Tours, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Volcano Tours, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours in San José

Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

14.Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $149

Travel from San José to Poás Volcano, Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Farm, La Paz Waterfall, and Mi Cafecito near Sarapiquí. Guides such as Carlos, Ricardo, and Charlie explain coffee growing, processing, roasting, and brewing. Lunch, transport, activities, and hotel pickup are included, but weather can hide the crater and the day may run beyond 10 hours.

“Rick (Ricardo) was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable provided an excellent experience. It was a long day but very enjoyable!”

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San José: Night Food and Culture Tour with Dinner - Starting under the Temple of Music at Morazán Park
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Food, Food & Drink, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

San José: Night Food and Culture Tour with Dinner

15.Night Food and Culture Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 107 reviews · 4 hours · from $79

Start at Morazán Park with an English-speaking local guide, then walk past San José landmarks and into Barrio Escalante. Along the way, enjoy a local drink before settling in for dinner at Agüizotes Gastro Pub, with Costa Rican dishes and two drinks included. Groups are limited to 12, and private tours are available.

“Enjoyed local guide’s insights and food at restaurant excellent.”

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New in San José Tours

★ 4.5Super Combo Tour: Waterfalls Gardens + Coffee Tour + Poás VolcanoFrom $19939 reviews
★ 5.0Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari TourFrom $12040 reviews
★ 4.5Shuttle from San Jose to La FortunaFrom $5554 reviews
★ 5.0Queveri Horseback Riding ToursFrom $6535 reviews
★ 5.0Rafting Sarapiqui River Class II-III Costa RicaFrom $6055 reviews
★ 5.03 in 1 Combo: La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Thermal Spa from San JoséFrom $24942 reviews
★ 4.5San Jose City Tour. Private Tour with lunchFrom $17540 reviews
★ 5.0Driver in Costa Rica for 10 Hours (Luxury Package)32 reviews
★ 5.0Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting from San JoseFrom $11956 reviews
★ 4.0Full-Day Adventure to Manuel Antonio National Park from San JoseFrom $16359 reviews
★ 5.0Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San JoseFrom $16936 reviews
★ 4.5La Paz WaterfallsFrom $13546 reviews
★ 5.0Horseback our Hacienda – 4 hours Coffee TourFrom $6545 reviews
★ 5.0Poas Volcano + Coffee tour + Waterfall tour day from San JoseFrom $14952 reviews
★ 4.5Irazú Volcano, Orosi Valley & Lankester Gardens from San JoséFrom $13742 reviews

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