Day trips from San José: the volcanoes, the coffee or the coast

From San José, Poás is up through the coffee farms to the north, Irazú is to the east above Cartago, and the Pacific is about three hours away. Two of our days go up to the craters, one stays among the coffee farms, one goes down to Manuel Antonio, and one stays in the capital. Here is what each of our five involves.

One day: Poás and La Paz, for the crater in the morning and the waterfalls after. A short day, or the day you fly: the coffee farm, Grecia and Sarchí, close to the airport.

The five, side by side

Trip	Length	Leaves	Price
Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens Private Day Trip from San José	9h	07:00	from €450
Irazú Volcano, Cartago and the Orosi Valley Private Day Trip from San José	9h	07:00	from €360
Coffee Farm, Grecia and Sarchí Private Tour from San José	6h	07:00	from €370
Manuel Antonio National Park Private Day Trip from San José	12h	07:00	from €310
San José Private City Tour: National Theatre, Central Market and Barrio Amón	4h	07:00	from €260

Prices are starting prices and depend on the size of your group.

How to choose

You want a volcano and waterfalls

Poás and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Nine hours from 07:00: the rim of the Poás crater, with its acid lake and steaming vents, strawberries and coffee at Poasito, then the trails down past five waterfalls in the cloud forest at La Paz. Poás is an active volcano and the park can close at short notice; if it does, we plan the day around La Paz.

You want the highest crater, and a valley

Irazú, Cartago and Orosi. Nine hours from 07:00: the craters of Irazú, the highest volcano in Costa Rica, more than 3,000 metres up, then the basilica in Cartago, the Orosi Valley and its eighteenth-century church, and the ruins at Ujarrás. Cloud often covers the summit by late morning, so we go there first.

You want coffee, and a short day

The coffee farm, Grecia and Sarchí. Six hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: a working farm on the slopes of Poás, with the mill, the roaster and a tasting, the red metal church of Grecia, and the painted oxcarts of Sarchí. Close to the airport, so it suits the day you arrive or leave.

You want the rainforest and the beach

Manuel Antonio. Twelve hours, about three hours' drive each way: the crocodiles under the Tárcoles bridge, then trails through the rainforest to quiet coves, where sloths, monkeys and iguanas are often seen, and a swim at Playa Espadilla. The park is closed on Tuesdays. A night on the coast makes it easier.

You only have half a day

The city tour. Four hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: the National Theatre, the cathedral and the Central Avenue, the Central Market, the National Museum in the old Bellavista barracks, and the coffee-era houses of Barrio Amón. On the 07:00 tour most buildings are seen from outside; take 13:00 if you want time inside.

Four things worth knowing before you book

Book the park tickets before the day

The price covers the private vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Tickets for Poás, Irazú and Manuel Antonio are sold only online by SINAC, the national parks service, for a set time; Manuel Antonio often sells out. Bring your passports. La Paz, the coffee tour, the museums and lunch are paid on the day.

Pack for two climates

The craters are much cooler than San José, and Irazú is more than 3,000 metres up: bring a warm layer and a rain jacket. For Manuel Antonio bring a swimsuit and a towel, and leave food and single-use plastic bottles in the car; they are not allowed in the park.

Private costs less than you think for a group

A coach seat is cheap for one person and stops being cheap at four. Our prices are by group size, not per seat: up to four of you share one car at one price, and the price only steps up when you need a van. And you are not waiting for forty strangers at every stop.

You can change your mind

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, refunded in full. If the date stops working, message us and we will do our best to move you to another day.