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Private day tour from San JoséPoás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens Private Day Trip from San José
9h, from 07:00
Up to 16 people
Your hotel or apartment in San José (the centre, Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia and Alajuela)
Free cancellation, 24h
Up through the coffee and strawberry farms to the crater of Poás, one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, then down the other side to the waterfalls and cloud forest of La Paz.
The day
The crater first, while the sky is clearest, then the forest and waterfalls on the wet side of the mountain.
07:00
Your hotel
Collected anywhere in San José. The road climbs north through Alajuela and the coffee farms.
08:30
Poás Volcano National Park
A short walk from the car park to the rim of the main crater, with its acid lake and steaming vents far below.
Park ticket not included
10:15
Poasito
Strawberry farms and roadside stalls on the slopes of the volcano. A stop for coffee and fruit.
11:30
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Trails and stairways down past five waterfalls in the cloud forest, with gardens of hummingbirds, butterflies and rescued animals on the way.
Entrance not included
13:45
Lunch in Vara Blanca
In the gardens or in one of the small restaurants on the road.
14:45
Back to San José
Down through Heredia to the city.
16:00
Back to your hotel
In the afternoon.
Photos by Manfred Madrigal, Natasha Ruf, David Traña on Unsplash
In the price
- Private vehicle and driver for the whole day
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Itinerary changed on the day
Not in the price
The Poás park ticket, the entrance to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and lunch are not included.
Before you book
- Tickets
- Poás tickets are sold only online by SINAC, the national parks service, for a set time, and not at the gate. Book the 08:30 slot before the day. Bring your passport.
- Closures
- Poás is an active volcano and the park can close at short notice. If it does, we tell you and plan the day around La Paz and the coffee farms.
- Bring
- A warm layer and a rain jacket. It is much cooler at the crater than in San José.
- Start time
- Starts at 07:00, every day. Every tour is customisable: a different start time, extra stops, more time where you like it, or a longer day. Tell us when you book.
- Language
- Guided in English. Other languages on request, if we have notice.
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before, refunded in full.
Questions
Yes. The tour is private, and the price depends on how many of you travel, starting from €450. Choose the number of people when you book.
Only if the clouds allow. Mornings are usually clearer, which is why we go there first.
Yes. There are several on the slopes of Poás. Tell us when you book.
Two vehicles travelling together, on one booking. Message us and we will price it.
Yes. Every tour is customisable: a different start time, extra stops, more time where you like it, or a longer day. Tell us when you book.
Message us and we'll move it if we can — we work with several drivers, so there is usually room. More than 24 hours ahead costs nothing.
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Not sure which to pick? Read our guide to day trips from San José