While in San Jose, Costa Rica

One-Day Tours

San Jose City Tour

(Afternoon)

Starting on the East side of San Jose, the first thing we will see is Democracy Plaza and the National Museum, the Courts, Los Yoses, San Pedro Mall, Hispanidad Fountain and the Rodrigo Facio Campus of the University of Costa Rica.

After we have seen the capital’s main attractions, our first stop will be the impressive Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the beautiful National Theater where we will have a guided visit through these cultural gems.

After our visit, the tour continues thru the western section of San Jose: La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Costa Rican Contemporary Art Museum or the first International Airport in Costa Rica, the National Gymnasium, the Comptroller’s office, residential area Rohrmoser, Nunciatura, Nobel Peace prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez’s home, Rohrmoser Boulevard and Pavas section.

At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity of visiting a couple of interesting shopping places where you will be able to buy a souvenir of your visit to San Jose.

On Sunday, the National Theater is closed and we will only see it from the outside, instead we will visit the zoo.

We recommend: Camera                                              

Pueblo Antiguo

(just Friday  and Saturday evening)

Departure:       6 pm

Length:        4 hours

Costa Rican Night Tour, a spectacle that shows the turn of the XIX century traditions.  Enjoy this show that combines beliefs, dress, architecture, music, dance and foods in a spectacle full of humor that will take you directly to the roots of Costa Rica.  Visit Costa Rica Nights in Pueblo Antiguo.

 Pueblo Antiguo is a theme park, which shows the architectural infrastructure that existed in San Jose in the beginning of the XX century.  It is a scenario composed of recreations of old buildings.  Besides activities such as folkloric dances, professional actors masquerades and other memories of a not so long past.

 We recommend Sweater and camera             
            

Show & Dinner “Tierra Tica” at Mirador Ram Luna

(just  Wednesday evening)

Departure time:  6:00 p.m. aprox.

Length of tour: 4 hours

 Enjoy a wonderful view of the Central Valley from the top of one of the mountains that surround it while you enjoy a delicious dinner buffet of typical Costa Rican food.  Also included is an impressive masquerade traditional with typical dances and marimba music.

 The night ends with the magic of a small firework spectacle.  Some local artisans will be present to show us their wares and offer their beautiful creations.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night!

We recommend camera and sweater.

Coffee tours

Café Britt                                  Doka Estate

Departure Time: 10:00 a.m                                                Departure Time:   10:00 a.m

Length:             2 hours                                                    Length:                 3 hours

In Café Britt you can discover the secrets that transform the called ‘grano de oro’ of Costa Ricans into a delicious Gourmet coffee, while professional actors will guide you from coffee plantations through its collection.  Experience the tradition and history of coffee and the passion of packaging it!

In Doka you will have the same opportunities plus the experience along with coffee tasters how our coffee smell and flavor are recognized and selected.  Taste several coffees and  liquor coffee, special for lover’s coffee.

Arenal Volcano by night & Tabacón Resort Hot Springs

Departure time: 9:00 a.m. approx.

Length of tour: 12 hours

Located north of Costa Rica, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a natural phenomenon that attracts thousands and thousands of tourists due to its permanent, extraordinary and trusted volcanic activity, which on clear nights can seem like fireworks with intermittent explosions of ash and lava.

In order to get to this wonder from nature we must go to the north of the country, and inevitably we must make a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, of international fame, it has earned the name Birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans.  As we continue our trip we will go thru diverse plantations with agricultural products, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until we arrive at La Fortuna, for lunch in a cozy restaurant right in front of the volcano.  This excellent location will allow us the best view in order to catch any volcanic activity.

Before entering the beautiful gardens where the thermal springs are located we will visit Arenal Lake.  Here we can easily walk on a road next to the Park where we will look for toucans, monkeys, coatimundis and other animals.  Due to security reasons we will not enter the park.

Later we will relax in one of the best thermal water places in the area where you will be able to enjoy an optional massage or other treatment that you will have reserved ahead of time.

Last, a wonderful  dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so you will not miss any opportunities of to look out for the incandescent light explosions.

After dinner we will begin our return trip to the city of San Jose.

We recommend: swim suit, mosquito repellent, sweater and towel.

Poas Volcano National Park

Departure Time: 8:30 am Approximately

Length:             5 hours

 On the way to the City of Alajuela, one can observe the Monument of the Farmer, the Juan Santamaría Monument and the famous Park of the Mangos.  On the way up to the volcano, tourists can see coffee plantations, ferns, flowers and strawberries.  Once in the volcano, plenty of time will be provided to enjoy the majestic main crater with sulfur emissions.  There will also be a walk through the trails to the Botos Lagoon, which allows the tourist learn about the ecosystems of the park.

Recommended:   Sweater, camera, binoculars, comfortable shoes and raincoat

Poas Volcano/ Grecia  & Sarchi

Departure Time: 8:30 am approximately

Length: 8 hours

 This tour combines the Poas Volcano and Grecia trips, Sarchi and the cart factories.  Enjoy the best of Costa Rica saving time to see as much as you can.

Recommended:   Light Jacket, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars and camera.

Irazu Volcano

Departure Time: 8:30 am approximately

Length:             5 hours

The tour takes the Panamerican Highway up to reach the majestic Irazú Volcano.  The road up goes through vast fertile lands where all kinds of vegetables grow.   From the top of the volcano visitors can enjoy its craters and both oceans especially on a clear day.  On the way back, there is also a visit to the Basilica de Cartago, which is the place of pilgrimage for Catholics.        

Recommended: Hat, jacket, walking shoes, binoculars and camera.

Irazú, Orosi Valley and the Lankester Gardens

 Departure Time: 10:30 am approximately

Length:             6 hours

After visiting the Basilica de Cartago, one goes to the Lankester Gardens, which is a Research Center for the University of Costa Rica.  This place protects more than 800 kinds of orchids and bromelias as well as multiple kinds of plants.  The next stop is the Orosi Valley, which offers beautiful landscapes.    There one can visit the only colonial temple still open.  Lunch will take place in a beautiful restaurant surrounded by coffee plantations with a view of the Cachí Hydroelectric dam.  On the way back, one can see the rustic “Casa del Soñador.”

 Recommended: Hat, jacket, comfortable walking shoes, repellent, binoculars or camera.

Tortuga Island

(Cruise by the islands in the Nicoya Gulf in the Pacific)

Departure Time: 6:00 am approximately

Length:             11 hours

Costa Rica is famous for its romantic cruises visiting the exotic islands of the Nicoya Gulf.   After the short view of the Pacific coast, one boards a yacht to enjoy this marine adventure.  The final destination is Tortuga Island known for its white sand beaches and its crystalline waters.  One has the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing seafood buffet lunch right there on the beach.  Don’t miss this opportunity (breakfast, Snacks and lunch included).

Recommended: Sweater, camera, binoculars, swimming suit and towel.

Canopy Tour

Turubarí

Departure Time: 6:00 am approximately

Length:             8 hours

Just one hour from San José you will find one place with endless attractions you can do one of the must exiting canopys in Costa Rica, and enjoy many others activities like sensational cable, horseback riding, hiking, tarzan swing, nature and more.  This place I really charm because has many special and different gardens of bromelias, orchids, and others.  It has a little farm and an historic trapiche.  The transportation will pick up you in San José, you will have include two adventure activities to choice, fruits, lunch, transportation and guide.

Whitewater rafting

(One day)

A.    Sarapiqui class III  

B.     Rio Reventazon      

Departure Time: 6:00 am Approximately

Length:             10 hours

C.     Class IV                  Pascua and Pacuare Rivers

Departure Time:               6:30 am Approximately

Length:                           10 hours

Experience the emotion and adventure of whitewater rafting.  The beautiful landscape, vegetation and the waters will transport you to a great adventure.  There will be a specialized guide for instruction about the river currents and equipment, which will be provided along with breakfast and lunch.

Recommended: Camera, sandals, sun lotion and extra clothing.

While in Playa Tambor, Costa Rica The Concierge at the Barcello Hotel will be happy to provide all information on the local tours and activities..