Things to do in Central Valley, Costa Rica

Experience Costa Rica's nature and culture on this full-day tour from San José. Your first destination is the Doka Estate coffee plantation, where you'll learn all about the ancient techniques of producing some of the best coffee in Costa Rica and around the world. Experience the careful process involved in the cultivation, harvesting, and roasting of the Golden Bean before tasting the delectable product. After your coffee tour, continue to Poás Volcano National Park, where there is a noticeable change in temperature and beautiful scenery in a cloud forest. Climb up Poás Volcano, an active stratovolcano that most recently erupted in 2017. The crater of the volcano is over a mile across and 1,050 feet deep, making for breathtaking views. Hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as you learn about the different ecosystems in the park. Then, continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and enjoy a buffet lunch of traditional Costa Rican dishes. After lunch, explore the lush tropical rainforest. See the flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds before returning to San José.

Travel from San Jose to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and enjoy a walking tour on rainforest trails. See flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, bird, butterflies, and other species and enjoy educational animal exhibits for all ages. Be picked up from your hotel or accommodation in San Jose, and depart for the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Enjoy wandering walking trails in the local rainforest and admire the natural beauty of the area. Watch as white rivers flow and see spectacular waterfalls. Spot local wildlife while wandering through the rainforest, like birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds, and see them in their natural habitats. Stop at different exhibits for local wildlife like the Aviary, Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpoentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and Frog Exhibit. Enjoy a buffet lunch after the tour, rated 4 Forks by the Costa Rican Tourism Council, that includes multiple selections of Traditional Costa Rican dishes and much more. Finish the tour after lunch and be returned to your accommodations in San Jose.

Dive into the art, architecture, history, and flavors of Costa Rica's countryside on this fun-filled day tour. Check out a coffee and sugar cane plantation with plenty of time for samples, make a stop at a butterfly museum, and get up-close looks at the creations of artisans in the town of Sarchi. Start your day at the Doka Estate, where you can follow the process of creating the perfect cup of coffee. See how beans are harvested and roasted, get tips on your tasting technique, and then wake up with a rich cup followed by a tasty lunch. In the afternoon, head to the charming town of Grecia to learn how its brick-red metal church was built using materials from Belgium in the late 19th-century. Nearby, pop into a butterfly museum for up-close looks at exotic species. Then, hop back in your shuttle to head to Sarchi. When you arrive, get an insider's look at artisan workshops that produce the colorful ox carts the town is famous for, and then return to San Jose with convenient drop-off back at your hotel.

Our tour guide will pick up you at your hotel and bring you with comfortable and full equipment vehicle to our estate. Getting to our destination, we start the tour with a delicious iced coffee as a welcome drink and we going to walk through a coffee plantation, visiting different stations as the coffee nursery, wet mill, drying patios, roasting room and souvenir shop. Also, we will enjoy a coffee sample with different blends and roasts. After the tour you can discover by yourself the butterfly garden, the botanical garden and takes great pictures of the place. Just in case we also have a restaurant so you can enjoy typical food and the local flavor in addition.

Depart from San Jose to reach the Arenal Volcano National Park and admire the magical landscape. Discover Costa Rican arts and crafts in Sarchi and pass mango groves on the way to La Fortuna. Soothe your body at the hot springs before having dinner with volcanic views back in San Jose. Get picked up from your accommodations in San Jose and meet your friendly guide and group for the day. Set off from the city and drive into the Central Valley. Make a short stop in Sarchi known as the birthplace of Costa Rica's artisinal crafts. Pick up some souvenirs and see the world's largest ox cart before continuing your journey into the Alajuela Province. Gaze out of the window at pineapple and plantain farms, mango groves, and cattle ranches until you arrive in La Fortuna. Refresh yourself with lunch at a cozy restuarant with spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. Enter the Arenal Volcano National Park and be blown away by the breathtaking scenery. Witness volcanic activity if you're lucky with white plumes of smoke rising from the crater and look out for local wildlife like jaguars and tree frogs. Travel a short distance to the hot springs in this area to relax your body, mind, and soul with the cleansing and rejuvinating effects of the thermal waters. Choose to have a massage or other therapeutic rituals. Experience the picturesque landscape of the Alajuela Province one more time as you drive back to San Jose. Finish your trip with a wonderful dinner and views of the volcano.

The day begins with pickup from San Jose, Alajuela, or Heredia and travels to the artistic town of Sarchi. Spend some time exploring and begin to appreciate the many arts and crafts that Costa Rica has to offer. You’ll also see the world’s largest ox cart, according the Guinness Book of World Records. Breakfast will be served on the way. Continue the tour towards La Fortuna, passing through colorful pineapple and plantain plantations, mango groves, and cattle ranches along the way. Learn about how the volcano was assumed to be dormant until 1968 when it experienced a major eruption. Visit the stunning Mistico Park next which boasts a dense biodiversity with luscious forests and an abundance of wildlife. Take a stroll amongst the treetops on the hanging bridges that line the jungle canopy, and admire the array of plants that surround you while enjoying lunch. Finally, it’s time to relax in the gorgeous waters of Baldi. Slide into the bubbling hot springs and unwind as the thermal waters cleanse and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. At the end of a magical day, chill out on the return journey to San Jose

Travel from the bustling streets of San Jose to the rugged countryside of San Luis on this full-day rainforest and zipline tour. Feel the adrenaline rush as you cruise above the treetops, hike narrow trails, learn about a variety of rainforest ecosystems, and hear scientific facts from your guide. Begin your tour with transportation to San Luise in an air-conditioned van, watching as the city skyline of San Jose transforms into a dense jungle. Upon arrival, listen as your guide details zipline safety instructions and the day's itinerary. Then it's time to harness up and fly through the trees. Follow your guide through the cable system, watching closely for wildlife like toucans, parrots, ocelots, hawks, iguanas, and howler monkeys. During lunch, learn about the rainforest canopy, its role in the protection of forest biodiversity, and current conservation and rehabilitation efforts.