Are you looking for the best day trips from San José? You are in the right place, as I visited recently.
San Jose, the capital and largest city in Costa Rica, isn’t the best place in the country – though for some reason I actually quite enjoy it, as it is a very easygoing city.
I have been to San José a few times – once I actually spent 2 weeks there. You will see that it is a great starting point to explore Costa Rica because of its access to the most trafficked airport, convenient location in the Central Valley, and overall proximity to some of the best day trips in Costa Rica.
If you’re spending time in San Jose, Costa Rica, you don’t need to spend much time within the city limits unless you want to. And one of the best things to do in San Jose is to embark on some action-packed day trips, anyway.
You can hike volcanos, go white water rafting, take some of the finest coffee on local coffee farms, and do much more.
Are you ready to learn about the best day trips from San Jose, how to do them, and why they’re worth your time? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know!
The Best Day Trips From San Jose
Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano is an easy day trip from San Jose and one of the most thrilling you can do while traveling to Costa Rica.
Poas Volcano is home to one of the largest craters in the world and is nestled deep within a cloud forest in the Central Mountain Range. Because it’s in a cloud forest, there’s a chance the volcano crater won’t be clear – we were very lucky when we visited as we had full visibility and a clear day even if it was during the rain season.
But whether or not you’re lucky enough to glimpse the magnificent crater, Poas Volcano National Park is so much fun and one of my favorite day trips from San José.
There’s a network of trails running through the national park, so you can easily spend a few hours marveling at the views, flora and fauna (there are sloths living in the area), and overall natural beauty of the region.
Poas Volcano is active, though you likely won’t see any lava or eruptions. Instead of your traditional lava eruption, Poas Volcano frequently emits gas and water vapor through funnels in the inner cone of the crater.
The gas and emissions have harmed local plants and wildlife in the area but rarely interfere with the people. The park closes when emissions get particularly strong or hazardous, so you’ll also have to keep an eye on closures for this reason.
Poas Volcano is 33 km (20 miles) from San Jose, or about a 1.5-hour drive. The easiest way to get there is by renting a car in Costa Rica and driving yourself or going on a guided tour.
If you decide to go on your own, you’ll have to buy tickets ahead of time on the SINAC website. They may sell tickets at the entrance gate, but they are often sold out as only a limited amount of visitors are admitted every day – when we visited, we could seem some cars having to drive back because the park was sold out.
I recommend this From San José: Poas Volcano and Coffee Farm –this is the tour we took when we visited, and loved it. It’s an 8-hour tour of Poas Volcano and a visit to a local coffee farm, and if the group agrees the tour also stops for lunch (not included) in Fraijanes. First, you’ll visit the crater of Poas Volcano and have time to admire the landscape and environment of the cloud forest. Afterward, you’ll try coffee at a delicious coffee farm. The tour includes transportation, Poas National Park entrance fees, and a coffee farm trip.
Make sure to read my article, The Complete Guide to Renting A Car in Costa Rica, for more information before picking up a car rental.
You should also read my post A Guide To Visiting Poas Volcano National Park for more detailed information to plan your visit.
Coffee farm
San Jose isn’t world-renowned for its coffee. Actually, a lot of people I met while traveling complained about the coffee being watered down and such. However, I really loved the coffee everywhere I went in Costa Rica. It’s smooth, it has the right amount of acidity for my taste, it’s not too bitter…
Costa Rica has the perfect environment to make the perfect cup of coffee. You have a lush, tropical climate with plenty of rain and great soil. So, it should be no surprise that coffee plantations surround the central highlands.
And if you’re a coffee enthusiast, a coffee farm tour is one of the best day trips from San Jose. You can learn more about the coffee-making process, how coffee growers strive to balance each cup of coffee, and everything else that goes into your morning pick-me-up.
Not only is it a great way to learn more about coffee, but it’s also a great way to get out of the city and into the countryside, where you can soak up mountainous views and unique wildlife of the region.
The best way to visit a coffee plantation is with a guided tour from San Jose. Many local tours offer package options, like the From San Jose: Poas Volcano and Coffee Farm option mentioned above, which is the one we took. These are great because you can make the most out of your day, visiting several of the best places near San Jose all in one go.
If you’re looking for a dedicated coffee farm experience, I’d recommend this Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour – This is a 1.5-hour coffee tour to Doka Estate. You’ll learn all about the coffee-making process and even more about the sugar mill. You can taste this estate’s delicious coffee and sugar cane and wonder at the beautiful grounds.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica and can’t be missed while in San Jose.
Monteverde is Spanish for “green mountains,” and you’ll undoubtedly find a lot of green mountains in this lush, tropical region. It’s most known for its unique cloud forest, seen by the rolling fog and clouds stretching throughout the forest.
And there’s a lot more to see and do here. There’s a network of hanging bridges, plenty of wildlife like monkeys, small villages scattered around the hills, and beautiful scenery.
Monteverde is about a four-hour drive from the capital city, so it’s one of the longer day trips from San Jose. Many people choose to stay a night or two in Monteverde (we actually spent three, because there’s so much to see), but if you’re short on time, you can easily visit for the day.
The easiest way to get to Monteverde is to drive on your own or go with a tour company. There are many different tours from San Jose, so you’ll have plenty of options. I did a night walk through Monteverde and would highly recommend the experience.
If you decide to spend the night in Monteverde, I recommend this Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour that I did if you’re around Santa Elena town – The 2-hour night walk is the best way to spot sloths, armadillos, tarantulas, frogs, snakes, and other fascinating wildlife.
If you’re looking to join one of the day trips from San Jose, I recommend this Monteverde Hanging Bridges Day Trip – This is a full-day adventure where you’ll cross many of the hanging bridges in the cloud forest around Monteverde, learn about the local flora and fauna, and stop at some of the most beautiful viewpoints in the park.
Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano is an active volcano at 1,657 meters (5,436 feet) above sea level.
Despite being in a resting period, Arenal Volcano remains Costa Rica’s most active volcano. However, you won’t see lava flowing down the slopes or even many fumes coming off the volcano.
Since 2010, Arenal Volcano has been “sleeping”. It’s still very active – as I said, it’s just resting. Because of this, now is one of the best times to explore the stunning volcano grounds.
Several trails lead up to breathtaking viewpoints of the looming volcano. I did the Mirador El Silencio trail. It’s classified as moderate, though it felt pretty easy aside from the high steps and sometimes exhausting heat of the Costa Rican jungle.
The viewpoint is one of the best of Arenal Volcano, in my opinion. But you have to keep an eye on the weather, as you might not be able to see much of Arenal Volcano if it’s very cloudy or misty that day – we were super lucky when we visited, as we had a full view!
If you aren’t into hiking, there are a lot of other activities around the base of Arenal Volcano, as well. Whitewater rafting and horseback riding are also really popular. There are also several naturally heated hot springs around Arenal Volcano, which I highly recommend.
Arenal Volcano is about a 3-hour drive from San Jose. Most people stay a night or two in La Fortuna, which is also worth your time. However, if you don’t have the time to spare, you can also visit both on a day trip from San Jose, Costa Rica.
I recommend this From San Jose: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee, and Hot Springs excursion – The tour begins with a stop at a coffee plantation, one of the best ways to start any day. Afterward, you’ll head to La Paz Waterfall, La Fortuna Town, and Paradise Hot Springs Resort. It’s a long day, but it’s a lot of fun.
Irazu Volcano
Irazú Volcano is another volcano even closer to the city, making it one of the best places to visit on a day trip from San Jose. The volcano has a maximum elevation of 3,432 meters (11,260 feet) above sea level.
Irazu Volcano is only about 30-60 minutes from downtown San Jose, depending on the traffic. Because of this, it’s an easy half-day trip. And it’s also much more crowded. So, you’ll be sharing the trails in the area with a lot of other tourists.
Travelers can also drive almost straight up the top. The trail from the parking lot to the viewpoint is only a 20-minute walk and nearly flat.
I recommend this San Jose: Irazú Volcano, Cartago City, & Orosi Valley Tour – This is one of the best ways to make the most of the day, as you’ll visit Irazu Volcano, Cartago City (more about this in a moment), and several other stops. It’s an enjoyable day exploring the beautiful region around San Jose, Costa Rica.
Cartago
Cartago is a small city southeast of San Jose, near Irazú Volcano. If you’re going on a tour to Irazú, they’ll likely include a short stop in Cartago. But if you have the time, try to spend at least one full day in the former capital of Costa Rica. I visited the first time I traveled to Costa Rica as I was on my way to the Central Valley, and was positively surprised at how interesting it is!
The city is a cultural hub of Costa Rica, with religion and traditions guiding many local people living there. The city was also victim to many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, meaning you won’t find any colonial buildings or historic sites.
Instead, you can explore bustling streets and visit the Black Madonna shrine at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, a prominent place of pilgrimage.
Very few tours go just to Cartago, so if you want the whole day here, you’ll have to visit on your own – there are buses departing from San José that take you there in about two hours, but it’s only a 30 minutes drive by car.
However, many combination tours like the Irazú Volcano, Cartago City & Orosi Village Tour recommended earlier include a quick stop through Cartago.
Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island is a small, uninhabited island in the Gulf of Nicoya. It’s a beautiful island known for its excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, sunken shipwrecks, and white-sand beaches and a great day trip for ocean lovers.
To reach the island you first have to drive to Puntarenas, which is about 1.5-hour from San Jose. From there, the only way to get to the island is by boat, so you’ll have to book a tour to make the most of your time at sea.
This is also a welcome day in the water after spending a few days hiking around volcanoes and exploring the lush jungle of Costa Rica.
I recommend this San José: Full-Day Tortuga Island Tour with Lunch – The tour includes transportation to Puntarenas and a speedboat ride to Tortuga Island, a guided snorkel tour around a beautiful beach, and a delicious traditional lunch. It includes all necessary equipment, coffee, snacks, and soft drinks.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best day trips from San Jose for those who want beautiful beaches (some of the best near San José), great hiking (there are several hiking trails in the park), and active wildlife.
Manuel Antonio National Park is about 2.5 hours from San Jose, and the easiest way to get there is to drive or go on a guided tour. I think the best way to go on your own and hire a guide locally (there are many outside the park), as most tours offer combination tours to other areas and don’t give you as much time as you’d like in the national park itself.
That said, there’s no shortage of tour options if you’d prefer to go with a guide who can also explain some things in more detail and coordinate transportation.
I recommend this Manuel Antonio National Park Combo Tour from San Jose – The tour includes a few hours walking around and learning about Manuel Antonio National Park, as well as a visit to Crocodile Bridge, a local market, time at Tarcoles Beach, and Jaco Beach lookout. If you want more time in the national park, they can drop you off at one of the hotels in the area rather than return to San Jose.
White Water Rafting at Pacuare River
There’s no shortage of fun adventures for adrenaline junkies, and rafting is one of the best of those in Costa Rica. We certainly had a blast when we did it – but we love a bit (actually, a lot!) of adventure!
Pacuare River is an excellent spot for white water rafting, whether it’s your first or 20th time. It’s a fast-paced adventure, and you’ll be in the best hands as long as you go with a reputable company.
Rafting expeditions typically start from Turrialba, a small town in the Central Valley, not far from Cartago, and just about 1.5 hours drive from San José. You can get there by car, but for this one I actually recommend a guided tour that includes transportation from San José, and all the equipment you need.
I recommend this From San José: Pacuare River White Water Rafting Day Trip – This is a very reputable tour, thoroughly organized, with abundant security measures in places. It’s also fun and includes transportation, lunch, and all equipment.
If you decide to go white water rafting in Costa Rica, plan accordingly and adjust your Costa Rica packing list as needed. For example, I got all sorts of scrapes and cuts from rafting in Costa Rica, so I’d recommend packing a pair of leggings for this day’s adventure. You will also need to wear sandals or rock / water shoes on the raft.
Braulio Carrillo National Park
Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of the best day trips from San Jose because of its proximity and overwhelming beauty. The national park is only about a 30-minute drive from the city and is intersected by one of the busiest highways in the country, so it is easy to visit (we stopped there on the way to La Pavona, where boats to Tortuguero depart from).
Despite the traffic cutting through, it’s still a serene park with plenty of hiking trails and other fun activities. The Aerial Tram on the eastern side of Braulio Carrillo National Park will take you up two stories to a lush jungle canopy.
There are dozens of great hiking trails for all levels, leading to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and lots of nature.
The easiest way to get to Braulio Carrillo National Park is by car, but some buses and a few tour options through the park pass by.
If you don’t want to stress about transportation, try the Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tour Braulio Carrillo tour – This is a short, independent tour. Still, it includes the Aerial Tram and transportation to and from San Jose. You can get a nature guide for your ride on the tram, which is an excellent option if you want to spot more hidden wildlife.
Cheese and Strawberries
Did you know that some consider San Jose, Costa Rica, one of the best places in Latin America to enjoy cheese and strawberries?
It may seem random, but strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in Costa Rica, and the San Jose region has a great climate to grow the perfect strawberry. The strawberries taste a bit different than California strawberries, but they are still pretty tasty.
And it’s also known for its great farms and dairy products, with cheese being one of them.
Corso Lecheria is a dairy farm with an adjoining strawberry farm only about an hour from San Jose, Costa Rica. You can pick your strawberries, sample some of the freshest cheese, and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. The surrounding area is also very beautiful.
I recommend booking your Corso Lecheria tour in advance, as it can get very busy, especially around the weekends. The tour offers a buffet lunch with additional tastings of cheese and strawberries and time to walk around the beautiful property.
If you can’t make the tour but still want to try local cheese, you can opt to visit the Central Market of San José where there are many cheese stalls (as well as fruit stalls).
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica. It’s also home to eco-tourism in Costa Rica, with hatching sea turtles, black sand beaches, beautiful forests, and so much more.
It’s only about three hours from San Jose, but you should try to stay at least one night in the park to make the most of your time – I visited twice and each time opted to spend a few days in the area. Day trips to Tortuguero can feel rushed, and you won’t have too much time to explore and watch the sea turtles.
However, if you’re truly short on time and just can’t squeeze in several days in Tortuguero, visiting on a day trip from San Jose is still possible.
If you have the money to spare, you can take a short flight from San Jose to Tortuguero. But if you want a more practical and affordable option, taking a bus or booking a tour is possible.
If you’re set on Tortuguero as one of your day trips from San Jose, I recommend the Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch – This tour includes roundtrip transportation from San José, breakfast, a stop at a local banana plantation, and several hours at Tortuguero. You’ll enjoy a buffet lunch at the park and should be back in San Jose before dark.
Sarchi
Sarchi is one of the most underrated day trips from San Jose. Fewer tourists are around than other places, like the nearby volcanos and popular boat tours. I visited during my first trip to Costa Rica, and I enjoyed exploring and sitting at local eateries – everyone was so keen to chat to me, because I was literally the only tourist around!
Sarchi is a vibrant artisan town about an hour from downtown San Jose, Costa Rica. The signature souvenir from Sarchi is the handicraft oxcarts, which have come to symbolize this artsy little village.
You can also find other great Costa Rican souvenirs, like handmade jewelry, pottery, and traditional clothing.
There aren’t many tours that dedicate a day to Sarchi, so you’re better off going alone by car or on a combination tour that includes a stop in the village.
Tours visiting Arenal Volcano, like this Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs + Lunch & Dinner, often include Sarchi in the itinerary. It’s just a stop, but you will be surprised at how interesting it is and you may wish to spend even more time there!
Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste, or Celeste River, is a winding river in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. It’s a long drive from San Jose, usually around 3.5 hours each way, but it’s worth visiting as one of your day trips from San Jose if you can squeeze it in.
Rio Celeste embodies the region’s natural beauty, with lots of wildlife (I saw a lot of capuchin monkeys around the river) and adventurous activities.
One of the best things to do at Rio Celeste is to try river tubing or visit Celeste Waterfall.
If you go tubing, you’ll go down the river on a giant inflatable tube. It’s completely safe, as you’re with a guide who can help maneuver you the entire time, and you wear a helmet and life jacket.
It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty here, and worth doing if you have the time – but I shall warn you that if you go down alone and spin too much, you may get seasick (I did, much to the amusement of my sister).
Costa Rica is a safe country. But you’ll always want to be careful, take extra precautions, and follow common sense when needed. That goes for rafting, tubing, and just spending time out in the jungle.
The Rio Celeste Waterfall is located inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, where you will find a main trail that goes to the waterfall itself, and more trails to other viewpoints and places of interest.
If you decide to visit independently, you will need a car as this day trip is not doable on public transport. You will also need to book your admission to the national park in advance as daily visits are capped – you can use the SINAC website for that.
Otherwise, there are some guided tours from San Jose that will take you there.
The best option is this Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park tour from San Jose – it includes transportation, admission to the national park, breakfast and lunch as well as any drink, and you will have a have a great guide with you all the time.
If you are traveling independently and would like to go river tubing, you can check out this Tubing in Rio Celeste tour – It’s the one we did and we had a great time (seasickness aside!). You meet at Hotel Sueño Real Rio Celeste and get two hours of exciting tubing down the river, with drinks and snacks at the end of the tour, as well as towels and all necessary equipment.
La Paz Waterfall
La Paz Waterfalls Garden is another of the best day trips from San Jose because it’s beautiful and just a short drive away from the city. This is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Costa Rica too.
La Paz Waterfalls consists of five waterfalls connected via a well-maintained path. There’s also an animal sanctuary on the property with sloths, jaguars, a butterfly garden, and much more.
It’s a fun adventure and a great way to explore Costa Rica’s wildlife and beautiful scenery.
La Paz Waterfalls Garden is only a 45-minute drive from San Jose International Airport. The best way to get there is by driving because, like many places on this list of best day trips from San Jose, no direct buses are going there.
If you don’t have a rental car, you can always take a nature tour from San Jose to La Paz Waterfalls.
I recommend this Day Trip from San Jose to Wildlife Refuge La Paz Waterfalls Garden – This tour includes transportation, a driver and a guide, all entrance fees, lunch, and bottled water.
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