San Jose, Costa Rica (Arrival)

Kiosco San Jose - Welcome and greet at the San Jose International Airport.

Private transportation from San Jose Intl Airport to your accommodation in San Jose City.

San Jose City Tour + Folkloric Night at Ram Luna Viewpoint

Kiosco San Jose - This tour offers an immersive experience into the vibrant Costa Rican culture and history by visiting various museums and historical landmarks in San José City. The journey includes a visit to the National Theater, often referred to as “The Jewel of San José,” a stunning piece of art and architecture completed by Costa Ricans in 1897.

Following this, the tour proceeds to the Museum of Gold, an archaeological site of interest, and the Central Market, a hub of Costa Rican cultural heritage and traditions, where visitors can purchase local crafts.

The tour also includes a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral. As the tour progresses through the city, several historically significant or prominent buildings will be highlighted, such as The Costa Rica University, The Old Train Station, The National Liquor Factory, The National Supreme Election Bureau, the Asamblea Legislativa (equivalent to The Congress), The Metallic Building, various parks, and other sites of interest. This serves as an introduction to the Capital City, providing insights into the economy, culture, politics, religion, and current events.

Additionally, an Art Gallery visit is included, offering the chance to purchase souvenirs.

Kiosco San Jose - Home to the Tierra Tica show. Ram Luna is situated high above the mountains, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Central Valley at dusk, followed by the dazzling lights of the capital.

Every Wednesday and Thursday night, the Mirador Ram Luna Restaurant comes alive with marimba and cimarrona music, traditional Costa Rican folk dancing, and clowns, all amidst authentic Costa Rican cuisine, including cherished recipes from our grandparents.

Located in the hills above Aserrí, just 9 miles south of San Jose, Ram Luna is filled with Costa Rican memorabilia, live music, and authentic folklore, allowing visitors to relive beautiful memories of the past.

The delightful buffet and decorations reflect traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Guests can savor a variety of traditional dishes such as: (la olla de carne) a traditional meat stew, (el picadillo de arracache) chopped arracache root, (la carne en salsa) cubed meat with special sauce, (las empanaditas de queso) cheese turnovers, (el chifrijo) a small bowl with white rice, red beans, pork meat, and pico de gallo, (los chicharones típicos de la zona) deep-fried pork Aserrí style, and irresistible traditional desserts.

The show, Tierra Tica, is presented with enthusiasm and spontaneity, showcasing the most representative stages of Costa Rican folklore, concluding with the Cimarrona, a jubilant dance of the giants, performed outside the restaurant overlooking the city. Local artisans also display beautiful jewelry made from stones, tree seeds, and natural fibers, available for purchase as souvenirs.

Irazu Volcano - Cartago City - and Orosi Valley Tour

Irazu Volcano National Park - The tour begins with a journey south along the Panamerican Highway to the base of the majestic “Iztaru” (named after an indigenous village once located on the volcano’s slopes, possibly the origin of the Irazu Volcano’s name).

The winding road passes through fertile lands where various types of vegetation are cultivated, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. At the summit, on a clear day, visitors can enjoy an unforgettable view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

As the tour descends to Cartago City, a stop is made at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica, a renowned pilgrimage site for many believers, some of whom travel for days or weeks on foot in a journey of faith. The Basilica, with its large vaulted ceilings and exquisite stained glass windows, is a must-see.

After visiting the Basilica, the tour continues to the Valley of Orosi, an area of unparalleled beauty. Visitors can explore one of the few remaining colonial churches and enjoy a delicious typical lunch at a local restaurant.

Poas Volcano - Coffee Plantations - La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour

Poas Volcano - The tour begins with a visit to the Doka Coffee Estate for a delightful breakfast, followed by a coffee tour at an actual coffee plantation. Here, visitors learn the ancient techniques used by experts to produce some of the finest coffee in Costa Rica and worldwide. The process of cultivating, harvesting, and roasting the Golden Bean is demonstrated hands-on, culminating in a tasting of the exquisite product.

After the coffee tour, the journey continues to Poas Volcano National Park, where the temperature noticeably changes, and the lush vegetation of the cloud forest is evident.

Poás Volcano is an active 2,708-meter (8,885 ft) stratovolcano. Its crater spans over a mile across and is 1050 feet deep, having erupted 40 times since 1828, including in April 2017.

At the volcano, visitors have time to admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles and hike a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon, learning about the park’s diverse ecosystems.

Following the visit to Poás, the tour proceeds to La Paz Waterfall Garden, where a buffet lunch (rated 4 Forks by the Costa Rican Tourism Council) featuring a variety of traditional Costa Rican dishes and more is enjoyed.

At La Paz Waterfall Gardens, walking trails surrounded by lush tropical rainforest offer views of flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds. Educational animal exhibits, including the Aviary, Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and Frog Exhibit, provide enjoyment for nature lovers of all ages.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Playa Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful parks. This tour includes visits to pristine beaches with coral reefs, surrounded by lush vegetation and the natural wonders of the tropical rainforest. Manuel Antonio’s beaches are highly regarded as some of Costa Rica’s finest.

The journey to Manuel Antonio National Park follows the coastline, offering scenic views, including African palm plantations, and passing through small villages along the Pacific Coast, ultimately reaching the port of Quepos and the National Park.

Since vehicle access to the park is restricted, visitors hike to the preserve, crossing a creek. Once inside, they can relax on the beach, sunbathe, or hike the park’s trails, observing Manuel Antonio’s abundant flora and fauna, including various species of monkeys, iguanas, birds, and possibly even the three-toed sloth.

For those who choose to hike the trail to Cathedral Point, a camera is essential; the views of the park and the sea are simply breathtaking!

Arenal Volcano - Hot Springs

Arenal Volcano - En route to Arenal Volcano, a stop is made at the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s artisans. In Sarchi, visitors can admire a wide array of art crafts and souvenirs that Costa Rica offers, including the world’s largest ox cart, as recognized by the Guinness Book.

The cart stands two stories high, nearly 45 feet long (14 meters), weighs 4400 lbs. (2 tons), and took 70 days to complete. Made from cedar wood and adorned with vibrant colors, it is designed based on traditional oxcarts.

The journey continues through diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple and plantain farms, mango groves, ornamental plants, and cattle ranches, until reaching the small town of La Fortuna. Here, a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano provides a delightful lunch.

The impressive Arenal Volcano, a magnificent natural wonder located in La Fortuna (The Fortune) of San Carlos, was once thought dormant until a major eruption in 1968. It now attracts tourists worldwide, eager to witness volcanic activity, such as the white plumes of smoke emanating from the conical-shaped giant.

Visitors then relax at one of the area’s best hot springs, enjoying the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters, with optional massages or special treatments available by reservation. Spa treatments are not included and are payable directly at the resort.

Baldi’s facilities offer 25 separate mineral water reservoirs flowing naturally from the volcano. The medicinal waters, certified by L.N.A. (Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas), range in temperature from 93 to 152 degrees, providing a variety of options to suit visitors’ preferences.

To conclude the day perfectly, a wonderful dinner is served with a stunning view of the volcano, ensuring no opportunity to admire the classically shaped volcano is missed.

Catamaran To Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya

Tortuga Island - Enjoy a day filled with beautiful skies, stunning ocean views, and live music. Onboard the yacht, tropical fruits and natural drinks are served, and at the island, there is time to explore, sunbathe, swim, take optional tours like kayaking and canopy, and savor a delicious lunch prepared by the crew. This excursion departs from San Jose early in the morning to Puntarenas, where a yacht to Isla Tortuga (Turtle Island), a beautiful island in the Gulf of Nicoya, is boarded.

At Tortuga Island, the day is filled with beautiful skies, stunning ocean views, and live music. Onboard the yacht, delicious tropical fruits and refreshing natural drinks are served. Visitors can explore the island, immerse themselves in the calm, clear waters, and lush landscape, swim, sunbathe, or take optional tours like kayaking or canopy. A delicious lunch is prepared by the crew.

Tortuga Island spans 120 hectares of stunning terrain, with four main hills and a 500-meter beach awarded the blue flag certification. On the way to Tortuga Island, San Lucas Island is visible, a former security prison with a dark history in Costa Rica.

The journey to Tortuga Island is aboard a yacht equipped with 2 Cummins Marino 300 HP motors, radar, satellite navigation systems, VHF marine radio, clean bathrooms, and potable drinking water.

An experienced yacht captain with an international maritime license and a well-trained crew ensure a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable journey.

San Jose International Airport

Plaza Real Alajuela - Breakfast at the Hotel.

At the agreed time, transportation to the San Jose International Airport is provided for your flight home or an extension to another area of the country, if selected.

• 7 nights accommodation
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• All meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• All fees and taxes included

• Gratitudes
• Personal expenses such as laundry service or international phone calls
• International flights

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.