Costa Rica is the perfect adventure holiday destination. There is so much to discover and you could spend months exploring, only just to scratch the surface. Whilst the main attractions are the wildlife-centric National Parks (Tortuguero, Arenal and Manuel Antonio), the capital of San José is an underrated base for expeditions. Here are all the best day trips from San José, Costa Rica’s vibrant capital.
Day Trips from San José | Exploring Costa Rica
1. Poás Volcano National Park
The Poás Volcano offers a surreal experience and is arguably one of the coolest places in the country. Firstly, it is an active volcano, last erupting in 2019, and features one of the largest craters in the world. It is also bang in the middle of lush forest, home to some of the best wildlife in the country, including the resplendent quetzal. You could also consider combining your visit with a visit to the Doka Coffee Estate (more on that below)
Tip: You will need to book your ticket in advance, as entry is limited to protect the park’s ecosystem. Poas Volcano is often covered in clouds which completely obstructs your view. For this reason, it is best to visit early in the morning. Entrance is $15USD per person.
2. Doka Coffee Estate
When we travelled in Costa Rica I thoroughly enjoyed the coffee. It was always just so good and basically on tap wherever we went. A must for any coffee lover is the Doka Coffee Estate, which is perched on the slopes of the Poás Volcano. Here you can have a guided tour that covers the entire coffee making process, complete with plenty of tastings.
For the basic tour package, you can expect to pay $28 USD per person. This includes a tour and tastings. Or, if you want to mix it with the Poás National Park experience, the Doka Coffee Estate charges $132.00 USD per person. Tip: Dependent on your tour provider, this option could be cheaper with them, so shop around.
Alternatively head to La Chimba Coffee Plantation. This is a slightly more expensive than Doka Coffee Estate ($32 USD per person for the tour), but is home to a 5 kilometer and 9 kilometer trail called Hacienda y Beneficio La Chimba. Both of these trails lead to the viewpoint and you can walk these for an additional $12 USD. If you are more adventurous, this is a good place to trial zip-lining and the high-ropes for additional payment.
3. La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Another one of the fantastic day trips from San José is the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. These are located about two hours from the city and comprise of five stunning waterfalls. There is also a hummingbird garden, and a wildlife rescue centre home to jaguars, sloths, and toucans. The visit can be quite pricey ($58 USD per person), but the scenery is well worth it. Plus, whilst seeing animals in the wild is always better, you will be contributing the work done by the rescue centre.
Tip: There are plenty of walks, ranging from the trails up to the waterfall and the gardens. Make sure that you bring sensible footwear (trainers will be fine) and a raincoat, just in case. Also allow around 4 hours to see everything.
4. Cartago and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
Cartago is Costa Rica’s former capital and is about a 45 minute drive away from San José. The city has a rich colonial feel and is surrounded by two mountain ranges. This means that trips to the Irazú Volcano, the highest volcano in Costa Rica, are relatively easy.
In the city, you’ll also find the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, arguably the main attraction in the city and a key pilgrimage site for the people of Costa Rica. It is a stunning church and definitely worth seeing. and pilgrimage site. Other than that, there is not much else to see in the city itself, but another option is to explore the ruins of the Santiago Apóstol Parish.
Tip: If you have rented a car, this is a perfect journey. The road conditions are some of the best and are a modern dual carriageway.
5. Sarchí
One of my favourite day trips from San José has to be to the charming town of Sarchi. It is very much rural Costa Rica and shows you an incredible insight into the world of the locals. Most interestingly though, the town is known as the cradle of national craftsmanship in the country, and many of the shops and businesses have been family-ran for generations.
Sarchi is famously also the place to buy souvenirs and you’ll find plenty of unique items here not found anywhere else. You can also spot the many ox carts which has been stunningly decorated each year.
Tip: The roads to Sarchi are quite narrow and winding. Make sure that you plan your route ahead and be prepared to go slowly.
6. Orosi Valley
For an authentic flavour of Costa Rica, check out the Orosi Valley. This is home to some of the prettiest views near San José. You’ll find local coffee farms and tours here for you to complete, where of course you can enjoy some locally-grown coffee. You also have hot springs here, such as the spa-like Hacienda Orosi, which is perfect for relaxing.
If chilling is not your vibe, check out Orosi Church, one of the oldest in the country (dating back to the 1700s). Alternatively, to get you nature fix, you could see Tapanti National Park where you’ll find wildlife hiding amongst the pristine rainforest.
stunning landscapes and a touch of history, head to the Orosi Valley, about an hour southeast of San José. This picturesque region is dotted with coffee farms, hot springs, and the charming Orosi Church, one of Costa Rica’s oldest. The tranquil setting is perfect for a leisurely day of exploring.
Tip: For a tasty lunch and to avoid the tourist prices in San José, check out Pizzeria a la Lena Il Giardino.
7. Braulio Carrillo National Park
A lesser-known, but absolutely gorgeous, destination is the Braulio Carrillo National Park. This paradise is found just 30 minutes from San José and has one of the most extreme variance of altitudes of any National Park. 3000m to be exact! This means that it is a biodiversity hotspot and, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot some of the country’s most incredible wildlife here, including the infamous bushmaster snake.
The main attraction to this National Park has to be the varying elevations, and there are a range of trails dotted around it that allow you to explore. It is one of the few places where you can experience both rainforest and cloudforest in such a short vicinity.
Tip: Getting to the Braulio Carrillo National Park is easy enough. From San José there are regular bus services to the ranger stations. However, getting back can be challenging as it is not a scheduled stop, so be prepared to pay for a taxi.
8. Adventure in the Sarapiquí Region
The Sarapiquí region offers another opportunity to get immersed in nature, but is significantly lesser-known than Tortuguero or Monteverde. You can either run this as one of your day trips from San José, or as a couple of days. The choice is yours and the journey from the capital here is around two hours.
In Sarapiqui, you’ll find lush primary forests and waterways, along with plenty of wildlife, including more than 400 species of birds! Whilst you’re here, you could take a boat tour, go white water rafting and even ride horses through the trails.
Tip: Try this as an alternative to the boat tour in Tortuguero if you don’t want to stay in the rainforest, or have a smaller budget in mind.
9. Turrialba Volcano and Guayabo National Monument
If you want to get up close with the explosive side of nature, then a trip to the Turrialba Volcano is the one for you. This the country’s second largest active volcano (after Arenal), with the last eruption taking place in 2022.
There are no bus services which run here and the drive takes around 2 hours from San José. Ideally, you’ll need a rented car or sign up to a day tour. You can only walk around the trails of Turrialba as part of a guided tour, and these cost $45 USD per person, plus the National Park entrance fee of $12 USD.
After the thrills of the volcano, next check out the nearby Guayabo National Monument. This is the most significant archeological site in Costa Rica and highlights the past of the indigenous people who lived here before the country was colonised.
Tip: Check ahead of time as the volcano can sometimes be closed due to volcanic activity. If you are driving, be aware that the dirt track leading to the ranger station is very narrow and not easy to navigate.
10. Pacific Coast: Jaco Beach
For some sunshine in Costa Rica, the best place has to be the Pacific Coast. Jaco Beach is around a 90 minute drive from San José and is a classic beachside town. Here you can relax by the ocean or try your hand at some water sports. You also have the nearby Carara National Park where, if you are lucky, you can spot a scarlet macaw!
Nearby is Tortuga Island, which is one of the best places to dive in Costa Rica. It is only accessible by boat and usually needs to be visited as part of a tour. Once you’re there though, you can see plenty of amazing marine wildlife, including sharks and manta rays. If swimming is not your thing, then you can either relax on the shores or rent a kayak.
Final Tips for Day Trips
- Transportation: In Costa Rica, renting a car is the best option for day trips. However, many of the roads are not paved and are littered with pot holes. If you go over one and get a flat, do not accept help from strangers and wait until your company arrives.
- Timing: As with any day trip, I would advise leaving early to avoid the rush and to make the most of the day.
- Packing Essentials: Check out my what to pack for Costa Rica guide where I cover all the essentials and play my hand at myth-busting!
Final Thoughts | Day Trips from San José
San José is often overlooked as a base in Costa Rica. I think that it has an ideal location and is perfect for exploring some lesser-seen sights in the country. Whether you want wildlife or culture, you can see it all from the country’s capital. I hope that you found this post useful and, as ever, please ask any questions.
*cover image source: crluxlifestyle.com
