Things to do in Cartago Province

Departing from the nearby meeting point, visit the University of Costa Rica campus, home to some of the largest patches of forest in San Jose. Guided by young biologists, discover the nature hiding in the middle of Costa Rica's largest city. Experience wildlife you wouldn't have imagined existed minutes away from downtown.   On the first stop, you’ll look for resident and migratory birds, lots of incredible insects and amazing flowers. We'll be talking about art, history, indigenous culture, and most of all, nature. Lastly, visit the main campus to seek out the friendly sloths climbing freely. The goal of this tour is to change the way tourism is done in Costa Rica, while supporting young scientists, researchers, and local entrepreneurs.

Start with a pickup from your hotel and travel by minibus along the Panamerican Highway until you reach the base of the Irazú Volcano. Travel up the winding road through fertile farmlands where many types of fruit and vegetables are cultivated.  Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. At the summit of the volcano, on a clear day, marvel at the spectacular view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Next, descend to the city of Cartago and stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica. Discover this local pilgrimage site which has large vaulted ceilings and exquisite examples of stained glass windows.  Continue the tour through the Orosi Valley, an area of magnificent natural beauty. Visit one of the few remaining colonial churches in the region and stop for a tasty typical lunch at one of the local restaurants. Finally, be returned to your hotel to complete the tour.

Raft along the Pacuare River on a guided excursion from San José and feel the thrill of floating past cascading waterfalls. Experience class 3 and 4 rapids, perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Enjoy a roundtrip transfer from your hotel and discover the world of whitewater rafting. After an early pick-up at your San Jose area hotel, we will drive to Cartago – Costa Rica’s historic capital city – and through small towns and countryside to the rafting hub of Turrialba. We’ll stop for breakfast (included) and afterward head to the Pacuare River put-in. At the river, your guides will outfit you with rafting equipment and give a paddling explanation and safety talk. Then the fun begins! We’ll paddle 18 miles downriver through class 3 and 4 rapids like “Huacas,” “Rodeo,” “Pinball,” “Cimarrones,” and “Dos Montañas.” Along the way, we’ll stop for a riverside picnic lunch. After finishing rafting, you’ll be able to change into dry clothes before driving back to San Jose. Our Pacuare River Rafting 1 Day tour includes breakfast, picnic lunch, 5 hours of rafting, professional river guides and a safety kayaker, rafting equipment, and transportation from and to your San Jose area hotel.

Discover the highest volcano in Costa Rica on a hiking tour from San Jose. Trek through breathtaking scenery to reach the summit of the Irazú Volcano and gaze into the emerald lagoon in its crater. Departing from San Jose, take the South Panamerican Highway to start the ascent toward Irazú Volcano National Park (entry included). The winding road travels through fertile lands cultivated with all kinds of vegetables.  On the top of the volcano, observe the main craters and, on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Afterward, descend to the city of Cartago and stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica.

Only 20 minutes from San José Downtown, enjoy the majesty of the Rain Forest at the Carpintera Hills, gliding between trees hanging from steel cables . All along the travel through the forest reserve you will be able to watch mammals, birds and an exuberant flora. You will also be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the Central Valley, Poás and Irazú Volcano, and the "Tres Marías" Hills. The Canopy Tour includes 3 activities: a hike in the Rainforest of the Carpintera Hills (20 minutes aprox.), 19 platforms, 13 cables, the longest cable has a length of aprox. 1500 ft (500 meters), and 2 rappels (40 & 10 meters).

Learn about the rich culture and history of Costa Rica on a guided tour of the city of San Jose by night. Start the tour with pickup from your hotel and travel to La Sabana Park where you will meet your guide. Here, get an overview of the history of Costa Rica's capital city. Learn about the history and current political climate of Costa Rica as you wander through the city with your guide. Stop outside sites of historical interest such as the National Theater, a monument built in 1897 known as "the Jewel of San Jose." See the Costa Rican Gold Museum, several national embassies, the National Stadium, and the University of Costa Rica. At the end of the tour, enjoy a delicious traditional lunch or dinner in one of the most fashionable areas of the city.

Get to know the culture and character of San José on an immersive bus tour of the city’s highlights. Taking you from your hotel and past the National Theater, Democracy Plaza and Central Market, you’ll witness an on-board folk music performance and learn about Costa Rica’s history and evolution. Starting at your hotel, the tour will take you into downtown San José, which you’ll be able to admire from the top deck as you ride. As an introduction to the city’s key sights, you’ll take a guided walk past the cherished National Theater, Central Market and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Back on board, you’ll be treated to a traditional folk music performance before stopping to enjoy local Costa Rican cuisine for lunch.  As you pass the National Monument, which commemorates Central America’s victory over the US Filibusters, your guide will teach you about the history of Costa Rica and its evolving national identity. Your final stop will be at Plaza de la Democracia, built in 1989 to commemorate a century of Costa Rican democracy, before the tour takes you back through San José’s bustling streets to your hotel.

We will pick you up from your lodging in San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago or Heredia downtown to take to this adventure and visit two of the most famous volcanoes in Costa Rica with all entrances and typical lunch included: - Pick up from your lodging in San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago or Heredia downtown, no matter if it is airbnb, house or hotel - Drive for around 1.5 hours to visit Irazú Volcano in Cartago, our first Volcano. - We will go for a delicious typical lunch, you can choose what eat (is not incluided). - After taking a rest we will continue to Turrialba Volcano(Not the crater) - If time allow us we will visit some beautiful places like Orosi Valley or Guayabo National Park - Return to your hotel, drop off directly at your lodging, no matter if it is airbnb, house or hotel

This private tour is rich with the individual stories of rescued wildlife, including those of a large variety of parrots, macaws, owls, sloths, spider monkeys, and more. The experience offers guests insight into the significance of conservation, as well as facts about rainforest wildlife and what it means to run a wildlife rescue center. Departing from San Jose or nearby provinces, visit an animal rescue center that specializes in rehabilitating injured sloths and learn everything about these amazing animals. The Toucan Rescue Ranch’s (TRR) mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and then release Costa Rican wildlife. TRR works with a model that focuses on conservation, education, and research to ensure a brighter tomorrow for native wildlife.

The Pacuare River is the number one for rafting in Costa Rica and worldwide is in the top 10 of the most beautiful rivers in the world, with a distance of 27 kilometers, has mostly class III-IV rapids, plus beautiful waterfalls along the route being home to diverse wildlife. Logistics: Arrival time at our base in Turrialba 7:30 am, departure from base 7:45 am. Approximate duration to the river 50min located in the area of Linda Vista de Siquirres specifically in the Ganadería 3X Adventure Park Upon arrival at the river you will be given all the necessary equipment for the activity, you will be assigned a tour guide and he will give you a safety talk where he will explain in detail important aspects such as: how to sit, how to paddle, commands for the control of the raft and what to do in emergency situations, etc. The duration of the tour is from 3h30min to 4h depending on the water level, during this time we will make a stop at noon to have a picnic lunch, then we will continue to complete the 27 kilometers, ending in the area of Siquirres. Ending time of the tour 1/1:30 pm, approximate arrival to Turrialba 2:30 pm. **If different logistics are required in case of continuing your trip to the Caribbean, please consult us. Recommendations: Clothing: Light running clothes, tennis shoes or sandals are mandatory. It is mandatory to bring a change of clothes for the return trip, this will be in the bus waiting for us at the end of the trip, there is a place where you can take a shower. Extra articles for example: photo or video camera, cell phones, jewelry or any other valuables can be taken but under your own responsibility, we recommend not to take anything during the rafting because they can be lost very easily. We have a photo and video service (not included). This is done in the most beautiful parts and the best rapids, at the end of the tour we show you the work without any commitment.