San José, Costa Rica

Shore excursions

Get an up-close look at Costa Rican life through local food, history, and even herbal remedies from folk medicine. Enjoy a hands-on lesson on exotic plants, fruits and vegetables, and enjoy several samples of local food on this guided tour. Stroll the streets with a local as he shows you the ins and outs of daily life. Our first stop at the Borbón Market is a true sensory experience of views, colors, and you will be able to see the daily wheelbarrow race between the workers. The focus is on agricultural products, although it sells a little of everything. Then, take a stroll through the vibrant Mercado Borbón and sample plenty of fresh local fruits. We will explore the largest and oldest market in the city of San José, founded in 1880 here we will enjoy a delicious ice cream at Lolo Mora, the oldest ice cream parlor since 1901. Visiting several sites in the City, the Cathedral, the National Theater and walking through The beautiful Central and Morazán parks will help you get to know the country and its rich history. Finally, we will visit a special place Mr Sloth Coffee where you will find specialty coffee and delicious chocolates. Learn to make coffee, enjoy a tamale, try a caldosa, and make sweet plantain empanadas before concluding your adventure in the city of Pura Vida, learning about history, culture, and the daily lives of the local people.

Explore Tortuga Island on a guided tour, Go on a quick tour of the other islands in a boat, then arrive at Tortuga Island. Go snorkeling or swimming, and eat lunch on the beach. Opt to do other activities, such as renting a kayak. And come back for a great lunch. Begin your tour by getting picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle. Once you arrive at the harbor, hop into your speedboat and set sail on your adventure. Listen to your guide tell you about the local area and take in the views. Go on a tour of the Gulf of Nicoya, and see islands such as San Lucas, Isla Cedros, and Jesusita. Use the opportunity to take photos. Along the way, keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins that are residents of Puntarenas. See if you can spot whales or turtles, and stop to observe them. Upon arrival at the island, be provided with equipment to go snorkeling, as well as instructions on how to use them. Go searching for exotic and colorful fish underwater. Spend time relaxing on the white sand in the shade of palm trees. Opt to participate in other activities at an extra cost. Rent a kayak, or go paddleboarding. After you have explored the island, head back for lunch on the beach. Enjoy cold drinks and a coffee along with it. Hop back in the boat to be taken back to your hotel at the end of the day.

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.

This is a full day excursion, we will travel to the beautiful Poás area, our bus will travel through mountains and cattle farms until we reach the impressive Poás Volcano. We will take a short walk to the crater to see its beautiful lagoon, of course taking into account that its sighting depends on the natural weather conditions of the area. At the volcano there is a beautiful cafeteria, we will give time to buy snacks at the end of the tour at the Volcano. Then we will visit the Catarata de la Paz, a beautiful, 37-meter-high waterfall where you will have incredible photos. Finally, we will visit an authentic Coffee Farm, where you can see coffee plantations, learn about the process and also taste coffee and chocolates produced on the farm. At the end we will travel back to your hotel.

Visit the Poás Volcano, the picturesque La Paz outdoor waterfall, and a coffee farm on a day trip from San José, Costa Rica. A wonderful choice for coffee aficionados and nature lovers alike, this tour includes a hotel pickup and lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation in San Jose and make your way to your first stop for the day, the Poás Volcano. Travel in an air-conditioned van and admire coffee plantations as well as flower and strawberry farms along the way. Poás is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes and last erupted in April 2017. The volcano and the surrounding park were closed for close to 17 months and a safety perimeter of nearly 2.5 kilometers was established around the erupting crater. At the volcano, you'll have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles. Then, follow a trail to the Botos Lagoon, a crater lake located inside the Poás Volcano National Park. As you hike, learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After your trek, refuel with a delicious lunch of local fare at one of the restaurants in the area. Then, head out to your next destination, the La Paz Waterfall. Gaze at La Paz waterfall as you stroll along paved trails through cloud forests and rainforests. Make the most of excellent photo opportunitiesand see the falls from different vantage points on the outside. Then, head to your final stop for the day, the Hacienda coffee farm, the first and only Coffee farm. See the visitor center and learn what Coffee is doing to empower farmers, promote sustainable practices, and develop the next generation of coffee. At the end of your Costa Rica adventure, enjoy a convenient transfer back to your hotel in San José.

Start your tour in the morning when you are picked up from your hotel in the San Jose area in an air-conditioned vehicle. Travel to Arenal on an alternative route that is more scenic than the regular highway to this popular destination. On the way, stop at a plantation where you will learn about the coffee of Costa Rica. Observe the coffee plants and see the workers picking the ripe cherries during the harvest season. Learn about this important product to the local economy and taste a freshly brewed cup of some of the best coffee in the world accompanied by traditional snacks. Continue the tour at the famous La Paz Waterfall. Stop at the San Fernando Waterfall look-out point and observe many exotic birds including toucans, hummingbirds, and many other colorful tropical species. Visit the iguana’s center, a place where you will see lots of iguanas at eye level resting on the top of numerous trees. Following this, arrive at the Town of La Fortuna, and enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located at the base of the impressive Arenal Volcano. After lunch, visit various points around the volcano to take pictures of this amazing mountain on clear days. Next, participate in an indigenous presentation performed by native people from the Maleku Tribe, and learn about the native culture of Costa Ricans. Later, travel to the beautiful Paradise Hot Springs Resort and relax for a few hours in the multiple hot springs pools surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This hot springs facility is one of the best in the Arenal area and provides the perfect environment to relax in thermal mineral water pools, jacuzzis and cascading waterfalls. After this, go to a local typical restaurant to have a delicious Costa Rican dinner before you are taken back to your hotel in the San Jose area.

Travel in style with reclining seats, a complimentary beverage, and a comfortable pillow on your transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna. Enjoy everything needed to stay connected with onboard wifi and power outlets. Travel in custom-designed buses to maximize comfort, with plenty of legroom, reclining seats, and complimentary pillows. Relax as your luggage stays safe from unpredictable tropical weather. Enjoy a complimentary water bottle and stay connected with free WiFi and power outlets on board. Relax as safety is a priority, with experienced drivers and well-maintained vehicles. Connect with fellow travelers, share stories, and embrace responsible tourism.

Tour the best locations in Costa Rica and learn about local life and culture from those who live there. Visit a coffee plantation, zip line, and soak in the hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Take the scenic route to the Arenal Volcano and visit a coffee plantation along the way. Gain an insight into the world of Costa Rican coffee and taste one of the best coffees in the world. Arrive at the "La Paz" and "San Fernando" waterfalls and admire the exotic tropical birds of Costa Rica, including many species of hummingbirds and rare emerald toucanets. Take in the views at the San Fernando Waterfall observation point before heading to the "Iguana Bridge", where you will have the chance to spot iguanas, sloths, monkeys, and toucans. Stop for an authentic Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located in "La Fortuna." Then, prepare for a zip-lining adventure in the local rainforest jungles with 7 canopy cables and a 50 meter (150 feet) rappel on the Arenal River. Learn about the culture while listening to a "Maleku" Indigenous tribe presentation from locals. Relax for a couple of hours in the Paradise Hot Springs at the base of Arenal Volcano, surrounded by tropical gardens followed by dinner.

Jungle Crocodile Safari is the authentic experience of a safari along the great river of Tárcoles, where our visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the natural richness that this wonderful ecosystem has to offer. The tour consist of a two hour boat ride along the river in our comfortable and safe pontoons, where our visitors will get up close and personal to the great american crocodile and a great variety of wildlife such as birds, mammals and small reptiles, finally we cruise through the guacalillo mangroves and the river mouth getting a sight of the pacific ocean.

Looking for a reliable and affordable way to travel for your getaway in La Fortuna? Daytrip Shuttle has you covered. We offer safe and affordable shared rides from/to San Jose Airport or San Jose downtown—perfect for solo travelers, couples, and small groups. A few days before your trip, you’ll receive detailed driver and vehicle information along with a GPS tracking link. On the day of your journey, your driver will meet you at the meeting point or your hotel. You can check the driver’s location ahead of your pick-up time for a smooth connection, and the GPS tracking will remain active throughout the trip, allowing you and your loved ones to follow your journey in real time for added peace of mind. You’ll join a small group of up to 8 passengers for a shared yet spacious ride in an air-conditioned van comparable in size to a Mercedes Vito. If you have any problem, our 24/7 English-speaking customer support is just a call away to help ensure your journey is smooth and stress-free from start to finish. Whether it’s your first visit to Costa Rica or you are coming to continue exploring its wonders, Daytrip Shuttle is the smart and smooth way to travel around with comfort and confidence.