ISLAND GUIDE
The tours and day trips worth booking.
The 15 top-rated things to do in San Jose — the boat trips, beach days, volcano hikes and old-town wanders worth building a day around, with real prices and who to book each one with.
Tortuga Island full-day trip from San José with speedboat, snorkeling gear, dolphin watching, and lunch plus five hours of beach time.
Most Popular“Such an amazing experience! Memo, our tour guide was such a pleasure to be around. He was super fun and so helpful. I’d definitely recommend this tour.”
5-hour San José walk and bus tour: Teatro Nacional lobby, Mercado Central, monuments, Gold Room museum, and lunch for $80.
“There is a lot of time on the bus...We could have walked and seen more. We would have liked to see inside the theatre and had more time at the gold museum.”
A hands-on coffee and sugar-cane farm tour near San Jose with tasting, butterfly viewing, and plant-to-processing storytelling in about 1.5 hours.
“This was so very enjoyable and enlightening! I learned so much about the coffee bean plants, the harvesting and the production! Ray was our tour guide and he did and excellent job! And the tasting of coffee and chocolate was delicious! I highly recommend this tour to everyone!!!!”
4-hour San José night walk with a local guide, iconic architecture, Barrio Escalante, and dinner plus 2 drinks included.
“This tour was great! So much information and the guides were super knowledgeable about past and present information on the culture and city. There was a mid point stop and there were several options! The only thing was were close to tour guide but there were times being by traffic it was hard to hear.…”
San José to Arenal day trip with Sarchí ox carts, Arenal viewpoints, and included thermal hot springs plus lunch and dinner from $195.
“Terrible customer service! Our tour got cancelled after 1 hour past our pick up time, they never show up! They don’t pick up phone calls, no respond on whatsup, only messages we got that our spots got sold out, we can change date or they can cancel my reservation.”
Self-paced entry to La Paz Waterfall Gardens in San Jose, Costa Rica, with five waterfalls, wildlife exhibits, orchids, and hummingbirds.
“We had a wonderful time and would definitely book again. The staff was amazing and took their time to ensure our safety.”
Shared shuttle from SJO to La Fortuna with air-conditioning, a mid-route San Ramón stop, and hotel drop-offs. Value at $50.
“Tour operator was very responsive and was able to provide me all the info I needed. I was in a flight delay and busy immigration situation and the tour operator was in contact with me all the time and could confirm with me if the shuttle will still wait as there are other passengers and…”
Timed escape room at The Escape Game in Milpitas inside Great Mall. Pick a mission, solve puzzles, and escape in 60 minutes.
“Went in for my wife’s bday. Robby was very nice to set up balloons and banner for her! Very friendly people! Will come back again!”
See Poás Volcano, tour a coffee plantation with tastings, and visit La Paz Waterfall from San Jose in one long day.
“Great tour guide and excellent views. Had a great time seeing the Poás Volcano and the coffee plantation. The water falls also has an excellent view.”
Manuel Antonio day trip from San José: rainforest walk to a postcard beach, wildlife stops, and breakfast, lunch, guide, and park entry.
“every things incredible especially the tour guide she very knowledgeable and very hospitable and responsible,”
Private SJO airport-to-San José shuttle for up to 3, with flight tracking, WiFi, and hotel drop-off. Usually 20–35 minutes.
“It was well coordinated and driver was pleasant and courteous. Found my destination with no difficulty”
San José chocolate workshop: taste cocoa from fruit to bar, make your own bars, and pack them in eco-friendly wraps.
“The experience was wonderful, I had a great time learning about the history of chocolate. The host was respectful and informative, helping as much as he can.”
San Jose evening bus tour with hotel pickup, Teatro Nacional, art museum, Mercado Central, and dinner for an easy after-dark overview.
“RE VIP City Tour: This tour was great! Our tour guide and driver were very accommodating. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and courteous. I loved walking around the city and getting a feel for the culture and lifestyle in places like San Jose’s Central Market and downtown retail area. The highlight was the delicious…”
Poás Volcano, two coffee stops, and La Paz Waterfall in one long nature-and-coffee day from San José, with lunch and transfers included.
“Great experience! Carlos was a terrific guide and there were so many incredible things to see between the food/coffee/nature. FYI- San Jose traffic is real!! Not the tour’s fault at all but this added hours onto the tour at the end so know that it may go longer than expected.”
Half-day trip from San José to Irazú Volcano and Cartago’s Basilica of Los Angeles, with A/C transport, snacks, and included tickets.
“Overpriced and underwhelming, then they had the cheek to try and upcharge me $50 for lunch! Would not recommend”
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