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Costa Rica · San José

Day trips from San José

Volcanoes, coffee farms, gardens, colonial towns and rafting rivers one to three hours from the capital, on your own or with a tour. Leave early to beat the clouds and the traffic.

14 places1 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint)1

    Photo: Peter Andersen, CC BY 2.5

    NatureRestricted access

    Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint)

    Route 120 via Poasito, about 37 km north of Alajuela34 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    One of the world’s largest active craters, about 1,320 m wide, with a hot acidic lake seen from a viewpoint at the end of a short paved path.

    Since 27–28 August 2026 a green alert has been in force for earthquakes, eruptions and gas: daily capacity halved, a maximum of 56 people per turn at the viewpoint, mandatory helmets and only two trails open (the main one to the viewpoint and Sombrilla de Pobre). It can close at short notice; if it does, Irazú is the nearest alternative with a visible crater.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $16.95 for foreign adults ($5.65 for children 2–12), VAT included. Light-vehicle parking: ₡2,750, by card.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00, last entry 14:00 (SINAC). It can close or cut capacity at short notice.
    Booking
    Mandatory, online only and prepaid. No gate sales.
    Time needed
    About 20 minutes at the crater viewpoint per turn (according to press and guides).

    Tip: Book the first morning slot: cloud usually fills the crater by midday.

    Nearby: Botos Lagoon trail (Poás) (1.1 km) · Sombrilla de Pobre trail (Poás) (1.4 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (5.9 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · Delfino.cr – CNE declara alerta verde en el Poás

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  2. Irazú Volcano (Craters sector)2

    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0

    NatureOpen

    Irazú Volcano (Craters sector)

    Route 219, about 31 km north of Cartago26.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    The country’s highest volcano (3,432 m), with five craters and an ash landscape; on clear days both oceans are visible. You can drive almost to the rim of the main crater.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $16.95 for foreign adults ($5.65 for children 2–12), VAT included. Parking: ₡2,500 (Craters sector) or ₡3,000 (Prusia), by card.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00. Last entry: 14:00 in Craters and 13:00 in Prusia.
    Booking
    SINAC says tickets for both sectors are sold online only. They are not refunded if the crater is clouded in.

    Tip: Arrive around 8:00 and bring a warm layer (5–9 °C on average). In late September 2026 OVSICORI recorded a swarm of about 70 earthquakes near the volcano, with no closure announced: check SINAC notices before you go.

    Nearby: Prusia sector (Irazú) (4.3 km) · Turrialba Volcano (10.7 km) · Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (14.4 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú · Monumental – ¿Qué pasa en el Irazú?

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  3. 3

    NatureOpen

    La Paz Waterfall Gardens

    Vara Blanca, about 20 min from Poás31.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    $56
    Hours
    8:00 to 17:00
    Booking
    Not needed

    A private park with 3.5 km of trails beside five waterfalls on the La Paz river, plus an aviary, butterfly house, hummingbirds, snake exhibit and rescued wild cats.

    Source: La Paz Waterfall Gardens – About the park · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Rates valid until 15 December 2026: $56 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children 3–12 (tourists).
    Hours
    Year-round 8:00 to 17:00; they recommend entering by 15:00.
    Booking
    No reservation needed.
    Time needed
    At least 2 hours.

    Nearby: Cinchona lookout and San Fernando waterfall (2.1 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (6 km) · Botos Lagoon trail (Poás) (7.7 km)

    Sources: La Paz Waterfall Gardens – About the park

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  4. 4

    CultureOpen

    Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels

    Central Cartago, east of the ruins20.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The country’s main Catholic shrine, in Cartago, where tradition says the image of the ‘Negrita’ appeared on a stone; behind it is a spring where the faithful fill containers.

    Source: Wikipedia – Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: 2 August is a national holiday and over two million people walk here in the pilgrimage: avoid those dates if you want quiet.

    Nearby: Santiago Apóstol church ruins (Cartago) (0.8 km) · Lankester Botanical Garden (3.7 km) · Orosi Valley lookout (7.7 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels · La Nación – Romería 2026

  5. 5

    CultureOpen

    Santiago Apóstol church ruins (Cartago)

    Cartago’s main avenue, facing the main square20 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    Walls of a parish church damaged by earthquakes since colonial times, whose last rebuilding, begun in 1870, was left unfinished after the 1910 earthquake; inside is a garden with paths.

    Source: Wikipedia – Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free entry.
    Hours
    The municipality reopened the inner garden from 8:00 to 16:00, but hours have changed and it sometimes closes: the exterior is always visible.

    Nearby: Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (0.8 km) · Lankester Botanical Garden (4.3 km) · Orosi Valley lookout (8.3 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Santiago Apóstol Parish Ruins · Cartago Hoy – Vuelven a abrir las Ruinas de Cartago

  6. 6

    NatureOpen

    Orosi Valley lookout

    3 km south of Paraíso, on the road to Orosi28.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    9:00 to 15:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A tourism board park with a panoramic view of the Orosi Valley, coffee fields and the Reventazón river, with lawns, picnic shelters and a playground.

    Source: Municipalidad de Paraíso – Mirador de Orosi · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Hours
    Daily 9:00 to 15:00, with limited capacity (Paraíso municipality).

    Nearby: Orosi colonial church and museum (2.4 km) · Ujarrás lookout (2.6 km) · Ujarrás church ruins (2.6 km)

    Sources: Municipalidad de Paraíso – Mirador de Orosi · Visit Costa Rica – Mirador de Orosi

  7. Lankester Botanical Garden7

    Photo: Rquesada, CC BY-SA 4.0

    NatureOpen

    Lankester Botanical Garden

    Dulce Nombre, Cartago, on the road to Paraíso24.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $10
    Hours
    8:30 to 16:30
    Booking
    Not needed

    A University of Costa Rica garden and orchid research centre, built on Charles H. Lankester’s collection on a former coffee farm with a lagoon.

    Source: Jardín Botánico Lankester – Tarifas 2026 · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    2026 rates: $10 for non-residents and $7.50 for non-resident students, plus 2% VAT; under-5s free.
    Hours
    Daily 8:30 to 16:30.
    Booking
    No reservation needed.

    Nearby: Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (3.7 km) · Orosi Valley lookout (4.1 km) · Santiago Apóstol church ruins (Cartago) (4.3 km)

    Sources: Jardín Botánico Lankester – Tarifas 2026

  8. 8

    FoodOpen

    Coffee tour at Hacienda Doka

    Sabanilla de Alajuela, on the way to Poás23.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A coffee estate on the slopes of Poás where you follow the coffee process from field to roast and taste the result.

    Source: Hacienda Doka – official site · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$ · US$15–50

    Tip: They sell combos with Poás and La Paz Waterfall Gardens; check prices and times on their website, which does not show them on the home page.

    Nearby: Hacienda Alsacia (Starbucks coffee farm) (2 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (7.2 km) · Sombrilla de Pobre trail (Poás) (10.2 km)

    Sources: Hacienda Doka – official site · My Tan Feet – Doka Estate coffee tour

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  9. 9

    FoodOpen

    Britt coffee tour

    Mercedes Norte de Heredia, on the road to Barva9.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    from about $30
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A tour on the history and process of coffee at the Café Britt roastery, with a tasting; about 25 minutes from the airport.

    Source: GetYourGuide – Britt Coffee Tour · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    The classic tour sells from about $30 on booking platforms (2026).

    Nearby: INBioparque (closed) (5 km) · La Sabana Metropolitan Park (8.5 km) · Costa Rican Art Museum (MAC) (8.6 km)

    Sources: GetYourGuide – Britt Coffee Tour

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  10. Rafting on the Pacuare River10

    Photo: Pigment-Ink, CC BY-SA 4.0

    AdventureOpen

    Rafting on the Pacuare River

    Between Turrialba and Siquirres; operators depart from Turrialba, San José, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna44.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    $99
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A one-day run through class III-IV rapids in a jungle canyon with waterfalls, the country’s best-known rafting river.

    Source: Exploradores Outdoors – Pacuare 1-day trip · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Exploradores Outdoors sells it at $99 plus VAT with meals and transport; other operators range from about $85 to $140.
    Time needed
    About 3 hours on the river (about 30 km and 38 rapids with Exploradores); a full day with transfers. Minimum age 12 with that operator.

    Nearby: CATIE Botanical Garden (Turrialba) (3.4 km) · Guayabo National Monument (7.3 km)

    Sources: Exploradores Outdoors – Pacuare 1-day trip

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  11. 11

    AdventureOpen

    Sarapiquí River rafting

    La Virgen de Sarapiquí, Heredia; about 2 h from San José52.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    $85
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Class II-III+ rafting on the La Virgen section of the Sarapiquí River, in the northern Caribbean lowlands. It is shorter and gentler than the Pacuare.

    Source: Ríos Adventure – Sarapiquí River Rafting · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Example: Ríos Adventure charges foreigners $85 plus VAT, with lunch; transport from San José costs extra.
    Booking
    With a licensed operator; minimum age 10 with that operator.
    Time needed
    About 3 hours on the river (17 km).

    Tip: A good option for first-timers or if you travel with teenagers. Ask about the pickup point and surcharge if you leave from San José.

    Nearby: Laguna Hule (14.1 km) · La Selva Biological Station (OTS) (14.3 km)

    Sources: Ríos Adventure – Sarapiquí River Rafting

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  12. 12

    CultureOpen

    Sarchí giant oxcart

    Central park, Sarchí Norte33.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Sarchí Norte’s central park holds the world’s largest traditional oxcart according to Guinness (2006): 14 m long, with a giant yoke added in 2007.

    Source: La Nación – Sarchí le agrega un enorme yugo a su carreta gigante · 2007

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Sarchí oxcart workshops (1 km) · Grecia metal church (4.2 km) · Zarcero topiary park (11.7 km)

    Sources: La Nación – Sarchí le agrega un enorme yugo a su carreta gigante

  13. 13

    CultureOpen

    Zarcero topiary park

    Central Zarcero, Route 141, 1,736 m above sea level43.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Francisco Alvarado Park, in front of the San Rafael church, with shrubs clipped into arches and animal figures tended by Evangelista Blanco since the 1960s.

    Source: Wikipedia – Zarcero · 2026

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Combine it with Sarchí and Grecia on the way to La Fortuna; the area is known for cheese and preserves.

    Nearby: Sarchí giant oxcart (11.7 km) · Sarchí oxcart workshops (12.6 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Zarcero

  14. 14

    NatureOpen

    Barva Volcano (Braulio Carrillo National Park)

    Sacramento de Barva, Heredia; last 3 km on a dirt road23.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $13.56
    Hours
    8:00 to 15:30
    Booking
    Not stated

    The high sector of Braulio Carrillo, with cloud forest and four trails (about 10 km in total) reaching Barva Lagoon, a water-filled crater, and a lookout toward Vara Blanca.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $13.56 for non-residents over 13 and $5.65 for children 2–12 (VAT included). Camping: ₡5,000 per person per night.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 15:30, including holidays. Camping only Friday to Sunday and holidays, entering before 15:00.
    Booking
    Ticket bought online through SINAC’s system.

    Tip: The last stretch from Sacramento is unpaved: a 4x4 is recommended, especially in rain. Bring warm and waterproof layers.

    Nearby: Poasito strawberry farms (8.7 km) · Hacienda Alsacia (Starbucks coffee farm) (8.8 km) · La Paz Waterfall Gardens (9.1 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo · Adobe Rent a Car – Volcán Barva

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