Best day trips from San José, Costa Rica
Best day trips from San José, Costa Rica
From fairy tale forests to huge volcanoes, we share the best sights in Costa Rica, which can be reached on one day from San José
If we ask you to imagine Costa Rica, you will most likely not think of San José. This modest capital is not known for architectural splendor, upscale cuisine or world-class theater. Rather, it is a springboard for the natural wonder Costa Ricas: the lush forests and huge volcanoes, the amazing wildlife and the scenes of film scenes.
Fortunately, in view of the small size of Costa Ricas, many of his sights can be seen on a day trip from the capital. There are various trains, buses and transfers from San José that make it easy to reach the country's dramatic sights. Here we share a selection of the best day trips from San José, which we collected from our own trip to Costa Rica and from other travelers.
Best day trips from San José, Costa Rica
Our selection of the best day trips from San José is drawn on the map below. San José is marked with a blue pin. Click the little arrow in the upper left corner to expand the list.
1. Vulcan Irazú
One of my favorite facts about Costa Rica is that ten of its volcanoes form an almost perfect line that runs to the northwest. This fascinating phenomenon is caused by the fact that the tectonic plate coco in the Pacific Ocean is subduited (pushed or pulled) under the Caribbean plate. If you remember your geography lessons, you know that the meeting of tectonic plates causes earthquakes and volcanoes.
Fair useTen of the Costa Ricas volcanoes form an almost perfect line
The highest of the active volcano Costa Ricas is Irazú, which is said to be named after the indigenous word Ara-Ztu, which means "Thursday"-and thundering is indeed. Irazú rises to a height of 3,432 m (11,260 feet) and has broken out at least 23 times since his first recorded outbreak in 1723.
His most famous outbreak was in March 1963, days before US President John F. Kennedy started a state visit to Costa Rica. Irazú showered San José with ashes, and the eruptions lasted two years.
Alexilenahttps/ShutterstockThe Irazu volcano is Costa Rica's highest active volcano
Fortunately, Irazú is quiet these days - and, just 50 km from the capital, offers one of the best day trips from San José. A fortified path leads to the summit crater and wooden railing preventing visitors from getting too close to the edge. The nearby crater Diego de la Haya - one of a total of five on Irazú - houses a picturesque turquoise lake, but be aware that the water level has changed in the past.
2. National Park Tortuguero
Of the seven types of sea turtles worldwide, six nest in Costa Rica, four of them in the Tortuguero National Park. In fact, this 311 km² park is the most important brood area of the Caribbean for the green sea turtle. Around 40,000 arrive every season to nest here (June to October).
Iacomino Frimages/ShutterstockA sea turtle in the Tortuguero National Park
Unfortunately, poachers who sell the eggs as a delicacy or aphrodisiac with turtles. A number of volunteer organizations patrol in the area, but the problem continues to exist. When you visit the park, you should drop by at the visitor center of the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Pay less than one dollar to learn more about the history of turtles in the region and help finance the protection of species.
It is worth noting that there is a lot to see here beyond the turtles. With up to 6,000 mm precipitation per year, the park is one of the most damp areas in the country and, due to its extraordinary biodiversity, is also referred to as "mini-amazonas". More than 400 species of birds, 60 frog species, 30 fresh water fish species and three types of monkeys live here as well as the endangered West Indian Seekuh.
3. Vulkan Poás
The Poás volcano is an active 2,697 m (8,848 ft) high volcano and has one of the world's largest crater. Most recently, he broke out in 2017 and caused the Poás Vulcan national park to close for one and a half years. A 2.5 km long security area has been set up around the crater, the access of which is still strictly controlled today.
Mike Herna/ShutterstockThe Poás volcano has one of the largest craters in the world
Visitors have to book tickets in advance and can only stay at the crater for 20 minutes. Despite these restrictions, Poas offers one of the best day trips from San José. Visitors can look directly at the 260 m deep crater and the turquoise lake in the middle. Visit it early in the morning, as the summit is often wrapped in clouds later a day.
4. Waterfall gardens from La Paz
Combine a visit to the Poás volcano with the La Paz Waterfall Garden, where you can find lavish rainforest, flowing white rivers, birds, butterflies, monkeys, colibris and five fairytale waterfalls.
Ondrej Prosicky/ShutterstockLa Paz Waterfall Gardens is one of the best day trips from San José
One of the many highlights is to run directly to the La Paz waterfall and stand directly behind it. When we visited him in 2019 on the second day of our National Geographic Expedition, a fellow traveler said that he was happy to go home immediately because he could not hope to exceed the waterfall.
If your schedule allows more than a day trip from San José, consider a stay in the Peace Lodge, a luxurious boutique hotel on the garden property with a breathtaking view of the Vulkan Poás and the valley of the La Paz river.
5. Doka Estate coffee tour
Coffee lovers should take time for the Doka Estate Coffee Tour. The plantation - in the possession of the Vargas family, which has been working with coffee for more than 80 years - is considered one of the best in Latin America. Doka's coffee was even chosen for the best in the world.
Mario Wong Pastor/ShutterstockDoka's coffee was chosen for the best in the world
Visit the seedling station, the coffee plantation, the oldest Nassmühle Costa Ricas and the roaster, where you discover the secrets behind the aroma, the texture and taste of Dokas Tres Generaciones coffee. Of course, you are also invited to try the coffee and a little delicious chocolate.
6. Vulkan Arenal
Arenal is the youngest and most active of all volcanoes in Costa Rica. Remarkably, his 42-year outbreak from 1968 to 2010 is the longest-long volcanic eruption, which was recorded in history (the longest is the Mount Yasur in Vanuatu at 248 years).
Erin Donalson/ShutterstockArenal is the most active volcano Costa Ricas
However, Arenal has been quiet since 2010, which makes it one of the best day trips from San José. Take a walk on its slopes and look for the red -eyed leaf frog. This famous amphibian sleeps with the eyes of leaf floors with closed eyes. When it is disturbed, it flashes with its big red eyes, the orange feet with swimming skirts and the blue and yellow flanks in a technique that is known as a "base color" to pose predators for the precious moment that it takes to get to safety.
7. National Park Manuel Antonio
If you want to see sloths in the wild, an excursion from San José to Manuel Antonio offers the best chances. This coastal reserve and national park offers lush green, a picturesque beach and a diverse animal world.
Nationalpark Manuel Antonio">Francisco V. Machado/ShutterstockLazy on a branch in the manuel Antonio National Park
The region is busy in the high season, but the park itself is relatively quiet thanks to the limitation of the number of visitors. Stroll over the wooden walkway and look for red -eyed leaf frogs, coli bris and bats. If you want to see sloths, a certified leader is of crucial importance. They have finely coordinated skills and provide you with a telescope with which you can also find other wild animals.
After a walk to the nearby Espadilla Sur beach, to swim in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy some of the famous "Pura Vida" that master the sloths so well.
8. Wildwasser rafting on the Pacuare River
Pacuare is considered one of the most picturesque rivers in the world. It is home to a large number of animals that are rarely observed in other parts of the country, including river voters, Jaguars and Ozelots. Roar monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas and raccoons are more common. The bird species include tukane, aras, herons, kingfishers and herons.
Pafnuti/ShutterstockRafting on the Pacuare River
Adventurous people can book a wild water raft tour along the Pacuare. Depending on your tour, the first few kilometers will include gentle rapids so that you can test your skills before entering the Pacuare River Gorge, an 8 km route with some of the best game water that Costa Rica has to offer.
9. Island Tortuga
Tortuga Island is one of the best day trips from San José, Jaco or Puntarenas. The idyllic island is covered with forests and white sandy beaches, and the surrounding waters are full of life.
Joan Vendrell/ShutterstockThe idyllic island of Tortuga in Costa Rica
Snorkelers and divers should look for imperial fish, ink fishing, stingrays and spinner fishing. Adrenaline junkies can opt for a canopy and zipline tour that offers some of the best views on the island. The less adventurous can choose a kayak or glass floor boat to observe water creatures.
10. Smel forest of Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a dark and dripping place that is teeming with life. Worts protrude over the forest floor, lush mosses and wafer -thin ferns cover the leaf roof in green, while spindles from yellow Justicia add a splash of color.
Atlas & Boots
Atlas & Boots
Atlas & Boots
Atlas & Boots
Atlas & Boots
The fog forests of Monteverde and Santa Elena
The hanging garden also supports a rich fauna: over 100 mammalian, 400 birds and thousands of insect species live here and it is one of the few remaining habitats that all six wildlaps Costa Ricas, Ozelots, Pumas, Oncillas, Margays and Jaguarundis- as well as the vulnerable three-lobed bell bird and the splendid quetzal. Combine it with a visit to the Santa Elena fog forest to take a look at the Costa Rica of postcards and films.
Main picture: Erin Donalson/Shutterstock
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