Best Day Trips from San Jose, Costa Rica

Best Day Trips from San Jose, Costa Rica

From fairytale forests to towering volcanoes, we share the best Costa Rica sights accessible in a day from San Jose

If we ask you to imagine Costa Rica, chances are you won't think of San Jose. This modest capital isn't known for architectural splendor, fine dining, or world-class theater. Rather, it is a stepping stone to Costa Rica's natural wonders: the lush forests and towering volcanoes, the amazing wildlife and movie set backdrops.

Fortunately, given Costa Rica's small size, many of its sights can be seen on a day trip from the capital. There are various trains, buses and transfers from San Jose, making it easy to reach the country's dramatic sights. Here we share a selection of the best day trips from San Jose, collected from our own trip to Costa Rica and from other travelers.

Best Day Trips from San Jose, Costa Rica

Our picks for the best day trips from San Jose are shown on the map below. San José is marked with a blue pin. Click the small arrow in the top left corner to expand the list.

1. Irazu Volcano

One of my favorite facts about Costa Rica is that ten of its volcanoes form an almost perfect line that runs northwest. This fascinating phenomenon is caused by the Cocos tectonic plate in the Pacific Ocean being subducted (pushed or pulled) beneath the Caribbean plate. If you remember your geography class, you know that the collision of tectonic plates causes earthquakes and volcanoes.

Fair useTen of Costa Rica's volcanoes form an almost perfect line

The highest of Costa Rica's active volcanoes is Irazú, said to be named after the indigenous word ara-tzu, meaning "thunder point" - and thundering it indeed is. Irazú rises to an elevation of 3,432 m (11,260 feet) and has erupted at least 23 times since its first recorded eruption in 1723.

Its most famous outbreak occurred in March 1963, days before US President John F. Kennedy began a state visit to Costa Rica. Irazú showered San José with ash, and the eruptions lasted two years.

Alexilenahttps/ShutterstockIrazu Volcano is Costa Rica's highest active volcano

Luckily, Irazú is quiet these days – and, just 50 km from the capital, offers one of the best day trips from San José. A paved path leads to the summit crater and wooden railings prevent visitors from getting too close to the edge. The nearby crater Diego de la Haya – one of five on Irazú – is home to a picturesque turquoise lake, but be aware that the water level has changed in the past.

2. Tortuguero National Park

Of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, six nest in Costa Rica, four of them in Tortuguero National Park. In fact, this 311 km² park is the Caribbean's most important breeding ground for the green sea turtle. About 40,000 arrive to nest here each season (June to October).

iacomino FRiMAGES/ShutterstockA sea turtle in Tortuguero National Park

Unfortunately, with turtles come poachers who sell the eggs as a delicacy or aphrodisiac. A number of volunteer organizations patrol the area but the problem persists. When you visit the park, be sure to stop by the Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Center. Pay less than a dollar to learn about the region's turtle history and help fund conservation.

It's worth noting that there's a lot to see here beyond the turtles. With up to 6,000 mm of rainfall per year, the park is one of the wettest areas in the country and is also known as the “mini Amazon” due to its exceptional biodiversity. More than 400 species of birds, 60 species of frogs, 30 species of freshwater fish and three species of monkeys as well as the endangered West Indian manatee live here.

3. Poas Volcano

Poás Volcano is an active 2,697 m (8,848 ft) volcano and has one of the largest craters in the world. It last erupted in 2017 and caused the closure of the Poás Volcano National Park for a year and a half. A 2.5 km long security area was set up around the crater, access to which is still strictly controlled today.

Mike Herna/ShutterstockThe Poás volcano has one of the largest craters in the world

Visitors must book tickets in advance and can only stay at the crater for 20 minutes. Despite these limitations, Poas offers one of the best day trips from San Jose. Visitors can look directly into the 260 m deep crater and the turquoise lake in its center. Visit early in the morning as the peak is often shrouded in clouds later in the day.

4. La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Combine a visit to Poás Volcano with the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you'll find lush rainforest, flowing white rivers, birds, butterflies, monkeys, hummingbirds, and five fairytale waterfalls.

Ondrej Prosicky/ShutterstockLa Paz Waterfall Gardens is one of the best day trips from San Jose

One of the many highlights is walking right up to the La Paz waterfall and standing right behind it. When we visited on the second day of our National Geographic Expedition in 2019, a fellow traveler said he was glad to go home immediately because he couldn't hope to climb over the waterfall.

If your schedule allows for more than a day trip from San José, consider staying at Peace Lodge, a luxury boutique hotel on garden grounds with stunning views of the Poás Volcano and the La Paz River Valley.

5. Doka Estate Coffee Tour

Coffee lovers should make time for the Doka Estate Coffee Tour. The plantation - owned by the Vargas family, who have been working with coffee for more than 80 years - is considered one of the best in Latin America. Doka's coffee was even voted the best in the world.

Mario Wong Pastor/ShutterstockDoka coffee was voted the best in the world

Visit the seedling station, coffee plantation, Costa Rica's oldest wet mill and roastery where you will discover the secrets behind the aroma, texture and taste of Dokas Tres Generaciones coffee. Of course you are also invited to try the coffee and some delicious chocolate.

6. Arenal Volcano

Arenal is the youngest and most active of all volcanoes in Costa Rica. Notably, its 42-year eruption from 1968 to 2010 is the 10th longest volcanic eruption recorded in history (the longest being Mount Yasur in Vanuatu at 248 years).

Erin Donaldson/ShutterstockArenal is the most active volcano in Costa Rica

However, as of 2010, Arenal has been quiet, making it one of the best day trips from San Jose. Take a walk along its slopes and look out for the red-eyed tree frog. This famous amphibian sleeps with its eyes closed, sticking to the bottom of leaves. When disturbed, it flashes its large red eyes, orange webbed feet and blue-yellow flanks in a technique known as "fright coloration" to give predators pause for the precious moment it needs to get to safety.

7. Manuel Antonio National Park

If you want to see sloths in the wild, a trip from San Jose to Manuel Antonio offers the best chance. This coastal reserve and national park offers lush greenery, a picturesque beach and diverse wildlife.

Francisco V. Machado/ShutterstockSloth on a branch in Manuel Antonio National Park

The region is busy in high season, but the park itself is relatively quiet thanks to limits on visitor numbers. Stroll the boardwalks and look for red-eyed tree frogs, hummingbirds and bats. If you want to see sloths, a certified guide is crucial. They have fine-tuned skills and provide you with a telescope to help you find other wildlife too.

After the walk, stroll to nearby Espadilla Sur Beach to swim in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy some of the famous “pura vida” that the sloths do so well.

8. Whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River

Pacuare is considered one of the most picturesque rivers in the world. It is home to a variety of animals rarely seen in other parts of the country, including river otters, jaguars and ocelots. More common are howler monkeys, capuchins, sloths, iguanas and raccoons. Bird species include toucans, macaws, egrets, kingfishers and egrets.

Pafnuti/ShutterstockRafting on the Pacuare River

Adventurous types can book a whitewater rafting trip along the Pacuare. Depending on your tour, the first few kilometers will include gentle rapids so you can test your skills before entering the Pacuare River Gorge, an 8km stretch of some of the best whitewater Costa Rica has to offer.

9. Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island is one of the best day trips from San José, Jaco or Puntarenas. The idyllic island is covered in forests and white sandy beaches, and the surrounding waters are teeming with life.

Joan Vendrell/ShutterstockThe idyllic island of Tortuga in Costa Rica

Snorkelers and divers should keep an eye out for angelfish, squid, stingrays and spinner dolphins. Adrenaline junkies can opt for a canopy and zipline tour, which offers some of the best views on the island. The less adventurous can opt for a kayak or glass-bottom boat to spot aquatic life.

10. Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest is a dark and dripping place teeming with life. Strangler figs tower over the forest floor, lush mosses and gossamer ferns cover the canopy in green, while spindles of yellow justicia add a splash of color.

Atlas & Boots

Atlas & Boots

Atlas & Boots

Atlas & Boots

Atlas & Boots

The cloud forests of Monteverde and Santa Elena

The hanging garden also supports a rich fauna: over 100 mammal, 400 bird and thousands of insect species live here, and it is one of the few remaining habitats that support all six of Costa Rica's wild cats – jaguars, ocelots, pumas, oncillas, margays and jaguarundis – as well as the vulnerable three-lobed bellbird and the magnificent quetzal. Combine it with a visit to the Santa Elena cloud forest for a glimpse of the Costa Rica of postcards and films.

Main image: Erin Donalson/Shutterstock

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