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| 1. | Rainforest Aerial Tram ( Full Day ) |
| 2. | Arenal Volcano and Hotsprings ( Full Day ) |
| 3. | Poas Volcano ( Half Day ) & Sarchí ( Full Day ) |
| 4. | Irazú Volcano ( Half Day ) & Lankaster Orosi ( Full Day ) |
| 5. | Highlights – 4 in 1Poas, Sarapiqui River, Braulio Carrillo ( Full Day ) |
| 6. | White Water Rafting ( Full Day ) |
| 7. | Tortuga Island Cruise ( Full Day ) |
| 8. | City Tour ( Half Day ) |
| 9. | Braulio Carrillo Rain Forest ( Half and Full Day ) |
| 10. | Carara Biological Reserve ( Full Day ) |
1- Rainforest Aerial Tram ( Full Day )
This is a unique experience for nature lovers and one of the best ways to enjoy the rainforest. After long studies in the canopy (upper part of the forest), biologists have discovered that about 60% of the life in a rainforest is found in the canopy and this is something we do not see on a normal hike. The first person to write about epiphytes (plants living on other plants but not in a parasitic manner), was Columbus when he saw the diversity and richness of the Central American rainforests. Columbus noted our native trees as having different types of leaves within a single specimen, without realizing at the same time that he was among the first to see tropical epiphytes. He also wrote of the Caribbean – “ once seen, never to be left”. The incredible amount of epiphytes up in the canopy of this forest is due to the high amount of rainfall throughout the year. The tram ride is a fascinating way of observing and exploring very close (like a bird flight) to the hanging gardens of Central America, considered by many as one of the richest rainforests of our new world.
The tour starts from San Jose at the given pick up time at your hotel, and you will arrive at the Tram after crossing the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park (1 hour 20 minutes away from San Jose) The Tram Ride takes you for about 1 hour 20 minutes at different heights (from 5 to 30 meters) along the 2,6 kilometers (1.625 miles). During the whole tour you will be accompanied by a naturalist tour guide. Beside the tramride, you will have the opportunity to have a hike through one of the trails of this forest and also have time to relax, have lunch or drinks at the restaurant. After this the bus and tour guide will drop you at your hotel. No meals included. Wear sneakers, shorts or light pants and a hat. Bring rain gear, binoculars and camera. This is a unique experience for nature lovers and one of the best tours to enjoy the rainforest. After long studies in the canopy ( upper part of the forest ), biologists brought the theory that about 60% of the life in a rainforest is found up in the canopy and this is something we do not see on a normal hike. The first human being that wrote about epiphytes ( plants living on other plants but no parasites ), was Columbus when he saw the exuberance and richness of the centralamerican rainforests. He wrote down that our trees had different types of leaves, without knowing much about this interesting communities of plants that use the branches and stems of trees as support, but without taking any nourishment from them.The incredible amount of epiphytes up in the canopy of this forest is due to the high amount of rainfall throughout the year. The tram ride is a fascinating way of observing and exploring very close ( like a bird flight ) what is called the hanging gardens of centralamerica, considered by many as one of the richest rainforests of our new world.
2- Arenal Volcano and Hotsprings ( Full Day )
This is the most active and impressive of the volcanoes of Costa Rica. It is located 3 ½ hours northwest from San Jose by car near to the town of Fortuna. This almost perfect shaped volcano was covered with vegetation before 1968. Just before the big eruption in this year, the people noticed that the cows could not drink the water of the Tabacon River because of the rising temperature. After this, the volcano erupted violently covering more than 7 square kilometers with lava. Since that moment the volcano has been erupting daily at different levels of activity. This is one of the greatest spectacles on a visit to Costa Rica. It is incredible to observe and hear an eruption by daylight or by night. Seeing the lava rocks glowing down the hill at night is something you will never forget.
This one day tour starts around 10:00 a.m. from San Jose, traveling by bus and crossing the continental divide until arriving in the Caribbean lowlands where the volcano is located. The trip offers you beautiful landscapes of forest, mountains, pastures and agricultural fields. The tour will take you primarily to the Tabacon Hotsprings located at the foot of this magnificent volcano. The hotsprings have one of the best volcano views and are surrounded by gardens and by a lush rainforest. You will have time to hike, relax and enjoy the hotsprings while always keeping an eye on the volcanos activity until it gets dark! After dinner in the same place you will return back to San Jose around 11:00 or 11:30 p.m. Includes lunch and dinner and entrance fee to the Tabacon Hotsprings.
Wear shorts or pants, light clothes, sneakers.
Bring swimming-suit and camera.
3- Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano ( Half Day )
This is a well known volcano, not very far away from San Jose. (2 hours by car) There are many interesting volcanoes in Central America but most of them are not easy to reach. This is one of the two volcanoes of Costa Rica ( Irazu is the other) where the road takes you up to the crater and you can view the caldera. The Poas Volcano is still active and has a huge crater ( 1,3 kilometers diameter and 300 meters deep ) with a hot sulphur lake with fumaroles. It is an extraordinary natural wonder: the crater with all its colors and lush vegetation.
The trip takes you along a country road with beautiful small houses with exotic gardens and through many attractive coffee plantations. Near the volcano you can see the caracteristic vegetation of a cloud forest with its bromeliads, epiphytes and ferns. The road gives you wonderful views over the Central Valley and the central range of mountains. On arrival at the National Park, the bus will remain at the parking lot and a walk takes you 400 meter to the look out point of the main crater. You will have time to hike up to the beautiful Botos lagoon and spend some time at the excellent information center. After this you will return back to San Jose around 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. No meals included.
Poas Sarchí ( Full Day )
This tour can be combined with Sarchi and Grecia. After the volcano you will stop for a typical lunch and continue to Grecia to admire the metal church of the Lady of the Mercy. You will continue to the little town Sarchi, the handcraft capital of Costa Rica. Here you can see the traditional painted oxcarts and this is the best place for souvenirs. After time for purchases you will return to San Jose around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. Lunch and the entrance fee to the National Park are included.
Wear sneakers, blue jeans and pullover or jacket.
Bring rain gear, hat, camera and sun block.
4- Irazú Volcano
Irazú Volcano ( Half Day )
This is the highest volcano ( 3,432 meters = 11,000 feet high ), considered by many the site with more energy site in Costa Rica. Its huge crater is surrounded by a moon scape and it has a small lagoon at the bottom. From the top is one of the most wonderful views over the forest of the Braulio Carrillo National Park, the Caribbean coast and lowlands. The volcano is located north from the old capital city of Cartago around 2 hours away from San Jose by car. The bus ride offers beautiful views of the Central Valley, of San Jose and Cartago cities, as well as the interesting agricultural industry around the slope of this colossus. At the volcano you will have time to hike and explore the area. You can take a look to the different craters and enjoy the unique vegetation of these altitudes. On the way back to San Jose you will stop in Cartago to see the most important church of the country, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (our patron saint). You will get back to San Jose around 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. No meals included.
Irazú Lankaster Orosi( Full Day )
You can combine this half day tour with the Lankaster Gardens and Orosi. You will have lunch in Cartago and then continue to the Gardens. These beautiful gardens have one of the most complete and important collection of orchids and bromeliads in Costa Rica. There will be a hike of an hour around the gardens to enjoy this tropical paradise. After this you will drive to Orosi through coffee plantations with good views over the Cachi hydroelectric lake shceme. You will arrive back in San Jose around 5:00 p.m. Lunch and entrance fees to the National Park Irazu and Lankaster Gardens included.
Wear sneakers, blue jeans and pullover or jacket.
Bring rain gear, hat, camera and sun block.
– Highlights ( 4 in 1 )
Poas, Sarapiquí, Braulio Carrillo ( Full Day )
This tour offers you the greatest variety of landscapes and vegetation that you can see in one day. It is perfect for people on a short break wishing to see the outstanding vegetation and scenery of Costa Rica.
The day will be fast – moving and fullfilling.
This tour has a very early start to the Poas Volcano and afterwards you will cross the continental divide, with the chance of seeing some beautiful waterfalls on the way to the Caribbean lowlands to the town of Puerto Viejo.
Here you will have an enchanting boatride looking for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, toucans and others.
After lunch in a farm at a country side you will return by bus to San Jose, crossing the lush and almost virgin Braulio Carrillo National Park, arriving back in San Jose around 7:00 p.m.
• Wear sneakers, blue jeans and shorts and pullover or jacket.
• Bring rain gear, camera, sun block and insect repellent.
• Includes breakfast and lunch, entrance fees and boat tour.
6- White Water Rafting ( Full Day )
Costa Rica is famous for its forests and its rivers. If you are an active person and you like excitement, you should not miss the wonderful experience of rafting in the Costa Rican Rivers. These rivers are located in the caribbean slope and the trip starts from San José early in the morning. The rafting companies have more than 10 years of experience and are very professional and reliable.
Reventazon River Class III
This is a wonderful river that offers an exciting experience for people that want to try rafting for the first time. You need no experience, and all instructions and the safety measures are discussed before the tour starts. The tour starts early in the morning in San Jose from your hotel at the given pick up time and takes you through the continental divide to the Caribbean lowlands. Breakfast is included at a restaurant one hour 20 minutes away from San Jose.We will then arrive at the river to start rafting. The water is not cold as in the temperate zones and you will enjoy the tropical vegetation on the banks. The ride will be of approximately 1 ½ hours depending on the water level and the number of other rafts. Lunch will be provided. Your belongings will remain safe in the bus and will arrive at the end of the trip. At a restaurant you can change and take a shower, as well as have a drink before you head back to San Jose. You will arrive back to your hotel around 4:30 p.m. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Pacuare River Class IV
The Pacuare is considered the most beautiful river for rafting in Costa Rica. It offers you the great excitement of a class IV River and the mystic experience of an almost pristine rainforest around it! If you want to have a lot of excitement this is your tour. Normally, rafting experience is required for this tour, but if you are athletic you will certainly manage. The rafting ride is about 2 ½ hours on the river. Same procedure as on the Reventazon River, and you will be arriving back in San Jose around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Includes breakfast and lunch.
Wear shorts or swimsuit, t-shirt for the raft ride, sandals or sneakers, strap for your eyeglasses. Bring sunblock, swimming suit or shorts, mosquito repellent, a towel and one change of clothes.
7. Tortuga Island Cruise ( Full Day )
This tour takes you to the islands of the Pacific Ocean in the Gulf of Nicoya. The tour starts early in the morning by bus from San Jose driving to the Pacific port of Puntarenas. The yacht will be waiting for you with an efficient crew to take you to the beautiful Tortuga Island. The cruise ( 1 ½ hours ) is delightful and you can enjoy the sun, and listen to tropical music while sipping a delicious cocktail! Once at the island, you will have time to swim and walk along a white tropical beach. Lunch will be served at the island under the coconut palms and a bar will be open for you at the island during your stay. After lunch you will have time to relax or hike around the island. You will arrive back in Puntarenas at 5:00 p.m. and to San Jose around 7:30 p.m. Includes breakfast snack and lunch. Wear light clothes, shorts, hat and sneakers. Bring swimsuit, towel, sunblock and camera.
8- San José City Tour ( Half Day )
San Jose is the capital of our small and beautiful country, and although it has only a few excellent colonial buildings left, because of sismic activity, it is an expanding city with cultural activities. The tour will take you primarily downtown to visit the prestigious National Theater. This building is the pride of San Jose and was declared a national monument in 1965. Our country is proud of having destinated this economical resources and efforts to this cultural building, while other neighbour nations where destinating most of their resources to enlarge the army or the police forces. It is decorated in a renaissance style with important paintings of famous Italian artists. After this, the tour takes you to the National Museum. This old fortress building houses the heritage of our country and has a large collection of pre-columbian pottery. Your tour guide will give you a talk on our first inhabitants and its traditions and beliefs, and here you find the roots of our characteristic peace loving nature. After driving around San Jose and visiting some pleasant neighbourhoods of the city, you will visit the Souvenir Stores in Moravia. You will have time for shopping and the tour will drop you back at your hotel. This half day tour can be taken in the morning or in the afternoon. Includes entrance fees to the National Theater and National Museum, please.
Pleasant climate, no mosquitoes, rain gear only in the green season. No flash aloud inside the Theater or National Museum.
9- Braulio Carrillo Rain Forest
Half Day
The tour starts from San Jose at the given pick up time at your hotel and you will be driving the road to Limón until getting to the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park ( 1 hour ). Once there at the Ranger´s Station, you will have time to get ready for the hike. Your natural history tour guide will be explaining to you the wonderful secrets of the rainforest and pointing out the shy birds or wildlife if you are lucky. This forest is one of the richest rainforests in biodiversity in Central America. This park protects about 100,000 acres and 80% of this is a virgin forest. It is a great birdwatching site and it rains very often. The hike would take more or less 2 hours. After this you will return to San José around 1:00 p.m.
Please take sneakers, raincoat, mosquito repelent and binoculars.
Full Day
The tour starts from San Jose at the given pick up time at your hotel and you will be driving the road to Limón until getting to the magnificent Braulio Carrillo National Park ( 1 hour ). Once there at the Ranger´s Station, you will have time to get ready for the hike. Your natural history tour guide will be explaining to you the wonderful secrets of the rainforest and pointing out the shy birds or wildlife if you are lucky. This forest is one of the richest rainforests in biodiversity in Central America. This park protects about 100,000 acres and 80% of this is a virgin forest. It is a great birdwatching site and it rains very often. The hike would take more or less 2 hours. After a nice lunch break in restaurant nearby you will be hiking another trail in the same National Park and returning to San José around 5:00 p.m.
Please take sneakers, raincoat, mosquito repelent and binoculars.
10 – Carara Biological Reserve ( Full Day )
This tour starts early in the morning and includes breakfast. You will drive through the superb Avocado Mountains to arrive at Central Pacific lowlands. You will see beautiful countryside and mountain landscapes. Before arriving at the reserve, the tour will stop at the bridge over the Tarcoles River to see the crocodiles. After this you will have an easy hike around the Carara Reserve for about 2 hours. Your english speaking guide will give you explanations of the natural history and will point out the interesting shy animals to be seen in this forest. If you are lucky, you may see toucans, monkeys, iguanas, coatimundis and sometimes the scarlet macaws! Carara is a very special site because it houses the second most important population of scarlet macaws in the country and also it protects a unique transition forest between dry tropical forest and a tropical wet forest. After this you will have lunch in a nearby town, where you can relax and enjoy the beach for a while. In the afternoon you will come back to San Jose using the same road. The tour includes breakfast and lunch. We recommend to take hiking boots, mosquito repellent, sun screen, swimming suits, towel and binoculars.