COSTA RICA EXPRESS
Price per person from US$819

COSTA RICA EXPRESS

From
US$819
From
US$819

Description

Experience Costa Rica on a short getaway, packed with memorable moments. Begin by discovering the charm of San José—its history, architecture, and cuisine—then head toward the imposing Poás Volcano. Learn about coffee traditions at Doka Estate, and be amazed by the waterfalls and biodiversity at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The journey continues to Manuel Antonio, where the tropical rainforest meets the Pacific, offering a landscape of scenic trails, diverse wildlife, and stunning beaches.

Visiting

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Trip summary
2 Adults
Nights 4
This idea includes
Destinations 3
Accommodations 4

DAY 01. ARRIVAL IN SAN JOSÉ – CITY TOUR

Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Private transfer to the hotel, followed by a city tour of San José.

Discover the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Costa Rican capital through a panoramic tour that blends urban spaces, architectural heritage, and local experiences. The day begins with a visit to the Museum of Costa Rican Art, featuring the "Golden Hall" (Salón Dorado)—a site of great historical and artistic significance and one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.

The tour continues to La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the city’s "green lung," where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the National Stadium, one of San José’s modern icons. Afterward, you will visit a certified pre-Columbian-style jewelry gallery, which showcases the legacy of indigenous cultures through pieces inspired by pre-Columbian gold artifacts.

The journey then heads toward the city center, offering a panoramic tour of key landmarks—including the National Park, the Courts of Justice building, the National Theatre, the Plaza de la Cultura, and the Plaza de la Democracia—allowing you to explore these iconic sites in comfort.

The tour concludes in Barrio Escalante, one of the city’s premier culinary districts, where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, such as Aguizotes or Santo Pecado. This comprehensive experience combines history, culture, and gastronomy in the heart of the capital. Afterward, you will be taken back to your hotel for your stay.

INCLUDES

  • Transportation from San José
  • Guided sightseeing tour
  • Lunch
  • Guide

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Services not mentioned

TOUR INFORMATION

  • Approximate schedule: departure and return times vary based on daily operations
  • Departure from: hotels in San José and the surrounding area
  • Approximate duration: 4 hours
  • Minimum number of passengers: 1 person
  • Languages: Spanish and English
  • Difficulty level: easy
  • Suitable for: all ages
  • Accessibility: accessible; primarily a sightseeing tour with minimal walking
  • Recommended age: all ages

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Comfortable clothing, lightweight footwear, sunscreen, and a camera.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

  • The order of visits may vary depending on the day's operations. Some stops are subject to availability and operating hours.
  • We recommend that your arrival flight lands by approximately 10:00 a.m.

DAY 02. POÁS VOLCANO – DOKA ESTATE COFFEE – LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS

At the scheduled time, the excursion to Poás Volcano, Doka Estate Coffee Plantation, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens begins.

Discover the natural and cultural essence of Costa Rica through an experience that combines volcanic landscapes, coffee-growing traditions, and lush biodiversity. The day starts with an ascent toward the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, with a visit to Doka Estate—an iconic coffee plantation where you will learn about the cultivation and production process, sustainable practices, and the significance of coffee in Costa Rican culture. In this nature-filled setting, you will enjoy a traditional breakfast, the perfect start to your day.

Next, we head to Poás Volcano National Park, home to an impressive active crater—one of the largest in the world. Well-maintained trails lead to an observation point, where you will have approximately 45 minutes to take in the volcanic crater, its gas emissions, and the unique high-altitude ecosystem, all surrounded by cloud forest. Along the way, you will encounter various microclimates, as well as agricultural areas featuring strawberry fields, flower farms, and the characteristic rural landscapes of the region.

The journey continues at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the most-visited private ecological park in Costa Rica, renowned for its scenic trails and majestic waterfalls. As you explore, you will discover several waterfalls framed by lush tropical vegetation. The park’s wildlife sanctuary offers a close-up look at iconic Costa Rican species—such as sloths, monkeys, jaguars, pumas, toucans, hummingbirds, butterflies, frogs, and reptiles—housed in spaces designed for their conservation. During your visit, you will enjoy a lunch immersed in this natural environment before continuing your exploration. It is a comprehensive experience that brings together nature, culture, and some of Costa Rica’s most iconic landscapes—all in a single day. The tour concludes with a return to San José and drop-off at your hotel.

INCLUDES

  • Transportation from San José
  • Typical breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Admission to Doka Estate
  • Admission to Poás Volcano National Park
  • Admission to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
  • Guide

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Services not mentioned

TOUR INFORMATION

  • Approximate schedule: departure 6:00 a.m. – return 5:00 p.m.
  • Departure from: hotels in San José and the surrounding area
  • Approximate duration: 12 hours
  • Minimum number of passengers: 1 person
  • Languages: Spanish and English
  • Difficulty level: easy to moderate
  • Suitable for: all ages
  • Accessibility: partially accessible; some trails at La Paz have limitations for individuals with reduced mobility
  • Recommended age: all ages

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Comfortable clothing, a light jacket, closed-toe footwear, a raincoat, sunscreen, and a camera.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

  • Access to the Poás Volcano crater is subject to weather conditions and national park regulations. In the event of a closure, the tour itinerary may be adjusted without prior notice.

DAY 03. MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, the excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park begins.

Discover one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations in an experience that combines nature, beaches, and wildlife in a unique setting. The day starts with a departure from San José toward the Central Pacific coast, traveling through rural landscapes and African palm plantations, with scenic ocean views along the way.

Upon arrival at Manuel Antonio National Park, you will take a guided hike along nature trails surrounded by tropical forest, where you may spot a wide variety of wildlife in its natural habitat—including monkeys, sloths, iguanas, birds, and other species native to the region. Throughout the tour, your guide will share insights into the park’s ecosystem, flora, and fauna.

The excursion includes time to enjoy the beach within the park, where you will have free time to swim, relax, or simply take in the natural surroundings.

During the day, there will be a stop for lunch at Hotel Espadilla before beginning the return trip to San José. This is a comprehensive experience that blends nature, wildlife observation, and a coastal setting in one of Costa Rica’s most visited national parks. The tour concludes with a return to San José and drop-off at your hotel.

INCLUDES

  • Transportation from San José
  • Admission to Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Guided hike in the park
  • Lunch at Hotel Espadilla
  • Guide services

DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Services not mentioned

EXCURSION DETAILS

  • Approximate schedule: departure at 5:00 a.m. – return at 7:00 p.m.
  • Departure point: hotels in San José and the surrounding area
  • Approximate duration: 14 hours
  • Minimum number of passengers: 1 person
  • Languages: Spanish and English
  • Difficulty level: easy to moderate
  • Suitable for: all ages
  • Accessibility: partially accessible Some trails have limitations for individuals with reduced mobility.
  • Recommended age: all ages.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Comfortable clothing, swimsuit, towel, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

  • The tour does not operate on Tuesdays. Park entry slots are limited and require advance reservation. Wildlife sightings depend on natural environmental conditions.

DAY 04. SAN JOSÉ

Breakfast at the hotel. A free day to relax or take optional tours, available at an additional cost. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 05. SAN JOSÉ – DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer from the hotel in San José to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). End of our services. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.

Guide languages

Spanish
Day 1: San Jose
Day 2: San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park
Day 3: Poas Volcano National Park, San Jose, Manuel Antonio
Day 4: Manuel Antonio, San Jose
Day 5: San Jose
  • 04 nights of accommodation in San José
  • Daily breakfasts
  • 03 lunches
  • Hotel taxes
  • Private arrival transfer
  • Private departure transfer
  • San José City Tour
  • Poás Volcano, Doka Estate Coffee, & La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour
  • Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
  • Medical assistance coverage for travelers up to 70 years old, with a limit of USD 40,000 for illness or accident (travelers aged 71–84 and 85+ must pay a supplement for medical assistance and are not eligible for the trip cancellation upgrade; please consult your travel advisor)
  • International and/or domestic flight tickets
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities (tips)
  • Any services not explicitly specified
  • Optional excursions
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Alcoholic or carbonated beverages
  • Hotel surcharges for early check-in or late check-out
  • Visa processing (if applicable)
  • Airline seat selection

Possible accommodations

3 accommodations

IMPORTANTS NOTES

RATES

  • Rates valid until November 30, 2027
  • Rates are subject to change without prior notice, subject to availability, and have limited capacity.
  • Prices change frequently; therefore, we recommend verifying them, as this document should not be considered final.
  • We recommend that your arrival flight be scheduled for before approximately 10:00 a.m.

CHILD RATE POLICY

The child rate (CHD) applies to minors aged 3 to 11, provided they share a room with two adults.

HOTELS

This is a list of the hotels most frequently used for this tour. It is provided for reference purposes only; passengers may be accommodated in similar or alternative establishments of the same category if the listed hotels are unavailable.

TRAVEL NOTES

  • Travel documents are provided 8 days prior to departure.
  • This itinerary may be subject to changes due to road conditions, weather, unforeseen circumstances, or availability at the time of booking.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Optional visits or tours—with costs outlined in the program—are offered by our local operator and can be purchased either in advance or at the destination. Please note that if a passenger chooses to participate in these activities, they should not be booked through a different operator, as the scheduled tour timings may vary. The guide has full authority to adjust the order of scheduled visits for logistical, operational, or weather-related reasons, while ensuring that all contracted services are still provided.

We are not responsible for services booked through other companies.

PAYMENT TERMS

  • Initial deposit: $125.00 (NON-REFUNDABLE)
  • 120 days before the start of the trip: 50% of the total program cost
  • 90 days before the start of the trip: 80% of the total program cost
  • 60 days before the start of the trip: 100% of the total program cost
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