Irazú

San José is a dazzling city, but there is still so much to do and see around the capital. The Irazu volcano is accessible via small winding roads that traverse lush vegetation and green pastures. The diversity of vegetables grown is impressive, but even more fascinating are the panoramic views at the crater’s summit, as your eyes can’t help but wander beyond the gaping mouth of the volcano on a clear day to behold the Atlantic and neighboring Pacific Ocean. The Cartago basilica, a place of pilgrimage, and the Lankaster gardens, carpeted with orchids, bromeliads and 800 kinds of plants, are two interesting stops along the way. To get a beautiful example of local architecture, stop for a moment at a typical house in the Orosi Valley. This valley is also known for its attractive little towns, where you can enjoy a delicious meal for a reasonable price at a local establishment.

Poás

The Poás Volcano is another geological magma monster, at about an hour from San José. It is always slightly active and has one of the biggest craters in the world, whose summit is 8,860 feet high with the crater being about 3,280 feet deep with a diameter that is twice as big. Hiking to the crater concludes with one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Costa Rica. The blue-green Botos Lake, surrounded by forests, is just as fascinating. In order to appreciate the panoramic views in their entire splendor, try to arrive at dawn. Later in the day, the clouds often come down to spoil this experience. The road leading to Poás is an attraction in itself as you pass many coffee plantations and ever-changing scenery. On the way to Poás, souvenir hunters should stop in the village of Sarchí, famous for its small shops with hand-carved wooden items.

Coffee Tour

The main agricultural product of Costa Rica is coffee. Life on a specialized agricultural plantation is especially interesting and worth your visit. Cheerful guides will take you on an entertaining tour of a fully functioning farm. Packed with interesting anecdotes, wild orchids, singing birds and spectacular scenery throughout, you’ll learn how to roast coffee, distinguish aromas and taste the various beverages. They’ll even explain to visitors why they shouldn’t be ashamed to make noise when tasting coffee. A group lunch can be organized on request, all complimented with a good cup of coffee. Your preference doesn’t matter since the bar offers an assorted variety of coffee!

Rafting Tours

Take a rafting trip and uncover the riches and treasures of Costa Rica as you travel through three regions: the Central Valley, winding Sarapiquí River and primal Braulio Carillo National Park. A hearty breakfast on one of the many stops is a must to stock up on energy for the day.

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