ToursCRCosta Rica

Central Valley & San José

Day trips from San José

77 tours leave San José for somewhere genuinely different and get you back the same evening.

Where you can get to

San José toLa Fortuna
33 tours · typically 12h · about 85 km
Arenal's conical peak over a town built around it. Hot springs heated by the volcano, a 70-metre waterfall, hanging bridges, and day tours leaving in every direction.
33 of these collect you from a listed hotel in San José.
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner
  4.9 out of 5, from (3,679)14h
  from $185 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose
  4.9 out of 5, from (1,593)14h
  from $165 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Volcano, Waterfalls, Zipline, Hot Springs Full Day Tour
  4.8 out of 5, from (151)14h
  from $185 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Falls from San Jose
  4.6 out of 5, from (84)12h
  from $224 USD
  Free
  cancellation
All La Fortuna tours →
San José toJacó
16 tours · typically 10h · about 69 km
One of the easiest surf beaches to reach from San José, about 90 minutes, and a town with real nightlife. Los Sueños marina nearby handles the sportfishing.
16 of these collect you from a listed hotel in San José.
- From San Jose: Zipline, Horseback, ATV, Surfing, & Chocolate Tour
  4.7 out of 5, from (140)10h
  from $171 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour
  5.0 out of 5, from (53)up to 12h
  from $257 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- ATV River, Beach, Jungle Adventure and Crocodiles Hotspot from San Jose
  4.5 out of 5, from (60)2h
  from $78 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Manuel Antonio Beach & National Park Day Tour from San José
  4.5 out of 5, from (17)13h
  from $162 USD
  Free
  cancellation
All Jacó tours →
San José toPuntarenas
9 tours · typically 12h · about 83 km
Costa Rica's main Pacific cruise port, on a long sandspit. Mostly a departure point - for Tortuga Island day trips and for shore excursions inland.
9 of these collect you from a listed hotel in San José.
- Full Day Tour to Tortuga Island from San José
  4.2 out of 5, from (96)up to 12h
  from $129 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Private
  Private Tour to Quesera Beach – All-Inclusive from San José
  5.0 out of 5, from (4)up to 13h
  from $348 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Catamaran at Tortuga Island from San Jose
  3.8 out of 5, from (12)14h
  from $169 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Private
  Full day to Monteverde from San Jose with Canopy and Reptil Amphibians watching
  4.7 out of 5, from (3)up to 12h
  from $178 USD
  Free
  cancellation
All Puntarenas tours →
San José toSarapiquí
9 tours · typically 8h · about 58 km
Lowland rainforest and whitewater on the Caribbean slope, an easy detour between San José and Arenal. Rafting, chocolate farms, and serious birding without the crowds.
9 of these collect you from a listed hotel in San José.
- Private
  Chocolate Workshop. Private Tour from San Jose
  4.7 out of 5, from (16)7h
  from $265 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Safari Float Sarapiqui River From San Jose
  4.8 out of 5, from (6)4h
  from $111 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Safari Boat on Sarapiqui River with Lunch from San Jose
  4.2 out of 5, from (11)7h
  from $121 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Private
  3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour
  5.0 out of 5, from (3)9h
  from $335 USD
  Free
  cancellation
All Sarapiquí tours →
San José toTortuguero
6 tours · typically 12h · about 93 km
No roads reach it - you arrive by boat or small plane. Freshwater canals through rainforest, and the Western Hemisphere's largest green-turtle nesting beach, with peak nesting July to October.
6 of these collect you from a listed hotel in San José.
- Tortuguero National Park and Canals Day Trip from San Jose
  4.7 out of 5, from (84)12h 30m
  from $230 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Private
  Tortuguero One Day Private Tour from San Jose
  5.0 out of 5, from (19)10h
  from $350 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- The Authentic Tortuguero National Park One Day Tour
  4.4 out of 5, from (12)up to 12h
  from $225 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Tortuguero National Park Eco Adventure Canoe Tour from San Jose
  3.9 out of 5, from (11)12h
  from $199 USD
  Free
  cancellation
All Tortuguero tours →
San José toManuel Antonio
4 tours · typically 13h · about 60 km
One of the country's smallest national parks and its most-visited: sloths, capuchins, and squirrel monkeys along short trails that end at genuinely good beaches. Busy for a reason - go at opening.
4 of these collect you from a listed hotel in San José.
- Manuel Antonio National Park Day Trip from San Jose
  4.5 out of 5, from (103)12h
  from $175 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Manuel Antonio National Park one day tour from San Jose
  4.6 out of 5, from (28)13h
  from $175 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Manuel Antonio National Park Day Tour From San José
  up to 15h
  from $169 USD
  Free
  cancellation
- Private
  San José to Manuel Antonio Private Tour: Beach & Wildlife
  12h
  from $279 USD
  Free
  cancellation