Enjoy an adventurous day of sightseeing, shopping, and eating in the countryside surrounding Costa Rica?s capital city. After a convenient hotel pickup in San Jos?, explore the Central Valley. Visit the colonial mountain town of Barva de Heredia, check out waterfalls, hike through lush forests, watch for a wildlife, and visit a century-old coffee plantation. Shop at artisan villages and enjoy lunch and dinner included in the tour price.
Highlights
- Explore the Central Valley on a comprehensive day trip from San Jos?
- Experience Costa Rica?s waterfalls, lush forests, and rich biodiversity
- Take a tour of a coffee plantation and go shopping at artisan villages
- Enjoy a traditional lunch and dinner with wine included in the tour price
What You Can Expect
If your perfect day in Costa Rica includes coffee, tropical rainforests, spectacular waterfalls, plenty of wildlife, a bit of shopping, and a delicious dinner, then you?ll love this full-day San Jose adventure!
We?ll start our San Jose tour by driving up into the mountains of Barva de Heredia. Colonized by Spain in 1561, this town is home to many quaint and charming colonial homes. In the center of town is the lovely Central Park, with a gorgeous white stucco church. The church and the central plaza around it have been declared national monuments, along with the many old buildings and houses in the area.?The town is also surrounded by vast coffee plantations, and coffee cultivation is the town?s main industry. As well, the town boasts excellent artisans and craftsmen.
We?ll then drive through many picturesque towns on the fertile slopes of the extinct Barva Volcano in the lush Central Valley. At the top of the mountains, we?ll cross the continental divide to visit a series of waterfalls, as well as a cloud forest and rainforest. You?ll get to take the hiking trails to discover an aviary with numerous species of birds, insect exhibit, serpentarium, and butterfly observatory, plus animals like capuchin (white-faced) monkeys, black-handed spider monkeys, hummingbirds, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and margays.
After this adventure walk, we?ll visit a 100-year-old coffee plantation. Here we?ll have a typical lunch before taking a coffee tour. You?ll also be able to buy their coffee to take back home with you if you wish.
We?ll then head to the picturesque town of Grecia, which has the distinction of being one of the cleanest towns in Central America. It?s also an important agricultural hub, where sugarcane is grown and harvested and is known for its unique gothic-style metal church, colored in a deep, dark red. We?ll continue to Sarchi, a key artisan town best known for the vibrant oxcarts?made here ? in fact, the largest and oldest oxcart factory in San Jose is in Sarchi. Oxcarts were used to transport coffee beans and other goods to markets and ports, and oxcarts were often the sole means of transportation for families in the 1800s. Today, they?re often used as decorations, elegantly carved and hand-painted in bright colors. If you find yourself in love with the carts, you can even buy one straight from the factory to take home with you ? talk about a unique souvenir!
After all that exploring and shopping, we?ll drive back to San Jose, where you can enjoy a gourmet dinner with wine at one of our favorite restaurants in Escazu, also known as the city of witches.
Inclusions
Local English-speaking guide
Transportation during the tour
Entrance fees to waterfalls
A frog pond, and butterfly farm
Coffee tour
Lunch
Dinner with wine
Exclusions
Additional food and drinks
Souvenirs and personal shopping
Tips/gratuities for your guide
Additional info
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
Please wear hiking shoes and bring a sweater or long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ?child? above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you?ll be bringing a child under the age of 6.
This tour can be customized to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free travelers. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.
For your Urban Adventure, you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Ticket info
You can present either a paper or mobile ticket for this activity.
Local operator information
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Ticket. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Schedule and Pricing
Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible – we 100% guarantee it. Your currency is set to USD.
Departure point
Northeast corner of Espa?a Park
Departure time
8.00 AM Duration 7 hours (approx.)
Return details
History Gastro, 121 San Jose, San Rafael