Top San Jose Attractions & Museums

Experience one of Costa Rica’s supersized natural wonders at your own pace with entrance to Poás Volcano National Park in Alajuela. Boasting one of the largest craters in the world, the volcano can be explored through trails of varying difficulty that wind through forested and mountainous habitat. Pre-book your admission ticket for convenience and for more time to discover the park’s explosive geology.

Visit San Jose’s architectural gem with a ticket to the National Museum of Costa Rica. Visit anytime during opening hours to explore the history of Costa Rica, from pre-Columbian artifacts to colonial furniture and more modern exhibits. Be sure to take a stroll through the outdoor butterfly garden and check out the mysterious stone spheres in the courtyard.

See the vast diversity of Costa Rica on a 3-day tour that includes hiking at Arenal Volcano, exploring the Monteverde cloud forest, and enjoying the tropical white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. This expertly organized all-inclusive tour covers all of your transportation and accommodations, so busy travelers can maximize their time and not worry about any of the logistics.

Visit two special Costa Rica attractions in one day on this tour to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall from San Jose. Enjoy an easy ride up to the crater of the volcano, where you have free time to admire the sulfur fumaroles and views over the central valley, and then head to La Paz Waterfall—an incredible photo opportunity. Snack on fresh strawberries from a local farm between activities.

Discover the beauty of the Poas Volcano on a small-group tour from San Jose. Ascend the imposing volcano and learn about the various crops grown on its slopes including coffee. Notice the changing vegetation as you make your way to the summit which stands at 8,885 feet (2,708 meters) and take in the views of the main crater surrounding area from the top.

Guarantee your entry to Lankester Botanical Garden by booking your admission ticket ahead of time. The nature reserve—which promotes the conservation of native Costa Rican flora—can get busy during peak season, so booking in advance is a guaranteed way to save time waiting in line on the day.

Get a taste of Costa Rica’s famed biodiversity without straying too far from the city with this all-access day pass to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. Featuring hiking trails through the cloud forest, cascading waterfalls, a rescued jungle cats educational program, and numerous specialty wildlife exhibits, La Paz Waterfall Gardens guarantees good fun for the whole family. This pass can be redeemed anytime during the park’s normal operating hours and is good for accessing all of the exhibits.

For a fun and educational outing in San Jose, let your young travelers play, create, and learn at the Children’s Museum. A favorite of local families since 1994, the spacious museum features 40 different rooms for hands-on immersion in themes like science, animals, ancient Egypt, and Costa Rican culture. An on-site cafe and central location near other downtown attractions make it an easy and enriching way to spend the day.

Visit the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary in Puntarenas to view Costa Rica’s native wildlife up close. The sanctuary operates a veterinary clinic that rescues and rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals, and releases them into the wild when they have recovered. See critters such as monkeys, sloths, parrots, toucans, and more on a guided tour of the sanctuary that lasts about 90 minutes. Ideal activity for all ages.

- Get to know important facts which are not displayed directly - Learn the highlights and history of the museum - Listen to interesting facts of our culture

One of Costa Rica's most popular eco-tourism destinations, the canals and rivers of Tortuguero National Park are abundant with exciting plant and wildlife species. Venture out of the city and explore the park, looking out for turtles as you go. Hike in one of the most spectacular destinations in Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano! As the most active volcano in the country, don't be surprised if you hear a crackling noise or smoke coming out of its mouth. Manuel Antonio National park tour provides a perfect combination of nature, wildlife and pristine beaches. Explore the Manuel Antonio National Park on foot, and before.. just relax and sunbathe on the beach in this spectacular tryp. Important: Minimum person to operate the tour is Two person per book. 2 Nigths accommodation

Explore the biodiverse Corcovado National Park on this all-day guided tour from San Jose. First, sail through the largest mangrove in Central America before starting your walk through the park, which is filled with lush flora and fauna. Following lunch, visit the San Pedrillo waterfall for a refreshing dip in the waters.

In the La Paz Waterfall Gardens you will experience the fierce power of nature, but you will also find its most adorable side. This is home to the largest butterfly observatory in the world. The structure of a closed soccer field allows the butterflies to rise freely in the middle of their natural habitat. This is an incredible educational opportunity where guides will be willing to answer any questions, as well as teach the most difficult things to see such as eggs, caterpillars and camouflaged butterflies. Among the lush rainforest, flowers and colorful birds, a three-kilometer paved path offers you the opportunity to observe the amazing waterfalls. Among the lush rainforest, flowers and colorful birds, a three-kilometer paved path offers you the opportunity to observe the amazing waterfalls. The platforms along the path allow a wonderful view from above, below and the center. The trails start at the welcome center and continue along the La Paz River to the hummingbird garden.

One of Costa Rica's most popular eco-tourism destinations, the canals and rivers of Tortuguero National Park are abundant with exciting plant and wildlife species. Venture out of the city and explore the park, looking out for turtles as you go. Hike in one of the most spectacular destinations in Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano! As the most active volcano in the country, don't be surprised if you hear a crackling noise or smoke coming out of its mouth. Manuel Antonio National park tour provides a perfect combination of nature, wildlife and pristine beaches. Explore the Manuel Antonio National Park on foot, and before.. just relax and sunbathe on the beach in this spectacular tryp. Important: Minimum person to operate the tour is Two person per book. 2 Nigths accommodation

Explore Tortuguero National Park in depth during a 3-day tour from San Jose that includes accommodation and transportation to this remote wilderness destination on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Travel by car and boat with a guide who shows you through the canals and rivers of Toruguero, and where you might spot Atlantic green turtles, monkeys, and other wildlife. This all-inclusive tour takes care of the logisitcs so you can have fun.