Top San Jose Half-day Tours

Get a taste of San Jose’s culture and cuisine on this 3-hour walking tour. Explore Costa Rica’s capital accompanied by an expert guide and learn about the city’s history, architecture and flavor. Explore the produce stalls of two traditional markets and discover what makes Costa Rican coffee so delicious as you sample some local brews. The tour is capped at 12 people for a personalized small-group experience.

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

Escape the ordinary on this immersive bike-riding day trip to the charming town of Cartago. Experience the Costa Rican rail system with a short train ride, and then hop on your bike for a two-wheeled tour around Cartago’s historic streets. Learn about the town’s colonial history with your expert guide, and visit a local market to sample delicious produce and traditional treats before heading back to San Jose by bus. A small group limit of 12 people provides a personalized experience on this half-day tour.

Satisfy your inner explorer on this half-day tour from San Jose that combines a trek to towering Irazú Volcano with a visit to the historic ruins and basilica of Cartago. Take in spectacular views from the summit of Costa Rica's tallest volcano, and uncover centuries of history among fascinating parish ruins and the rich iconography of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels.

Discover San Jose’s hidden delights with this unique evening tour of the Costa Rican capital. Wander through a maze of vendor stalls and to learn about staples of local cooking at the Central Market, and see the opulent National Theater and other architectural highlights on a twilight walking tour. Drive to the ritzy Paseo de la Luz the east side of San Jose well known for its gastronomy. Finish the night with a 3-course meal and wine pairings at a gourmet Costa Rican restaurant.

Prepare to get wet and wild as you tackle the class III and IV rapids of the Sarapiqui River on this half- or full-day white-water rafting adventure from La Virgen. Marvel over the dramatic scenery and lush rainforest of the Sarapiqui canyon as you hurtle downstream, then re-fuel with lunch (full-day tour only) or refreshments by the waterfront. Best of all: the rapids are suitable for all abilities, including complete beginners, and anyone over 14 can give it a go!

Treat your taste buds to a sampling of Costa Rica’s famed coffee paired with gourmet chocolate on this half-day tour of the Café Britt coffee plantation. See firsthand how this sustainable, gourmet producer grows, harvests, and roasts coffee beans to create the perfect aromatic cup. Visit the on-site coffee bar to taste several of Café Britt’s different roasts, accompanied by chocolate. Round out the day with a farm-fresh buffet lunch of traditional Costa Rican cuisine at the plantation restaurant.

Enjoy an insider’s perspective of San Jose on this half-day city walking tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll get a sense of daily life in the Costa Rican capital as you ride public transportation, stop by a beautiful local park and visit the artisan workshop of a third-generation craftsman. Taste local flavors while you browse stalls at the historic Central Market, savor a traditional lunch at an 80-year-old inn and learn to make tortillas.

Visit a Costa Rican animal sanctuary and learn about sloths on this half-day tour from San Jose. Discover other local wildlife being treated at the sanctuary to be released into the wild such as monkeys, toucans, kinkajous (known as honey bears), coatimundis, macaws, and more. Plus, head to the folkloric towns of Grecia and Sarchi to explore.

Get out of the city and experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife heritage with this half day private tour to the Toucan Rescue Ranch. What started out as a rescue facility for toucans has expanded to include other charismatic species such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls. Learn all about them from the dedicated staff committed to their care.

Appease your appetite for adventure during an exhilarating 3-hour rafting session on the Sarapiqui River from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui . With an experienced guide, conquer the Class II and III rapids on the river’s most intense section and feel your adrenaline levels surge. During calmer periods, marvel at the abundance of exotic wildlife on the banks of the Sarapiqui River and listen to fascinating commentary from your guide. All rafting equipment and round-trip transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is included on this tour.

Test your paddling skills on the roaring Class III rapids of Costa Rica’s Chirripó River with this whitewater rafting adventure. Led by an expert guide, you’ll navigate the exciting twists and turns of the river while surrounded by a beautiful tropical forest. Select a morning or noon departure to suit your schedule. Round-trip hotel transport and lunch at a local restaurant are included.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens showcases Costa Rican wilderness at its most picturesque, with lush tropical rain forest, thundering cascades, white rivers, and a rich variety of wildlife. This tour provides round-trip transportation from San José and allows you to see the highlights of La Paz in a single day. Your guide navigates through the park’s many trails and takes you to White Magic Waterfall, the butterfly observatory, and other attractions.

Sample some of the Costa Rican capital’s best bites while exploring its most vibrant neighborhoods on an evening food tour in San Jose. The city can be daunting to explore on your own, so ensure you avoid tourist traps and safely enjoy a night out with the help of a local foodie guide. Learn to eat like a ‘tico’ while trying Costa Rican chocolate, coffee, plus sugar cane liqueur, sangria, and traditional Caribbean dishes on a fun and cultural adventure.

Horseback Riding feels different when surrounded by deep greenery, abundant wildlife and the sights and sounds of a vibrant community. On this day, our Hacienda is yours to discover! Come to Aquiares and learn all about coffee, from the seed to your cup! We provide authentic, unique and personalized tours. You can come with your entire family because we have options for everyone! /!\ PLEASE MAKE A RESERVATION BEFORE COMING /!\

Tap into Costa Rica’s emerging craft beer movement with this 4-hour beer tour in San Jose. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll explore the Barrio Escalante, the heart of San Jose’s pub culture and home to many brewpubs. Taste 10 different varieties of beer, accompanied by traditional tapas — the Costa Rican version of bar snacks. You’ll also have a chance to pick up a few souvenirs at the Artesanos Market. A small group size helps create a more personalized tour experience.

Upon arriving at the Waterfalls Gardens, we walk a path, which leads to different attractions of the park including the aviary, the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the frog, monkey and cat exhibition In addition to the 5 highest waterfalls in Costa Rica, with several very impressive views.

Discover the colonial treasures and culinary delights of Heredia on this train and coffee tour from San Jose. Ride the Old Atlantic Railroad to the historic town, nicknamed the ‘City of Flowers,’ to stroll among colonial architecture and visit a local market. Explore the famous Cafe Britt plantation and roastery where you’ll try some of the world’s best coffee!

Learn about Sloths and other Rainforest Animals of Costa Rica on this Half-Day Trip from San Jose. Visit an Animal Sanctuary specialized in rehabilitating injured sloths and learn everything about these amazing animals. Observe other Wild Animal Species of Costa Rica that are also treated at the Sanctuary, like monkeys, toucans, kinkajous, coatis, macaws and others. Travel to the Mountains of San Jose, visit a Native Tribe and learn about the indigenous culture of Costa Rica. Discover the traditions and way of living of the “Huetar” Ethnic Group at the Quitirrisi Indigenous Reservation.

Visiting San Jose’s markets with a guide turns an everyday scene into a rich cultural experience as your guide tells you the stories behind the markets’ offerings and takes the guesswork out of deciding what’s worth a try. After visiting top San Jose markets, head to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum to take a look at the city’s early history.

Spend a day exploring the rain forest and waterfalls found in the mountains above Jaco beach for a nature-filled escape from San Jose. Visit a private nature reserve where your guide leads a hike through virgin rain forest with a river and several waterfalls. Learn about the animal and plant life of Costa Rica, and take a dip in natural pools along the way. Lunch is included.

A double decker bus tour provides panoramic views of San Jose’s most important landmarks and neighborhoods, accompanied by live guided commentary that brings the sights to life. This 5-hour tour also includes two short walking segments for a closer look at San Jose’s highlights.

San Jose is the cultural capital of Costa Rica and boasts a rich and varied history. Get acquainted with the city’s charms on a private tour, featuring a customizable itinerary of must-see attractions and private transportation through the city’s maze of trafficked avenues.

Experience San Jose's historical and cultural offerings on a walking tour of Costa Rica's vibrant capital city. Begin at Parque Central to take in the city's main attractions. Explore its Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica Art Museum and National Theater in the company of a local guide. Marvel at the Beaux-Arts-style Melico Salazar Theatre and stop by Churrería Manolo’s to sample its iconic cream-filled churros. This comprehensive city walk includes all entrance fees, along with a delicious lunch.