The 7 Best Costa Rica Day Trips From San José

San José is the Capital of Costa Rica. And, whilst it’s often overlooked, there are plenty of day trips you can do from the city. 

​I used to live here (well, Alajuela, but close enough).

If you’re on a very tight timeframe, or want to stick to a strict budget, staying in San José might be an option for you.

But just because you’re in a city doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on seeing Costa Rica. 

In fact, some of the very best sites and destinations of Costa Rica are within a couple of hours from San José. 
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Whether you’re after nature or culture, cuisine or photography, here are 7 of our favourite day trips from San José.

Poas Volcano

Poas Volcano has one of the largest crater lakes in the world

Poas Volcano is a must-see attraction and an easy day trip from San José. By car, it takes just over an hour to get to from the city.

One of the first National Parks to be established in Costa Rica, Poas Volcano was established in 1971 to protect the fragile cloud forest ecosystem. 

At a staggering 2600m, you will be welcomed with mesmerizing views of the valley below and of the biggest crater lakes in the world. At this altitude, it can get a bit chilly - we absolutely recommend packing a jumper or fleece. 

And, as we all know, the weather can be unpredictable. You might arrive to stunning views, for them to be replaced by a blanket of cloud 30 seconds later. Or vice versa. 

Due to intense volcanic activity, Poas Volcano was shut in March 2025. It has since reopened, however guests are limited to just 20 minutes at the crater lake and hard hats must be worn at all times. The entire National Park is subject to closure if high gas levels are detected. 

Doka Estate Coffee Plantation

Take an interactive tour - from plant to cup - and discover what coffee really is

Love it or hate it, coffee is an essential part of Costa Rica. 

If, like me, you need your morning coffee to function, then the Doka Estate Coffee Tour is well worth it. 

With many tourists flocking to the nearby Starbucks plantation, Doka remains somewhat of a hidden gem. But hey, we need to support Costa Rican businesses - not a global, billion-dollar corporation. Besides, Doka promotes sustainability and actively encourages biodiversity. 

The Doka estate can be found on the fertile slopes of Poas volcano, making a combo tour of both Poas Volcano and the coffee tour worth your time. The team at Cecropia Travel can organise this for you. 
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The tour lasts around 2 hours, with plenty of tastings along the way. The best time to visit is December. Not only is the weather decent, you’ll also experience the harvest of countless red coffee cherries, and see first-hand the coffee production process. 

La Paz Waterfalls

The waterfalls aren't the only thing that'll take your breath away here

Still on the slopes of Poas Volcano, discover the incredible reserve of La Paz. Within the Vara Blanca Cloud Forest system, La Paz offers a range of natural falls and spectacular scenery. 

Hike the 3.5km of trails that extend through the mystical cloud forests and discover the rich array of life on offer. There are 5 waterfalls to be spotted along the way. 
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Now, here’s an insider tip from the team at Cecropia Travel - if you’re not prepared to pay the entrance fee, all is not lost. Further down the road, you’ll be able to witness a series of falls for free. Then, to top it off, we recommend grabbing some food at Cinchona - a local soda with incredible views and birds. ​

Sarchí

Bright colours and intricate patters are characteristic of the Sarchi oxcart

Rich in culture, Sarchí is a chance for visitors to learn about Costa Rica’s historic past. 

Just under an hour from San José, Sarchí is an introduction to the country's artistic flare. 

Whilst the town of Sarchí is nice in itself, the most iconic attraction is the artwork. And one thing in particular that has put Sarchí on the map: oxcarts. 
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These simple wooden structures are a nod to past farming practices and have now become a specialised trade. Carts are intricately painted and ornately decorated in a range of bright, vibrant colours. 

The culture here is so special, it found its place on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Now that's a mouthful. 

Rescue Center Costa Rica

A rescued three-toed sloth learning how to climb trees

If you want an introduction to the wildlife of Costa Rica, without the travel into the jungle, then Rescue Center Costa Rica is for you. 

Located in La Guacima, approximately 40 minutes from SJO airport, this rescue center dedicates its resources in rescuing and rehabilitating native wildlife from across the country. 

In our ever changing world, wild animals face more and more challenges. Some of the biggest threats to Costa Rican wildlife include electrocutions from overhead power cables, dog attacks, road traffic collisions, habitat loss and the exotic pet trade. 

This place has a space in our hearts. For 3 years, I worked at the rescue centre. I travelled across the country, working with local communities to raise awareness on the issues at hand.

A visit to Rescue Center Costa Rica will show you a variety of species - from ocelots to all 4 species of monkeys of Costa Rica. You may even get the opportunity to help staff prepare food for the inhabitants, create enrichment puzzles or see baby orphaned sloths have their tree climbing lessons.

Carara National Park ​

American Crocodiles basking close to Carara National Park

Carara is a very special National Park. 

Not only is it one of the last remaining intact Pacific coastal rainforests in Costa Rica, it also acts as a transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest.

It takes approximately 1.5 hours to drive here from the city. And, to make the journey more exciting, you pass over the famous Tarcoles crocodile bridge. 

Under this bridge, it isn’t uncommon to see basking American crocodiles, some as long as 6 meters.

Carara National Park itself is home to a wide array of animals - from mammals, such as monkeys, sloths and peccaries, to birds such as toucans and scarlet macaws.
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You can spend a few hours here exploring the trails, before returning back to the city for the evening. ​

Irazu Volcano

The pine forests of Prussia - part of the Irazu National Park

At 3,432 meters, Irazu Volcano is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica.

The scenery here is incredible, and the views make up for the two-hour ish drive from the city. There’s also a lot of other places to explore around the slopes of Irazu. 

If you are an avid ghost enthusiast, then a stop at Finca Sanatorio Duran may just be for you. Thought to be one of the most haunted places in Costa Rica, this abandoned tuberculosis hospital is a hotspot for those brave enough to venture inside. 

If ghosts and ghouls aren’t for you, why not explore the forest of Prussia. Unlike many habitats in Costa Rica, which typically offer exotic tropical trees, Prussia offers an extensive pine forest and beautiful viewpoints. 
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To round off a trip to Irazu, try a homemade tortilla from the very rustic Soda Maria. Authentic, humble, delicious. ​

Final Thoughts

San José is a rich and cultural city found in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.

Many places across Costa Rica are easily accessible from San José, and can even be completed as a day trip. 

Volcanoes, rainforests, coffee plantations. The list goes on. It could be a great way of seeing the sites of Costa Rica without breaking the bank or trekking across the country.

If you would like to know more about San José, or about any of the places mentioned in this article, contact our team today.  We would be happy to put together a tailored itinerary of Costa Rica for you.