This is a list of recommended tours in the Arenal Volcano region. Please scroll down and click on any link for a full description (will open on a new page). The descriptions below are mostly excerpts from the official webpages.

Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee, La Paz Waterfalls

Brief description

San Jose City Tour

Starting on the East side of San Jose, the first thing we will see is Democracy Plaza, the National Museum, the National Court, Los Yoses, San Pedro Mall, Hispanidad Fountain and the Rodrigo Facio Campus on the University of Costa Rica.

After we have seen the capital’s main attractions, our first stop will be in the impressive Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and in the beautiful National Theater where we will have a guided visit tour through these cultural gems.

After our visit, the tour continues throw the western section of San Jose: La Sabana Metropolitan Park(first International Airport in Costa Rica), Costa Rican Contemporary Art Museum , the National Gymnasium, the Comptroller’s office, the residential area in Rohrmoser, the Nunciatura, the Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Republic President Oscar Arias Sanchez’s home, the Rohrmoser Boulevard and Pavas section.

At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity of visiting an interesting shopping place where you will be able to buy souvenirs from your visit to San Jose.On Sunday, the National Theater is closed so we will only be able to see it from the outside.

White Water Rafting (Sarapiqui)

We are authorized by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) to operate in a reliable and safe way. We also have a liability insurance, which has never been used in 17 in business. We have carefully selected the areas we operate on offering you non-traditional tourist sites which combine both, the beauty of nature and the adventure.

Our equipment is provided by the Northwest River Supplies Co. known for being the market leader in rafting accessories. Furthermore, our bilingual guides are highly qualified on rescue and first aids, and are certified to carry out their job the best way possible.

We do our rafting tour in the Sarapiqui river, the safest and river, still unpolluted, only 2 hours away from San José and La Fortuna. From San José, the access to Sarapiquí is through the wonderful Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the few tropical rainforest in the world.

White Water Rafting (Pacuare)

Brief description

Coffee tour

DOKA COFFEE TOUR is located in the Costa Rica capital of coffee, Sabanilla de Alajuela. Doka Estate belongs to the Vargas Ruiz family, locals and pioneers in coffee growing for over 70 years.

For the second year in a row Doka Estate has been awarded the 'Best Coffee Farm in the World' by Sintercafe (in 2000 and 2001). Sintercafe is a Costa Rican coffee trade fair with Costa Rican coffee producers and international coffee trade participants. An international jury of coffee tasters then judge the Costa Rican coffees and hand out awards. This prestigious event takes place every November in Costa Rica.

The main objective of the Coffee Tour is to educate and inform tourists about the process that growing coffee involves. The tour takes you throughout our Doka estate and watermill...

Aerial Tram

The first Rain Forest Aerial Tram ever built takes you over an expansive private nature preserve on Costa Rica's Atlantic Coast. Located 50 minutes from San José, our capital city, we are a sanctuary which shelters an eco-tourism and research park unlike any in the world... we are talking about the Rain Forest Aerial Tram – Atlantic.

The Rain Forest Aerial Tram – Atlantic is a 475-hectare (1,200-acre) private reserve, it shares a 10 km border with Braulio Carrillo National Park and constitutes a buffer zone between the park and farming lands.

The park´s multiple gateways take you to each unique rainforest dimension: flights above the canopy treetop, guided nature hikes for all levels of physical ability, a snake exhibit ( with more than 10 reptile species), a multi-colored Frog and Butterfly Garden, bird watching and opportunities to overnight at the Rain Forest Lodge whose walls all but blend right into the forest.

4 in 1

To begin this recommended tour, which should really be called Ten in One, we take the Pan-American road to Alajuela.
Here we go to the Agricultural Monument, the monument to Juan Santamaria. We also are going to visit the Mango Park.
Later we will stop for the first time at the famous Doka State. We are going to take the typical breakfast, visit the beautiful coffee plantation, the mill and the roast room.

As we continue to climb the Poas Volcano we get to the coffee plantations, flower and fern nurseries and strawberry fields.
There is an obvious change in temperature and in vegetation. This will prepare us for the pleasure of the exuberant cloud forest in Poas volcano, where we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles.

We continue our trip on the Caribbean slope, stopping to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a natural park where we will walk in spectacular trails that take us to White Magic Waterfall, the most spectacular thing in the area. Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, home to a collection of tropical jewels and the impressive hummingbird gallery. A buffet style lunch is included here.

After lunch we will continue on the Atlantic slope and once we arrive at Puerto Viejo we will be ready for a relaxing on a boat trip down the Sarapiqui River. Just sit down and enjoy the surrounds. During our boat ride our guide will unfold for us the simple life of people who live along the riverside.
Before returning to San Jose we will drive throw the unforgettable Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most important tropical rain forest reserves in Costa Rica.

The tour includes breakfast, coffee plantation visit, craters and trails in Poas Volcano National Park. The entrance to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, inclluding Butterfly, Hummingbird Gallery and waterfall trails. Buffet lunch, boat trip on the Sarapiqui River with soft drinks on-board and drive throw Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Irazu Volcano + Orosi Valley + Lankester Gardens

We take the Pan-American Highway South, to start ascending the large “Irazu”. The winding road travels through fertile lands cultivated with all kinds of vegetables as we observe a lovely panoramic view. On the top of the volcano you can observe the main craters and on a clear day both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can be seen.

As we descend to the city of Cartago we will stop at the Virgin of the Angels church that according to religious custom is a peregrination site for many believers. After visiting the Church we will stop at Lankester Gardens, a University of Costa Rica Institute for investigation. This place protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads and countless species of other plants.

We will continue on to Orosi Valley where the creation overflows in an unparallel beauty. We will be able to visit one of the few remaining colonial churches and stop for lunch in one of the local restaurants.

During our tour we will be able to observe “La Casa del Soñador” an example of Costa Rican primitive art.

Sarapiqui River + Aerial Tram

Brief description.

Tortuga Island

"Calypso Catamaran Cruise" also known as the Pacific Island Cruise or the Calypso Island Cruise, is a one-day boat tour full of adventure that leaves daily from Puntarenas, Costa Rica's major Pacific Port. Once on board the 71-foot Catamaran Manta Raya, you will cruise past some of the 23 islands in the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, where you can see porpoise, dolphins, sea turtles and aquatic birds. Calypso offers two tour destinations daily: either the private reserve of Punta Coral, nestled in some of the world's last remaining Tropical Dry Forest and home for many species of wildlife including yellow napped parrots, and howler monkeys; or Costa Rica's famous palm studded, white sand beach Isla Tortuga (Tortuga Island). Once at your destination, enjoy the activities that include: sunbathing, volleyball, kayaks, bird watching or relax in a hammock. A wonderful gourmet meal is elegantly served accompanied with chilled white wine and live music.

"Like a long running Broadway Show, Calypso Cruises attention to detail and dedication to giving you the best day of your Costa Rica vacation, is also the oldest and best-known one-day tour in Costa Rica. Enjoy the whitest Costa Rica Beach"

Tortuguero Park Excursion (Multi-day)

For a complete description click on the link above. This can be a 2-Day or 3-Day all-inclusive excursion.

Canopy tour

The Poas Canopy Tour is the most popular adventure tour in the mountain.

It follows a set of rigid quality standards and safety rules, according to international standards. With 24 platforms in the major trees, an extraordinary trail has been designed above the canopy forest.

The tour, of approximately two hours, is an experience filled with excitement and joy, in which the visitor performs a journey through the treetops on fourteen cables suspended high above the jungle trails, with the help and under the supervision of highly qualified and professional personnel. This exciting adventure ends when you glide down on an impressive 1980-feet length cable. Our company has indeed the technical support of professionals and technicians, who permanently control the quality and perfect conditions and operation of the equipment, platform and cable installations.