The 10 Waterfall Tours in San Jose That Earn Their Price

1.Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63Our pick

Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens at your own pace with a flexible day pass. Walk through cloud forest trails, see five waterfalls, and explore orchids, butterflies, hummingbirds, toucans, monkeys, snakes, and rescued cats. Allow at least two hours, though four or five gives you time to slow down.

“The hike was spectacular, however there is no benefit to buying the skip the line. There are no lines so you can buy direct and save a few $.”

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2.Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $149Top rated

Travel from San José to Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, and coffee farms near Sarapiquí. You’ll learn how coffee is grown, processed, roasted, and brewed, eat a typical Costa Rican lunch, and visit two waterfalls. Guides such as Carlos, Ricardo, Charlie, and Rick are praised for clear explanations and attentive service.

“The tour was wonderful and Carlos was a great guide! My family and I had a good time seeing the coffee plantation, waterfall, and volcano (although it was very misty so the view was slightly hindered). We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the tour!”

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3.Rio Celeste Waterfall at Tenorio Volcano and Sloth Watching Tour From San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $185

Leave San Jose early for Tenorio Volcano National Park and the striking blue Rio Celeste waterfall. The day also includes a guided sloth and wildlife visit, breakfast, lunch, coffee, and hotel pickup. Guides such as Yancy, John, Luis Molina, and Fernando have helped guests spot animals and understand the forest.

“Tour muy completo! Luis y Johan muy buenos guías, nos dieron oportunidad de nadar en el rio (el tour no lo incluye, solo ver la cascada), muy amables todo el tiempo. Es importante tener en cuenta el tiempo de traslado si están en San Jose, es algo largo y mas si hay trafico. El ver a los perezosos y otros animales igual es interesante, se ven desde un telescopio entre la naturaleza con otro guía.”

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4.Poas Volcano + Coffee tour + Waterfall tour day from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $149

Leave San Jose at 8:00 am for Poas Volcano, coffee country, and a waterfall stop on a 10 to 12 hour guided day. You will see crater views, farms, cloud forest, and the coffee process from nursery to roaster. Hotel pickup, lunch, transport, park fees, and bottled water are included, with groups capped at 15.

“The pick up was on time. That is where the good points stop. The van was very dirty, and none of the seat belts works despite the driver saying they did. One other person was picked up and we headed to the Starbucks plantation. We arrived an hour and half ahead of our scheduled tour time. So the driver suggested we get a coffee which we waited almost half an hour for. The next tour was in Spanish so the driver suggested we drive around for an hour until our tour time. He got lost on the way back and had to drive recklessly to get us back to Starbucks…”

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5.Poas Volcano + Coffee Plantations & La Paz Waterfall Gardens Trip from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $199

Start early from San Jose for breakfast and a hands-on coffee visit at Doka, then head to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Guides such as Edgar, Daniel, Jose, and Fran are praised for lively explanations and careful pacing. Expect cloud-forest weather, buffet meals, and many stairs at the waterfalls.

“Very Nice experience, I loved the waterfalls .just to give you the heads up there's lot of walking required in this tour especially at La Paz where there's lot of going up and down the stairs to get to waterfalls”

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6.La Paz Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $135

From San José, travel into Costa Rica’s coffee country for La Paz Waterfall Gardens. You’ll see coffee, strawberries, butterflies, hummingbirds, frogs, monkeys, cats, and three waterfalls, with lunch included. Guides such as Antonio, Eduardo, Frank, and Ricardo are praised for their local knowledge. Expect about six hours, some steep steps, and possible rain.

“Waterfalls are amazing. Worth the many steps taken. Just keeps getting better and better as you go from one waterfall to another. Max our guide was a cool cat that has been doing this tour for many decades. Well instructed tour.”

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7.3 in 1 Combo: La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Thermal Spa from San José

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $249

Travel from San José to Arenal for La Fortuna Waterfall, guided hanging bridges, and three hours at Los Lagos thermal pools. Guides such as Hayro, Miha, Yorleny, and Lenny have led this route, spotting sloths, monkeys, birds, frogs, and snakes along the way. The day costs $249 and allows up to 15 people.

“The cafe of the manha was very late and I didn't like it and after we passed on the plantation of coffee.The walk and mto run the dinner was bad.And due to the weather we didn't even see the vulcao, the thermas are reasonable.Auto-translated”

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8.Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $120

Join Carolina and Cesar at Hacienda Ébano for a private 4 to 5 hour outing through rainforest trails, waterfall pools, and mountain views. You’ll cross two bridges, look for frogs, birds, and monkeys, swim at Ebano and Jade waterfalls, ride to the Big Mango Lookout, and finish with a Costa Rican lunch wrapped in banana leaves.

“Cesar knew the hills and paths like a pro! It was such a wonderful and educational trip. We were so impressed by the waterfalls and the hike itself. Having lunch home cooked at the end of the trip was a nice treat, too! So delicious!!”

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9.Super Combo Tour: Waterfalls Gardens + Coffee Tour + Poás Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $199

Spend a full day in Costa Rica’s Central Valley with guides such as Erick, Daniel, Hayro, and Adrian. Visit Doka Estate for breakfast and coffee tasting, see Poás Volcano when weather allows, then explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens, rescued wildlife, hummingbirds, and five waterfalls. The shared tour costs $199.90 and allows up to 25 people.

“Gary was our guide and did an amazing job! The day couldn't have gone better and I was very happy (and tired!) At the end.”

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10.Doka Coffee Tour, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day Trip from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $184

Start early with hotel pickup, then visit Doka Coffee Plantation for breakfast and a guided coffee tour, Poas Volcano for a short crater visit, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens for trails, wildlife, waterfalls, and lunch. Guides such as Max, Martin, Rachel, and Victor have led departures, with bilingual explanations available on some trips.

“Hands down, the best tour. The transportation was prompt, the tour guide was excellent, and the tour was enjoyable.”

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