5-Day Costa Rica Essence Tour: Boas Volcano National Park, Arenal volcanic area, Waterfall park, Rainforest adventure

Fly to San José, the capital of Costa Rica, known as the "Switzerland of Central America". Upon arrival, the driver will pick you up at the airport with a sign and take you to your hotel.

【Costa Rica San Jose City VIP City Bus Tour】- City Tour in the afternoon & Dinner

Duration: 3:15PM - 7 PM

VIP City Bus offers you an excellent city tour of Costa Rica. Our unique tour double-decker coach will take you from your hotel to downtown San José to witness the city's major historical landmarks, get an immersive panoramic cultural experience, and better understand the evolution of Costa Rica. Places we visited on our guided walk of San Jose include the National Theater (Hall) cherished by Costa Rica, the Museum of Art, the Cathedral, the ancient and authentic Central Market, an in-depth description of the National Monument, and influential historical events that took place in Plaza de la Democracy. Our VIP city bus tour will take you comfortably and safely through the narrow and busy streets of San Jose, past beautiful outdoor city attractions.

    

The itinerary includes: VIP double-decker bus + bottled water + bilingual tour guide + special dinner + round-trip hotel transfer;

walking tour: National Theatre lobby, art museum, central market shopping, metropolitan cathedral, democracy square, central street and national monument.

Drive to Sarapiquí area, through the extraordinary rain forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most important rainforest reserves of Costa Rica. On arrival to Sarapiqui, a beautiful area known for its impressive natural richness, you will board a boat for a relaxing ride on the Sarapiqui River where you will feel in close contact with nature and admire the inspiring surroundings.



After the boat ride, you will continue with a walk on Selva Verde Eco Lodge's private trails, which are a heaven for nature enthusiasts. Following lunch and on route to San Jose, a visit to the famous Rainforest. Aerial Tram is included, for a ride on a gondola through the tree canopy in company of a naturalist guide that will talk to you about the wonderful rainforest. (A 07 cables and 11 platforms zip lining is available instead of the gondola ride if you prefer more adrenaline). The Rain Forest Aerial Tram – Atlantic is a 475-hectares (1,200-acre) private reserve that shares a 10 km border with Braulio Carrillo National Park, constituting a buffer zone between the park and farming lands.

The Poás Volcano, is an active 2,708-metre (8,885 ft) stratovolcano. The crater of the volcano is over a mile across and 1050 feet deep. It has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April, 2017. At the Volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as we learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After Poás, we will continue to La Paz Waterfall Garden, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch (rated 4 Forks by the Costa Rican Tourism Council) that includes multiple selections of Traditional Costa Rican dishes and much more. * Due to the altitude and activity of the Poás Volcano, this tour is not recommended to any person with heart conditions, high blood pressure, people who have had a recent surgery, pregnant women or children.

  



We will visit the Doka Coffee Estate for a delicious breakfast. Then we will be treated to a coffee tour in an actual coffee plantation where we will learn the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce some of the best coffee in Costa Rica and around the world. The careful process involved in the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean will then be illustrated, very hands-on, and then we will savor the delectable product.

  



At La Paz Waterfall Gardens we will go through walking trails surrounded by lush tropical rain forest. Here we will appreciate flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds. There are also, educational animal exhibits to enjoy such as the Aviary, the Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and the Frog Exhibit. This is definitely a tour enjoyed by nature lovers from all ages.

  

Enroute to the Arenal Volcano, we will stop at the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica's Artisans. In Sarchi, you will be able to appreciate many of the art crafts and souvenirs that Costa Rica has to offer. Also you will see the world’s largest ox cart according to the Guinness Book. The cart is 2 stories high, nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs. (2 tons), and took 70 days to complete. Made out of wood (cedar) and decorated with bright colors, designed based on our typical and traditional oxcarts.



The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple and plantain farms, mango groves, ornamental plants and even cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano. The impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that is situated in La Fortuna (The Fortune) of San Carlos, previously assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when it experienced a major eruption. Now is visited by tourist from all around the world hoping for the opportunity to witness volcanic activity, such as the white plumes of smoke that emanate from the conical shaped behemoth.



Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters, as well as an optional massage or other special treatment, if you choose, that must be reserved ahead of time to ensure availability. Spa treatments are not included and are payable directly at the resort.



The facilities at Baldi provided 25 separate mineral water reservoirs that flow naturally from the volcano. The medicinal waters are certified by L.N.A. (Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas), and the temperatures range from 93, 100, 102, 104, 109, 110, 113, 116, 152, providing visitors with a wide range of options that fit their preferences. And for a perfect ending, before going back to San José, a wonderful dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so that you do not miss any opportunity to look at the classically shaped volcano.

  

Depending on your flights, the driver will drop you off at the airport. End of tour.