7-Day Costa Rica Classic Tour from San Jose: Irazu Volcano National Park and Arenal Volcanic Area | Stay at Tabacon Thermal Hot Spring Hotel & SPA

After pick-up back to your hotel, begin your Vip City Bus has the best city tour in Costa Rica at your disposal. Our unique sightseeing double decker bus will take you to downtown San Jose from your hotel to witness the city’s main historical landmarks for an immersive and panoramic cultural experience and a better understanding of Costa Rica’s evolution. Our favorite places to visit for a guided walk in San Jose include Costa Rica’s cherished National Theater (lobby), Art Museum, Metropolitan Cathedral the old and authentic Central Market, the impressive Gold Museum (dinner tour), an in-depth description of the National Monument, and the influential historical episode that took place at the Democracy Plaza. Our VIP City Bus tour will take you comfortably and safely through San Jose’s narrow and busy streets driving by beautiful outdoor city attractions. The living city is our museum.

  

This tour is the combination of the Irazu Volcano National Park, the Orosi Valley and Lankester Garden tours. With this excursion you will see an impressive volcano, visit important historical and cultural places in our country and also will have the opportunity to see beautiful plants. To that end, the tour offers the mystique of the Irazu Volcano, and the enchantment of the lush gardens in Orosi.

The tour will begin with us trekking south along the Panamerican Highway until we reach the base of the behemoth "Iztaru" (a name of an indigenous village that was situated on the flanks of the volcano, and a likely candidate as a possible origin for the current name of the Irazu Volcano).

The winding road traverses fertile lands in which all types and forms of vegetation are cultivated, all the while affording us a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. And, at the very top of the summit, on a clear day, one can be privy to an unforgettable bird’s eye view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

As we descend to the city of Cartago we will stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica - a famous peregrination site for many believers, some of which travel for days or even weeks on foot, in a pilgrimage of faith, to the site. The Basilica has large vaulted ceilings and exquisite examples of stained glass windows, and is a must see.

Next, after we visit the Basilica we will stop at the Lankester Gardens, a University of Costa Rica Center for investigation that protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads and countless species of other plants.

Then, we will continue to the Valley of Orosi, an area that overflows with unparalleled beauty. We will be able to visit one of the few remaining colonial churches and we will stop to enjoy a tasty typical lunch at one of the local restaurants.

After breakfast, we will head to the Arenal volcanic area, and upon arrival, visit one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica: Tabacon Hot Spring, where you will be able to relax in the hot springs that you will never forget. On the way to the volcano, we will pass through a small town called La Fortuna, where you can see the majestic peaks on a clear day. After a hot spring, return to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Arena Thermal Studies.

Afternoon: After checking in to the hotel, head to Tabacon Volcanic Hot Springs.

 



TABACON THERMAL HOTSPRING HOTEL & SPA 5*

 

 

After breakfast you can discover the forest from a birds eye view aerial tram and go deep into the forest rising up to highest point of the mountain on a ride that will amaze you in many ways. Sky Tram is an aerial tramway on which you will ride on a open air gondola that will rise smoothly through the forest offering endless views during its mountainous ascent. This experience is perfect for all of those who want to take a different approach on admiring Costa Rican nature, without much physical effort, but always being on spot where natures exhibits all its magic. On the ride, besides the views of the surrounding forests and beyond, you will be able to admire distinctive flora and fauna that might be only spotted from above, so keep an eye out for distinct natural treasures. Once Sky Tram gondolas reach the top, you will arrive at a wide observation platform on the highest point of the reserve, where you will be admired with the best views on a unique place to get in touch with nature. Or you can choose the extraordinary top of the line zipline course over the forest with amazing views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake. Sky Trek is a thrilling zipline circuit that’s located in the magical forests of Costa Rica. You can find this experience in both of our parks, at Monteverde and in Arenal (La Fortuna). Sky Trek zipline courses begin at the top of the mountains, you’ll ride and open air gondola to this point while admiring the best views of the surrounding area and even more. From there on, you will start the zipline course down the mountain. Cables stretch from mountain to mountain, reaching incredible lengths and heights, crossing canyons, going into the forests, and even sometimes in between clouds. But Sky Trek is more than that, live a unique experience beyond distance or heights, admire unique views, and feel the adrenaline like no other adventure.

 



TABACON THERMAL HOTSPRING HOTEL & SPA 5*

 

After breakfast, our natural history expert guides will accompany you in discovering the marvelous secrets hidden in this wildlife sanctuary we call rainforest. Having a specialist guide means visitors will acquire vast knowledge of the fauna inhabiting the reserve and will be able to watch several species from the forest, undergrowth, and floor.

The company of our guides will help you admire the balance and complexity of the tropical rainforest, and learn about interspecies relationships and their value, as well as the interactions within the ecosystem. In the midday return to San Jose.

  

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.

After the coffee tour, we will continue to Poas Volcano National Park, where there is a noticeable change in temperature and exuberant vegetation of the cloud forest.

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.

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.

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.  As we ascend the mountain, we will notice a change in temperature and vegetation; we will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful array of colors and visuals.

 

Transfer out.