3-Day Trips from San José

While San José’s bustling streets are lined with fascinating monuments, from gold museums to dazzling theaters and lofty cathedrals, if you wish to experience the true magic of Costa Rica, you should consider participating in a multi-day tour that transports you to some of the country’s most exquisite natural attractions.

From cloud forests and volcanic crater lakes to beaches lined with nesting turtles, and cruises through crocodile-infested waters, 3-day trips from San José are filled with adventure and showcase Costa Rica’s unbelievable diversity.

Here’s everything you need to know about these exciting multi-day trips from San José.

3-Day trips from San José: Tortuguero National Park

If your idea of paradise is white-crested waves upon deserted golden sands, canals lined with mangrove thickets and wildlife at every turn, you should consider participating in a 3-day trip from San José to Tortuguero National Park.

Covering 19,000 hectares and named after the 22,500 sea turtles that nest along this stretch of coastline annually, the reserve is also home to 60 species of mammals, as well as over 100 reptiles, 57 amphibians, and more than 300 birds.

What is the typical itinerary?

You’ll begin a 3-day trip to Tortuguero National Park early to maximize your time spent exploring. Traveling down the country, you’ll pass by the Braulio Carrillo National Park, which is known for its extensive cloud forest and ample hiking trails.

Upon arrival at Tortuguero National Park, you’ll switch your vehicle for a boat to meander along the reserve’s famed canals for the rest of the day, spotting all manner of remarkable flora and fauna along the way, including Acanthaceae, and Sapindaceae, both of which are endemic to Costa Rica.

After a comfortable night in a local lodge, you’ll energize yourself with an invigorating hike, which enables you to discover the delights of the national park from the land. Dine on Costa Rican cuisine before educating yourself on sea turtles at a museum dedicated to the friendly reptiles.

Here, you can find out about the different species that flock to Tortuguero’s shores each year, as well as conservation efforts to protect these beings.

Then, wander the quaint streets of Tortuguero village where you can sip on a fresh coconut and listen to the steady rhythm of the sea. On the final day of your trip, you’ll leave Tortuguero after breakfast to begin the scenic journey back to San José, passing by Guápiles along the way.

Which types for 3-day trips to Tortuguero National Park are available?

You’ll find that 3-day trips from San José to Tortuguero National Park typically operate in large groups of approximately 50 guests. However, you can also find excursions to the destination that limit their numbers to around 15, which makes for a more personal experience.

You’ll also find that with fewer guests to accommodate, these small-group tours are more seamless and often, more enjoyable.

How much does it cost?

Generally, 3-day tours to Tortuguero National Park range between US$420 and US$550 per adult, depending on the group size, and inclusions. Group tours capped at 50 participants cost around US$420 per adult and US$200 per child aged 5 to 11.

If you select a small-group excursion, which is limited to 15 guests, you’ll pay between US$470 and US$480 per adult. Children between the ages of 4 and 10 can join in for US$380 each.

Accommodation for two nights at a local lodge is typically included, as well as the services of a professional tour guide for the duration of your trip. You’ll enjoy the ease that comes from having all meals provided for you and activities, such as boat tours, are also included.

However, the national park entry fee is often at your own expense, which is worth considering when choosing between tours.

3-Day trips from San José: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio

Alternatively, if you wish to discover a multitude of Costa Rica’s most incredible natural attractions, book a 3-day trip from San José that visits Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Hanging Bridges and Manuel Antonio National Park.

From towering peaks and steaming hot springs to breathtaking cloud forests, and palm-lined beaches, you’ll see the best of what the country has to offer on these excursions, all within just a few short days.

What is the typical itinerary?

On day 1 of a 3-day trip from San José, you’ll either pay a visit to Arenal Volcano or Monteverde Cloud Forest. If it’s Arenal Volcano that’s your first stop, you’ll enjoy a full day exploring the area on foot, including La Fortuna Waterfall, which plummets into an icy pool from a height of around 70 meters.

This is the most iconic of all falls in Costa Rica and is open to daring travelers who wish to dip into its chilly waters.

When visiting the region, you’ll also experience the country’s largest waterway — Arenal Lake — which covers 85 square kilometers and offers unobstructed views of the 7,000-year-old volcano.

Make the most of the geothermal activity by unwinding at a natural hot springs resort, the water of which is said to help heal skin conditions, circulatory issues and stress.

Whether you visit Monteverde Cloud Forest on day 1 or day 2, the itinerary remains the same. You’ll visit the Butterfly Garden at Selvatura Park, where you’ll find more than 30 species of winged creatures that are endemic to Costa Rica, as well as a series of hanging bridges, from which you can gain a unique view of the cloud forest from above. Daredevils may also have the opportunity to speed over the treetops on a zipline while in Monteverde.

Manuel Antonio is always reserved for day 3 of your multi-day tour from San José where you can dip your toes in the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean and admire the beauty of one of the top 25 beaches in the world.

As you stroll along the beach trail, you may meet some of the national park’s inhabitants, which include sloths, capuchin monkeys and green iguanas. Less commonly seen are jaguars and several species of snakes.

Which types for 3-day trips to Arenal Volcano, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio are available?

Usually, 3-day trips to Arenal Volcano, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio operate in small groups of either 10 or 15 guests.

These provide you with a better opportunity to form a strong bond with other group members and create lifelong memories without dozens of other tourists around.

How much does it cost?

If you opt for a 3-day tour from San José that operates in a group of 10, you’ll pay US$600 per adult and US$500 for each child between the ages of 4, and 10. There is a minimum booking requirement of two individuals and you’ll find that accommodation, most meals, and admission fees are all covered in the overall price.

Those who choose an excursion that is limited to 15 guests will also find their tour to have a minimum booking requirement of two people. Adults will pay just under US$700 each while children aged 4 to 10 benefit from a discounted rate of US$500 each.

Alongside accommodation, you’ll also be provided with additional meals than on other tours, and you’ll experience a chocolate, and coffee tour in La Fortuna.