Skip to content
Vacantier

Activity San Jose, Costa Rica

San José Private Tour: Poás Volcano, Waterfalls & Coffee

5.0 (one review) 8 hours Free cancellation Private tour
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

San José Private Tour: Poás Volcano, Waterfalls & Coffee

About this activity

This private day trip from San José blends three Costa Rican highlights into one unforgettable experience: volcanoes, waterfalls, and coffee. Start at Poás Volcano National Park, where you’ll stand on the edge of an active crater and take in its turquoise lagoon and panoramic views. Continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, an eco-park of rainforest trails, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and powerful waterfalls cascading through lush greenery. On the way back, stop at a coffee plantation (Doka Estate or similar), where you can stroll among the rows of plants or visit the café and shop—note that guided tours or tastings aren’t included. With hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, and fully customizable stops, this journey combines Costa Rica’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in a single day.

Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Plantation Tours Additional fees New Product

At a glance

Duration
8 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Your group only
People per booking
1–12
Guide
English, Spanish
Operated by
Welcome Pickups

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Included: Fuel and Tolls
  • Included: Water
  • Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
  • Included: Hotel or custom pickup and drop-off
  • Included: Professional English-speaking local driver/informal guide
  • Included: All taxes and handling charges

Not included

  • Not included: Meals and beverages
  • Not included: Tips and Gratuities
  • Not included: Admission fees: Poás Volcano National Park
  • Not included: Admission fees: La Paz Waterfall Gardens
  • Not included: Licensed guides available to accompany you inside the attractions

Itinerary

  1. Poas Volcano

    2 hours Admission not included

    One of Costa Rica’s most famous natural wonders, Poás features an active crater with a steaming turquoise lake that’s visible from a panoramic platform. At over 2,700 meters elevation, the cool cloud-forest setting adds to the drama of this breathtaking landscape. Entrance ticket required.

  2. La Paz Waterfall Gardens

    3 hours Admission not included

    A beautifully designed eco-park that combines five dramatic waterfalls with lush walking trails, cloud-forest gardens, and a wildlife rescue center. Visitors can encounter hummingbirds, butterflies, big cats, and more in an immersive natural setting. Entrance ticket required.

  3. Stop 3

    3 hours

    Coffee Plantation Stop (Doka Estate or similar). These plantations, nestled on the fertile volcanic slopes, showcase Costa Rica’s coffee heritage. During the ride you’ll have a chance to stop, admire the endless rows of coffee plants, and visit the café or shop if you wish. Please note: this stop does not include a guided coffee tour or tasting, and no tickets are required for the basic stop. Any optional purchases are not included in the ride price.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

  • Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu
  • Aparthotel Casa Reflejos
  • Eco Hotel Puerto Urbano
  • Hotel Terrazas Boutique
  • Hotel Bougainvillea
  • Luxhigh Hotel & Casino
  • Casa Conde Hotel & Suites
  • Hotel Santo Tomas
  • Hotel Inca Real
  • Hotel Vesuvio
  • Taormina Hotel and Casino
  • Hotel Los Diamantes

and 123 more pickup points

Your Welcome Pickups driver will be waiting for you at the selected pickup location and time.

Before your ride, you’ll receive your driver’s details — including their name, phone number, and car information — so you can easily recognize them.

Your driver will arrive on time and be ready to assist you and any special requests before starting your journey.

Please note that our sightseeing tours does not automatically include airport pickup or drop-off. If you wish to start or end your tour at the airport, simply select the option with airport pickup included when booking if available.

Kindly share any special requirements, such as traveling with a service animal or needing extra assistance, when booking your ride. This ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for you.

Using your ticket

Please show this to your driver.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Specialized infant seats are available

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • For 1-5 people: A spacious minivan will be assigned to your group.

  • For 6-12 people: A private minibus will be assigned to your group.

  • Throughout your ride, our drivers serve as informal local guides—sharing stories, history, and local tips at every stop. Please note that drivers are not permitted to enter museums or archaeological areas, but they’ll ensure you make the most of your visit with suggestions and background information before you explore on your own.

  • Some stops on your itinerary may be closed on the date of travel due to public holidays, maintenance or special events. We recommend verifying opening hours on the attraction’s official website or contacting us before your tour. If a stop is unexpectedly closed, we will try to offer a suitable alternative.

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · one review
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

San José Private Tour: Poás Volcano, Waterfalls & Coffee

Pick a day to see the times and the price

Necessary cookies keep the site running and cannot be switched off. With your consent we also load Google Analytics, which tells us how the site is used, and our affiliate partners' scripts (Travelpayouts, Kiwi.com), which set cookies to credit us with bookings made through us. Details in the Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary

    The session, form protection, signing in, your chosen currency and this choice. The site does not work without them.

    Always on
  • Analytics

    Google Analytics. Counts visits and which pages and offers are used, so we know what to improve. It never receives your name, email or account.

  • Marketing and affiliate

    The Travelpayouts scripts and the Kiwi.com flight search. They set their own cookies, through which the partner knows you came from Vacantier.