9 smashing day trips from San José, Costa Rica

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is much more than a spirited city with historic sites, lively markets, museums, and culinary experiences; it’s also a great base for day trips into the rest of the country. If you’re eager to escape to nature the moment your plane touches down or you’re craving one last coffee-tasting or sloth-spotting excursion before departure, these San José day trips offer inspiration for making the most of your time in Costa Rica.

Finca Rosa Blanca

After your flight to San José, reboot with some organic Costa Rican coffee and a farm-fresh meal at Finca Rosa Blanca, a sustainable coffee farm and artful inn. Located in Heredia, just 20 minutes from the San José International Airport, Finca Rosa Blanca is the perfect place to start your Costa Rica adventure. Book a coffee tour and tasting to learn about coffee production, Costa Rican wildlife (including some of the more than 130 species of birds that have been spotted here), and the property’s conservation efforts while walking the trails with a knowledgeable guide.

You can also make a lunch or dinner reservation at the on-site El Tigre Vestido restaurant, and enjoy the views and farm-to-table cuisine (and coffee, of course!) from the open-air patio.

Santa Ana

If your travel buddies have a wide range of interests, Santa Ana is your solution. Just 15 minutes from the centre of San José, Santa Ana is a crowd-pleasing and convenient day trip offering a variety of activities that include cycling, golf, mom-and-pop ceramics workshops, high-end boutiques, and a full range of culinary offerings, from casual sodas (small restaurants serving traditional Costa Rican food) to upscale and international fare.

If you like farmers' markets and Central American cuisine, time your visit for a Sunday when vendors serve Nicaraguan vigorón (a plate piled high with cabbage, yuca, and pork and topped with pico de gallo salsa) and Salvadorian pupusas (a corn or rice flour pancake stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat) in addition to tropical fruit smoothies, fresh coconut water, and Costa Rican eats at the Feria del Agricultor de Santa Ana.

A day trip to Santa Ana can also satisfy your cravings for adventure and nature. Take a hike or join a zip line tour at nearby Hacienda la Chimba.

Santiago de Puriscal

Travellers interested in rural tourism and Indigenous culture can journey just beyond Santa Ana to Santiago de Puriscal (or combine the two destinations and make a full day of it). Here, you can visit the Indigenous reserves, share a traditional meal with a local family, shop for handwoven baskets and textiles, and taste artisan chocolates at an organic cacao farm.

Take a nature walk in La Cangreja National Park or continue to Rancho Mastatal Environmental Learning Center and Lodge for a permaculture and sustainable living talk, medicinal plant walk, or natural soap-making workshop.

Braulio Carrillo National Park

If you’re itching to get out of the city and into nature on arrival — or want to fit in one more incredible Costa Rica hike before departure — head to Braulio Carrillo National Park. One of the best day trips from San José, Costa Rica, this national park is also one of the most diverse and largest protected areas in the country, and it’s only about 35 minutes from the city centre.

Trek the trails through dense vegetation, fly above the canopy on a zip line tour, or ride the aerial tram and scan the forest for unique Costa Rican wildlife, which includes quetzals (and more than 500 other species of resident and migratory birds), sloths, tapirs, eyelash vipers, and white-faced capuchin monkeys.

Toucan Rescue Ranch

Spending time with the furry and feathered residents of the Toucan Rescue Ranch is a win-win day trip from San José, Costa Rica. Just 30 minutes from the city, you’ll have the opportunity to see some of the country’s most popular wildlife while supporting a do-good organization.

Join an educational experience to learn about rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The ranch offers classic daytime walks, night hikes to see nocturnal wildlife, and "Slothies & Coffees" tours that include extra time to observe the adorable creatures. While it might be tempting to cuddle these cuties, especially with their cartoonish faces and long arms so seemingly suited for hugging, human contact can be stressful for the animals. The ranch helps protect them by educating visitors on ethical wildlife tourism and limiting necessary contact to trained staff.

Sarchí

This San José, Costa Rica, day trip is for art and history enthusiasts. Sarchí is believed to be the birthplace of Costa Rica’s carreta, the colourful, hand-painted wooden oxcarts used to transport coffee in the days before modern roads and transportation. Take the 45-minute trip to Sarchí for a tour of Fabrica de Carretas Joaquin Chaverri, one of the oldest oxcart factories, and some souvenir shopping around the charming town.

Poas Volcano National Park

Poas Volcano National Park is a popular choice and arguably one of the best excursions from San José, Costa Rica. Observe an active volcano and get a glimpse (and otherworldly photos) of the bubbling, turquoise-tinted crater lagoon — one of the largest in the world — without the need for a long or strenuous trek. The park is a 1.5-hour drive from San José, and the path to the main crater lookout is paved and wheelchair-friendly, making it the most accessible active volcano in Costa Rica.

Sections of the park or the entire park can close on short notice because of volcanic activity, so it’s wise to prepare a second-choice day trip and check the park’s website for advisories or closures before travelling.

Barva

Why choose between an outdoor adventure and a cultural experience if you can do both? Get immersed in the sights and sounds of the high-altitude cloud forest, which may include the shimmering feathers and distinct call of the quetzal, on a hike at Barva Volcano, about 1.5 hours from San José. If a zip line is more your speed, soar over the forest canopy in the foothills of the volcano instead.

Afterward, satisfy your inner artist with a visit to a mask maker in Barva town, where you can learn about this traditional art. If you’re planning your day trip to Barva for a Saturday morning and want to craft your own mask, check with the Museo de Cultura Popular en Barva de Heredia about mask-making workshops.

Irazú Volcano National Park

Start or end your Costa Rica journey on a high note with a day trip to Irazú Volcano, the tallest volcano in the country. Although it’s only a 1.5-hour drive from San José, the lunar-like landscapes might have you wondering whether you’ve landed on another planet. Hike the tranquil trails in the Prusia Sector or take the short paved path to lookouts in the Craters Sector to view two of the park’s four craters. If you’re fortunate enough to visit on a clear day, you may even be able to see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.