What accommodation options are available in San Jose for the first night?

San Jose's hotel scene spans three distinct tiers catering to different budgets and preferences. The Standard category includes the practical Sleep Inn Hotel. Moving up the comfort scale Superior options feature the Holiday Inn Escazu while the Deluxe tier presents the Real Intercontinental. Guest feedback reinforces the convenience factor with one TourRadar traveler noting: "The Sleep Inn Hotel was comfortable and conveniently located for tour departures."

What are the common pickup locations for tours starting in San Jose?

Tour operators in San Jose concentrate their pickups around three key points: Juan Santamaria International Airport the downtown hotel district (including Sleep Inn Hotel and Holiday Inn Express Forum) and the Escazu area where Park Inn by Radisson stands. According to a recent TourRadar traveler: "We were greeted at the airport by the representative and assisted with hotel transfer to Sleep Inn Hotel which was just 15 minutes from the airport."

What should I explore in my free time starting in San Jose?

San Jose's cultural heart reveals itself through several noteworthy spots. The bustling Mercado Central houses more than 200 local vendors while the Metropolitan Church stands as an architectural landmark. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum offers historical context and Barrio Amón presents well-preserved colonial architecture. Both Country Inn & Suites and Park Inn provide easy access to these sites. A TourRadar traveler adds: "The central avenue is a place where you can interact with locals and learn about their way of living."

What's the average length of tours starting in San Jose Costa Rica?

Most San Jose-based tours run between 8 and 15 days with 10-day itineraries proving most popular among travelers. These routes typically include stays at upscale properties like the Real Continental while covering major attractions from Arenal Volcano to Manuel Antonio National Park. One TourRadar traveler reflects: "The 10-day itinerary was perfect - giving us enough time to explore each location while keeping a good pace through the country."

How long are the transfers from San Jose to the first destinations?

Travel times from San Jose hotels to initial destinations generally take between 3 and 5 hours. The journey to Tortuguero involves a 4-hour road trip followed by a 2-hour boat ride. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The drive from San Jose through Braulio Carrillo National Park was scenic making the long transfer enjoyable."

What are the most popular destinations visited on tours starting from San Jose?

Standard tour routes from San Jose encompass Costa Rica's natural highlights including Arenal Volcano National Park Monteverde Cloud Forest Tortuguero National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park. Most itineraries head northwest to Arenal (4 hours) or northeast to Tortuguero (5-6 hours). A TourRadar traveler reflects: "The itinerary from San Jose covered all the highlights - from volcanoes to cloud forests to beaches giving us a perfect mix of Costa Rica's diverse landscapes."

Costa Rica Tours from San Jose

Find your perfect adventure! We have 245 tours of Costa Rica that start in San Jose, Costa Rica. The most popular month is April, and tour lengths range between 3 and 18 days.

10 best Costa Rica tour packages from San Jose

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Explorer
Classic Costa Rica (including Arenal Volcano National Park)
4.5 (60 traveler reviews)
"Intrepid provides small groups, personalized experience and the best guides."
Elodie, traveled in June
Duration
15 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Santa Rosa de Pocosol,Tenorio Volcano National Park,La Fortuna,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+6 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From $2,660
US$1,995per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Costa Rica Experience (8 destinations)
4.2 (32 traveler reviews)
"The tour was outstanding."
bethany, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
San Jose, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, La Fortuna, Arenal,Monteverde,Quepos,Manuel Antonio National Park+3 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
From
US$1,395per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & Zip-Lines
5.0 (43 traveler reviews)
"The places we visited, the hostels we stayed at and the activities we did were perfect. The variety and freedom to spend my time as I wanted was great."
Allison, traveled in April
Duration
6 days
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
17% Off
From $549
US$456per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
4.5 (17 traveler reviews)
"This tour was the best balance of activities at the start to make the most of the natural beauty and wildlife."
Denise, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, Sarchi, Grecia, Poas Volcano National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+3 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
20% Off
From $2,320
US$1,860per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Costa Rica Express - 7 days
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Country is stunningly beautiful. I enjoyed exploring nature and saw a lot of wildlife."
Natia, traveled in November
Duration
7 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles,La Fortuna,Arenal,Arenal Volcano National Park,Manuel Antonio National Park+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From
US$2,455per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
The Best of Costa Rica
4.4 (11 traveler reviews)
"The stay there and the river tour and nature hike were the best part of the trip. Your selection of the Tortuga Lodge was an excellent choice."
Jess, traveled in October
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Tortuga Island+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $1,707
US$1,451per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
4.6 (14 traveler reviews)
"The itinerary, guides, and organization of our entire trip was remarkable!"
Kristen, traveled in April
Duration
5 days
Destinations
San Jose, Sarchi, Arenal Volcano National Park,Tortuguero National Park+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $914
US$777per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"Everything went very smoothly. Accommodations were great, and the food was delicious."
Kirsten, traveled in December
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Tortuga Island+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $1,721
US$1,463per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Supersaver | Costa Rica Essentials Plus & Guanacaste Extension, 10 Days
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Our trip to Costa Rica was absolutely amazing!"
Kristy, traveled in November
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Samara+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $2,399
US$2,040per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Active
Volcanoes, Nature and Caribbean
4.4 (7 traveler reviews)
"We were extremely pleased with the TourRadar package we purchased to tour Costa Rica. We highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see that beautiful country."
Stephen, traveled in October
Duration
9 days
Destinations
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Guapiles,Tortuguero National Park,Puerto Viejo de Talamanca,Cahuita+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $1,704
US$1,448per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Explorer
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
4.4 (128 traveler reviews) award winner
"Every detail was taken care of. Every van and every excursion was very well planed."
Sandra, traveled in January
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $1,975
US$1,679per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Active
Costa Rica Adventure
4.8 (634 traveler reviews)
"Her energy and smile is so contagious. She's an absolute asset to tru travels!"
Pri, traveled in April
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa,Montezuma,Cabuya+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Operated in
English
Operator
TruTravels
30% Off
From $1,750
US$1,225per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Active
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
4.5 (41 traveler reviews)
"We had a great time. We would highly recommend our friends to book their vacations with Tourradar."
Chandradevi, traveled in November
Duration
10 days
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Playa Tamarindo+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
15% Off
From $1,811
US$1,539per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Active
Costa Rica Quest
4.7 (321 traveler reviews)
"Excellent, super happy."
Gerlie, traveled in February
Duration
9 days
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Physical Rating
Active
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
15% Off
From $1,319
US$1,121per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Active
Raft, Hike and Explore Costa Rica
4.7 (30 traveler reviews)
"Was an awesome adventure with absolutely no issues, even customized flight/hotel for a day earlier."
Dietmar, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Green World Adventures
15% Off
From $1,595
US$1,356per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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