Total San Jose Tour: Cartago, Irazu Volcano & Nightlife
San Jose, Costa Rica
From EUR 152.07
Office phone number: +506 4000 5730
Total San Jose Tour: Cartago, Irazu Volcano & Nightlife
San Jose, Costa Rica
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Escape the city for a bike ride through the mountains and a trip up a volcano, wander local markets, take in a total history lesson, then indulge in a dinner to remember. This jam-packed San Jose tour includes culture, history, nature, nightlife and adventure, plus a tasty three-course meal (with wine, naturally). It’s the best way to experience the best of San Jose!
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Highlights
- Bike through the streets of Cartago, a historic town just outside San Jose
- Explore two local markets and shop for goods alongside locals
- Travel by railroad through mountains and coffee plantations
- Visit the craters of the impressive Irazu volcano, where on a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea
- Indulge in a tasty dinner with authentic local ingredients and expertly selected wine pairings
- Combine two great tours into one epic full-day adventure
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Schedule details
- Duration: 10 hours
- Meeting point:
Inside the Old Atlantic Rail train station, Parque Nacional, Av. 3, San José.
View on Google Maps.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 7.00 AM
- Ending point:
Barrio Amon by the taxi station
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, transportation during the tour, entrance fees, bike and helmet rental, dinner and wine.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, transportation to/from the meeting and end points, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide and driver.
Make the most of San Jose! This Total San Jose Tour combines two of our most popular experiences (Cartago Bike & Train Tour and San Jose by Night), with a bonus volcano visit thrown in, all to make for one epic adventure.
We’ll start with a train trip beyond San Jose to the beautiful town of Cartago, a sleepy oasis filled with Costa Rican local culture and the freshest air outside the big city. The scenic 45-minute journey will take you out into the mountains, and through the coffee plantations.
Once in Cartago, you’ll hop on your bike and cruise through the streets, learning all about the town’s history along the way. Many of the locals travel by bike here, so you’ll fit right in! You will make regular stops with your guide, so they can fill you in on all the history behind this fascinating town.
After getting your fix of all that Costa Rican history, we’ll visit the Central Market, where you can sample local life through foods and flavours. Here you’ll be able to brush shoulders with the locals and dive into local cuisine.
Next up, we’ll ditch our bikes and drive along the winding roads to Irazu volcano – the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. You’ll get to take in a stunning panoramic view amid the moon-like landscape of this national park.
After you’ve soaked up the view, we’ll hop on a local bus to return to San Jose for the evening portion of our tour, filled with good food, good wine and great nightlife!
We’ll visit another Central Market, where we’ll learn the secrets and uses of the roots, herbs, and fruit common in local cuisines, including ingredients that will play a role in your authentic Costa Rican dinner later on.
After the market, we’ll make our way down Central Avenue, enjoying a trip down San Jose’s memory lane, as well as visiting one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in San Jose, the National Theatre.
We’ll spend the rest of the evening at our favourite local restaurant, which specialises in local wine and gourmet food. You’ll finish the evening in fine fashion, feeling every bit the San Jose local. If you’d like to continue the evening in the neighbourhood of Escalante, your local guide will be happy to provide suggestions on where to head, but if not, they can assist you with getting a taxi back to your accommodation.-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, transportation during the tour, entrance fees, bike and helmet rental, dinner and wine.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, transportation to/from the meeting and end points, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide and driver.
Dress standard: Please wear (or bring) hiking shoes and bring a sweater and sunscreen.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure, you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Closure of sites: On Mondays the restaurant is closed, so we will visit the chef’s house for dinner instead.
Child Policy: Under 6 not allowed: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Dietary Notes
This tour can be customised to accommodate dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance of any special diet needs or allergies. You can do so in the ‘Additional requests’ box at checkout or by emailing us at info@sanjoseurbanadventures.com.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +506 4000 5730
Email address: info@sanjoseurbanadventures.com
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