Weekend Escapes from San José
San José sits at the centre of a country with remarkable range. Two hours in any direction reaches something worth the drive — cloud forest, coast, volcano, or highland valley.
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata La Fortuna
A dramatic 70-metre waterfall, tropical rainforest, wildlife, and swimming
La Fortuna
💎 Hidden Gems
Río Celeste Azul
Impossibly blue river deep in Tenorio Volcano
Bijagua, Alajuela
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas Nauyaca
Two-tier 45-metre falls, three hours deep in the jungle south of Dominical
Dominical
🌊 Waterfalls
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
One of Costa Rica’s most famous eco-attractions, located in the cloud forest between Poás Volcano and Sarapiquí
Heredia Province
🔭 Viewpoints
Volcán Poás Active Crater
A famous and accessible active volcano
Poás Volcano NP
🚗 Scenic Drives
Valle del Río Orosi
A 37-kilometre valley loop through coffee terraces, colonial churches, and four ecosystems
Orosi
🥾 Hiking
Savegre Valley Trail
Network of cloud-forest hiking trails around San Gerardo de Dota and the upper Río Savegre
San Gerardo de Dota
🏊 Swimming
Nacientes Palmichal
Crystal springs and natural swimming pools
Acosta
☕ Scenic Cafés
Café Finca Los Sueños
Espresso on a working coffee farm with valley views
Naranjo
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Termales del Bosque
Thermal pools in old-growth forest, best after the sun goes down
Ciudad Quesada
🥾 Hiking
Laguna Botos
A beautiful crater lake located inside Poás Volcano National Park
Poás Volcano NP
🔭 Viewpoints
Mirador del Volcán Arenal
One of the southern-facing viewpoints around Arenal Lake and the lava flow side of the volcano.
La Fortuna
🥾 Hiking
Cerros de Escazú
Cloud forest directly above San José — brujas legend, 18th-century hilltop church, mountain trails
Escazú
🦜 Wildlife
Savegre Valley
Cloud forest river valley at 2,200 metres — primary quetzal habitat, trout in the river
San Gerardo de Dota
☕ Scenic Cafés
Dota Coffee Region
One of the most beautiful and prestigious coffee-growing areas
Valle de Dota
🏊 Swimming
Tabacón Thermal Region
Volcanic-heated rivers on the flank of Arenal — the free access is at the public river bend
La Fortuna
💎 Hidden Gems
Zarcero
The highland town where the town square is a topiary garden — and has been since 1964
Zarcero
🏊 Swimming
El Salto Rio Rope Swing
Swing, jump, and swim at a local favorite where a rope swing launches adventurers into crystal-clear turquoise waters beneath cascading waterfalls.
San Carlos
💎 Hidden Gems
Bajos del Toro
Remote cloud forest valley with one road in and almost no one using it
Bajos del Toro
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Dino Land
Journey back in time at where lifelike animatronic dinosaurs roam misty forest trails in the heart of Bajos del Toro.
Sarchi
🔭 Viewpoints
Laguna de Cote
Natural freshwater lake, surrounded by rolling highlands, lush forests, and abundant wildlife.
Guatuso
🌊 Waterfalls
Río Agrio Waterfall
The acid river that meets Río Celeste — this is where the blue begins
Sarchi
🧺 Picnic Spots
Parque Recreativo Laguna de Fraijanes
A peaceful highland retreat surrounded by pine forests, scenic trails, and a tranquil freshwater lagoon. Perfect for picnics and nature walks.
Alajuela
🥾 Hiking
Naranjo
Coffee highlands town off the tourist circuit — colonial church, gateway to Bajos del Toro
Naranjo