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Costa Rica: San Jose, central highlands and central valleys

Costa Rica’s busy capital, San José, is a city on the move, where the choking traffic and crowds are mitigated by the eager friendliness of the people. There are some good museums and excellent restaurants but no colonial core: it’s a modern place, full of offices, North American style bars and malls - many US citizens visit or are resident in the country and their cultural influence is strong. The landscapes around however are delicious, both in the rolling coffee country of the highlands and in the fertile central valley, watched over by the smouldering Poás and Irazú volcanoes.

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Off the beaten track Costa Rica: National parks and private reserves

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Explore and Relax in Costa Rica: Volcanoes to the beach

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View all things to do nearby

Visit Poas volcano

Explore Tirimbina Nature Reserve

Go white-water rafting on the Pacuare river

Poas Volcano and La Paz waterfall gardens

Our insider tips for San Jose, central highlands and central valleys

Sophie Barber

Riding the foaming white-water class 3 & 4 rapids down one of Costa Rica's excitable rivers, the canyon-bedded Pacuaré, a couple of hours’ drive from San José. You’ll relax in the company of your competent pilots and then enjoy a scrumptious picnic.

Lina Fuller

This is Costa Rica so a visit to a coffee estate is almost obligatory. You are shown the coffee production process all the way from the seed bed to your cup.

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

San Jose, central highlands and central valleys | Rating: Excellent

The San Jose city tour was the least interesting. The only interesting point was the gold musuem and we were only given 15 minutes there. Forget the rest of the tour and spend an hour in the museum.”

PH, Bishop's Stortford | June 2010 | 65 and over | With Partner

Tailor-made holiday

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97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

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Meet Our Specialist

Mary Anne Nelson, Travel Consultants

Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made team.

We love latin america

A passion for the region runs through all we do

All our Consultants have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America

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The real latin america

Our insider knowledge helps you go beyond the guidebooks

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Let us show you the Latin America we know and love

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British Travel Awards - Best Tour Operator to Central and South America 2019

Selling Travel - Best Tour Operator to Latin America and the Caribbean 2019

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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2017

Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards - Best Tour Operator to Latin America 2017

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2016

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Costa Rica: San Jose, central highlands and central valleys

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