Print this trip dossier

Journey Latin America asks you to accept cookies for performance and social media purposes. We use cookies on our website to personalise content, evaluate website traffic and enhance performance. You can delete or restrict cookies via your web browser. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data see our Cookie Policy. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved? Find out more

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.

View all holidays

Costa Rica Wildlife Discovery

Private journey

15 days from £3,841pp

Value Costa Rica: The essential highlights

Private journey

12 days from £1,485pp

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

Private journey

13 days from £2,458pp

Family Costa Rica: Jungle walks and turtle spotting

Private journey

14 days from £2,755pp

View all things to do nearby

Explore Tirimbina Nature Reserve

Rio Tarcoles crocodile experience

Visit Poas volcano

Go white-water rafting on the Pacuare river

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.

Caroline Maber

Comparing and contrasting the bleak, barren landscape on the slopes of the country’s highest active volcano, Irazú, with the fertile, flower-rich valley below.

Margot Chard

Whizzing along a zipline through the rainforest canopy close to Braulio Carrillo National Park, pause to catch your breath on one of the canopy platforms, making eye contact with the curious exotic birdlife.

What our experts say

I suggest that you stay on one of a number of delightful countryside hotels outside the capital. Fortunately there are a lot of attractions in the Central Valley which more than compensate for the lack of them in the capital. A visit to one of the nearby volcanoes is a must, Poas is especially striking if the mists permit. Alternatively head for Irazú volcano with fertile slopes giving way to a cap of grey volcanic dust, occasionally whipped up by light tremors.

Margot Chard

Travel Consultants

What our clients say

0 of 0

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

0 of 0

“ 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

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for over 37 years.
We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Design my trip

03098589426

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

Articles you may like

Browse our inspiration area of the site. It's packed with insider travel tips, Top5s, competitions, events, recipes and holiday ideas for Central and South America sure to whet your travel appetite.

Why you should go on a self-drive hol...

Spotlight on the canyons and gorges o...

48 hours in San José

Direct to Latin America

More inspiration

Journey with the UK's NO1 specialist in travel to latin america

Meet Our Specialist

Adam Calladine, Travel Consultants

Equally at home climbing Andean peaks as he is relaxing with a cocktail on a white-sand beach, Adam loves to pass on his personal recommendations to anyone travelling to Latin America.

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

Up-to-the-minute knowledge underpinned by over 38 years' experience

travel with confidence

Fully bonded and licensed

ATOL-protected

On your side when it matters

Book with confidence, knowing every penny is secure

The real latin america

Our insider knowledge helps you go beyond the guidebooks

We hand-pick hotels with character and the most rewarding excursions

Let us show you the Latin America we know and love

Feefo - Gold Trusted Service 2018

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

Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards - Best Tour Operator to Latin America 2016

Sunday Times Travel Magazine - Editor's Award 2013

Guardian and Observer Travel Awards - Top Ten Small Tour Operator: 2012

Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards - Best Value Tour Operator 2011

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2016

Wanderlust Readers' Travel Awards - Top Ten Tour Operator 2015

British Travel Awards - Best Small Tour Operator to Central and South America 2012

Latin American Travel Association - Award for Customer Service 2012

Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards - Best Specialist Tour Operator 2011

Share this Page

Social share page will open in new window

Costa Rica: San Jose, central highlands and central valleys

Visit Us