light jacket, comfortable shoes,
binoculars and camera.
Poas Volcano National Park - Doka Estate coffee mill and plantation - Grecia – Sarchi
We will take the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Alajuela. In route we will go to visit the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park. As we ascend towards the volcano we will stop for a brief explanation on our golden bean the coffee, and then continue our trip through fern, flower and strawberry farms. There is a noticeable change in temperature and vegetation, preparing us for the pleasure of the exuberant cloud forest of Poas Volcano.
At the Volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as we learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After visiting the volcano, we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch at Doka Estate.
Our third stop is beautiful Grecia. Considered one of the cleanest towns of Latin America, it is home of the only Metal Church in Central America and a national monument that fills its inhabitants with pride. In order to catch a glimpse of the local lifestyle we will also visit the central market area.
Our last stop is Sarchi, known as the Cradle of Costa Rican Artisans due to its fine
workshops. Here we will have time to enjoy the artistic work of the local artisans as
they create the famous typical oxcarts and you will be able to shop for that special
souvenir to take home.
hat, jacket, walking
shoes, insect repellent,
binoculars and camera
Irazu Volcano, Orosi Valley and Lankester Gardens
We take the Panamerican Highway South, to start ascending the large “Iztaru”. The winding road travels through fertile lands cultivated with all kinds of vegetables as we observe a lovely panoramic view. at the top of the volcano you can observe the main craters and on a clear day both
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can be seen.
As we descend to the city of Cartago we will stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica which according to religious custom, is a peregrination site for many believers. After visiting the Basilica we will stop at Lankester Gardens, a University of Costa Rica Center for investigation
that protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads and countless species of other plants.
We will continue to the Valley of Orosi where creation overflows in unparallel beauty. We will be able to visit one of the few remaining colonial churches and we will stop for lunch in one of the local restaurants. During our tour we will be able to observe La Casa Del Soñador an example of Costa Rican primitive art.
Come with us and virtually fly from tree to tree while observing the spectacular mountain scenery of the nearby Braulio Carrillo National Park, plus the beautiful mountains and Central Valley vistas!
Monte Zurquí Canopy offers the opportunity to experience this great adventure while surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Begin with a Canopy Tour that includes 14 platforms and 3 equilibrium cable games.
Then continue with a rappel from a 30 feet high suspension bridge and at the end enjoy the excitement of a 700 meter Superman Zip Line, that may reach an estimated speed of over 44mph.
This unique canopy adventure will make your adrenaline rise while enjoying with your family.
Tour Alternatives:
10:30 a.m. approx. departure: mid-day tour, lunch at local restaurant.
1:30 p.m. approximate departure afternoon (no lunch)
hat, light jacket, walking shoes,
insect repellent, binoculars and
camera.
Poas Volcano National Park - Doka Estate coffee mill and plantation - La Paz Waterfalls Gardens
We will take the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Alajuela. In route we will go by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park. As we ascend towards the volcano we will stop for a brief explanation of our golden bean,the coffee and then continue our trip through fern, flower and strawberry farms.
There is a noticeable change in temperature and vegetation, preparing us for the pleasure of the exuberant cloud forest of Poas Volcano.
At the volcano we will have time to observe the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles. Then we will hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon that will allow us to learn about the different ecosystems in the park. We will continue our trip towards the Caribbean, stopping to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a natural park where we will walk through many spectacular
trails which will take us to the White Magic Waterfall, the most spectacular one in the area. Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country that is known as the house of collections of tropical jewels and the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the old house, the bird house & the frogs exhibit.
Once we have finished our walk we will take a delicious lunch buffet and then begin our return trip to Hostel Casa Colon in San Jose.
Camera, jacket, and umbrella in
case of bad weather
City tour and shopping (Morning and Afternon)
Starting on the East side of San Jose, the first thing we will see is the Democracy Place and the National Museum, the Courts, Los Yoses, the San Pedro Mall, the Hispanidad Fountain and the Rodrigo Facio Campus at the University of Costa Rica. After we have seen the capital’s main attractions, our first stop will be at the impressive Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the beautiful National Theater, where we will have a guided visit through these cultural gems.
After our visit, the tour continues to the western section of San Jose: La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the Costa Rican Contemporary Art Museum or the first International Airport in Costa Rica, the National Gymnasium, the Comptroller’s office, the residential area of Rohrmoser, the Nunciatura, the Nobel Peace prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez’s home, the Rohrmoser Boulevard and the Pavas section. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit an interesting shopping place where you will be able to buy a souvenir of your visit to San Jose.
On Sunday, the National Theater is closed and we will only see the theathers on the outside and then visit the Pre-colombian Gold Museum.
Set into the placid cloud forests of Costa Rica's Central Valley region, the San Luis canopy tour will take you on an exhilarating and safe adventure through lush, green canopy and across the majestic Rio Cataratitas. Carried securely by a system of zip lines, you will soar weightlessly through the expanse of virgin forest that grounds the tour, and find yourself in intimacy with the habitats of Costa Rica's distinct cloud forest wildlife. The San Luis canopy tour also presents the
"Elevator," a thrilling feature that securely lifts visitors high above the forest canopy, granting a paramount view of the surrounding area.
Though customer enjoyment is a central objective, San Luis canopy tour designates safety above all as a keystone principle: all personnel and facilities under their name carry up-to-date certification from the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism. San Luis canopy tour takes pride in their credentials and by them guarantees with confidence that this tour is among the most professional, informative, and enjoyable in Costa Rica Canopy with 12 different zip lines and 18 platforms.
Located in the north of Costa Rica, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a natural phenomenon that attracts thousands and thousands of tourists due to its permanent, extraordinary and trusted volcanic activity, which on clear nights it seems like fireworks with intermittent explosions of ash and lava.
To get to this natural wonder we must go to the north of the country, and inevitably we must make a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, which has earned the name of the Birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans.
As we continue our trip we will go through diverse plantations with agricultural products, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until we arrive to La Fortuna, for lunch in a cozy restaurant right in front of the volcano. This excellent location will allow us the best view of the Arenal volcano.
Later we will relax in one of the best thermal water places in the area where you will be able to enjoy an optional massage or other special treatments that must be reserved ahead of time. Lastly, a wonderful dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so you will not miss any opportunities to look out for the incandescent light explosions. After dinner we will begin our return trip to Hostel Casa Colon in the city of San Jose.
Canopy: lightweight clothes, insect
repellent, comfortable shoes, and an
extra change of clothes.
Rafting: swimsuit, water shoes, towel
and extra clothes.
Canopy and Rafting in one day
Costa Rica offers different kinds of white water rafting where the adrenaline shoots to the limit and fascinating Canopy tours can be experienced from the top of the trees. Now you can enjoy both activities that combined in a single tour. Discover the natural wonders of Sarapiqui, a large territory located in the northern part of the country, with crystalline rivers, abundant scenic beauty and towns full of hard-working and friendly people.
As we depart from San Jose we will drive close to Braulio Carrillo National Park, arriving to Sarapiqui where both adventure attractions can be enjoyed: the Canopy Tour in the middle of a secondary forest with high altitude trees, followed by lunch, and then Rafting in the white waters of the Sarapiqui River.
The Canopy tour lasts one and a half hours as you slide through the forest from ten cables of different lengths. Rafting on the Sarapiqui River (class II or III), allows a vibrant scenary for those who wish to enjoy this exciting activity. A group of unexpected rapids is combined with slow relaxing stretches along a distance of 8-miles which will make this an unforgettable experience for birdwatchers and nature lovers
Cool comfortable clothes,
walking shoes, insect repellent,
sunblock, binoculars, camera
Tortuguero National Park
It is certainly one of the most wonderfully lyrical trips to be taken. There is a tranquility that soothes the most savage, as one floats dreamily amidst the fragrance of white ginger blossoms, lavender water hyacinths, and the Ilan-Ilan flower, through the jungle, lagoons and canals of Tortguero, catching occasional glimpses of sloths, crocodiles, basking fresh-water turtles, green macaws, parrots and howler monkeys flitting and shaking branches high in the exuberant vegetation above you.
Is the most important nesting area for the Green Sea Turtle in the western Caribbean, an area of vast, open, windswept beaches. This is one of the few Costa Rican national parks where walking isn't
necessarily the best way to see things.
During your boat trip through the freshwater canals you are also likely to see Spider, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys and dozens of species of birds. If you are lucky you might spot an endangered West Indian Manatee.
From airport There is a local bus stop outside the airport. It costs about 1 US$ and takes you right downtown (TUASA – Red ones). Once you get downtown, you have to look for Paseo Colon, Calle 24, next to Torre Mercedes, we are on the corner. You have to be aware of many unlicensed taxi drivers who will overcharge you, or telling you that there is no space in Hostel Casa Colon and take you to other places just to get a juicy commission. This is Not True; we always have plenty of space available for you and your friends. However, if you want things a lot easier, we do have our own private airport shuttle cheaper than taxis and just for guests at Hostel Casa Colon, so you can arrange with us, if you want us to pick you up in your previously reservation or email us at info@hostelcasacolon.com .Be sure to include your name, flight information and arrival time and that’s it. The shuttle runs 24/7 and we will be glad to pick you up or drop off from our Hostel. view map
By car Go down the road # 1 (General Cañas) eastward to La Sabana, and continue along the Paseo Colon up to Calle 24, between the Torre Mercedes the Italian Restaurant Ana. We are on the North Corner. Approximately 17 km / 10.5 Miles - 20 minutes.
northsoutheastwest
By bus Buses from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama both, arrive to and leave from San José.
The Tica Bus terminal is the most common choice for locals and foreigners alike when it comes to traveling around Central America and even Mexico. This terminal is located just 200 meters North and 100 meters West of Hostel Casa Colon (In front of the Torre Mercedes, Paseo Colon)
King Quality is a new choice available; their prices are considerably more expensive or cheaper than Tica Bus depending on the destination and their location is about 5 minutes by taxi from Hostel Casa Colon. There is also Transnica which is from Nicaragua, and its terminal is 200 meters North, 100 East and 75 meters North from Hostel Casa Colon.
