Best day trips from San José, Costa Rica

From fairytale forests to violent volcanoes, we share the best sights in Costa Rica that can be reached in a day from San José

If we ask you to picture Costa Rica, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll think of San José. This unassuming capital city isn’t known for architectural grandeur, fine dining or world-class theatre. Rather, it’s a springboard for Costa Rica’s natural wonders: the lush forests and hulking volcanoes, the startling wildlife and movie-set scenery. 

Luckily, given Costa Rica’s petite size, many of its sights can be seen on a day trip from the capital. There are various trains, buses and transfers from San José that make it easy to access the country’s dramatic sights. Here, we share a selection of the best day trips from San José gleaned from our own trip to Costa Rica and fellow traveller input.

Best day trips from San José, Costa Rica

Our selection of the best day trips from San José are plotted on the map below. San José is marked with a blue pin. Click the small arrow in the top left-hand corner to expand the list.

1. Irazú Volcano 

One of my favourite facts about Costa Rica is that ten of its volcanoes form an almost perfect line trending northwest. This intriguing phenomenon is caused by the Cocos tectonic plate in the Pacific Ocean being subducted (pushed or dragged) under the Caribbean plate. If you remember your geography lessons, you’ll know that when tectonic plates come together, they cause earthquakes and volcanoes. 

The highest of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes is Irazú, said to be named after the indigenous word ara-tzu, meaning ‘thunder point’ – and thunderous it is indeed. Irazú rises to a height of 3,432m (11,260ft) and has erupted at least 23 times since its first recorded eruption in 1723.

Its most famous eruption was in March 1963, days before US President John F. Kennedy started a state visit to Costa Rica. Irazú showered San José with ash, and eruptions continued for two years. 

Luckily, these days, Irazú lies quiet – and at just 50km from the capital, offers one of the best day trips from San José. A paved trail leads to the summit crater and wooden railings prevent visitors from getting too close to the edge. The nearby Diego de la Haya crater – one of five in total on…