What makes Escazu a unique destination in Costa Rica?

Escazu offers a distinct big-city style with boutique hotels, high-end shops like Tiffany's and Armani's, and international fine dining. Its proximity to San Jose and central location in Costa Rica provide easy access to both urban attractions and diverse adventure tours.

What types of tours can be booked from Escazu?

From Escazu, guests can book a variety of tours including visits to active volcanoes like Irazu and Poas, whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, cultural explorations of San Jose, and guided tours of coffee plantations such as Doka Estate. Other options include visiting La Paz Waterfall Gardens, historical churches in Grecia, and artisan towns like Sarchi.

Are there volcano tours available from Escazu?

Yes, several volcano tours are available from Escazu. Options include half-day trips to Irazu Volcano National Park to hike around craters, and full-day excursions to Poas Volcano, often combined with visits to Doka Coffee Estate or La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Can I experience Costa Rican coffee culture on a tour from Escazu?

Absolutely. Escazu offers tours to family-run coffee plantations in the temperate Central Valley, including the Doka Coffee Estate. These tours provide insights into coffee production, from traditional methods to modern technology, often concluding with a tasting.

Escazu Tours: City Style & Costa Rican Adventures

Escazu Tours

Good to Know

Escazu, located just five miles west of San Jose, offers a sophisticated urban experience with boutique hotels, high-end shopping, and international fine dining. Its central Costa Rica location provides convenient access to a diverse array of tours, from cultural city explorations to thrilling adventure excursions. Guests can embark on guided trips to active volcanoes, experience whitewater rafting, or delve into the rich tradition of coffee plantations in the temperate Central Valley. Escazu serves as an ideal base for those seeking both city comforts and exhilarating natural discoveries.

Let’s say you prefer the big city style, you love the vibe of cappuccinos, shopping malls, and international fine dining. Escazu may be the place for you! Just five miles west of the bustling capital city of San Jose, Escazu features boutique hotels, high-end shops such as Tiffany’s, Armani’s and Carolina Herrera, as well as a host of excellent restaurants. A city tour of nearby San Jose can make it easy for you to attend museums, explore the National Theater, plus visit top architectural and historical landmarks. Because of its centralized location in Costa Rica, you’ll also find exciting adventure tours that will take you to active volcanoes, whitewater rafting, rainforest ziplining, hiking lush tropical gardens, or off for a day at the beach! Surrounding Escazu, the temperate Central Valley provides the perfect climate for touring a family run coffee plantation and enjoying a fresh cup of delicious coffee.

Irazu Volcano - Half day

Escazu

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to Irazu Volcano National Park where you will go for a half mile guided hike around the tops of 3 craters. Some of the craters contain lakes and you may see smoking fumaroles. After your hike you’ll go to the town of Cartago where you will see historical architecture, visit the ornate Basilica church as well as learn the significance of various ruins. This tour includes a bilingual guide, entrance fees, and transportation from Alajuela and San Jose. One way transport to the volcano typically takes from 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the location of your hotel. Combined time of touring Irazu Volcano and the town of Cartago with round trip transportation usually takes between 5 and 6 hours. Please wear comfortable enclosed walking shoes and bring rain gear, sweater or jacket, sun block, camera, plus extra spending money if you would like to purchase souvenirs or snacks.

Poas Volcano, Doka, La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Escazu

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and taken on three very special guided nature tours. You’ll visit the Doka Coffee Estate with breakfast and coffee, go for a short hike on paved trails to the rim of the active Poas Volcano, and meander through La Paz Waterfall Gardens to surround yourself with the beauty of five natural cascading waterfalls. Here you will have a traditional Costa Rican meal and can visit the rehabilitation zoo on the property for an up-close look at native rescued wildlife. This full day tour combination includes a bilingual guide, all entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, as well as transportation from Alajuela, Escazu, and San Jose. One way transport usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on the location of your hotel. Combined time of all three tours, breakfast, lunch and round-trip transportation is estimated to take between 9 and 11 hours. The order of the tours may change depending on daily scheduling, but you will have a chance to visit them all. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring along a jacket, as the altitude of Poas Volcano can make it quite chilly. You’ll also benefit from having rain gear, sun block, insect repellent, your camera and extra spending money to purchase souvenirs if you’d like. Come immerse yourself gently in Costa Rica’s natural world to create memories that can last a lifetime.

Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel by a knowledgeable city tour guide. You’ll board the privately owned, air-conditioned bus and drive to the National Theater Lobby, also known as “The jewel of San José”, a masterpiece in art and architecture built by Costa Ricans and completed in 1897.
Then we will visit the Museum of Gold (an archaeological interest site), then the Central Market, place full of the Costa Rican cultural heritage and traditions, where you will be able to browse and buy some local art crafts.
We will point you out several historically important or main buildings in our city: The Costa Rica University, The Old Train Station, The National Liquor Factory, The National Supreme Election Bureau, the Asamblea Legislativa (equivalent to The Congress), The Metallic Building, some parks and various sites of interest. This will be an introduction to our Capital City, and information about our economy, cultural, politics, religion and general current events. We will stop by an Art Gallery, where you will be able to get some souvenirs to take back home. This San Jose City tour includes a bilingual guide, all entrance fees, and transportation from Alajuela, Escazu, and San Jose. One way transport from your hotel to the start of the tour typically takes between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on the location of your hotel and traffic conditions. Total time of city tour and round trip transportation is usually between 4.5 and 6 hours. Please wear comfortable walking shoes plus bring camera, hat, sunscreen, umbrella.

Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Amazing Rio Pacuare - Class III and IV

Escazu

Prepare for the whitewater expedition of a lifetime on the world-renowned Pacuare River, a powerhouse of adrenaline that challenges you with over 50 relentless Class III and IV rapids! Your full-day odyssey covers 18 kilometers of intense river action, where expert bilingual guides and dedicated safety kayakers lead you through steep rock canyons and past a stunning 150-foot waterfall. This comprehensive adventure spans 8 to 12 hours (with transfer times varying between 1.5 and 3.5 hours depending on your pickup in Alajuela, Cahuita, Escazu, Puerto Viejo, or San Jose) and includes everything you need: high-quality equipment, safety training, a hearty lunch, and access to showers and changing rooms to freshen up after the ride. Please arrive prepared with secured water shoes, a swimsuit, insect repellent, and a dry change of clothes (plus a plastic bag for wet gear), and kindly note that for your safety, the tour may be rerouted or cancelled if river conditions become hazardous.

Poas Volcano, Doka, Grecia, Sarchi

Escazu

On this exciting full day combo tour you will hike the active Poas volcano, tour the Doka Coffee Estate, visit an historical church in Grecia, explore the small artisan town of Sarchi and stop to enjoy a typical Costa Rican midday meal. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to your first adventure. The order of events are scheduled daily and are therefore subject to change. The tour includes a bilingual guide, entrance fees, lunch, as well as transportation from Alajuela, Heredia and San Jose. One way transportation can take between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on the location of your hotel. Combined time of visiting Poas Volcano, Doka Estate coffee plantation, Grecia, Sarchi, and having lunch, plus round trip transportation, typically takes from 9 to 11 hours. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your camera, sun block, rain gear, and extra spending money to purchase souvenirs if you’d like. The altitude at Poas Volcano can be quite chilly so a jacket is recommended. If you want to see the “real” Costa Rica, this is the way to do it!

Irazu Volcano and Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs

Escazu

Today’s tour will take you to the top of Irazu Volcano where you can leisurely explore the rim, then to Costa Rica’s most iconic church, the Basilica, located in Cartago and steeped in tradition. Next, you’ll head to Orosi where you’ll tour the oldest operating church, built in 1767, before enjoying a hearty lunch followed by soaking in warm thermal waters surrounded by a fish-eye view of exquisite landscapes. This tour includes a bilingual guide, all entrance fees, lunch as well as transportation from San Jose and Alajuela. One way transport to Irazu Volcano can take from 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic and the location of your hotel. Total time of all activities, lunch and round-trip transportation typically takes 9 hours. Please wear comfortable shoes, plus you’ll need a jacket, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, and camera.

Doka Estate - El Veradero Coffee Tour

Escazu

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Doka Coffee Estate where you will go on the El Veradera guided coffee plantation tour. Here you will see how old traditions and modern technology merge as you walk through lush gardens, see an old coffee mill, learn what it takes to make your morning cup of joe taste so good and enjoy their coffee museum. As recipients of the Worlds Best Coffee award for 2 consecutive years, Doka Estate Coffee Tour is devoted to sharing the art and tradition of quality coffee production from bean to cup. This tour includes a bilingual guide, entrance fee, and transportation from Alajuela, the Alajuela suburbs, Escazu, and San Jose. One way transport typically takes between 1 and 2 hours depending on where you are picked up, however on occasion it can take longer due to unpredictable traffic conditions. The combined time for plantation tour and round trip transport usually takes from 4.5 to 6 hours. If you like coffee, this tour is sure to keep you awake!

Doka, Grecia, Sarchi, Oxcart factories and stores with lunch

Escazu

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Doka Coffee Estate for a guided tour and award-winning cup of coffee for the first of your three stops. On this multifaceted cultural tour you’ll also go to an ornately designed historical church in the town of Grecia as well as visit the artisans known for their excellent craftsmanship of sustainable hardwood furniture and creative souvenirs in the town of Sarchi. Today’s tour includes a bilingual guide, all entrance fees, lunch and transportation from hotels in Alajuela, Heredia, and San Jose. One way transportation typically takes from 1 to 2 hours depending on the location of your hotel. Occasionally heavy traffic conditions can add to travel time. Combined time of visiting the three cultural sites, stopping for lunch, plus round trip transportation typically takes between 6 and 7 hours. You might like to bring extra spending money to purchase souvenirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Escazu a unique destination in Costa Rica?: Escazu offers a distinct big-city style with boutique hotels, high-end shops like Tiffany's and Armani's, and international fine dining. Its proximity to San Jose and central location in Costa Rica provide easy access to both urban attractions and diverse adventure tours.
What types of tours can be booked from Escazu?: From Escazu, guests can book a variety of tours including visits to active volcanoes like Irazu and Poas, whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, cultural explorations of San Jose, and guided tours of coffee plantations such as Doka Estate. Other options include visiting La Paz Waterfall Gardens, historical churches in Grecia, and artisan towns like Sarchi.
Are there volcano tours available from Escazu?: Yes, several volcano tours are available from Escazu. Options include half-day trips to Irazu Volcano National Park to hike around craters, and full-day excursions to Poas Volcano, often combined with visits to Doka Coffee Estate or La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Can I experience Costa Rican coffee culture on a tour from Escazu?: Absolutely. Escazu offers tours to family-run coffee plantations in the temperate Central Valley, including the Doka Coffee Estate. These tours provide insights into coffee production, from traditional methods to modern technology, often concluding with a tasting.