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Holidays in San Jose

Overview

San Jose is Costa Rica’s vibrant capital, your launchpad to heart-pounding excitement and unforgettable experiences! Explore nearby volcanoes, embark on exhilarating mountain trails, or dive into the local culture with guided city tours. San Jose’s central location means you’re just a short trip away from Costa Rica’s stunning beaches, misty cloud forests, and wildlife-rich national parks.

Best of all, our adventure holidays in San Jose are designed with sustainability in mind. We partner with eco-friendly tour operators and support local communities, ensuring your thrilling escapades leave a positive impact. So gear up for an action-packed, responsible adventure that’ll have you falling in love with Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit! You can also find amazing Eco-holidays and Wildlife holidays in Costa Rica, whatever you’re looking for, Costa Rica has it!

Our most popular experiences

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  • La Fortuna to Drake Bay

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Wildlife night walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest
    • Crocodile Safari in Carara National Park
    • Mountain Adventure through the jungle in Quepos
    • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling

    Price from

    £4375 pp*
    Take me there

  • Costa Rica East to West

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Brave ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
    • Enjoy Tenorio Volcanic National Park and hot springs
    • Guided boat wildlife tour in Tortuguero
    • Explore the charming village of Santa Elena

    Price from

    £2856 pp*
    Take me there

  • Ultimate Costa Rica

    16 Nights Costa Rica
    • Cloud forest canopy walk and zip lining
    • Snorkel in Cano Island
    • Cruise the canals of Tortuguero
    • Stay in award winning hotels in the lush rainforest

    Price from

    £4646 pp*
    Take me there

  • Costa Rica Highlights Central and South Pacific

    10 Nights Costa Rica
    • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
    • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
    • Relax on the beach in Manuel Antonio
    • Visit Cloudmaker Nature Reserve

    Price from

    £3429 pp*
    Take me there

  • Discover Costa Rica South and Central Pacific

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Discover Irazú Volcanic National Park
    • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
    • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
    • Guided hikes in the cloud forest of Dota

    Price from

    £4050 pp*
    Take me there

  • Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast

    10 Nights Costa Rica
    • Get off the beaten track and try quad-biking and surfing
    • Guided boat tours in the mangroves, ziplining in the forest
    • Includes a beautiful beachside glamping stay

    Price from

    £2155 pp*
    Take me there
    • View all

    • La Fortuna to Drake Bay

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Wildlife night walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest
      • Crocodile Safari in Carara National Park
      • Mountain Adventure through the jungle in Quepos
      • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling

      Price from

      £4375 pp*
      Take me there

    • Costa Rica East to West

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Brave ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
      • Enjoy Tenorio Volcanic National Park and hot springs
      • Guided boat wildlife tour in Tortuguero
      • Explore the charming village of Santa Elena

      Price from

      £2856 pp*
      Take me there

    • Ultimate Costa Rica

      16 Nights Costa Rica
      • Cloud forest canopy walk and zip lining
      • Snorkel in Cano Island
      • Cruise the canals of Tortuguero
      • Stay in award winning hotels in the lush rainforest

      Price from

      £4646 pp*
      Take me there

    • Costa Rica Highlights Central and South Pacific

      10 Nights Costa Rica
      • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
      • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
      • Relax on the beach in Manuel Antonio
      • Visit Cloudmaker Nature Reserve

      Price from

      £3429 pp*
      Take me there

    • Discover Costa Rica South and Central Pacific

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Discover Irazú Volcanic National Park
      • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
      • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
      • Guided hikes in the cloud forest of Dota

      Price from

      £4050 pp*
      Take me there

    • Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast

      10 Nights Costa Rica
      • Get off the beaten track and try quad-biking and surfing
      • Guided boat tours in the mangroves, ziplining in the forest
      • Includes a beautiful beachside glamping stay

      Price from

      £2155 pp*
      Take me there
    View all

    What our travellers are saying...

    "The journey to the accommodation was amazing as you travel by boat on a river out to the ocean, arriving in style. The food here was great!"

    Lizzie H

    “We had a great 10 day holiday travelling around the beautiful country of Costa Rica. Not In The Guidebooks organised a fantastic itinerary which was just perfect and tailored personally to us… Every aspect of the holiday was fun filled and breathtaking… this trip was incredible. A special thank you to Not In The Guidebooks and our wonderful tour guides for making this a trip of a lifetime.”

    Faye

    "Costa Rica is simply stunning and this NITGB tour enabled us to see different parts of the country, with a perfect mix of feeling adventurous but completely spoilt at the same time. Highly recommended."

    Ruth G

    "We had an amazing time exploring the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This trip ticked all the boxes... and the support of a local guide when we decided last minute to alter a trip and go zip lining! It was brilliant to be off the beaten trail and we saw amazing scenery and wildlife and of course the famous quetzal bird in the beautiful cloud forest... I would thoroughly recommend this as a memorable family trip."

    Ruth

    “From the cloudy rain forests with their hanging walkways to surfing at Santa Teresa within three hours. All the logistics all worked - great drivers who transported us and told us about the country… The holiday was great because we saw a lot of the beautiful country, staying in six places… We loved every minute.”

    Natalie L

    Not your Usual Activities in San Jose

    San Jose, Costa Rica’s bustling capital, is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. For food lovers, the city is a culinary paradise. You won’t want to miss out on the Mercado Central, where you can sample local delicacies like gallo pinto and casado. Also, if you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, head to Barrio Escalante, San Jose’s food quarter, packed with trendy restaurants and craft breweries.

    In the city, history buffs shouldn’t miss the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the National Museum. Nature lovers will appreciate La Sabana Metropolitan Park, San Jose’s “Central Park.” For the best experience at these popular spots, try visiting early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.

    Pro tip: Many attractions offer discounted tickets for visits during off-peak hours, allowing you to save money while enjoying a more relaxed experience!

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    Day trips, not for the average tourist

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