There are just over 800 species of birds in Costa Rica and about an equal number of tours and attractions visitors need to browse through in planning a great vacation experience.
But of all the things to do, these 3 are a must.
Sky Tram Sky Trek Tour at Sky Adventure Park, Arenal Volcano.
You get the sensation that something exciting is going to happen from the moment you arrive to the Sky Adventure Park visitor station. The electricity of the guides enthusiasm, the funny looking harness gear one has to slip into and the amazing volcano just in front of you somehow provide the inspiration to do what might be the most exciting thing you have ever done! Yet, the tour starts out nice and easy on the The slow-paced Sky Tram. These open air gondolas soar smoothly through the rainforest, offering up endless views during their mountainous ascent. Accompanied by a bilingual guide, tour takers will have the ability to stop the tram at any point, a feature that allows for magnificent, one-of-a-kind photographs to be captured and tropical birds to be spotted.
Once the top is reached, visitors are invited to explore the observation deck, where they’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Arenal Volcano’s southern face. From here, one can also see Lake Arenal and the rolling hillsides that surround it. Visitors can spend as much time as they please on the observation deck before heading back down.
There are two ways to return to the Sky Tram’s base. You can ride the tram down the same route that you ascended or sign up for a fast-paced zip line tour to the bottom. Those seeking an adrenalin rush would be wise to choose the second option, which will have them flying along a series of secure cables connecting one mountain to another.
There are 8 cables, the longest of which is over 2,000 feet.
Min. Age 8 years
At the tram’s base there is another large observation deck as well as a restaurant. The views from this deck compliment and contrast the one from the mountain’s peak.
Costa Rica Combo: Doka Coffee Estates, Poas Volcano and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Coffee, volcano, waterfalls and rainforest come together in this fantastic full day tour. Starting with a drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park we make our way out of the Central Valley.
As we ascend towards the Poás Volcano we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation, palm trees are replaced by pine and cool air overcomes the lowland heat. We will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful landscape that paves the way to our next stop, The Doka Estates Coffee Plantation.
Upon arrival at Doka Coffee Estate enjoy a delicious breakfast followed by a coffee tour, in the actual coffee plantation. Here, we will learn about the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica. Learn about the careful process involved on the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean.
Next, we will continue to Poás Volcano where we will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this beautiful national park.
Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house and the frog’s exhibit.
Arenal Volcano by Night with Tabacon Hot Springs
The Arenal Volcano with Tabacon Hot Springs tour is one of the most popular tours in Costa Rica.
This tour offers the best of both worlds, in terms of the raw untamed beauty of the imposing Arenal Volcano, which is juxtaposed against the lush and soothing thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. All this set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and breathtaking views of the nearly perfect conical shaped lines of the volcano.
Situated in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica and about a 2 hour ride away from San Jose, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists who come to see an active volcano which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from this conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.
Enroute to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that
Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world recorded, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs (2 tons).
The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.
Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Tabacon is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You'll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters!
Tabacon Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.
And for a perfect ending, before going back to San José, Tabacon's signature buffet dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so that you do not miss any opportunity to look at the magnificently shaped volcano..
