We will be first time in CR, staying a week at Xandari Resort. We'd like to find/hire a private guide for 1 or 2 day trips in the Central Valley. Any recommendations on a good guide (English speaking) or resource to find one would be appreciated. We are using Fodor's guide book, and like Poas Volcano National Park, but would appreciate any other particularly recommended places to explore. We are also considering spending a day in San Jose. Thanks!

Ask your hotel. I would not have recommended spending a week there for a first trip, nor more than a day exploring "the Central Valley". Most people spend a night on their way in or way out. Poas volcano is often fogged in and if so you can't see anything of the crater. Go early to have much of a chance. It seems that you are allowed only 20 minutes at the viewpoint and need a timed ticket now, and that trails other than the short path to the viewpoint are closed. One of the problems with printed guidebooks is that they are often out of date. AllTrails website indicates the main trail remains closed.

Nearly all tours to Poas seem to include a visit to Doka coffee plantation. Otherwise you have 2 hours of driving and less than an hour of sightseeing. You might be able to book the tour including transportation directly with Doka Estate if your hotel doesn't also offer it. Their website https://dokaestate.com/costarica-coffee-tour/

I was unimpressed with San Jose. There are the Gold and Jade museums but they don't hold up to others in South America (Bogota in particular).

Is it too late to change your hotel to somewhere more interesting than Alajuela?

I agree with m. We love Xandari, but usually only stay there for a first or last night of a trip. San Jose for the most part isn't a very attractive city - lots of bars on the windows, razor wire, traffic, etc. If you can, take a look at going somewhere like the Arenal area, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, etc. after a night or two at Xandari.

Thanks for the feedback...but we already booked the week there so there it is...perhaps a rookie mistake. We're there the last full week in April and wonder about clothing (ie light weight long pants better than shorts? etc. We do have good light weight rain jackets and it looks like good chance of some rain with temps in mid-80's? We are planning a few day trips to Poaz volcano, La Paz waterfall, cloud forest...

Does Poas still require timed tickets? I know they started doing that. You can be there for a long time and not see anything but fog and clouds. Hope you get to see it. Can also be chilly up there. We pack everything - shorts, capris, long pants, tshirts, sweatshirt, light jacket, long-sleeved shirt. It can be unpredictable. Be sure to bring binoculars if you're going to go wildlife spotting. The La Paz Waterfall Gardens are fun - nice hike to see five waterfalls. Also enjoyed the Doka Coffee Estate that mlgb mentioned.