Day trips in Central Valley
 

I would really appreciate any recommendations of day trips from the Central Valley area. Which tour operators are good? Which trips are most interesting? Thanks!!

One of the best is the Highlights Tour through Ecoscape.

www.esoscapetours.com (if that's not right, just google it!)

Wadi Tours operating out of hotel Las Orquideas is good (hotel is in Alajuela near the airport).

Juan Carlos operating out of the Hotel Don Carlos in San Jose does a great job of arranging tours, and if you are staying in the city, it's a good hotel choice.

Some you might want to consider:

white water rafting on the Rio Pacuare

Volcan Irazu combined with Orosi
Valley, Lankester Gardens

Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Doka Estates coffee tour (recommended over Cafe Britt tour)

The Highlights tour includes Poas, one of the La Paz waterfalls, and the Doka Estate along with a river cruise, a hummingbird gallery, breakfast, lunch, other points of interest.

Day/evening tour to Volcan Arenal

Any of these should be interesting and fun. Of course, some are a little more adventurous than others (white water)! You can even arrange bungee jumping!

Also, you might be interested in a zipline outing (lots of fun). The San Lorenzo tour is available through the Hotel Don Carlos and most, or all, of the above are also available through Wadi Tours.

Just a few ideas--good luck!

Sorry! That's Ecoscape, not Esoscape! Better luck with this address!

www.ecoscapetours.com

Try www.emotionguaranteed.com - that's the Wady Tours that shillmac spoke of in her reply. You can custoim build your own full day or half day tour or just pick one of the MANY they have on thier site.

Request to book Luis as your guide...you won't regret it, it'll be a fantastic day and you'll learn a TON about every place he takes you.

Ok guys I got your back as I am here to just repeat what you said :) I had a very nice time with ecoscapes, it was a great way to see a lot of places in a day for, I think, about $60. Very nice guides, was quickly paced but never felt rushed. They will pick you up from just about anywhere.

And secondly, to 2nd the Wady Tours option out of Orquideas. All of the guys there are sweethearts and they will let you plan out whatever you wish. I think my 1st guide was Luis too but I'm so bad with names! We spent about 8 hours together and I think it came to about $110 or so, but it was just me & him, so won't sound so steep if you're a couple or more. But it was great to have like my own personal driver for the day! I know they're are plenty other options out there but with these 2 you can't go wrong.

Thank you for your very helpful responses! For white water rafting (beginner level), do you recommend a trip from the San Jose area or Arenal? Thanks!

I'd choose the Pacuare out of San Jose. It's Class III-IV, and not off limits to beginners. You'll get very good instruction.