Tours
One – Day Tours and Ecological Expeditions in Costa Rica
An advantage from San José is its closeness to spectacular sites of natural beauty as well has having both coasts at only at two hours drive away. In one day you could visit volcanoes like Arenal, Poas, Irazu, tropical rainforest, national parks or remote islands and if a real adrenaline is what you seek don´t miss our Whitewater Rafting, Canopy Tours or Horseback Riding.
All these government regulated activities adhere to the strictest safety requirements, and where needed, you will be instructed by experienced multi-lingual guides who will be also provide you with all the necessary gear, ensuring the most enjoyable adventure.
The majorities of our tours are All-Inclusive style providing round trip transportation, entrance fees, guides, breakfast, lunch, refreshments and in some cases even dinner, all for one price.
These are some of our most popular one day tours:
Combo Tour: Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Plantation, La Paz Waterfalls.
Pick-up time: 6.20 a.m. aprox.
Duration: 8 hours
Rate: $90 p.p
The tour will take you along the Pan-American heading towards the town of Alajuela and pass by the way the Agriculture Monument. Juan Santamaria statue and the famous Mango’s park. During the ascent to the volcano we stop at the coffee fields for an explanation, and then we will pass through fern farm, strawberry plantations and flowers farms. A delicious breakfast will be served in a nice restaurant of the area on the top of the volcano we will spend enough time to observe the principal crater with its sulphur fumaroles.
You are going to visit wonderful places in one day.
1. Poas Volcano: located in Alajuela province, reaching 8,884 feet above sea level is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in Costa Rica. It is know as the biggest geyser in the world because of its plumiform eruptions. There are two craters on the volcano. The main one measures a mile across and is nearly 1000 feet deep. In the bottom is a 1,150 foot diameter hot water lagoon. The vegetation on the slopes of the volcano consist of arrayans, cloud forests stunted forests and areas of little or no vegetation.
2. La Paz Waterfalls: five amazing waterfalls, a nature park where we will walk on the truly spectacular trails. The world’s largest butterfly observatory, hummingbird gardens, cloud forest, rainforest, seeing is believing.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Suggested equipment: Hat, light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars and camera.
Arenal Volcano + Hot Springs Resort
Pick-up time: 9 a.m. aprox.
Duration: 12 hours
Rate: $85 p.p. Visiting Baldí Spa
Rate: $120 p.p. Visiting Tabacón Resort Spa
Arenal Volcano is located on the plains of San Carlos, famous for the beauty of its landscape, the picturesque villages and its special climate. The Arenal Volcano is magnificent, drawing attention to its powerful explosions of ash and lava which appear as multicolored fireworks at night, making Arenal one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. And if this wasn’t enough, just in front of the volcano, so close that you can feel the colossus vibrate, we will visit the most beautiful gardens with hot springs that complete the fascinating night of natural wonders. After dinner, on the way back to San José, you will understand why this has become one of the most popular tours in Costa Rica. During this tour we also visit Sarchi well known for the beauty of the handcrafts that they produce. Lunch and dinner included.
Suggested equipment: Swimsuit, sweater, insect repellent and a towel.
Cartago Province:
Irazú Volcano, Lankester Garden and Orosi Valley.
Pick up time: 8.30 a.m. aprox.
Duration: 8 hours
Rate: $85 p.p
In route to Southern area by taking Pan-American highway we will start the ascent of the colossus “Irazú”. The winding road traverses the fertile earth that is cultivated with many kinds of vegetables while an extensive panorama is being observed. At the top, of the volcano the principal craters are seen and on a clear day it might be possible to distinguish both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We will continue descending to the city of Cartago, stop at the Basílica of Los Angeles, a traditional pilgrimage center for many Catholics.
After our visit to the Basilica of los Angeles we will continue to Lankaster Gardens, investigation center of the University of Costa Rica which protects more than 800 species of orchids and bromeliads, in addition of other varieties of plants. The tour continues with a ride through the unique beauty of the Orosi Valley. We will visit one of the few colonial churches and is also where we will stop to enjoy a delicious lunch. On the way back to San Jose we will visit the rustic Casa del Soñador, well know for the rustic Costa Rican art. Lunch is included.
Suggested equipment: Hat, light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars and camera.
Canopy Tour San Lorenzo
Pick up time: 9.00 a.m. aprox.
Duration: 7 hours
Rate: $85 p.p
This is definitely an adventure you don’t want to miss. We will leave the city and head up to the mountains surrounding the Central Valley offering a scenery of spectacular vegetation, coffee fields, ornamental plants and picturesque villages typical for Costa Rica. As we ascend you will experience the climate changes, common of our country. The Canopy Tour is once in a lifetime experience, consisting of sliding in a cable between platforms flying through the canopy.
The Canopy of San Lorenzo is located in the middle of a tropical forest reserve on a beautiful site where we will encounter orchids, bromeliads and other flowers.
The length of the cable is 8200 feet between 19 platforms. The Canopy of San Lorenzo has one of the longest cables in the country.
During the tour, the guide will explain to the participants the most important things about the forest that we are visiting. Finishing the tour, after a short walk we will enjoy a delicious lunch in Land in Love Hotel.
Suggested equipment: Camera, light clothes, comfortable shoes and insect repellent.
Isla Tortuga – Pacific Island Cruise.
Pick up time: 6.00 a.m. aprox.
Duration: 12 hours
Rate: $95 p.p
Costa Rica is famous for its romantic day cruises to its exotic Pacific Islands in the Gulf of Nicoya.
After a comfortable ride to the Pacific coast, you will board a luxurious yacht for the Pacific Island Adventure. Our final destination, Tortuga Island, famous for its pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear water that give us the opportunity to enjoy different activities. A delicious seafood buffet will be served on the beach. You will not want to miss this island paradise adventure. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are included.
Suggested equipment: Sweater, camera, binoculars, swimsuit, sun block and towel.
La Carpintera Canopy Tour – 25 minutes from San Jose
Pick up time: 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Special schedules for groups are programmed under previous request.
Rate: $75 p.p
Duration: 4 hours
This excellent combination tour; hiking and the adventure of the Canopy Zip Lines. Come with us and experience one of the ways of watching and enjoy the wet forest, from Los Cerros de la Carpintera.
When we arrive to starting point will have a training at the Canopy School some minutes after will begin the adventure of 1800 meters of cable divided in 10 platforms from different distances, will carry high tech equipment which is renovated constantly to ensure its perfect condition. Beetwen these platforms we will find landing by rappel, hiking through two paths one 200 meters and the other 300 meters. The experience ends with a lunch in our Hacienda Chirraca restaurant where will share the facts of the trip.
Note: Pregnant women or individuals with a recent surgery are no allowed for this tour. Suggested equipment: long pants, mountain hiking shoes, bugs repellent and sun block lotion or a hut.
Dinner at Tierra Tica
Typical Night Activity
Pick up time: 6.00 p.m. aprox.
Duration: 4 hours
Rate: $65 p.p
Take pleasure from seeing the magnificent view of the Central Valley from this high point of the mountains surrounding the valley while enjoying a delicious buffet with traditional Costa Rican dishes. Also watch an amusing traditional masquerade show followed by pleasant marimba music and typical dances. Finish the evening admiring the magic of bright fireworks . Also you may watch local artisans work in their crafts. Suggested equipment: Camera and sweater.
San Jose City Tour
Pick-up time: 8:00am and 12.40 p.m. aprox.
Duration: 4 hours
Rate: $39 p.p
The tour starts taking you through the East of the city of San José, passing the Democracy Park, National Museum, Federal Courts, Los Yoses neighborhood, San Pedro Mall Center and Rodrigo Facio University city of Costa Rica.
We will continue drive down through Barrio Dent, Calderón Guardia Museum, Train Station and the National Park. We will stop at the National Monument in the National Park. You will see very close the Congress Building, National Library and one of the principal buildings “Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones”.
We will continue through the Morazan Park, Metallic building School, Insurance Institute, España Park, The Yellow House and through SENAC or old factory of alcoholic beverages. Next close the Central Park of San José, Melico Salazar Museum and the Metropolitan Cathedral. We will stop at the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and Opera House for a tour. After the tour, we will continue to the West of the city visiting La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Art Museum (old control towel of the principal Airport of San Jose) Nunciatura Apostólica Mr. Oscar Arias residence who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, Los Yoses and Rohrmoser neighborhoods. We will continue to Plaza Esmeralda where you can taste a delicious cup of coffee, buy some souvenirs or cigars.
Note: Opera House closed on Sundays. The Gold Museum closed on Mondays instead we will visit Children Museum or Natural Science Museum La Salle. Suggested equipment: Camera
City Tour Fiesta de Noche – Night Party
Pick up time: 8:00pm.
Durantion: 5 hours aprox.
Come and enjoy with us the city at night, we will visit different points of party and you will see how is San José at night. First a tour around the city, after visiting San José places, we will enjoy El Pueblo, which is one of the most famous entertainment centers in San José and where you will have the opportunity to Dance and explore the night life.
Includes: Transportation, fun guide, city tour at night, entrance fee to one of the famous Clubs or disco, 5 drinks (drinks, beers or sodas).
White Water Rafting – Full Day
Rate: $95 p.p
Pick up time: 06:00 a.m. aprox.
Experience the thrill of white water rafting! Full explotation of excitement. The scenery while rafting is just marvelous. The vegetation that will surround you plus the power of the waters of the river will transport you into a great wild adventure. The equipment will be given, and a specialized guide will instruct you on how to manage yourself into the strong currents of the river. Breakfast and lunch included. Suggested equipment: Camera, sandals, sunscreen, towel and extra clothing.
a. Class III Sarapiquí River
Pick up time: 6:00 a.m. approximately
Duration: 10 hours
b. Class VI Pascua, Pacuare, Reventazón.
Note: Pacure River Class III and IV.
E-mail: info@ivantours.com
