Costa Rica is an exceedingly suitable and appealing place for a vacation. It has a lot to offer, from its mesmerizing scenic beauty, lush forests, and enthralling beaches to its historic landmarks and mind-blowing destinations. You can never get enough of the country. It stands true no matter how many times you visit it.
However, those with time constraints prefer making single-day trips. There are a few locations that can create a memorable experience for them, irrespective of the short length of the tour. In this article, let us discuss these special places of Costa Rica, specifically in San Jose.
Day Trip Places in the North of San Jose, Costa Rica
1. Mirador de Alajuela
Mirador de Alajuela is often referred as Costa Rica’s adventure capital. It has a broad range and scope of things and activities to offer its visitors. They can include water rafting, guided hikes around the area’s volcano, cave trips, zip lining, and even a close-up encounter with the local wild animals. Besides that, the place remains renowned for its superior spa facilities and hot springs.
On top of that, Mirador de Alajuela offers excellent accommodation and dining facilities. It makes it exceptionally comfortable and relaxing to stay there. It stands true, even if it may be for a single day.
2. Rescate Animal Zoo Ave
Rescate Animal Zoo Ave, now known as Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, is a well-known non-profit organization and foundation. It remains dedicated to conserving and rescuing Costa Rican wildlife.
The wildlife conservation and animal sanctuary center are one of the oldest. It has an almost 30-year history of breeding endangered species, providing lifelong care for the animals, preserving habitat, and rehabilitating wildlife.
A trip to Rescate Animal Zoo Ave allows the visitors to look at the animals and birds from close-up as they remain in their natural habitat. For instance, you may see tapirs, big cats, and even some endangered birds.
3. Caf Britt Coffee Tour
Café Britt offers a memorable and enjoyable tour and experience into the world of coffee. The staff and professionals take the visitors down the beverage’s colorful history. They also show them the process of transforming beans into the brew.
The coffee tour offered by Café Britt is of approximately 90 minutes. During the duration, you can see the beautiful butterfly garden, coffee nursery, sustainable coffee plantation, and roaster. The staff explains each process and steps along the way.
In addition, you can learn about the rich history and culture of Costa Rican coffee and enjoy a taste-testing session called “cupping.”
4. Sarchi Artesianal Town
Sarchi is one of Costa Rica’s most renowned crafts centers. It remains reputed for its colorful and mesmerizing oxen yokes and oxcarts that get painted over by hand.
Sarchi has more than 200 family-operated workshops and stores. Various leather and woodworking crafts get made there. Thus, you can find numerous elegantly-crafted souvenirs and furniture. They get prepared from leather, textiles, tropical hardwoods, ceramic, and natural paper.
The crafts of Sarchi remain available to tourists and visitors at a low cost, making them excellent gifts for friends and family. Nevertheless, just a tour of the center can make a person satisfied.
5. Catarata del toro- Bull’s Waterfall
Catarata del Toro is a mesmerizing waterfall in the town of Alajuela in Costa Rica. Named after the Rio Toro or River Bull, it offers a view of the water falling into the crater of an extinct volcano.
Catarata del Toro is a private ecological reserve enclosed by a lush jungle and exotic species of flora and fauna. You can get view the waterfall from two places. It can be from a higher perspective, or you can hike down and get close to the base. The latter provides a taste of the real power and might of the natural wonder.
6. Rio Agrio Waterfall
Rio Agrio Waterfall is a stunning attraction and wonder of about 50 meters, with its water cascading to a canyon below. It forms a small pool surrounded by boulders.
The water of Rio Agrio is exceedingly acidic. It has caused the canyon below to get carved out over time. Visitors can walk through and get a view of the natural wonder and the yellowish mineral deposits that remain on the canyon walls.
Rio Agrio Waterfall is part of a larger property having a restaurant, dinosaur park, viewpoint, and swimming holes. Furthermore, it remains surrounded by lush tropical mosses and plants.
7. Tesoro Escondido- Hidden Treasure Waterfall
Tesoro Escondido, which translates to Hidden Treasure, is a picturesque waterfall in San Jose. The area surrounding it remains owned by a local Costarican family who has opened it up for visitors to come and enjoy the marvelous sight.
The waterfall creates a giant cascade of water that falls and creates a swimming spot below. The water comes from the Poás volcano slopes. It provides some minerals to the waterfall, enabling it to acquire a characteristic blue shade.
You have to hike a short distance to reach the waterfall. Along the way, the trail offers the best aspects of nature.
8. Corso Lecheria – Costa Rican Dairy Farm
Corso Lecheria is a renowned dairy farm near San Jose. It offers a magnificent combination of nature, rural landscapes, and culture. On top of that, the farm provides a tour. They show the various aspects of how milk is obtained from cows and processed.
You can go around the farm on foot or by tractor and see where the milk comes from and how it reaches your dining table. Furthermore, you can get stunning views of the Barva and Poás volcanoes from the dairy farm. In addition, you can experience the marvels of high-altitude agriculture of tomatoes, strawberries, and coffee.
9. Grecia’s Red Church
The countryside pueblo of Grecia is primarily famous for its red Catholic Church. It lies in the town center. It is famous because most of its parts had gotten shipped and packaged from Belgium around the latter half of the 19th century.
The Church shows the place’s rich history with its beautiful artwork, structures, and construction. The outside and surroundings are as majestic as the inside. On top of that, the grounds are always clean and well-managed.
The Church remains open to all for a casual tour or praying. In addition, the building gets decorated wonderfully during the holiday seasons.
10. La Paz Waterfall Gardens
The La Paz Waterfall Gardens offers a culmination of several things close to nature. You can find and enjoy the place’s wildlife, flora, hiking trails, and lush forest. On top of that, the garden remains within the rainforest providing the wonders of nature and the natural environment.
The most visited attraction of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens is its five waterfalls. They entail Templo, Magia Blanca, La Paz, Encantada, and Escondida. Besides that, the garden’s animal habitats are exceedingly renowned. You can see several different species and classes of birds and wildlife there, including frogs, jungle cats, monkeys, butterflies, and birds.
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