www.CostaRicaTicas.com

What are some must do regular sightseeing tours out of San Jose?

I was wondering the same thing. I took a zipline tour in Jaco on my last trip, and went fishing out of Los Suenos. I am going to spend some time in San Jose at the end of January. I may take a volcano tour, or try to find a zipline / canopy tour near San Jose.

Poas Volcano, butterfly farm, coffee plantation, canopy tours, ziplines, etc., etc.

The Hotel Don Carlos [though not chica friendly] does have an excellent tour center that can arrange most any eco-trips anywhere in CR...and no, you do not have to be a guest of the hotel to take advantage of this service.

I'd add the cigar maker VdS or Don Ursulo (A CRT Sponsor), and an ATV tour by Paraiso (though Search for commentary--there have been reports of sketchy service recently). Brother Prolijo has written extensively about day trips--a Search of his name will pay dividends.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

You can start with this one: http://www.costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16082&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=16

I would even consider the one day Rio Paucare rafting trips as a must do sightseeing tour.

fred757

Brother Prolijo is being too modest. You can not only start with that link, that's pretty much all you'll need. It'll take you many, many visits to work through that "Bucket List" and the additions by some others.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Calypso Cruises offer a great trip to Isla Tortuga.

Here's an unconventional sight-seeing option involving train tracks:
http://www.railbike.com
For a more conventional use of trackage, see:
http://www.americatravelcr.com/home.htm

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

how does this company compare to bay island cruises with their new boat?

maybe both companies are the same now with comparible boats.

these trips have alot of eating/drinking and swimming- also nice buses.

recommend this over splasing around in sewer/croc waters of jaco beach.

fred757

I went on a trip with Calypso Cruises and it was great! I know a lot of people that did the trip to Tortuga Island that were satisfied. I have heard some complaints about Bay Island Cruises. Sometimes the boat is really packed and the personnel isn't always profesional. In the past their tour was a bit cheaper, I am not familiar with the actual rates.