Our most recommended things to do in Heredia Province

San Jose: Irazú Volcano, Cartago City & Orosi Valley Tour

1. San Jose: Irazú Volcano, Cartago City & Orosi Valley Tour

Start with a pickup from your hotel and travel by minibus along the Panamerican Highway until you reach the base of the Irazú Volcano. Travel up the winding road through fertile farmlands where many types of fruit and vegetables are cultivated.  Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. At the summit of the volcano, on a clear day, marvel at the spectacular view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Next, descend to the city of Cartago and stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica. Discover this local pilgrimage site which has large vaulted ceilings and exquisite examples of stained glass windows.  Continue the tour through the Orosi Valley, an area of magnificent natural beauty. Visit one of the few remaining colonial churches in the region and stop for a tasty typical lunch at one of the local restaurants. Finally, be returned to your hotel to complete the tour.

San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch

2. San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in San Jose, Heredia, or Alajuela at 6:00 AM. On your way to breakfast, drive past rolling coffee plantations and admire the mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park. At around 7:15 AM, stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast to set you up for the day's adventure. Enjoy fresh fruit juice, coffee, eggs, and the popular gallo pinto (a typical Central American rice and bean dish.) After breakfast, visit a local banana plantation and learn about the process of growing and exporting fruit. At around 10:00 AM, leave the bus behind and hop onboard a boat as you cruise into the jungle of Tortuguero National Park. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, which covers over 29,000 hectares, soak up the magic of this luscious green landscape. As you sail along the jungle canals, see native green sea turtles, as well as other endangered animals such as sloths, monkeys, and manatees. There are also countless colorful butterflies, toucans, herons, crocodiles, and more. Learn about each of the animals and their habitat in the jungle, as well as about local conservation efforts to protect them. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy a hearty buffet lunch. After lunch, take a relaxing stroll through Tortuguero Village where you’ll discover local life and learn about the history of the town and its residents. At the end of an unforgettable day, get back on the bus at around 3:30 PM and begin the return journey back to San Jose.

From San Jose: 3-Day Tortuguero National Park Excursion

3. From San Jose: 3-Day Tortuguero National Park Excursion

Explore the protected Tortuguero National Park in the Limón Province, reachable only by airplane or boat. Take in the wealth of biodiversity in its eleven different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. Trip itinerary: Day 1: After an early morning hotel pickup, admire the biodiversity of a primary forest through the window as you drive past Braulio Carrillo National Park. Sample a delicious Costa Rican breakfast during the drive. Mid-morning, board a comfortable boat and travel along the Tortuguero Canals. Be enchanted by the surrounding paradise and its varied flora and fauna. Then, enjoy a refreshing cocktail and a delicious lunch at the hotel. After lunch, tour the canals and take incredible photos for the rest of the afternoon. Arrive at Pachira Lodge (or similar) for a delightful dinner and a restful night's sleep. Day 2: Discover the flavors of Costa Rica with breakfast at the Lodge. Then, hike along the Lodge's private trail and work up an appetite for lunch. After lunch at the Lodge, visit the Sea Turtle Museum, the beach, and the picturesque village of Tortuguero. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the Lodge again. Day 3: After breakfast at the Lodge, head back to San José, stopping for lunch at El Ceibo in Guápiles on the way. Arrive back in San José in the afternoon.

From San Jose: La Paz Waterfall Garden & Rainforest Tour

4. From San Jose: La Paz Waterfall Garden & Rainforest Tour

Travel from San Jose to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and enjoy a walking tour on rainforest trails. See flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, bird, butterflies, and other species and enjoy educational animal exhibits for all ages. Be picked up from your hotel or accommodation in San Jose, and depart for the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Enjoy wandering walking trails in the local rainforest and admire the natural beauty of the area. Watch as white rivers flow and see spectacular waterfalls. Spot local wildlife while wandering through the rainforest, like birds, butterflies, monkeys, and hummingbirds, and see them in their natural habitats. Stop at different exhibits for local wildlife like the Aviary, Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpoentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and Frog Exhibit. Enjoy a buffet lunch after the tour, rated 4 Forks by the Costa Rican Tourism Council, that includes multiple selections of Traditional Costa Rican dishes and much more. Finish the tour after lunch and be returned to your accommodations in San Jose.

Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tour Braulio Ca

5. Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tour Braulio Ca

Explore every level of the dense Costa Rican rainforest from the ground to the treetops. Your unique Aerial Tram Tour lets you live first hand all the secrets the forest holds, while you fly above the treetops and experience magnificent views of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. From this vantage point,you will have an immersive nature experience as well as a glorious treetop flight over the canopy of the rainforest. Whilst on this tour you will encounter the longest and only guided tram tour in the country. The 1-hour gondola ride includes a guided natural walk on paved nature trails and a visit to the beautiful and specialized butterfly garden where you'll be able to learn a lot among their colorful wings. You can also walk through the beautiful orchid garden, which is comprised of orchids rescued from fallen tree trunks. Afterwards, enjoy a calm walk into a terrarium where you'll see many interesting amphibian and reptile species.

San José: Transfer between Hotels & Juan Santamaría Airport

6. San José: Transfer between Hotels & Juan Santamaría Airport

Enjoy a stress-free transfer between Juan Santamaría International Airport and your hotel. Choose from either a hotel to airport transfer or an airport to hotel transfer depending on whether you are departing or arriving in the city. Relax on a private airport-hotel transfer and enjoy quality service. Take advantage of private service between Juan Santamaría International Airport and your San José hotel. Experience a relaxing transfer where transport units are authorized to load and unload passengers at the airport with proper tourism permits, and modern transport units. Take comfort in the provided insurance policy in case of an accident for the transfer of tourists. Be met at the airport or your hotel by a driver with extensive experience and a sign with his name to better locate you, and then proceed to your destination. Provide flight details for arrival or departure upon booking to ensure the transfer is properly scheduled to arrive on time.

San Jose One Day: Sarapiqui Class 2&3 Rafting Adventure

7. San Jose One Day: Sarapiqui Class 2&3 Rafting Adventure

The Sarapiqui River is famous for its lush rainforest scenery. Enjoy it up close rafting down the Jungle Run – a section of river that is home to monkeys, iguanas, and other amazing Costa Rican wildlife. Start with pickup from select hotels and travel to El Roble de Sarapiquí, where the adventure begins. Your guide will fit you with the proper gear and go over safety instructions before hitting the river. Duck, dodge, paddle, and laugh your way down the river. Along the way, the "paparrazzi" photographer will be around to catch the best action shots as your Costa Rican river adventure unfolds. About halfway down the river, stop to enjoy a refreshing tropical fruit snack, take a swim, and relax. This area is known for its variety of birdlife, so keep an eye out for interesting tropical species.  Finish the rafting adventure at the Red-Eyed Frog Restaurant, located right next to the river. Savor a traditional Costa Rican meal before heading back to your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned van with free WiFi. Photos are available for purchase from the local provider after the tour.

Rafting Class 3-4 "Jungle Run": Río Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

8. Rafting Class 3-4 "Jungle Run": Río Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Take an exciting break during your travels to your new vacation destination! Bring on the adrenaline and enjoy the "Jungle Run" on the Sarapiqui River. This is the perfect rafting trip for adventurous paddlers! Get piked up from your hotel and travel through small Costa Rican villages to the quaint town of San Miguel de Sarapiquí. There, your professional rafting guide will give you the 101 on rafting including safety tips and technical instructions before heading on your 2 hour journey down one of Costa Rica’s most exuberant rivers! During your descent down the river, you will experience over 30 exciting rapids along 10 km of lush, vibrant rainforest. As you make your way through exciting rapids like "The Pipeline," "The Terminator," and "Dos Locos", you will get your adrenaline pumping! About half way down the river, you’ll stop and watch the rapids from the shore, while enjoying refreshing tropical fruit and relaxing with the rest of the group. Then, after the second leg of your rafting journey, you’ll finish the day with an unforgettable homemade lunch before heading to your next vacation destination!

From San Jose: Braulio Carillo National Park Rainforest Tram

9. From San Jose: Braulio Carillo National Park Rainforest Tram

Experience the beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest in a new way on an award-winning cable car trip through the forest. Start on the forest floor and explore all the levels of the forest up to the canopy of the trees. Enjoy the cable car ride and a guided nature walk on forest trails. Explore every level of the Costa Rican rainforest from the ground to the top of the trees. Take the cable car up through the trees and admire the forest's trees and wildlife on the journey up. Learn the secrets of the forest while enjoying the magnificent view of the forest from the gondola. Be immersed in nature during the flight over the forest, and enjoy one of the longest gondola rid3es in the country, over an hour admiring the forest from above. Take advantage of access to a guided nature walk on paved trails through the forest and visit the Butterfly, Orchid, and Hummingbird Gardens during your visit.

Unveiling Guayabo's Archaeological Wonders & Volcanoes

10. Unveiling Guayabo's Archaeological Wonders & Volcanoes

After getting picked up at your hotel in our private 4WD car, head to the Irazú Volcano National Park where you can admire and even enter the crater of the highest volcano in the country. You will also be able to experience the unique miniature fauna and flora of Páramo, a tropical dwarf forest nestled in the highlands. Afterward, take the back road to Turrialba Volcano. Here, visit the "Central Town" located at the foot of the volcano. Enjoy time to explore and take some photos of the eerily abandoned town, still filled with farmhouses and buildings. Next, stop for dinner at a family-run grill house for a traditional Costa Rican lunch. Finally, before beginning the drive back to San José visit the Archaeological Site of Guayabo and its beautiful rainforest, declared a Civil Engineering World Heritage landmark and the most important milestone of pre-Hispanic culture in the country.

Add dates

Things to do in
Heredia Province

All activities

31 activities found
Sort by:

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Heredia Province

Explore all

Frequently asked questions about Heredia Province

What top attractions are a must-see in Heredia Province?

What are the best deals and discounts on activities and attractions in Heredia Province?

Other Sightseeing Options in Heredia Province

Want to discover all there is to do in Heredia Province? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Heredia Province

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 137 reviews

Best tour of my trip. Edgar was great guide, very accommodating, informative, and funny. Make sure to bring warm clothing - it can be literally freezing at volcano and very windy. Lunch was terrific at beautiful restaurant. Make sure to go explore the path in the garden below.

Even though it was windy, it's quite an experience. Awesome views. I enjoyed walking in the crater. Then there was the trip own into Cartago. The views along the way are out of this world.

This was a beautiful tour of dense rainforest & beautiful scenery that involved a nature walk & tram ride. The tour guide was very informative, knowledgeable, kind, & helpful.

We loved this trip on our first day in Costa Rica. The Waterfall Gardens and animal sanctuary were lovely.

Our guide was very good and calm, it was very cloudy but even with that I really enjoyed the tour