Six tours from San José that really enter the park, compared on time inside, lunch, entry and real price. Best for most: the 8-hour Gardens Guided Day Tour.
For the full park with lunch and no car, book the Gardens Guided Day Tour ($195, 8 h). Add Poás Volcano with the Poás, Coffee Plantation & Gardens combo ($249) — one of the few combos that goes inside.
Pick any two and compare them line by line.
Teal = better of the two on that line.
| Tour | Inside the park | Includes | Rating | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardens Guided Day Tour Our pick Destiny Travel · 8 h · 59 pickups | Entry + guided trail | ✓ Buffet✓ Tickets | 4.77220 reviews | $195 08:00 | Dates |
| Gardens & Rainforest Tour Our pick TUI · 7 h · min 2 | Buffet at the park | ✓ Buffet? Not listed | 4.2557 reviews | $149 09:00 | Book |
| Gardens Half-Day Tour Our pick Summer Travel · 6 h | 3 h in the park | ✓ Buffet? Not listed | 4.944 reviews | $160 10:00 | Book |
| Poás, Coffee Plantation & Gardens Our pick Destiny Travel · 10 h | Lunch + walk after | ✓ Lunch✓ All fees | 4.6484 reviews | $249 06:00 | Book |
| Poás, Café Doka & La Paz Our pick Marbella Tours · 10 h · min 2 | 3.5 h in the park | ✓ Breakfast + lunch✓ Included | 4.6460 reviews | $170 pp 06:00 | Book |
| Poás, La Paz Waterfalls & Doka Our pick RUTA CR · 10–12 h · max 13 | 3 h guided | ✓ Lunch✓ Included | 56 reviews | $194 | Book |
| Private transfer & guide Our pick Sanchez Tour · van 1–12 | 2 h in the park | ✕ Optional✕ Paid at gate | 4.542 reviews | $95 pp | Book |
| Day Pass Ticket Our pick Tico Paradise · self-arrive | Voucher 08:00–14:00 | ✕ No lunch✓ All taxes | 4.038 reviews | $95 | Tickets |
| Drive yourself Our pick ≈1 h 14 from San José | Open 08:00–17:00 | + Buffet $16Gate $56 + tax | —No rating | $56 + tax | Route |
GetYourGuide live price, 1 adult (pp = per person, min 2) · “Not listed” = the listing does not say entry is included · the time under the price is the start time
Poás combos comparedThe whole day goes to the park: pickup, the trail and the buffet. The 8-hour tour lists park tickets; the other two list lunch but not entry — check before you book.
Our pick1 / 4For: no car, and you want the whole trail, the animals and lunch.
Lower price1 / 3For: a cheaper full day; min 2 travellers.
Half day1 / 4For: a later start and a shorter day.
Ratings, inclusions and start times from each GetYourGuide listing
Most Poás combos stop at the free roadside fall. These three list Gardens entry — with 3 to 3.5 hours in the park where the listing says.
Enters both1 / 5For: Poás crater, a coffee tour and the Gardens in one day.
Longest in park1 / 3For: the most park time of any combo; booking for two or more.
Time in the park as stated in each listing
All Poás and La Paz combosPay the gate yourself and the day costs less — but add the entry, lunch and the drive to the price you see.
GetYourGuide live prices · gate prices waterfallgardens.com
Tours that enter the park walk the same 3.5 km trail. Photos from GetYourGuide listings for the Gardens.
Based on the Gardens Guided Day Tour listing — 8 hours from pickup to drop-off.
4.77 tour rating“Waterfalls and sanctuary were beautiful. Left from San Jose- if you get motion sick take something - roads twist and turn and are bumpy- but sites and guide were awesome- would recommend this trip. Well worth it.”
Kelly · United States · Oct 2026 · Gardens Guided Day Tour →
4.25 tour rating“The entire experience was great. Pickup at my hotel was on time and convenient. The guide was very personable, friendly, and knowledgeable. The waterfall and garden were magical! Lunch was also very good. I never felt rushed.”
Brenda · United States · Apr 2025 · Gardens & Rainforest Tour →
Tours that enter the park run $149–$249 per adult (live prices); the Café Doka combo is $170 per person for two or more. Driving yourself, the gate is $56 + tax. Compare tours
6 to 10 hours. The Gardens Day Tour is 8 hours; Poás combos run about 10. How the day runs
Yes on the Gardens-only tours and the three combos listed here. The private transfer tour does not include it. See inclusions
The Gardens Day Tour lists park tickets and the combos list all entrance fees. Two Gardens-only tours do not list entry — check with the operator. Good to know
08:00 for the Gardens Day Tour, 09:00 and 10:00 for the other Gardens-only tours, 06:00 for Poás combos. Start times
Yes: the Half-Day Tour runs 6 hours with about 3 hours in the park. Gardens-only tours
The Gardens Day Tour has 59 pickup points around San José, including Escazú and airport-area hotels. Check your hotel
Yes: a private van tour (1–12 people) runs from San José, Alajuela or SJO, with tickets paid at the gate. Or drive yourself in about 1 h 14. Budget options
Hotel pickup, park tickets and the buffet · ★ 4.77 (220) · free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Check dates · $195