This tour introduces you to Costa Rica’s heart and soul. Rich in culture, heritage, and traditions, ours is a country founded on agriculture and craftsmanship with the added flavor of folklore. You’ll see and experience cultural dance, coffee, woodworking, historical landmarks, classic local cuisine, and of course, some wildlife. Come see, hear, and taste what Costa Rica is made of!
Your day begins when you meet your friendly, English-speaking guide at the pier entrance who will escort you to your comfortable, large, air-conditioned passenger van. This approximately 8-hour tour takes you through historic town centers, shows you how our famous coffee is grown, brings you to a landmark oxcart factory, includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch, and more!
We start with a short tour of the port city of Puntarenas to see downtown, its catholic church, stadium, iconic lighthouse, and other sights. Then we head out of town and stop to look for friendly White-faced Capuchin monkeys in their natural habitat before arriving at the town of Esparza, the second oldest city in Costa Rica.
Next, we’ll take the historic Pan-American Highway northwest and climb through the foothills toward the coffee country. Enjoy the beautiful natural landscape as your guide shares interesting and unique aspects of the country with you. Then we continue on to the town of Naranjo to see the large coffee plantations and, time permitting, take a fascinating tour inside Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantations for a guided tour detailing the art of coffee production.
Next, we will arrive at the famous town of Sarchí, home of the best artisans in the country and the largest oxcart in the world. We will guide you through the amazing one-hundred-year-old Eloy Alfaro Oxcart Factory. From its founding until now, its machines are run by an on-site water wheel that generates 12 horsepower. Handed down through generations of the Alfaro family, it maintains its reputation for excellence in wood and ironworking. Local artists can also be seen painting pieces that are sold in the gift store. Before leaving, we will enjoy a plentiful and nutritious Costa Rican-style lunch.
If you desire to truly get to know the countries you visit, above all others, this tour will leave you with a deeper understanding of Costa Rica’s story, passions, and people. Don’t just visit Costa Rica, dive in and discover it!
*Please note that a minimum of 6 guests are required to operate this tour at the group rate. We highly recommend promoting this tour among fellow passengers to encourage additional bookings.*
