1. Poas Volcano
A scenic drive through green countryside up to the top of Poas Volcano, one of the widest accessible volcanic craters in the world. Stand on the edge & look down into the bubbling blue cauldron. Currently Poas has very active fumaroles in the inner part of the crater. The second crater, Botos, is a crystal clear rain-fed lake surrounded by highland jungle & is reached by a walk through a unique dwarf cloud forest.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Duration: Approx. 4 hours
Departure: Your discretion but for best view, 8am departure preferable     Return: 12pm
Price: With Xandari driver: $75 for 1-3 pax or $85 for 4-9 pax (round-trip transfer), plus $7 p/p entrance fee    
Note: Wear long pants, comfortable shoes & bring light jacket plus rain gear.

2. La Paz Waterfall Gardens
A scenic 1.5 hours drive from Xandari, La Paz Waterfall Gardens provides an experience of Costa Rica’s biodiversity, with an altitude ranging from 4300 to 5000 feet, providing an ideal climate for cloud and rainforest to coexist. La Paz Waterfall Gardens’ trail design includes 3km of paved trails & viewing platforms for experiencing the forest & the awesome power of 4 majestic waterfalls from a number of exciting perspectives. In addition, enjoy the hummingbird gallery, plus one of the world’s largest outdoor butterfly enclosures.
Distance from hotel: 1.5 hours     Duration: Approx. 5 hours          Departure: Early morning     Return: Early afternoon
Price: $105 for 1-3 pax or $120 for 4-9 pax (round-trip transfer), plus $29 p/p Adult or $18 p/p Child for entrance fee + $12 p/p for buffet lunch     Includes: Round-trip transfer, entrance fee, lunch     Note: Wear long pants & walking shoes. Bring a light jacket & rain gear.

3. Poas Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Distance from hotel: Approx. 1 hour     Duration: Approx. 7 hours
Departure: Your discretion but for viewing Poas, 8am departure best          Return: At your discretion    
Price: With Xandari driver $120 for 1-3 pax or $140 for 4-9 pax (round-trip transfer), plus entrance fees: Poas $7 p/p;
La Paz $29 p/p Adult or $18 p/p Child. Lunch $12 p/p.

4. Rain Forest Canopy Colinas del Poas
This Canopy adventure, in the middle of the Rain Forest close to Poas Volcano, is a unique and enjoyable experience of 14 cables and 24 platforms, with a total journey of 2 km. It is the most exciting tour in the Central Valley. There are nature trails also for walkers.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes          Duration: 5 hours          Note: Wear long pants & sturdy shoes. Bring rain jacket, camera & extra change of clothes. Bring cash to pay entrance fee.
Departure: Tours available at 8am, 11am & 2pm           
Price: With Xandari driver: $75 for 1-3 pax or $85 (4-9 pax) round-trip plus $50 Adult p/p entrance fee & refreshments when tour is finished.     

5. Doka Coffee Tour
A scenic drive through rolling coffee plantations to Doka Coffee Processing Mill for a detailed explanation of coffee picking & view the actual processing, drying & roasting.
Distance from hotel: 25 minutes     Duration of Tour: 1 hour
Open: 9am, 10am, 11am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday last tour is at 2:30pm     Departure & Return: At your discretion
Price: $16 p/p includes tour & coffee sampling. With Xandari driver $36 for 1-3 pax or $45 for 4-9 pax (round trip transfer)

6. Zoo Ave – Bird & Animal Zoo
Small fascinating bird & mammal zoo in a lovely garden setting operated by the non-profit Nature Restoration Foundation.
Zoo Ave, originally a bird zoo, now includes many types of Costa Rican monkeys, mammals & reptiles. All animals were former pets or injured wildlife.
Distance from hotel: 20 minutes     Open: Daily from 9am-5pm    
Price: $15 Adult or $2 Child (2-9 years old), plus $42 for round-trip for 1-3 pax, or $48 (4-9 pax) by Xandari driver, or approx. $10 each way by taxi.

7. River Rafting: Class II & Class III Sarapiqui & Reventazon Rivers
World-class white water & scenery combine for an unforgettable experience.
Time on river: approx. 2.5 hours
Distance from hotel: 2 hours     Duration: 9 hours          Departure: 6am   Return: 3pm     
Price: From $75 Includes round-trip transportation, typical Costa Rican breakfast, lunch, equipment & guides.    
Note: Bring rubber-soled shoes, shorts, T-shirt, swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, complete change of clothes–including shoes & plastic bag for wet clothes. Disposable waterproof camera recommended.
OPTIONAL: Rafting at noon to Sarapiqui River
Departure: 12 md Price: $75 p/p Includes round trip transfer from Garden Court, lunch, tropical fruits and 2.5 hours of tour.

8. River Rafting: Class III & Class IV Pacuare River
The most beautiful river canyon in the tropics will bewitch the adventuresome beginner and experience rafter alike
Time on river: approx. 5 hours depending on water level.
Distance from hotel: 3 hours     Duration: 12 hours          Departure: 6am     Return: 6pm     
Price: $95 Includes round-trip transportation, typical Costa Rican breakfast, lunch, equipment & guides.    
Optional: Connoisseur rafting, premium class trip. Avoid wasting precious vacation time in San Jose traffics jams driving from hotel to hotel doing multiple pick ups & drop offs. Maximum of 3 rafts affords an intimate wilderness experienced. Personalized service. Includes: Separate van for each hotel to take participants to the bus that will take them to the river, deluxe Costa Rican-style meal, gourmet river buffet, photo CD, fresh towels & cocktail at the end of the trip.
Note: Bring rubber-soled shoes, shorts, T-shirt, swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, complete change of clothes–including shoes & plastic bag for wet clothes. Disposable waterproof camera recommended.

9. Sarapiqui River Boat
See the beauty & wildlife from a comfortable boat in the Sarapiqui River: crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, birds including toucans, hummingbirds and garza azul. Available by request: frog area, butterfly farm, horseback riding and canopy tour.
Distance from hotel: 2 hours          Departure: 7am     Return: 2pm   
Price: With Xandari driver $135 (1-3 pax) round trip transfer or $150 (4-9 pax) plus $20 p/p per hour including boat trip, refreshments & lunch.  Note: Wear sandals. Bring bug repellent, sunscreen, camera & binoculars.

10. Horseback Riding at Poas Volcano Lodge
Horseback riding through pasture land with beautiful trees, you will pass fields of grazing cows and a working dairy, then onto a gravel path leading to horse stables. The price is $20 per person, which includes hat, rain poncho, and coffee or other refreshment at the end of tour.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Duration: 3.5 hours    
Departure: Tours available from 7am to 3pm 
Price: $35 p/p 2-hr. guided horseback tour plus $75 round trip transfer with Xandari driver for 1-3 pax or $85 for 4-9 pax. Formal Lunch: $15 p/p.   Note: Wear long pants & sturdy shoes.

11. La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Centro Neotropico
First stop is La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Then Centro Neotropico where you step into Pre-Columbian time. A naturalist guide takes you across a 262 meter bridge over the Sarapiqui River to the 750 acre primary & secondary forest of Tirimbina Reserve. Then take a self-guided tour of the most recent major archaeological discovery in Costa Rica (1999). 12 tombs are open to the public for viewing.
Distance from hotel: 2 hours each way     Duration: Approx. 8 hours          Departure: 6am     Return: Approx. 2pm
Price: With Xandari driver $155 for 1-3 pax or $175 for 4-9 pax (round-trip), plus entrance fees: La Paz $29 p/p Adult or $18 Child. Centro Neotropico $17 p/p; Child under 8 yrs. Free. Lunch: $12.30 Adult p/p or $6.15 Child under 12.

12. Centro Neotropico & Tirimbina Biological Reserve
A combination destination. Breathtaking drive skirting Poas Volcano, through rich dairy & agricultural region with a short stop at La Paz Waterfall. Step into Pre-Columbian time at Centro Neotropico. Naturalist guide takes you over 262 meter bridge, across Sarapiqui River, to 750 acres of protected forest at Tirimbina Reserve. Self-guided tour of most recent major archaeological discovery in Costa Rica (1999) with tombs open to public. Enjoy lunch in restaurant.
Distance from hotel: 2 hours each way     Duration: Approx. 7 hours    
Departure: 6am    Return: Approx. 2pm   Price: Centro Neotropico: $9 Adults or $19 w/ guide (only available at 10am & 12md) plus Lunch $12.30 p/ adult or $6.15 Child under 12. Tirimbina Reserve: $18 p/ adult per entrance fee & guide. Round-trip transfer: $155 for 1-3 pax or $175 (4-9 pax)   (Optional additional tours available on site for an added cost.)

13. Sarchi Artisan Village
Brightly colored oxcarts, hardwood salad bowls, carved statues, wooden souvenirs & furniture are made & sold in this well-known crafts village.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Duration: Approx. 4 hours          Departure & Return: At your discretion
Price: With Xandari driver $60 for 1-3 pax, or $80 (4-9 pax)     Includes: Round-trip transfer.    
Note: Wear comfortable shoes.

14. Botanical Garden "Else Kientzler"
7 hectares of extensive botanical gardens with a series of footpaths, with approximate route time of 1 hour to 3 hours for those who wish to explore every trail. You will see collections of hibiscus, heliconia, succulents, bromeliads and fruit trees, plus a nursery, woodlands (arboretum), rest areas, lake and foot bridges.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Departure: Opens 8am to 4pm. Guided tours are available by reservation.
Price: $12 p/p or $6 children 5-12 years plus $65 round trip transfer with Xandari driver for 1-3pax or $80 for 4-9pax.  
Note: Dress in light clothes and comfortable shoes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, raincoat or umbrella. This tour can be combined with Sarchi Shopping tour.

15. Café Britt Coffee Tour
A live theater performance about the history & processing of coffee. Coffee tasting.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes   Duration: 1.5 hours    Open: 9am, 11am, 3pm Dec.-April; or 9am, 11am May-Nov.
Price: $19 Adult & $14 Child plus $55 for 1-3 pax round-trip by Xandari driver or $72 for 4-9 pax 
Note: 11am tour with lunch $32 Adult or $28 Child.

16. Butterfly Farm
First enterprise of its kind in Latin America, this farm & butterfly refuge rears & exports live butterflies. Learn about all 4 stages of their life cycle – egg, larva, pupa & adult. A diverse & beautiful living collection.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Open: From 8:30am – 3pm     Duration: 2 hours     
Departure & Return: At your discretion, however early departure recommended    
Price: Entrance fee $15 Adult or $7.50 Child, plus $55 for round-trip transfer (1-3 pax), or $65 (4-9 pax)

17. Rainforest Aerial Tram
Explore the natural hanging gardens of the Braulio Carrillo Rainforest in a gondola with nature guides.
Distance from hotel: 1.5 hours     Duration: Approx. 6 hours    
Departure: At your discretion but early departure recommended     Return: At your discretion    
Price: Entrance fee $55.00 Adult or $27.50 Child (includes guided tour) plus $120 for round-trip transfer for 1-3 pax or $145 for 4-9 pax. Optional buffet lunch provided for $10.50 p/p  Note: Wear sturdy shoes & bring light jacket plus rain gear. OPTIONAL BIRDWATCHING TOUR: $97.50 p/p including roundtrip transportation from Garden Court, breakfast, lunch and tour. Departure: Between 5 am-5:30 am.

18. Carara Biological Reserve / Beaches & Wildlife
A remarkable array of wild creatures live here – birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, scarlet macaws, roseate spoonbills, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, coatis & white-faced monkeys.
Distance from hotel: 2.5 hours     Duration: 11 hours          Departure: Early morning     Return: Evening     
Price: Round trip $160 for 1-3 pax, or $175 for 4-9 pax plus $8 p/p national park entrance fee. Meals additional.

19. Rain Forest Canopy Tour at Villa Blanca
Glide through the forest canopy in a harness, landing at platforms approx. 100 ft. from jungle floor. Experienced canopy guides.
Distance from hotel: 1.5 hours     Duration: 8 hours            
Departure: Tours available at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm      
Price: $44 p/p canopy tour plus round trip transfer with Xandari driver: $125 for 1-3 pax or $145 for 4-9 pax
Lunch: A la Carte      Note: Wear long pants & sturdy shoes; bring rain jacket, camera & extra change of clothes.

20. Arenal Volcano & Tabacon Hot Springs
Day or night at Arenal – your choice! You will be driven through scenic agricultural countryside through central highlands, past quaint towns, through the San Carlos plains, arriving at the dramatic volcano of Arenal.
Distance from hotel: 3 hours     Duration: 12 hours             Departure: At your discretion     Return: At your discretion    
Price: $170 for 1-3 pax, or $185 for 4-9 pax plus meals & entrance fee. Includes round-trip transfer.   
Note: Wear sturdy shoes, pants & bring a light jacket.

21. Inbioparque
An educational / recreational center. See the vast biological diversity of Costa Rica. Includes interactive exhibits, multimedia, audiovisuals & nature trails with permanent live exhibits including frogs, tarantulas, bees, ants, orchids & butterflies.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Hours: Every day 7:30am – 4pm     Duration: Approx. 4.5 hours
Departure & Return: At your discretion     Price: $65 round-trip transfer for 1-3 pax or $78 for 4-9 pax. Entrance fee $15 Adult or $8 Child 5-12 years;    Child under 5 free. Notes: Guides available (no added cost) with advance reservation. Wear comfy shoes; bring light rain jacket. Closed on Monday.

22. Calypso Catamaran Day Cruise
Cruise by the Gulf Islands of Nicoya Bay in the Manta Ray Catamaran with an experienced naturalist guide. Equipped with a glass bottom for excellent underwater viewing, a full-service bar & Jacuzzi.
Distance from hotel: 2 hours     Duration: 12 hours          Departure: 7am from departure point     Return: 7:30-8pm
Price: From $99 Adult or $49.50 Child, plus $12 for one-way transfer to departure point & approx. $8 for taxi to Xandari. Includes: Air-conditioned bus transfer round-trip from departure point, continental breakfast, gourmet lunch, refreshments.
Note: Bring swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and bug repellent.

23. Calypso Private Reserve Cruise
Cruise from Puntarenas to Punta Coral at the tip of Nicoya Peninsula. Experience a dry tropical forest, beach & wildlife (congos, parakeets, hummingbirds, butterflies). While at Punta Coral, you may swim, snorkel (extra fee) or just enjoy the beautiful beach.
Distance from hotel: 2 hours     Duration: 12 hours          Departure: 7am from departure point     Return: 7:30-8pm     
Price: $99 Adult & $49.50 Child, plus $12 for one-way transfer to departure point & approx. $8 for taxi to hotel  
Includes: Air conditioned round-trip bus transfer, continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments.
Note: Bring swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and bug repellent.

24. San Jose City Tour by Day or Night
Day tour introduces you to Costa Rican culture, history & crafts with visits to San Jose’s historical sites, museums, parks & neighborhoods. Includes stop for souvenir shopping.
Night tour: Costa Rican nightlife, from discos to musical & theatrical performances at the National Theater.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Duration: Approx. 5 hours     Departure & Return: At your discretion    
Price: With Xandari driver: $19 per hour (incl. driving time) plus museum entrance fees & meals
Note: Wear comfortable shoes. Museums normally closed Mondays.

25. Golf
Parque Valle del Sol
Golf course completed 1998. Designer Tracy D. May. Situated in Santa Ana de Escazu. Course has 6 lakes & wetlands to test skills. Mature trees line fairways. 4 to 5 tees for each hole. #6 hole has 6 tees, 2 on an island. Yardage 6900 & 18 holes.
Distance from hotel: 45 minutes     Price: $55 Green fee plus clubs if required, or $75 all day    
Transportation: One-way transfer by taxi $20    
Hours: Every day 6:30am until 5pm

Los Reyes in La Guacima – Alajuela
9 hole golf course designed by Robertson Ward & Associates. Total length of 2.917 yards for men and 2.721 yards for women. Par 70 for men and 74 for ladies. Very attractive and excellent maintained greens and fairways.
Distance from hotel: 30 minutes       Price: $40 Green fee plus clubs if required.
Transportation: One-way transfer by taxi $12.                Hours: Every day 7am until 3pm

Please note that prices & details of day trips quoted are subject to change. We welcome hearing about your personal experience of the day trips so we can keep our information current & recommend only the best. All of us at Xandari hope you enjoy every day of your stay in this beautiful paradise of Costa Rica.