Butterfly farms

Located at La Guacima de Alajuela, approximately 30 minutes drive from San Jose City . The Butterfly Farm is one of the few places in the world that offer visitors a more in depth view and appreciation of butterflies. Widely recognized as one of the most popular destinations close to San Jose , all guests receive a two-hour guided tour. Inside an enclosed tropical garden, hundreds of Costa Rican butterflies flutter around flowers, as the trained guides explain about the life cycle and natural history of these fascinating creatures. Early morning tours are the most recommended when butterflies are more active.
The tour begins with a 25-minute film that gives an introduction as to what will be seen and discussed with the guide. In an enclosed tropical garden where perhaps over a thousand butterflies live their lives, feeding, mating and laying eggs. Guides may identify the most beautiful of Costa Rica 's butterflies, point out the females laying their eggs on host plants and feeding on flowers. The tour then proceeds to view the amazing metamorphosis of the caterpillar forming the pupae where their bodies change from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. The entire cycle of the metamorphosis is shown and the early morning tours may even see the butterflies emerging from their chrysalides and taking off for their maiden flight

Situated at the base of the Poas Volcano approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from San Jose , the La Paz Waterfall Gardens offer visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. Butterflies, hummingbirds and waterfalls are among many attractions. The Butterfly Observatory is the largest in Latin America. Spanning the length of a football field and reaching heights of 50 feet , this enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely while guests walk amid the natural habitat. As you wander the trails your senses will delight at the five waterfalls that line the trail. The place is a primarily a self-guided tour allowing the visitors to proceed directly to their areas of interest. If you would rather have a guide for your group, you can get one for an additional charge with an advance reservation

The Turu bari tropical park is located a short two hours drive from the hotel and is reached after traveling through some very beautiful and spectacular countryside and two small country towns. The entrance to the site is located at the highest point and includes an aerial tram sky ride over a gorge in which you can see the river way below. Alternative ways down are by canopy ride or high speed wire descent, the choice is yours. You will have a guide for your trip to include, a butterfly farm and many areas devoted to tropical plants, as well as an area of farm animals. Short trails lead through the trees and woods of this beautiful park. A Costa Rican style lunch can be taken in very pleasant surroundings within the gardens. Horse riding is available as an extra