What Does "Private Tour" Mean?:

Private tours (as "private" transportation) are completely different things to "group" tours (or "group" transportation). Although both can be very satisfying, with a private tour you have much more control over what you want to see, eat, when you want to stop (including bathroom stops) and receive the full attention of your guide for general questions or more in depth information over the sights you are seeing.

You want to start out later because your activities the day before wore you out?

You can on a private tour.

You want to stay a little longer at a site because it is something that interests you?

You can on a private tour.

Not interested in the world largest serpentarium?

On a private tour, you can skip it.

As a client, you make the agenda for the day. There are no schedules keep and nobody else to drop off clear across town when you are the last stop (which sometimes can take hours depending on traffic).

Casa Holanda is not only a great place to stay, it can be a place where you take that personal touch you've come to know and have it guide you to nearby sites in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.

As you scroll down, you will find more detailed information about each of our tours.

The Volcán Poás and La Paz Waterfall Tour:

      

Poás: angry, elusive, and more importantly, very active. Curve up winding mountain roads, ascending meter by meter to spectacular views of the valley below, to this ultimate nature adventure. After you see its impressive crater, walk trails through forests filled with bromeliads and hummingbirds. Then take a turn off the road and descend down into the depths of an emerald green canyon to view the mighty La Paz waterfall. (National Park entrance fee is included).

Optional tour (additional fee) to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens where you can view four other natural waterfalls that lead into La Paz. View and learn about Costa Rica's plants, butterflies, hummingbirds, snakes, and poisonous frogs.

The Casa Holanda Cooking Seminar:

 

Our in-house recipes are one of the most popular articles in our monthly newsletters .

Now available is a seminar at our Bed and Breakfast where you can cook Costa Rican, help prepare local dishes like picadillos, gallo pinto and more. Then, sit down to taste our creation at our lovely table or in our beautiful garden for the result! 

Also included is a souvenir Casa Holanda recipe booklet, where we've gathered the recipes from our websites.  You can enjoy these wonderful flavors at home until your next visit to Costa Rica.

The San Rafael or Heredia Farmer's Market Tour:

Dive into Costa Rican culture with a trip to the outdoor market in either Heredia or San Rafael. Arise early Saturday or Sunday mornings and arrive at a street filled with calling merchants, exotic fruits and many local smiles. Taste fresh-squeezed orange or sugar cane juice. Buy delicious, healthy, fresh snacks for the day and support local farmers. (Breakfast available at Heredia's central market.)

The Volcán Irazú Tour:

Just east of San José is the highest volcano in Costa Rica, Volcán Irazú. It looks closer than what it really is. It's slopes have experienced so many eruptions that the surrounding soil is so fertile it tempts farmer's to risk their lives and make this the breadbasket of Costa Rica. Rise above the clouds for nothing less than a metaphysical experience. (National park entry fee included.)

The Volcán Barva Tour:

The Barva Volcano is one of the highest points on Costa Rica's volcanic corridor and the closest volcano to Heredia. We drive up and up, past quaint mountain villages with stunning views, to the Volcano Barva Cloud forest which borders the great Braulio Carillo national park. Here, we hike on natural footpaths through the cloud forest with trees that have been here for hundred of years.

The Heredia Walking Tour:

Heredia is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Costa Rica. Walk through Costa Rica's history among streets filled with life and colonial architecture.  A hearty lunch is available at the Central Market.  Combine this with nearby Cafe Britt's coffee tour and you have a wonderful, relaxed day.

The San Jose Walking Tour:

Trips to the National Museum, the National Theater, with a choice of the Gold, Jade, or Art Museum. Also walk in security the renovated streets of San Jose and experience all the wonderful sights of this vibrant city. Lunch buffet is available.

The Cartago / Orosi Valley Tour:

     

Beneath the ominous volcano Irazú, Cartago was the original capital of Costa Rica before San Jose took the honor.
In Cartago is the beautiful basilica where in the 1600's a young girl saw a vision. Today, it is the one of holiest sites
in the country.

After the Basilica and a good lunch, we then drive to the nearby Orosi Valley, a rural area nestled among towering
mountains shaped by earthquakes and volcanos. Meet local artisans for carvings, see the oldest standing church in
Costa Rica, and vistas so beautiful and stunning you will break into song like Julie Andrews.

Group Tours:

We can also schedule excellent group tours for you while staying at Casa Holanda, such as:

Urban Canopy Tour.   If you just want the experience of zip lining. San Jose's Sabana Park contains the Urban Canopy Tour. Closer, cheaper, it is a great way to spend the afternoon.

The Cafe Britt Coffee Tour.   Learn about the growing, roasting and processing of coffee through theater in English and Spanish at one of Costa Rica's premiere coffee bean roasting plants.  Lunch is optional. at their restaurant.

River Rafting.   We have connections with two rafting companies which provide an experienced, safe and insured whitewater rafting adventure down the beautiful Pacuare River. All different levels are available with watchful professionals in each boat. If you want to get out and experience Costa Rican nature close-up, this exceptional tour is for you. Breakfast at a restaurant and lunch by the river is provided. Casa Holanda will take you to your pick-up point.

There are more group tours available such as horseback riding, canopy tours, boat tours, etc. so just let us know what you would be interested in.

HEREDIA, COSTA RICA

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Casa Holanda B&B Newsletters      Composer James Nathaniel Holland

Last update June 2008
This Website, all copy and graphics are copyrighted 2008 James Nathaniel Holland, Composer, Pianist, and Tenor.