If you have time for a day trip, definitely schedule a journey to the La Paz Waterfall. It's located about one hour from San José and features five breathtaking waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical plants and wildlife. Walking paths enable guests to take in the beauty of the falls at their own pace. The grounds also include a delightful Butterfly Observatory and a Hummingbird Garden where visitors holding feeders can enjoy the presence of these delicate little birds eating right out of their hands.

An architectural work of art, the National Theatre was constructed in 1897 and showcases a lovely neoclassical facade, replete with statues of Beethoven and Calderón de la Barca, a noted 17th-century Spanish dramatist. The theatre's interior boasts marble staircases, gold ceilings, hardwood parquet floors, statues, murals and exquisite paintings. It is worth the trip just to view this unique structure, but it also offers well-done dramatic and musical performances on a regular basis.

A visit to Parque Nacional Volacán Arenal makes a great day trip from San José. As this area of Costa Rica is known for its outstanding volcanoes, a visit to the area wouldn't be complete without seeing one. An active volcano, the Arenal is the youngest in the nation and actually one of the ten most active in the world since massively erupting in 1968. Depending on the weather, you may or may not be able to catch a glimpse of the eruptions as Arenal is usually surrounded by clouds which often produce rain. However, nighttime viewing can prove quite impressive.