Olman Arce Mejía has guided across Costa Rica since the early 1990s. You travel in his air-conditioned van with your own group of up to eight, with hotel pickup, lunch and your Poás ticket arranged.
The signature day
About 9 hours, from hotel pickup to drop-off
Day trips, multi-day journeys and transfers, all with the same driver and guide. Tell Olman what you want to see and he sets the pace.
Full-day private tour, about 9 hours
3 to 10 days
Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste and the Caribbean coast. Olman drives, guides and handles lodging logistics for the whole route.
Plan a tripDoor to door
Airport to hotel, hotel to beach, town to town. Comfortable vehicle, English and Spanish, with stops for photos and food along the way.
Get a quoteBuilt for you
Birds, cloud forest, surf or coffee: tell Olman what you love and he builds the days around it, at the pace and budget you choose.
Start a planOlman is an accredited Costa Rican guide based in San José. He grew up in the Central Valley, knows the back roads to every volcano and beach, and still gets excited pointing out a sloth or a quetzal.
He runs ASSISTTOURS himself, so the person you message is the person who picks you up. He speaks Spanish and English and drives an air-conditioned van that seats up to 8.
Guiding since the early 1990s. Accredited guide.
Yes. The national park sells timed entry tickets online and they sell out, especially in the dry season (December to April). Olman books your slot when you confirm the tour, and the entry is included in his quote.
Usually, but clouds roll in fast. That is why the tour reaches Poás first thing in the morning, when visibility is best. If the crater is fogged in, the park allows about 20 minutes at the viewpoint and the day continues to the coffee plantation and La Paz.
Poás sits at about 2,700 m and is cool and windy, often 10 to 15 °C. The waterfall gardens are warmer and wet. Bring a light jacket, closed shoes and a rain layer in any month. May through November is the green season, with afternoon showers and mostly clear mornings.
Tours are private. You travel only with your own party, up to 8 people in Olman's van. Larger groups can be arranged with a second vehicle.
Lunch is included on the signature tour, at a local restaurant near La Paz. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Mention it when you book.
Cash (USD or colones), bank transfer, or card by arrangement. A small deposit confirms the Poás ticket, and you pay the balance on the day.
WhatsApp is the fastest way. He usually answers within the hour, Costa Rica time (UTC−6). Tell him your dates, how many of you are traveling and where you are staying.
+506 8371 4679