If you are looking for an escape from the routine to breathe fresh air and immerse yourself in an authentic rural tourism experience, the area surrounding the majestic Poás Volcano National Park is your ideal destination. This region, famous for its cool, delightful climate that supports rich agricultural production, offers you the unique opportunity to visit strawberry farms and delight in one of Costa Rica’s most iconic and sweet fruits.
The Poás environment is enriched by dairy farming, coffee and vegetable cultivation, and the flourishing of ferns and export-quality flowers. However, it is the strawberries, cultivated in key communities like Vara Blanca, Poasito, and Fraijanes, that offer one of the most unmissable sensory experiences for any traveler.
Get ready for a day full of learning, fun, and flavor. We’ve compiled a detailed guide to the strawberry tours in the area so you can plan your perfect adventure.
The Poás Strawberry Experience: Sweetness and Knowledge
A visit to the strawberry fields is not just a quick stop; it’s a complete immersion into Costa Rican rural culture. The area’s cool, delightful climate frames these sensory experiences, inviting you to taste the most delicious strawberries in multiple culinary forms.
Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the fruit’s production process, often grown using modern techniques like hydroponics, and at the same time, renew their energy in contact with nature.
Tours often begin with a delicious tasting and a refreshing strawberry smoothie as a welcome. In addition, the walk through the crops and trails not only offers picturesque views but also valuable information about the history of the strawberry and the local flora and fauna in relation to the crop.
Below, we have separated the available experiences based on the farms or companies offering these wonderful adventures:
A Guide to Strawberry Farms and Tours Near Poás
1. Tour de Fresas Costa Rica (Poasito de Alajuela)
Located in Poasito, Sabanilla de Alajuela, Tour de Fresas Costa Rica is recognized as the first guided rural tourism strawberry tour in the country. This experience is designed for both national and international tourists.
- Activities and Focus: The tour focuses on showing every step of the hydroponic strawberry process (cultivation, harvesting, and care). The guide, Eliécer Víquez, is an ICT-certified expert who provides a detailed explanation of the history, geography, and health benefits of the strawberry.
- The tour includes:
- Welcome strawberry smoothie.
- Knowledge of the strawberry’s history on the farm.
- Explanation of the crop’s flora and fauna.
- Guided tour of the hydroponic strawberry plantation.
- Strawberry tasting.
- Walk along developing trails and access to a Central Valley viewpoint.
- Visit to the farm poultry.
- Unique Experiences: Visitors have the option to ride a typical ox-drawn cart. They also offer the exclusive “Patoterapia” (Duck Therapy), a unique relaxation activity involving direct contact with ducks and other birds, which helps relieve stress and anxiety.
- Duration and Protocols: The tour lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and is managed with “family bubbles” (small, private groups) by reservation.
- Contact for Reservations:
- Phone: 8899-7425
- Facebook: @tourdefresacr
- Address: 150 meters North of Veterinaria San José, Poasito, Sabanilla de Alajuela.
2. Tour de Fresas Vara Blanca (Fresas & Más, Vara Blanca)
Located in the community of Vara Blanca, between the Poás and Barva volcanoes, this cooperative of entrepreneurial families offers a tour focused on direct interaction with the strawberry crop.
- Welcome smoothie
- Guide explaining the cultivation process
- Tour of more than 35,000 plants
- Harvesting (½ kg per person)
- Product tasting: wine, sangria, eggnog
- Condensed milk and chocolate topping
- Photo with the giant strawberry!
- Contact:
- Whatapp: 6073-1206
- Reservation 50% required.
3. “Strawberry Tour” Package (Offered by Tribu Verde Travels)
Although this is a tour and transportation package from the GAM (Great Metropolitan Area), its activities reflect the experience of visiting a hydroponic strawberry plantation near Poás.
- Inclusions and Activities: This one-day tour includes round-trip transportation, breakfast on board, a welcome smoothie, and tasting. The tour is guided and includes a walk through the hydroponic plantation, a visit to the viewpoint, and a visit to the farm.
- Schedule and Meeting Points: Departure at 7:00 AM from multiple meeting points in Alajuela, San José, Heredia, and Cartago.
Why is a Strawberry Tour a Can’t-Miss Plan in the Poás Area?
The Poás region is a powerful and varied destination. The cool climate that characterizes Vara Blanca, Poasito, and Fraijanes makes it an ideal place to escape and enjoy rural ecotourism.
- Cultural and Agricultural Connection: By visiting the farms, you not only enjoy the fruit but also delve into the local rural way of life, directly supporting the area’s productive chains and tourism development.
- Unique and Therapeutic Experiences: Where else can you pick your own strawberries, learn about the legend of the ox-cart, and receive an exclusive relaxation “Duck Therapy” (Patoterapia), all on the same trip?
- Privileged Location: The area is located near the Poás Volcano National Park. In addition to strawberries, the region offers other adventure activities (ziplining, trout fishing), local cuisine, and majestic waterfalls like La Paz.
Frequently Asked Questions about Poás Strawberry Tours
What is the best time to visit the strawberry farms? Thanks to modern farming techniques like hydroponics, it is possible to find strawberries and take tours most of the year. However, it is always a good idea to check availability during the rainy season (May to November).
Can you pick strawberries on all tours? Not on all of them. The “Tour de Fresas Vara Blanca” specifically highlights the opportunity for visitors to pick their own strawberries. The “Tour de Fresas Costa Rica” is more focused on the guided experience and tasting. It is best to ask when booking.
How long is a strawberry tour? The duration varies. For example, the “Tour de Fresas Costa Rica” lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, making it perfect for a half-day activity.
Is this activity suitable for children and families? Absolutely! Activities like tasting, interacting with farm animals (like the Duck Therapy), and walking through the crops are ideal for families to enjoy and are educational for children.
Live the Full Experience: Your Luxury Retreat in Fraijanes
To enjoy this experience and all the wonders of the area without being rushed, the best decision is to stay nearby. We invite you to live the charm of the mountains at Oasis Mountain, our 3 luxury suites in Fraijanes, designed to offer you maximum comfort while you explore the region.
Wake up in paradise and experience the strawberry route like never before. Book your stay with us.