I stayed at the Peace Lodge, built on the property, so I had plenty of time to visit the whole park. Most visitors get a day tour from San Jose, which includes admission to the park and a buffet lunch.

The main lodge contains the restaurants, bathrooms, and a gift shop with the same gifts you see all over Costa Rica. Prices are the same or better.

Park tours are offered, but we just grabbed a map and wandered at our leisure.

Activities

Butterfly Gardens

Visit the butterfly gardens and identify the different types of butterflies as they fly around above you, land on you, or hide in the foliage. Whenever it is about to rain, the butterflies sense the change in pressure and find resting places. Although it is surely more fun to visit when they are flying about, we were there during the rainy season. During this time, you will find the butterflies resting. Be careful, as sometimes they rest on the pathway. Once, a butterfly even came to roost on my arm. It's a great time for pictures, as they will remain still.

Hummingbird Gardens

Watch the hummingbirds feed and dodge them as they fly around your head. They are almost like mechanical birds, so fast you can't even photograph them. You can also book a tour to feed the hummingbirds.

Tico House
A traditional Tico cabin, where you can try "comida tipica" and see a cute cow.

Waterfall Trails
There are a number of falls here, from babbling brooks to roaring giantesses that drown out speech. Dirt trails, walkways, and staircases lead the visitor from one spectacular waterfall to another. The walk down and back is long, but do-able. At the bottom of the trail, there is a shuttle bus for the less fit among us. We took the trail back up and felt we had earned our dinner. You will get wet, and don't forget your camera.

Serpentarium and Future Plans
The Serpentarium was closed whenever I was in the park, but it is already open. They also are building a lot of new attractions here, and I look forward to returning in a few years to see what's new.