Overview & Highlights
Costa Rica, with a comprehensive road network is ideal for independent exploration by self-drive 4WD car hire. This action-packed holiday visits off-the-beaten-track national parks with a backdrop of volcanoes, mangroves or jungle. Your hotels are pre-booked.
Much of the enjoyment of self-drive in Costa Rica is getting off the beaten track and onto the dirt tracks and rural roads where you can stop to explore at leisure. Begin your adventure among the mangrove forests of the wildlife-filled Tortuguero reserve. Discover the mysterious bird-filled cloud forest with its misty landscape of ferns and orchids, scramble over hanging bridges suspended over waterfalls and forest in the shadow of Arenal volcano and end your visit on a Pacific beach.
Costa Rica is a peaceful and stable country and its people are among the friendliest in Latin America. The comprehensive network of roads means that the national parks with their extensive trails are always accessible and self-drive is the perfect way for independent-minded, confident drivers and companions to explore.
In line with its respect for the great outdoors, Costa Rica has been at the vanguard of adventure tourism, with lots of activities on offer from zip-lining to white-water rafting. The tiny country is bursting with an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna.
- Explore the waterways of Tortuguero National Park
- Discover off the beaten track rainforests and beaches
- Zipline or hike through lush jungles
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Drive and boat to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast.
Day 3
Wildlife spotting excursions from your lodge.
Day 4
Drive to Sarapiqui.
Day 5
Explore Tirimbina Reserve. Drive to Monteverde in the cloud forest.
Day 6
At leisure to discover forest trails and ride on a zip line.
Day 7
Drive from Monteverde to Arenal volcano area.
Day 8
Visit La Fortuna Falls and the hanging bridges.
Day 9
Discover Caño Negro wildlife.
Day 10
Drive to Rincón de la Vieja.
Day 11
At leisure to raft, hike or go horse-riding.
Day 12
Drive to Guanacaste on the Pacific coast.
Day 13
At leisure on the beach.
Day 14
Drop off car at Liberia airport and take international flight home.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Costa Rica / San Jose, central highlands and central valleys
Presidente
Costa Rica / San Jose, central highlands and central valleys
La Quinta de Sarapiquí Country Inn
Costa Rica / Monteverde and the cloud forest
Cloud Forest Lodge
Costa Rica / Arenal and the north
Rancho Margot
Costa Rica / Arenal and the north
Hacienda Guachipelin
Costa Rica / Nicoya Peninsula
Casa Conde Beach Front
What our clients say
Our expert's view
Sally Dodge - Travel Expert
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Inspired by this trip
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Papagaio
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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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