Overview & Highlights
With a good road network, Costa Rica is ideal for independent exploration by self-drive 4WD car. This action-packed holiday visits off-the-beaten-track national parks with a backdrop of volcanoes, mangroves and jungle. Your hotels are pre-booked for a more relaxed trip.
Much of the enjoyment of self-drive holidays in Costa Rica is getting off the beaten track, 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.
An ideal destination to enjoy the great outdoors, Costa Rica is a hotspot for adventure tourism, with a range of activities on offer from zip-lining to white-water rafting. This 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
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Travel Expert
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Transfer by land and boat to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast.
Day 3
Wildlife spotting excursions from your lodge.
Day 4
Pick up your rental car and drive to Sarapiqui.
Day 5
Explore Tirimbina Reserve before driving to Arenal Volcano.
Day 6
Visit La Fortuna Falls and the hanging bridges.
Day 7
Discover Caño Negro wildlife.
DAY 8
Drive from Arenal to Monteverde
Day 9
At leisure to discover forest trails and ride on a zip line.
Day 10
Drive from Monteverde to Rincón de la Vieja.
Day 11
At leisure to raft, hike or go horse-riding.
Day 12
Drive to 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
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Accommodation
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Inspired by this trip
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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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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