3 days10-Day Essential Costa Rica Tour with Guanacaste, Self-Drive
New10 daysSan Jose
Length
10 days
Itinerary
10 days planned
Group
Max 5
Guides
English
Overview
Uncover essential Costa Rica during this 10-day exotic adventure. Beginning and ending in the capital, San Jose, this self-drive tour offers you the chance to discover different aspects of this emblematic destination. Visit the most predominant natural areas of Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano National Park, and the cloud forest of Monteverde. Enjoy an unforgettable excursion in Tortuguero, in a shared shuttle and boat, and spend precious time in mesmerising Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches, indulging in the fun surf town atmosphere and getting closer to the inspiring local culture and adventurous spirit. During the trip, keep an eye out for a variety of animals and don’t forget to mingle with the friendly locals for an all-round experience.
Day by day itinerary
1ARRIVAL SAN JOSE⌄
Upon arrival to bustling San Jose, our representative will meet and greet you and then direct you to your transport, which will drop you off at your hotel in San Jose for your the night in Costa Rica. Overnight in San Jose.
Overnight: Standard: Sleep Inn or similar 3* Superior: Park Inn or similar 4* Deluxe: Hilton San Jose La Sabana or similar 5*
2SAN JOSE – TORTUGUERO (135km – 4 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)⌄
Your day begins early with a morning departure, travelling by bus through the Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean plains to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and quaint villages. Indulge in a tasty breakfast en route and continue through the jungle by boat, cruising the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. Arrive at your eco-lodge and enjoy a tasty lunch. Board the boat again for a visit to Tortuguero village, where you will get to walk around town, stroll along the beach, and experience the locals’ way of living. During the turtle hatching season, we will look for the baby turtles trying to find their way down to the ocean. Nesting is from July to September and hatching from September to December. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel, surrounded by the beautiful tropical forest and wildlife. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Tortuguero.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Overnight: Standard:Turtle Beach Lodge or similar Superior:Laguna Lodge or similar Deluxe:Pachira/Evergreen/Aninga Lodge or similar
3TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK⌄
Today you will have some free time to relax by the pool and experience the Tortuguero National Park on a three-hour trip. Observe over 350 protected species of birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and sloths, as well as lush vegetation. During the July to September season, you can join an optional late night turtle nesting tour, purchasable directly at the lodge. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Tortuguero.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Overnight: Standard:Turtle Beach Lodge or similar Superior:Laguna Lodge or similar Deluxe:Pachira/Evergreen/Aninga Lodge or similar
4TORTUGUERO – ARENAL (210km – 5 hrs by road / 2 hrs by boat)⌄
Early in the morning depart by boat back to Guapiles. From there, take the ground transportation to the restaurant for lunch. After a tasty meal, you will be picked up in a shared transfer and taken to the Arenal area. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own. Overnight in Arenal.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch
Overnight: Standard: Arenal Montechiari or similar 3* Superior: Arenal Springs or similar 4* Deluxe: Arenal Kioro or similar 5*
5ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK⌄
After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to visit the Arenal Volcano National Park on your own. During the hike, enjoy the verdant landscapes and the backdrop of the now-dormant volcano as you keep a lookout for animals that live in this national park. You have the chance to see sloths, howler monkeys, and even anteaters, to name a few. The entrance fee to Arenal Volcano National Park is not included. Afterwards, enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Arenal.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Standard: Arenal Montechiari or similar 3* Superior: Arenal Springs or similar 4* Deluxe: Arenal Kioro or similar 5*
6ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (120km – 3hrs)⌄
Begin the day with an early breakfast. You can have the morning at leisure or start your journey early to Monteverde Cloud forest area. Admire the transition of the rainforest to the cloud forest where you will reach an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level. Monteverde, located in the Puntarenas province, is a place of cloud forests and mist, coffee plantations, monkeys and friendly locals. The town of Santa Elena is small and quaint, filled with inviting restaurants and folksy artisan shops, while the nearby rainforest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own or join an optional activity like the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour, what includes a 3-hour hike along a network of trails and suspension bridges in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Or join the Don Juan Coffee Tour to understand Costa Rica´s coffee, chocolate and sugar cane production. The optional tours are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Standard:Monteverde Country Lodge or similar3* Superior:Poco a Poco or similar4* Deluxe:Monteverde Gardens or similar4*
7MONTEVERDE⌄
After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, you can enjoy a hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is world-famous for its outstanding biodiversity, conservation actions and contributions, as well as scientific research. The reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves, not just in Costa Rica but the world. It hosts hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, as well as a large variety of flora, such as mosses, vines or the autochthonous trees of the cloud forest. Entrance to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is not included. You can enhance today´s experience by joining one of the memorable tours you missed yesterday. You can choose to explore the cloud forest during the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour or the Don Juan Coffee tour. Optional tours are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Standard:Monteverde Country Lodge or similar3* Superior:Poco a Poco or similar4* Deluxe:Monteverde Gardens or similar4*
8MONTEVERDE – PACIFIC COAST (190km – 4 hrs)⌄
Savour a delectable breakfast and start your journey to the upbeat beach town of Tamarindo, located in the Guanacaste province. On arrival, take the rest of the day to enjoy the spectacular surrounding areas, scenic beach or the relaxing hotel facilities. Overnight in Pacific Coast.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Standard: Pasatiempo or similar 3* Superior: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar 4* Deluxe: Tamarindo Diriá or similar 5*
9PACIFIC COAST⌄
Tamarindo is a lively destination where you can have some fun, to enjoy the warm sun, and relax on the spectacular beach. If you are feeling adventurous, jump on a board and try your hand at surfing Tamarindo's famous waves. Have the day at leisure to explore the area or relax at the hotel, enjoying the facilities. Surfing is not included. Overnight in Pacific Coast.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Standard: Pasatiempo or similar 3* Superior: Wyndham Tamarindo or similar 4* Deluxe: Tamarindo Diriá or similar 5*
10PACIFIC COAST – DEPART SAN JOSE (160km – 3 hrs)⌄
Indulge in a rich breakfast and, at the appropriate time, drive from Tamarindo to Juan Santamaria International Airport to catch your onward flight. Drop off your car the car rental office and then take a shuttle transfer to the airport. Breakfast included.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
- ✓Emergency contact service
- ✓Full-Full petrol rate
- ✓Applicable Local taxes (VAT)
- ✓Unlimited mileage
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Dinner
- ✓Breakfast
- ✓Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLC)
- ✓Car rental from day 4:
- ✓Second driver
- ✓Air-conditioned transportation for the arrival transfer on a shared basis, from Juan Santamaria Airport to your first hotel
- ✓9 nights' accommodation
- ✓Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)
- ✓Air-conditioned transportation for the departure transfer on a shared basis, from the car rental company offices in San José to the Juan Santamaria Airport
- ✓Shared land and boat transfers to/from Tortuguero
- ✓ACCOMMODATION:
- ✓Meet and greet on Day 1
- ✓VISITS AND ACTIVITIES:
- ✓Replacement car in case of accident
- ✓All activities in Tortuguero except the entrance fee to Tortuguero NP and optional activities
- ✓Insurance with No excess
- ✓TRANSPORT:
- ✓Coverage up to 70.000 USD per person or 175.000 USD per accident
- ✓Hotel taxes
Not included
- ✕Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
- ✕Airport/Departure Tax
- ✕Airport porterage
- ✕Optional tours
- ✕International / domestic flight tickets or visa fees and local taxes
- ✕Gratuities for drivers and guides
- ✕Entrance fees for optional activities mentioned in the itinerary
- ✕NOT INCLUDED IN CAR HIRE:
- ✕Damage to a third party or to the hire vehicle due to negligence or inappropriate driving
- ✕Loss or damage to aerials, jack, safety triangles and vests, windscreen, wipers, petrol cap, luggage covers, or any other fixed or mobile component of the vehicle
- ✕Damage to the engine through negligence
- ✕Theft of the vehicle with keys left in the ignition
- ✕Damage caused to the vehicle or to persons through driving under the Influence of alcohol or drugs
- ✕Fines due to breaking traffic laws and regulations during the hire period are the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle. In the event of fine being received there will be an administration charge
- ✕Any extra equipment (GPS, baby seat, etc)
- ✕Petrol deposit 100 USD; refunded when returning full
Good to know
Cancellation: All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The minimum age to rent a vehicle or be a driver is 21 years
- All drivers must have a valid driver's license
- The person who signs the contract must have an international credit card, Visa or Master Card, AMEX
- Accident/theft reporting must be notified within 24 hours of incident
- If the customer returns the vehicle earlier than the agreed upon drop-off date stated in the rental contract, the rental company will not refund the customer for any unused days.
- Deposit by credit card: Visa or Master Card only
- Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to tour contents without prior notice
- For self-guided visits, you must pay your entrance fee directly at the front desk of each park or attraction
- Recommended departure time after 15 hrs.
- What do I need to bring? Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Costa Rica. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
- Please note that the maximum occupancy in the Double room for the Hotel Wyndham Tamarindo is 2 adults and 1 child
From
$1,747
