We Love —
- Discovering a country committed to preserving its biodiversity, considered one of the pioneers of environmental protection.
- Relaxing in the hot springs of the Arenal region and lounging on the soft sandy beaches of Tamarindo.
- Travelling in complete freedom with your hire car, and returning to your comfortable accommodation to rest and unwind.
Customer reviews —
Your itinerary in brief —
Discover the must-see places of Costa Rica and see its extraordinary landscapes on this 8, 10 or 12-night road trip. Marvel at natural parks and volcanoes, and relax on its idyllic seashores where golden sands meet azure waters.
Choose the length of your stay:
9 days / 8 nights:
- Day 1: San José
- Day 2: San José - Tortuguero
- Day 3 : Tortuguero - Arenal
- Day 4: Arenal
- Day 5: Arenal - Rincon de la Vieja
- Day 6: Rincon de la Vieja
- Day 7: Rincon de la Vieja - Tamarindo
- Day 8: Tamarindo
- Day 9: Tamarindo - Departure
11 days / 10 nights:
- Days 1 - 2: Similar to 8-night itinerary
- Day 3: Tortuguero
- Days 4 - 8: Similar to days 3 - 7 of the 8-night itinerary
- Days 9 & 10: Tamarindo
- Day 11: Tamarindo - Departure
13 days / 12 nights:
- Days 1 - 4: Similar to 10-night itinerary
- Days 5 - 6: Arenal
- Day 7: Arenal - Rincon de la Vieja
- Day 8: Rincon de la Vieja
- Day 9: Rincon de la Vieja - Tamarindo
- Days 10, 11 and 12: Tamarindo
- Day 13: Tamarindo - Departure
Please note: Passport details are required alongside booking information to secure entry to Tortuguero, ensuring a smooth reservation process.
Your hotels may be located inside or outside cities and towns. Please note that you can park your car inside or outside the hotels (subject to availability). Additional charges may apply on site.
Your itinerary in detail —
Offer 1: 8-night tour
Day 1: San José
- A local representative will meet you at San José airport and accompany you to your shared transfer.
- Check-in at your hotel in the city centre.
Overnight in San José
Day 2: San José - Tortuguero (4 hrs drive and 1 hour by boat)
- Meet early in the hotel reception and stop in the town of Guápiles to enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast at a local restaurant.
- Proceed to the jetty amd board a boat to Tortuguero - one of Costa Rica's most popular ecotourism destinations.
- Gaze at the lush, green forest as you glide through the canals, then spend time strolling around the colourful town once you arrive.
Full board (excluding drinks)
Overnight in Tortuguero
Day 3: Tortuguero - Arenal (1h30 by boat and 2h30 by road)
- Cruise Tortuguero National Park by boat at sunrise and discover its network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests with an expert. Tortuguero has an abundance of wildlife, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles and 60 species of mammals.
- Return to the lodge for breakfast.
- Travel by boat and overland from Tortuguero to the restaurant in Guápiles, where you will enjoy a traditional lunch.
- Collect your hire car in after lunch.
- Head for La Fortuna de San Carlos, home to the impressive Arenal volcano.
- Upon arrival at your hotel enjoy some free time to relax and enjoy the hotel's facilities.
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight in Arenal
Day 4: Arenal
- Spend the day relaxing at the hotel, or, for the more adventurous, set off to explore the wonders of Arenal.
- Hike the lava trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, discover the stunning La Fortuna waterfall, get your adrenaline pumping in the rapids of the Balsa River while admiring the magnificent vegetation or soar over the treetops on a zip-line adventure (optional, extra charge).
Breakfast and lunch included
Overnight in Arenal
Day 5: Arenal -Rincón de la Vieja (3h drive)
- Drive to your next destination, the Rincón de la Vieja volcano region, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the province of Guanacaste. This area is home to a rich variety of exotic plants and wildlife including pumas, monkeys, sloths, tapirs and jaguars.
- Spot rare emerald toucans and blue-crowned motmots sparkling in the sunlight, and you admire the profusion of vibrant orchids that bloom in the area.
Overnight in the town of Liberia
Breakfast included
Day 6: Rincón de la Vieja
- Enjoy spending the day at leisure, exploring the rainforest.
- Many optional adventure activities are available at the hotel (at an additional cost).
Overnight in the town of Liberia
Breakfast included
Day 7: Rincón de la Vieja -Tamarindo (2h drive)
- Continue to Tamarindo beach on the northern Pacific coast. Tamarindo is the most developed beach on the vibrant Nicoya Peninsula and one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots.
- Check in at your hotel.
Overnight in Tamarindo
Breakfast included
Day 8: Tamarindo
- Enjoy a free day in Tamarindo.
Overnight in Tamarindo
Breakfast included
Day 9: Tamarindo - San José Airport (4h30 drive)
- Head to the car rental office near Juan Santamaría International Airport to return your rental vehicle.
- A shared shuttle will then take you to the airport for your return flight *.
Breakfast included
* Please note: It is advisable to take a flight after 1 PM.
Offer 2: 10-night tour
Days 1 - 2: Similar to Days 1 - 2 of the 8-night tour.
Day 3: Tortuguero
- Meet your guide for an early morning nature walk along the lodge's private trails and learn about the flora and fauna that live in this magical place.
- Return to the lodge for breakfast.
- After lunch, take a boat through the canals of Tortuguero National Park.
Overnight in Tortuguero
Full board (drinks not included)
Days 4 - 8: Similar to Days 3 - 7 of the 8-night itinerary
Days 9 - 10: Tamarindo
- Spend these two free days however you choose. Seek out adventure or relax on the beach, as energies permit.
Overnight in Tamarindo
Breakfast included
Day 11: Tamarindo - San José Airport (4.5 hours' drive)
- Enjoy a final breakfast before setting off in the direction of Juan Santamaría International Airport to return your rental vehicle.
- A shared shuttle will then take you to the airport for your return flight *.
Breakfast included
* Please note: It is advisable to take a flight after 1 PM.
Offer 3: 12-night tour
Days 1 - 4: Similar to the 10-night itinerary
Days 5 - 6: Arenal
- Today you will have plenty of time to relax at the hotel, or head out to explore Arenal if you are feeling adventurous.
Overnight in Arena
Breakfast included
Day 7: Arenal - Rincón de la Vieja (3 hours drive)
- Set off in your hire car to your next destination, the region around the Rincon de la Vieja volcano.
Overnight in Liberia
Breakfast included
- Day at your leisure to explore the rainforest
Overnight in Liberia
Breakfast included
Day 9: Rincón de la Vieja - Tamarindo (2h drive)
- Continue your journey to Tamarindo Beach, located on the northern Pacific coast on the vibrant Nicoya Peninsula and one of Costa Rica's best-known surf spots.
- Check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Tamarindo
Breakfast included
Days 10, 11 and 12: Tamarindo
- Make the most of your free days in Tamarindo.
Overnight in Tamarindo
Breakfast included
Day 13: Tamarindo - San José Airport (4h30 drive)
- It's time to head to the car hire office near Juan Santamaría International Airport to return your hire car.
- A shared shuttle will then take you to the airport for your return flight *.
Breakfast included
* Please note: It is advisable to take a flight after 1 PM.
Important information about your tour and visits The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category. The itinerary is subject to changes due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of visits is also subject to change. Please note: Passport details are required alongside booking information to secure entry to Tortuguero, ensuring a smooth reservation process.
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
Enjoy some R&R at every stage of your adventure in comfortable rooms in carefully selected hotels.
Standard hotels:
- San José: Sleep Inn
- Tortuguero: La Baula Lodge
- Arenal: Eco Arenal
- Rincon de la Vieja: Buena Vista del Rincon
- Tamarindo: Pasatiempo
Superior hotels:
- San José: Park Inn
- Tortuguero: Evergreen Lodge
- Arenal: Mountain Paradise
- Rincon de la Vieja: Hacienda Guachipelin
- Tamarindo: Wyndham Tamarindo
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.
Maximum room capacity: 3 adults OR 2 adults + 1 child. Single rooms available at extra cost.
Your dining choices
This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay except for in Tortuguero where you will enjoy an included dinner (excluding drinks).
Optional excursions —
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Hike
Located on the slopes of the Tenorio Volcano, Costa Rica's Rio Celeste features stunning turquoise blue waters surrounded by lush nature. Visitors can explore a 7-kilometre forest trail, passing highlights such as a magical waterfall, the Blue Lagoon, and geothermal mud fumaroles, culminating in a picturesque lunch by the river.
Departure: 07:30 am
Duration approx: 9 hours
What's included: Transportation, English-speaking guide, snacks, lunch, entrance fee
What to bring: Hiking shoes, comfortable clothes to walk, change of clothes, raincoat, Jacket, sunblock, camera, insect repellent
Volcano National Park with Boat Tour
La Fortuna Waterfall & Horse Back Riding
This horseback riding tour lasts approximately 4 hours starting at the foot of the mountain and going up through beautiful forest terrain. You will find beautiful landscapes along the way and the opportunity to see some birds. After that, you have to walk 500 meters into the forest to reach the waterfall, which is 70 m high. At the base of the waterfall, there is a "natural pool" where you can swim in the fresh water.
Departure approx: 08:30 hrs / 14:00 hrs
Duration approximately: 12:30 hrs / 18:30 hrs
Inclusions: Transportation, entrance fee, guide (Eng & ES)
What to bring: Long Pants, comfortable shoes to walk, Towel, hat or cap, sunblock, swimsuit, camera
Your journey to Costa Rica —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your destination —
Costa Rica
As the eco-and adventure-tourism capital of Central America, Costa Rica is a magnet for nature enthusiasts, thrill seekers and those who want to step off the beaten track.
La Pura Vida (the pure life) is the unofficial motto of the country, and it's easy to see why - emerald rainforests, pastel-coloured hummingbirds, smouldering volcanic peaks, tumbling rivers...this verdant chunk is one of the most bio-diverse spots on the planet.
The country's national parks are its greatest glory, with one-third of the country set aside as protected natural areas. As well as being a world leader in eco-tourism, Costa Rica superbly caters for visitors looking for an adrenalin kick, with options including white water rafting, zip line tours through the rainforest canopy, surfing and quad biking.
It is quickly becoming more popular, so grab this chance to visit now, while landscapes are still exceptionally unspoiled.
