We Love —
- Choosing the length of your stay and enjoying discovering the country at our very own pace.
- Discovering a country both committed to preserving its biodiversity and considered one of the pioneers of environmental protection.
- Marvelling at the diversity of Costa Rica's flora and fauna in complete freedom, from the wheel of your hire car.
- Selecting standard or superior accommodation, for a holiday that suits your needs and tastes to perfection!
Discover the highlights of Costa Rica on this iconic tour at your own rhythm, and immerse yourself in the sublime region of Tortuguero. An experience not to be missed!
Your itinerary in brief —
Discover Costa Rica's natural treasures by immersing yourself in its exuberant nature and extraordinary landscapes comfortably installed in your hire car. Marvel at natural parks, volcanoes, and idyllic seashores, during a 7, 9 or 11-night tour. Embark on an unforgettable, authentic adventure.
Our offers:
7-night tour
Day 1: Arrive in San José
Day 2: Tortuguero
Day 3-4: Arenal
Day 5: Monteverde
Day 6-7: Manuel Antonio
Day 8: Departure
9-night tour
Day 1: Arrive in San José
Day 2-3: Tortuguero
Day 4-5: Arenal
Day 6-7: Monteverde
Day 8-9: Manuel Antonio
Day 10: Departure
11-night tour
Day 1: Arrive in San José
Day 2-3: Tortuguero
Day 4-6: Arenal
Day 7-8: Monteverde
Day 9-11: Manuel Antonio
Day 12: Departure
Please note that the order of activities may be changed without affecting the interest of the programme.
Your itinerary in detail —
7-night tour
Day 1: Arrival in San José
- Take the transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport to your hotel in San José.
Day 2: San José - Tortuguero (4h on route & 1h5 on boat)
- Departure for Tortuguero
- Visit Tortuguero National Park
- Enjoy a Costa Rican breakfast in a local restaurant
- Continue on the boat to Tortuguero
- Guided visit to the enchanting Tortuguero Village
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 3: Tortuguero - Arenal (1h5 on boat & 2h5 on route)
- Guided tour of the canals of Tortuguero National Park, by boat at sunrise
- Discover its network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests
- Enjoy a boat transfer from Tortuguero to the restaurant located in Guápiles, where you will enjoy a traditional lunch
- Take your rented vehicle and all the necessary information for your road trip or meet the transportation to continue your journey in a shared transfer to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos and the Arenal Volcano
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4:Arenal
- Explore the Arenal region
- Enjoy some of the natural hot springs
- You can take a hike to the lava trails at the Arenal Volcano National Park; uncover the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall and Balsa River
(Breakfast)
Day 5: Arenal ● Monteverde (3h on route)
- Discover the mystical Monteverde Cloudforest
(Breakfast)
Day 6-7: Monteverde - Manuel Antonio (3h5 on route)
- Depart to your next destination: the beautiful beach of Manuel Antonio
- Enjoy leisure time to discover the amazing flora and fauna of the Central Pacific Coast
- Take a hike to the famous national park of Manuel Antonio, enjoy some adventure, or just relax on the beaches of Manuel Antonio
(Breakfast)
Day 8: Departure
- Self-drive to the car rental office near the Juan Santamaría International Airport to return the vehicle
- Then, a shared shuttle will take you to the airport from the car rental office to your flight back home
9-night tour
9-night tour: 9-night tour is the same as the 7-night tour but with two extra nights in Tortuguero and Monteverde.
Day 3: Extra night in Tortuguero (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- A naturalist-guided walk along the private trails of the Lodge and discover the flora and fauna
- Tour of the canals of Tortuguero National Park, by boat
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Extra Night in Monteverde
- Enjoy a leisure day to discover Monteverde
- Overnight stay in Monteverde
(Breakfast)
11-night tour
11-night tour: 11-night tour is the same as the 7-night tour but with four extra nights in Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.
Day 3: Extra night in Tortuguero
- A naturalist-guided walk along the private trails of the Lodge and discover the flora and fauna
- Tour of the canals of Tortuguero National Park, by boat
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Extra Night in Arenal
- There is no activity planned on this day, so you can spend the day exploring this majestic part of the world as you please!
(Breakfast)
Day 8: Extra Night in Monteverde
- Enjoy a Leisure day to discover Monteverde
- Overnight stay in Monteverde
(Breakfast)
Day 11: Extra night in Manuel Antonio
- Enjoy an additional day to explore the spoils of Manuel Antonio at your own leisure.
(Breakfast)
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.
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
At each of your stops, you will be staying in comfortable rooms in thoughtfully chosen Standard or Superior hotels depending on the offer chosen.
Your hotels during the tour:
Standard hotels:
San José: Sleep Inn
Tortuguero: La Baula Lodge
Arenal: Eco Arenal
Monteverde: Jaguarundi Lodge
Manuel Antonio: Tabulia Tree
Superior hotels:
San José: Hotel Presidente 4*
Tortuguero: Evergreen Lodge
Arenal: Lomas del Volcan 4*
Monteverde: Poco a Poco 4*
Manuel Antonio: Si Como No Resort, Spa & Wildlife Refuge
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
Throughout your tour, you will enjoy board as per the itinerary.
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
Baggage, meals and other services on board certain flights may be subject to a charge. You will find out whether your airfare includes baggage when you choose your airline and timetable. If your fare does not include baggage, please go to the airline's website before your departure with your travel file reference to find out the exact fare and purchase your extra baggage. If you choose a low-cost airline, you will be able to add your baggage during the booking process. For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving baggage, so you will have 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.
Car hire:
This package includes car hire, granting you autonomy to explore new horizons at your own pace! Embrace spontaneity as you journey through diverse landscapes, whether it's a scenic coastal drive, an adventure through rugged mountains, or a leisurely tour of charming towns. Renting a car empowers you to tailor your road trip experience to your preferences, turning each twist and turn of the road into a thrilling adventure. Important information if you are planning to book your own flights: In order to organise the pick-up of your vehicle at the airport, please inform us of your flight times within 48 hours of your booking by filling in the dedicated form in your member account. Without this information, you will not be able to collect your vehicle.
Car hire conditions:
Valid driving licences or international permits are accepted in Costa Rica. They must be presented with a passport. It is very important to check that the date of entry into the country appears on the passport.
Cars must be driven on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are indicated according to road conditions. Speed limits are different in rural and urban areas.
If you are travelling with children, it is important to know that Costa Rican law clearly states that children under the age of twelve must be seated in seats adapted to their age, height and weight. The car rental company provides a child seat or booster for an additional cost of USD 6 per day.
ADDITIONAL DRIVER:
- All additional drivers must meet all rental requirements.
- Additional drivers must report to the rental office at the same time as the main hirer.
- Additional drivers must sign the rental agreement.
- An additional daily rate may be charged for each additional driver.
- The additional driver can only be added to the contract at the pick-up location.
- The number of additional drivers is limited to four per contract.
FORMS OF PAYMENT:
A passport must be presented in addition to an available credit card in the hirer's name. The signature on the back must match the name printed on the card. In addition, if the hirer is making an online transaction, the number and name printed on the card presented by the hirer must match the name and number registered for the online transaction.
Credit cards accepted : American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club.
A credit card authorisation in the amount of USD 500 will be required at the time of rental, in addition to the estimated cost of the rental. The amount of the authorisation may be used to cover damage to the vehicle or late payment charges. If the customer refuses the CDW-TP, the amount deducted from the credit card will be USD 2,500 plus the estimated cost of the rental.
Debit cards/cheques are only accepted in this centre as a final means of payment. Cards other than American Express, MasterCard, VISA, Diners Club or Discover credit cards are considered to be debit/cheque cards. Any other card that is not a credit card and does not bear one of these logos will not be accepted.
Only cash is accepted as the final method of payment.
Like every other country in the world, Costa Rica faces the challenge of ensuring the safety of its citizens and visitors. To avoid any problems, follow these recommendations:
- When driving or parking your car, close the doors and keep the windows closed.
- Whenever possible, try to park in car parks and not on the street.
- Never leave money, credit cards, bags or valuables in the car.
- If you have a punctured tyre, if someone tells you there is a problem with your car, if you are stopped from behind or followed, do not stop. Ask the police for help or go to a crowded shopping centre.
- Avoid stopping when a stranger asks for a lift.
- If you need to consult a map, do so in a safe, public place or ask a policeman for directions. Don't stop in front of strangers.
- Police fines should be paid at the bank, never directly to the officers.
- The car will be returned with a full tank of petrol. We recommend that you return the car with a full tank of petrol, otherwise you will have to pay a higher price than at petrol stations. When filling up, please use premium petrol.
- If you are travelling to areas away from the hotel, take your passport with you and be careful. If you are staying close to the hotel, keep your documents in a safe and take a copy of your passport with all the relevant information.
- Check the date and time of your car's return so that they are ready to help you.
NATIONAL PROTECTION PACKAGE (NPP):
The National Protection Package (NPP) is a comprehensive product that includes Damage and Theft Protection (LDW-TP), Third Party Liability Insurance (SLI), Zero Excess and Window and Tyre Insurance (W&T), at a reduced price.
DAMAGE WAIVER (LDW):
Hiring a vehicle from National Car Rental means that you are responsible for returning it in the same condition in which you received it. The LDW is not cover, but releases you from any obligation to pay for theft, vandalism, collision and damage to the exterior of the vehicle, regardless of who is responsible, provided you comply with the terms and conditions set out in the rental agreement.
Once the LDW is accepted, the renter will only be responsible for the first $800 to $1,500 of the total cost of the damage (depending on the type of vehicle).
Renters may decline LDW if the credit card they are paying with was issued in the United States or Canada, is covered, and can be verified by a National Car Rental employee in Costa Rica. LDW is mandatory for certain types of vehicles. If the LDW is refused, the hirer will be held responsible for all damage and the SLI policy will be compulsory. This cover does not include the roadside assistance required in the event of negligence on the part of the customer, nor assistance in the event of lost keys, punctures, etc.
ADDITIONAL THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY COVER (SLC):
This policy exempts the policyholder from all liability to third parties. If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car and damage is caused to a third party, SLI will cover up to ¢10,000,000.00 of third party damage.
National Car Rental guarantees that all policyholders or parties insured under this policy will be covered.
This policy covers up to ¢40,000,000 per person and up to ¢100,000 per accident involving the rental vehicle. This policy covers "all sums for which the insured, or any other party covered by this policy, is held liable by a final judgment in respect of such accident and any bodily injury or property damage caused thereby". This cover excludes the driver and members of his family, as well as persons residing in the driver's household and members of their families.
Under this insurance policy, the hirer is liable for 20% of all damage, which may under no circumstances be less than USD 250.
This cover becomes compulsory if the LDW is refused.
0.00 EXCESS:
When you rent a vehicle from National Car Rental and accept any of our coverages, you become responsible for a specific deductible amount for each coverage.
The $0.00 Deductible Option allows you to reduce your payment obligations under any of the coverages previously accepted, provided you agree to the terms of the rental agreement regarding the deductibles of the insurance policies accepted.
Damage caused by driving on sand, in water or under the influence of alcohol - as specified in the rental contract - is not covered.
If you decline this option, you will have to pay the excesses for the cover accepted, as specified in the rental contract.
WINDOWS AND TYRES (W&T):
With this cover, National Car Rental releases you from any obligation to pay for damage to tyres and windscreens caused by accidents, collisions, poor road conditions (does not cover theft).
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE:
National Car Rental offers reasonably priced locksmith, breakdown and battery charging services, as well as the delivery of up to 3 litres of fuel for your rental vehicle.
Cover does not apply in the event of negligence.
EREDIA :
- San Antonio de Belén - from 06:00 to 22:00 hours.
SAN JOSÉ
- San José International Airport 24 hours a day
- Plaza Viquez from 08:00 to 18:00
- Hotel Marriott Costa Rica from 08:00 to 17:00
- Lindora from 08:00 to 18:00
- Plaza Tempo from 09:00 to 17:00
- Paseo Colón from 08:00 to 17:00
GUANACASTE :
- Liberia from 06:00 to 21:00
- Liberia International Airport from 06:00 to 21:00
- Nosara from 08:00 to 17:00
- Four Seasons Hotel from 08:00 to 18:00
- Peñas Blancas (Nicaragua border) from 08:00 to 17:00
- Tamarindo (Alamo Office) from 08:00 to 18:00
- Samara Beach from 08:00 to 17:00
- Marina Papagayo from 08:00 to 18:00
- Hotel Dreams Las Mareas (El Jobo) from 08:00 to 17:00
- Mal País from 8am to 5pm
- Flamingo Beach from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Brasilito (Alamo Office) from 08:00 to 18:00
PUNTARENAS :
- Marina Los Sueños (Herradura) from 08:00 to 17:00
- Hotel Marriott Los Sueños from 08:00 to 18:00
- Uvita from 08:00 to 17:00
- Quepos (Marina Pez Vela) from 08:00 to 17:00
- Jacó Beach (Alamo Office) from 08:00 to 18:00
- Paso Canoas (Panama border) from 08:00 to 17:00
- Marina de Golfito from 08:00 to 17:00
- Puerto Jiménez (Alamo Office) from 08:00 to 18:00
- Dominical (Alamo Office) from 08:00 to 18:00
ALAJUELA :
- Arenal / La Fortuna from 08:00 to 17:00
LIMÓN :
- Guápiles - from 08:00 to 18:00
- Limón - from 08:00 to 18:00
- Puerto Viejo / Cahuita (Alamo Office) - from 08:00 to 18:00
Your destinations —
San José
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 whitewater 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!
Tortuguero
Tortuguero can be found in the Northern Caribbean of Costa Rica about 95 kilometres north-east of the capital and is today, a national park. Locals and visitors come to Tortuguero to see the diverse flora and fauna which inhabit the area. Most famously, the sea turtles make their way to the village every year to lay their eggs. The thousands of eggs hatch and tiny sea turtles make their way to the sea, which you can witness between mid-July to mid-October.
Other activities visitors can do when visiting Tortuguero is kayak through the canals, walk along the beach or visit the town where shops and restaurants wait to be discovered.
