We Love —
- Explore Costa Rica on an exciting 9-night or 11-night tour from the capital, through the lush rainforest, to beautiful beaches and captivating national parks.
- With your included car rental, you will be able to visit Tortuguero, Arenal, Cañas, Carillo Beach and many more must-see places at your own pace.
- After your busy days of sightseeing active volcanoes and walking along the tree canopies, unwind in carefully selected hotels in charming locations.
Customer reviews —
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Embark on a 9-night or 11-night self-drive adventure through the majestic landscapes of Costa Rica. Start your trip in San José, before heading to Tortuguero National Park with its dense rainforests and lagoons. Set off on a boat tour, spotting wildlife on the way, visit an active volcano in Arenal and walk through the tree canopies on a suspended bridge.
Choose your ideal duration:
9-night / 10-day Tour Package
DAY 1: San José
DAY 2: San José | Tortuguero
DAY 3: Tortuguero | Arenal
DAY 4: Arenal
DAY 5: Arenal | Cañas, Guanacaste
DAY 6: Cañas | Carrillo Beach, Guanacaste
DAY 7 & DAY 8: Carrillo Beach, Guanacaste
DAY 9: Carrillo Beach | San José
DAY 10: San José | Return
11-night / 12-day Tour Package
DAY 1: San José
DAY 2: San José | Tortuguero
DAY 3: Tortuguero
DAY 4: Tortuguero | Arenal
DAY 5: Arenal
DAY 6: Arenal
DAY 7: Arenal | Cañas, Guanacaste
DAY 8: Cañas | Carrillo Beach, Guanacaste
DAY 9 & DAY 10: Carrillo Beach, Guanacaste
DAY 11: Carrillo Beach | San José
DAY 12: San José | Return
Your Itinerary In Detail —
9-night / 10-day Package
DAY 1 | San José (30 min transfer from the airport)
Welcome to Costa Rica! Our local representative will receive and assist you at SJO airport. Take a shared transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to your hotel in San José. Check in, get comfortable and relax!
Overnight stay in San José.
DAY 2 | San José - Tortuguero (4 hours on the road & 1.5 hours by boat) Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner provided on this day
Early check out. At the agreed time, meet at the hotel reception for a semi-shared transfer to the wonderful area of Tortuguero in the North Caribbean. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's most popular ecotourism destinations. It was created in 1970 to protect endangered nesting sea turtles. The canals, rivers and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park are a study of rainforest, freshwater, and marine biology. Tortuguero National Park is a place unlike any other, a paradise for research and ecotourism.
On the road, stop in the city of Guápiles to have a Costa Rican breakfast in a local restaurant and then continue to the pier where you will board the boat to Tortuguero. This boat transfer will be a wonderful introduction to the heart of the rainforest. While travelling on the canals, you will admire the natural landscapes with different shades of green. Arrive to the lodge and check in, get comfortable, and enjoy a tasteful lunch.
In the afternoon, meet your guide to visit the enchanting Tortuguero Village. This town has a small population of around 500, no cars, and is located on a relatively narrow piece of land between the beach and a canal. Take a closer encounter with the Caribbean culture: meet the locals and learn more about day-to-day life here as you walk through this colourful town.
The order of the activities in Tortuguero may vary according to hotel operations.
Overnight stay in Tortuguero.
DAY 3 | Tortuguero - Arenal (1.5 hours by boat & 2.5 hours on the road) - breakfast & lunch are provided
Wake up early. Join your guide and enjoy nature in all its splendour by touring the Canals of Tortuguero National Park, by boat at sunrise. You'll have the opportunity to take your best photos in the jungle.
Discover the network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests through an early boat tour guided by an expert naturalist guide. Abundant wildlife inhabits Tortuguero, including 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. Return to the lodge to enjoy breakfast.
After breakfast, check out and be ready to continue your trip. Take a shared transfer by boat, and from Tortuguero, you'll arrive at the restaurant located in Guápiles, where you'll enjoy a traditional lunch. Afterwards, meet the Car Rental Representative to collect your rented vehicle and all the necessary information for your road trip. Continue your journey to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the stunning Arenal Volcano.
Prior to December 2010, the Arenal Volcano was one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world, and it was a truly majestic sight, as it spewed molten rocks and ash from its summit daily. Today there are no lava eruptions, for now, but you can still see smoke / ash spew out of the top of the volcano. Upon arrival, get comfortable in your hotel room and enjoy leisure time to relax at the hotel facilities.
Overnight stay in Arenal.
DAY 4 | Arenal - breakfast provided
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Early in the morning, visit Mistico Park and explore the magical hanging bridges in the middle of the tropical forest. This will be a unique experience with a great combination of suspension bridges and platforms built in the forest that offers you an opportunity to explore the forest canopy in a safe and easy manner. An expert guide will teach you about the natural history and open the doors to a fascinating and colourful tropical rainforest world. You cannot forget the imposing vistas of the Arenal Volcano from the hanging bridges.
The rest of the day is yours to do as you please. You can explore the wonders of Arenal at your own pace. This region offers numerous options of activities and places to discover. Take a hike to the lava trails at the Arenal Volcano National Park, uncover the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall, experience a good dose of adrenaline flying over the treetop canopy on a Zipline adventure and much more! Costa Rica is known worldwide as a top adventure destination, and La Fortuna area is famous for the best outdoor adventures. There are so many fun activities for all ages and travellers.
Overnight stay in Arenal.
DAY 5 | Arenal - Cañas, Guanacaste (2 hours on the road) - breakfast is provided
Breakfast is included at the hotel. After you check out, be ready to continue your adventure in Costa Rica. Next stop: Cañas, located in the sunny Guanacaste Province. You will stay in a hotel located between Corobici and Tenorio rivers, a real-world paradise amid lush flora and fauna of the area.
Upon arrival, get comfortable in your hotel room and enjoy leisure time. Let yourself fall in love with the charm of this hotel and its architecture. This is the ideal place to stay, surrounded by nature and quiet. You can take this time to explore the area by your own: waterfalls, white water rafting, and safari floating are some great ideas to enjoy outdoors near the hotel.
From May to November, you can enjoy (included in your stay) a tour to the hotel's vegetable garden and discover the exotic fruit such as the pitahaya. This is a one-hour experience, where you can freely walk through the farm and admire the beauty of the flowers when they bloom and the insects stop by to pollinate. During the tour, the guide will give you a comprehensive explanation about the cultivation of pitahaya.
Overnight stay in Cañas.
DAY 6 | Cañas - Carrillo Beach (2.5 hours on the road) - breakfast is provided
Breakfast is included at the hotel. At a convenient time, check out and self-drive to your next tropical destination: Carrillo beach. Costa Rica beaches are known for their white sand, palm tree forests and clear waters. The beach at Playa Carrillo is no exception. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste Carrillo, it is the perfect destination for a relaxing and sunny stay.
Overnight stay in Carrillo Beach.
DAY 7 & DAY 8 | Carrillo Beach, Guanacaste - breakfast is provided
Breakfast is included at the hotel. The days are yours to relax and enjoy the tropical beach to the fullest. Take an optional excursion to discover the abundant natural treasures of Carrillo beach and its surroundings, or explore it by your own.
Overnight stay in Carrillo Beach.
DAY 9 | Carrillo Beach - San José (4.5 hours on the road) - breakfast provided
Breakfast is included at the hotel. At a convenient time, check out and depart to San José city for your last night in Costa Rica. Upon arrival, enjoy leisure time to relax or explore the city on your own. San José is a contrasted city with exhilarating expressions of history, traditions, art, and architecture.
Overnight stay in San José.
DAY 10 | Departure - breakfast is provided
Breakfast is included at the hotel & check out. It is time to 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 for your flight back home. End of the services.
11-night / 12-day Package
Your itinerary for the 11-night tour package is similar to the itinerary for the 9-night tour with an extra day in Tortuguero and an extra day in Arenal.
In Tortuguero, you will have more time to explore the national park where you will be able to take incredible photos of the jungle and possibly spot the 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals that live here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on the extra day in Tortuguero.
In Arenal, visit the waterfalls, take a hike through lava trails and walk along the tree canopies on suspension bridges. You will have a magical day to see this area at your own pace. Breakfast will be provided on the extra day in Arenal.
Your Hotels —
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
Maximum room capacity
We have carefully selected comfortable accommodations with exclusive extras for your trip to Costa Rica.
9-night tour:
2 nights at Sleep Inn (or similar) in San José
1-night at Pachira Lodge (or similar) in Tortuguero
2 nights at Lomas del Volcan (or similar) in Arenal
1-night at Hacienda La Pacífica (or similar) in Cañas
3 nights at Nammbú Beachfront Hotel (or similar) in Carrillo
11-night tour:
2 nights at Sleep Inn (or similar) in San José
2 nights at Pachira Lodge (or similar) in Tortuguero
3 nights at Lomas del Volcan (or similar) in Arenal
1-night at Hacienda La Pacífica (or similar) in Cañas
3 nights at Nammbú Beachfront Hotel (or similar) in Carrillo
Your Dining Choices
You will enjoy a variety of catering options during your stay, depending on your itinerary and on the day: breakfast, half board (breakfast and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excluding drinks) or full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant - excluding drinks). These options depend on the type and duration of your stay (details are in the chosen itinerary).
Your Journey to Costa Rica —
Flights:
You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers:
Return transfers are included for flight-inclusive offers. For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
Car Hire:
For the freedom to explore your destination at your own pace, make the most of included car hire with your booking. Please note you cannot be guaranteed a specific make of car within a certain group. The lead name on the booking will be confirmed as the named driver. The named driver must present a credit card in their name when collecting the car (credit cards in other names will not be accepted). The named driver must also present a full valid driving licence on the collection of the vehicle and in some cases, a credit card or cash deposit will be required. Please ensure that you check your car hire documents carefully once received as this will advise if there are any taxes/charges to be paid locally as well as potential mileage restrictions. Other fees may be applicable in addition to the cost of your car rental for any additional products added to your car rental. Important information about offers without a flight:
To ensure that your rental car is available upon arrival, please notify us of your flight schedules within 48 hours of making your reservation by filling out the relevant form in your member account. Without this information, your car may not be available on time.
Your Destinations —
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 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!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.
