Costa Rica: Coast to Coast - Self-Drive Tour

Today you'll pick up your rental car and start your route after breakfast. You'll drive through Orotina and Jacó to Quepos with a stop at the Carara National Park along the way. Located between both dry and wet climates, a diverse forest with mixed plantlife has developed. You'll also be able to see some wild parrots as the red macaw is famous in this area. If you're wanting to take some time and relax, visit the beach at Manual Antonio located just outside the national park. 

Hotel in Quepos, 3* standard    Breakfast

The Manuel Antonio National Park, small but beautiful, is a stop that should not be passed up by anyone in the area (closed Mondays). Along with a diverse rainforest, picturesque beaches attract many tourists. As the paths are well-marked, this park is very suitable for hiking. You will most likely also encounter animals here, as they've grown accustomed to people around; however, as they are still wild, please do not touch or feed them.

Hotel in Quepos, 3* standard    Breakfast

Today we head away from the coast to San Gerardo de Dota. Los Quetzales National Park opened in 2005 and is an ideal spot for bird watching. More than 200 species of birds are found here, including hummingbirds, woodpeckers and pheasants. But if you also enjoy hiking, you will be thrilled here. 

Hotel in San Gerardo de Dota, 4* standard     Breakfast

The National Park boasts an impressive cloud forest. Here you will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the beautiful landscape and native birds. And be sure to look out for the iconic bird of the park, which plays an indisputably important role in Mesoamerican mythology, the magnificent Quetzal. For avid hikers, there are at least 30 km of hiking trails with varying levels of difficult and sights, half of which lead through the jungle.

Hotel in San Gerardo de Dota, 4* standard    Breakfast

Today you'll continue on to Turrialba, surrounded by mountains. Get to know the rural surroundings and the lush, evergreen rainforest and the rushing rivers of this central highland. You'll also see cattle farms, dairies, and plantations for coffee sugar cane and macadamia nuts as agriculture is the most important business sector in the region. The famous "Turrialba" cheese is also produced here, so be sure to taste some before you leave!

Hotel in Turrialba, 3* standard   Breakfast, Lunch

Relatively early in the morning you will go to Guápiles, where you'll return your rental car and meet up with the rest of the group who will travel with you to Tortuguero. Here you'll eat breakfast, then take the bus from the lodge to the footbridge, where you will be travel by boat on numerous canals and rivers. At lunchtime, you'll reach your accommodation, where a delicious lunch awaits you. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the village of Tortuguero with your local guide. There you can visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy in Tortuguero ($2 USD entrance fee per person) dedicated to the protection of endangered sea turtles. You'll return back to the lodge in the evening for dinner. Between July and September, you can also participate in the optional late evening walk on the beach to observe the nesting of sea turtles: an unforgettable experience. 

Please note: the Tortuguero package is booked with all transfers and excursions together with other lodge guests. 

Hotel Tortuguero, 3* standard    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning you'll enjoy a boat trip through the canals of Tortuguero National Park - a great opportunity to observe the native wildlife performing their morning rituals. If the weather permits, is a second boat tour through the canals, where you'll be able to encounter monkeys, turtles, iguanas and numerous bird species in the midst of lush vegetation. Meals will be served in the lodge.

Hotel Tortuguero, 3* standard     Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you'll leave Tortuguero by boat. You continue by bus to Guápile, where you can enjoy your lunch. Afterwards you get your rental car back and drive along the Caribbean Coast southwards until you reach Cahuita or Puerto Viejo de Limón.

Hotel in Puerto Viejo de Limón, 3* standard     Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy the day on the picturesque beaches and let yourself be put at ease from the creole culture, raggae sounds of the village and its excellent cuisine. A visit to the Cahuita National Park is especially recommended. Protecting approximately one hectare of rainforest and greenly overgrown coastline and secluded beaches, this national park is sure to enchant you. Be sure to take a hike through the park as well, where you'll have a good chance to see different animals, such as white-shouldered capuchins, coat-briglaves, slooths and raccoons.

Hotel in Puerto Viejo de Limón, 3* standard    Breakfast

Today you will go up the coast to Sarapiquí. The area around Sarapiquí boasts characteristics that attract adventure tourists and nature lovers alikem with white water rafting as one of the most popular activities in the region. Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí is also a popular destination for ecotourists as several protected areas such as Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva Biological Station are nearby. The region is also famous for its banana, cocoa and coffee plantations. Don't miss the chocolate tour and the additional activity where you will learn a lot about bats and other nocturnal animals. Experience how omnipotent and diverse the rainforest is.

Hotel in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, 2,5* standard    Breakfast

The next leg of your trip will take you to La Fortuna. Located below the Arenal Volcano, residents here rely on luck, as it's been active since 2010. Even from a great distance this cone-shaped volcano can be see. Also in the area is a 30km lake, and of course many restaurants, bars and shops. 

Hotel in La Fortuna, 3* standard    Breakfast

Take advantage of one of the many options available in this region: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or canoeing. You can also climb a volcano. Then you're off to Cerro Chato and Caño Negro, a wetland area which is an easy drive from La Fortuna.  There you can take a boat trip through the protected area. In the evening, you can take a dip in one of the many thermal baths for a nice break and enjoy the mineral-rich water. 

Hotel in La Fortuna, 3* standard   Breakfast

Before returning to San Jose, you'll be able to enjoy your morning resting and relaxing. Your rental car needs to be returned at the hotel in San José by 5pm. We recommend taking a tour of the capital or visiting one of the several interesting museums. We also offer a fun optional cooking course to learn to cook a traditional dish. 

Hotel in San José, 3,5* standard    Breakfast

For minimal stress on your last day, we are more than happy to arrange a transfer to the airport (optional). Though if you are wishing to extend your stay in this lovely country, we can also make those arrangements for you. Whatever you decide, we're sure you'll be left with lasting memories from this holiday.

Breakfast