Travel Type
Self-Drive
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Country
Costa Rica
 

Embark on the ultimate Costa Rican journey with our curated self-drive itinerary of 8 days of pure exploration. From lush rainforests and volcanic landscapes to sun-kissed beaches and vibrant towns, experience the country’s iconic highlights and hidden gems at your own pace. With your rental car, pre-booked accommodations, and some select excursions already arranged or offered as optional, you’ll enjoy the freedom of independent travel without the hassle. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, spotting wildlife, or soaking in hot springs, Costa Rica is yours to discover—on your terms.

Inclusions

– 7-night accommodation in 4* hotels, including daily breakfast
– Meet and greet at San José International Airport
– 8-day car rental of a four-wheel-drive SUV Standard Automatic Car (Suzuki Grand Vitara or similar), including free unlimited kilometers. Pick up location: San José International Airport on day 1. Drop off location: San José International Airport on day 8.
– Shared half day Don Carlos Farm Coffee Tour. Includes transportation, English-speaking guide, entrance fee, and a coffee tasting experience
– Shared half day tour to Arenal Volcano National Park. Includes transportation, English-speaking guide and entrance fee
– Guided tour to Manuel Antonio National Park. Includes transportation, English-speaking guide and entrance fee

Exclusions

International flights – Car deposit, fuel, additional vehicle insurances, Wi-Fi, tolls, ferry tickets or driving fees – Optional excursions – Meals and beverages other than those mentioned – Gratuities to hotel staff and guides – All other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Additional Information

VEHICLE RENTAL POLICIES:

– Drivers must be minimum of 21 years old
– Drivers must bring a valid international driver’s license and passport
– Drivers must bring a personal credit card to cover the insurance and deposit Mandatory Loss Damage Waive (LDW) insurance is not included, cost vary from $USD $23 – $35 per day, depending on the selected car.
– Additional Supplemental Protection Plan insurance (SPP) is also available, at a cost of $USD $18.00-$22.50 per day
– Mandatory Deposit is $USD $1,000.00 with just LDW coverage, or $USD $100.00 with full coverage (LDW and SSP)
– GPS and/or child seats are available at an additional charge, if requested in advance

NOTE: The opening hours of car rental offices at the airports are usually from 5am until 10pm. Please check your flight arrival and departure and contact us if the car rental is outside this time frame.

1

DAY 1 SAN JOSÉ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - NARANJO COFFEE PLANTATIONS

Welcome to Costa Rica! After arriving at Juan Santamaría International Airport, our local representative will meet and greet you upon arrival and will provide some information and traveling tips. Pick up your car and start your journey through Costa Rica. Your drive through the Central Mountain Range will take approximately 1 hour; it is easy and will offer a first look of the diversity that the country has to offer, including the beautiful Naranjo Coffee Plantations and great views to valleys, mountains, and volcanoes. After checking in at Chayote hotel, enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure. Chayote Lodge sits amidst the coffee region of Llano Bonito de Naranjo. The intimate lodge boasts itself as a unique experience combining nature, culture, and of course, coffee.

Accommodation : Naranjo for 2 nights

2

DAY 2 NARANJO

This morning, you will wake up to expansive coffee plantations and stunning views of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Coffee is one of Costa Rica’s signature exports; it has been a fundamental pillar of Costa Rican society and an economic engine for the past 200 years. For these and more reasons, it has been called locally as the “golden bean”. The excursion for today is the Don Carlos Farm Coffee Tour. You will visit the surrounds of Cañuela village, which is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters, and offers the ideal temperature and the rich volcanic soils to create the perfect growing conditions to produces a high-quality Arabic coffee in harmony with the environment. Only 10 minutes away from Chayote Lodge, you will visit a 20-hectares private coffee farm owned by Don Carlos. A former professor at the University of Costa Rica, Don Carlos has dedicated his retirement to develop a coffee plantation surrounded by beautiful, manicured gardens with hundreds of hydrangeas and many other plants, where visitors can feel a real sense of authenticity. Once you arrive, there is a 500 meters accessible path, featuring a dramatic landscape in soothing shades of green with magnificent mountain vistas and coffee fields that overflows with unparalleled beauty. On the 2.5-hour walk, a professional guide will give you full details about the history of the farm, its owner, the production and varieties of plants, the geography of the area, and the traditional ways of cultivating the grain before the clusters of red cherries are ready for picking. At the end of the coffee tour, you will also brew and share a delicious cup of coffee in the farmer’s home, accompanied by amazing views, and a true sense of harmony and peace!

Meals : Breakfast

3

DAY 3 NARANJO COFFEE PLANTATIONS - ARENAL VOLCANO

After breakfast, drive to the Arenal Volcano area. This route offers the experience of passing through different towns such as Zarcero, San Carlos and Florencia. Also, along the way, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery which includes amazing views of the mountains and one of the major sources of revenue in the area: the agriculture. You will have the opportunity, according to the season, to observe the crops of pineapple, bananas, and sugar cane. Arrive in the town of La Fortuna where the mighty Arenal Volcano will welcome you with its impressive perfect conic shape. Check in at the Arenal Kioro Hotel, where you will find a unique blend between the hospitality of the local culture and the warm tropical climate, making your escape an unparalleled experience for the next two nights. The hotel offers its own hot springs, therefore, enjoy the pools and relax in one of the most beautiful settings in Costa Rica.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Arenal for 2 nights

4

DAY 4 ARENAL VOLCANO

After breakfast, take a morning hike to the Arenal Volcano area. In this hike, you will enjoy the most extraordinary view of this impressive landmark. Hiking along the volcano’s skirts, you will see little portions of green vegetation to the east, north and south sides of the volcano. The hike begins on one the closest trails to the volcano, taking you through the forest, over lava flows that have turned to stone, as well as the area that was destroyed during the eruptions of 1968 and that are now in the process of regeneration. This hike will take approximately 2.5 hours to complete. The afternoon is at leisure for optional (extra cost) activities.
*Note: children under 6 years old are not allowed on this tour.

Meals : Breakfast

5

DAY 5 ARENAL VOLCANO - MANUEL ANTONIO BEACH

Today, drive to the Manuel Antonio beach area located in the country’s Central Pacific. Manuel Antonio, a paradise that mixes lovely white sandy beaches with the jungle and rain forest full of wildlife. The vast variety of activities to do and places to visit in the area adds value to your experience. This tropical place is one of the main attractions in Costa Rica, and one of the highlights of ecotourism in the country.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Manuel Antonio for 3 nights

6

DAY 6 MANUEL ANTONIO

Enjoy a half day guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. Considered as one of the most beautiful national parks in Costa Rica, this natural paradise combines the magic of its crystal-clear beaches and coral reefs with the exuberant tropical rainforest. Manuel Antonio was established in 1972 as a protected area by visionaries who decided to preserve for future generations, one of the most stunning and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country’s smallest national park, its 683 hectares offers a very humid tropical forest where species of flora and fauna coexist, in different habitats, including mangroves, marine environments, islands and a lagoon of 14 hectares. The park is located at approx. 20 minutes from most of the hotels of Manuel Antonio. Once you are inside the main gate, keep your camera handy, as you will be walking through the rainforest along 1.5 km of easy-access trails in an estimated time of 3 hours. The experienced naturalist guide is equipped with a high-powered spotting scope, which will help you to observe the abundant flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The flora present in this park is amazing, and it includes primary and secondary rain forest trees, tropical flowers and orchids that serve as home to hundreds of wildlife including howler, white-faced and titi monkeys, iguanas, colorful toucans, sloths, raccoons, white-tailed deer, little crabs and Agutis. If you are lucky, the beautiful Poison Dart Frog can be seen, all while learning about the diet, habits, and many more facts about the variety of species you will encounter during this incredible nature adventure. Spotting them can be tricky at times. The trail ends on a paradisiacal beach where you will have leisure time to rest and enjoy its pristine waters. It´s highly recommend taking the hidden trail that will lead you to Punta Catedral, a secret lookout point that promises to captivate your senses with the spectacular view of the sea. The rest of the day at leisure.
*Note: tour NOT available on Tuesdays.

Meals : Breakfast

7

DAY 7 MANUEL ANTONIO PARK

Today is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel or take part in optional activities such as rafting, horseback riding, beach swimming.

Meals : Breakfast

8

DAY 8 MANUEL ANTONIO - SAN JOSÉ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Drive back to San José International Airport (approximately 4 hours) to take your flight back home. Please note that passengers are requested to be 3 hours in advance at the Airport for check-in and migration process. As well, consider additional timing to drop off the car rental at the Airport.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

Naranjo

Chayote Lodge 4*

Arenal

Arenal Kioro 4*

Manuel Antonio

Parador Hotel 4*

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from
Daily Departures 2026-2027Double OccupancySingle Traveling Alone
May 1 – June 30, 202630896029
July 1 – August 31, 202632696379
September 1 – October 31, 202630896029
November 1 – 30, 202631896229
December 1, 2026 – April 30, 202735496639
May 1 – June 30, 202732896409
July 1 – August 15, 202734596759
August 16 – November 30, 202733796609

Product Code: STCR

*Seasonal surcharges may apply.
*During peak season such as Christmas, New Year, Easter week and Thanksgiving some hotels have mandatory dinners which are not included.

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***

The Best of Costa Rica – Detailed Itinerary
The Best of Costa Rica – Detailed Itinerary