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
– 13 meals : 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
– Meet and greet at San José International Airport
– Shared transportation from Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO) to San José area
– 5-day car rental of a four-wheel-drive SUV standard manual vehicle (Hyundai Tuscon Superior or similar), including free unlimited kilometers. Pick up location: Guapiles area on day 4. Drop off location: San José International Airport on day 8
– Shared 3-day/2-night tour leaving from San José and arriving at Pachira Lodge (or similar), including transportation by road and boat (San José – Tortuguero – Guapiles), a boat tour of the canals and a visit to the village of Tortuguero, with an English-speaking guide
– Shared half day tour to the Arenal Volcano surroundings and hot springs. Includes transportation, English-speaking guide, entrance fee and dinner
– Shared half day tour to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 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 - SAN JOSÉ

Welcome to Costa Rica! Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport. Our representative will meet and greet you at the exit of the airport and afterwards you will be taken on a shared transfer to your hotel in the San José area.

Accommodation : San José for 1 night

2

DAY 2 SAN JOSÉ - TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

Early morning start from your hotel in San José, as we will begin the Tortuguero 3-days/2-nights mini excursion. You will be traveling first by coach for the next 3 hours, passing through one of Costa Rica’s biggest National Parks, the Braulio Carrillo (no stops). Breakfast will take place at a local restaurant on route. Afterwards, you will be traveling for approx. a 1 ½ hour boat ride through waterways and canals until reaching the Tortuguero area. This journey will take you through the canals sheltered in the jungle of the rain forest and you will be able to admire the unique flora and fauna of this area. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore the tiny Caribbean village of Tortuguero. Lunch, dinner and overnight at a lodge.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Tortuguero for 2 nights

3

DAY 3 TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, you will visit Tortuguero National Park’s secondary canals that will dazzle you with its enormous biodiversity. From the boat, you can feel a pure contact with nature in a paradise that offers visitors 2000 species of plants and 400 species of trees, just as you can observe some of the 405 bird species here is also the presence of crocodiles, different species of turtles and freshwater fish. Tortuguero will offer a unique and unforgettable experience. Much of the National Park extends along its unspoiled beaches that serve as refuge for spawning of the sea turtles; this event occurs between the months of July to September (visit at extra cost). The rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

DAY 4 TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK - ARENAL VOLCANO

Breakfast at the lodge. Mid-morning shared boat transfer from Tortuguero to the port of embarkment; from this point, continue by coach. On route, stop in a local restaurant for lunch. Once in the area of Guapiles, you will be provided with a 4x4 car rental, and, from this point on you will be driving on your own to the rest of the areas of the program. Today’s driving experience will take you to the Arenal Volcano area. You will be staying the following two nights in the area.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation : Arenal for 2 nights

5

DAY 5 ARENAL VOLCANO

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is at leisure. By midafternoon, you will be taken on a shared half day tour of the Arenal Volcano and surrounding hot springs. A short hike in the surroundings of the Arenal Volcano will give you a chance to enjoy some of the nearby forest and different views of past volcanic activity. Later, unwind at the Ecotermales Hot Springs with a rejuvenating soak in the natural thermal waters, heated by the volcanic activity deep within the Earth. Dinner will also take place at Ecotermales.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

6

DAY 6 ARENAL VOLCANO - MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, take a drive to the Monteverde area. This is a very scenic drive around the 12,400 hectares of Arenal Lake. Towards the last portion of the journey, you will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery (the trip takes approx. 3 ½ hours). Monteverde is known for its diverse and rich tropical cloud forests. Wind-sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas the protected cove of the Monteverde cloud forests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Alpine-like weather will recall the rural experience of the country. The afternoon is at leisure. You will be staying one night in Monteverde.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Monteverde for 1 night

7

DAY 7 MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST - SAN JOSÉ

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you will visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, a community-managed conservation project that protects more than 300 hectares of pristine cloud forest. Located in the mountains of Monteverde, this reserve offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Costa Rica’s most fascinating ecosystems. As you walk along its scenic trails, you will discover an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including epiphytes, orchids, ferns, colorful birds, and other wildlife that thrive in the cool, misty environment. The reserve also provides spectacular viewpoints overlooking the surrounding mountains and forests, allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty of the region while learning about its important conservation efforts. In the afternoon, you will make your way to San José. Along the route, you will observe the northern plains and, on a clear day, even the Pacific coastline in the distance. Continuing through the mountainous landscape and into the Central Valley, you will arrive in the heart of Costa Rica. You will spend the last night of the program at your selected hotel in the San José area.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : San José for 1 night

8

DAY 8 SAN JOSÉ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel. Return your car rental at the Juan Santamaria International Airport and take your return flight home.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

 

Standard Hotels 3*

San José: Country Inn & Suites
Tortuguero: Laguna Lodge
Arenal: Magic Mountain
Monteverde: Trapp Family Lodge

Superior Hotels 4*

San José: Doubletree Cariari
Tortuguero: Pachira Lodge
Arenal: Volcano Lodge
Monteverde: El Establo

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from
Daily Departures 2026-2027Double OccupancySingle Traveling Alone
Standard Hotels 3*
May 1 – November 30, 202623293699
December 1, 2026 – April 30, 202726194239
May 1 – June 30, 202724193879
July 1 – November 30, 202724893979
Superior Hotels 4*
May 1 – November 30, 202625194129
December 1, 2026 – April 30, 202726894419
May 1 – June 30, 202725694219
July 1 – August 31, 202726194299
September 1 – October 31, 202725694219

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. ***

Highlights of Costa Rica – detailed itineraries
Highlights of Costa Rica – detailed itineraries