Travel Type
Self-Drive
Duration
12 Days/11 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
– 11-night accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels, including daily breakfast
– Meet and greet at San José International Airport
– 10-day rental of intermediate SUV 4×4 TM vehicle (Hyundai Tucson or similar). Includes daily rental of the vehicle, unlimited kilometers, GPS, an additional driver, racks, and prepaid cell phone with 60 minutes for local calls (reservation required). Vehicle delivery: Hotel in San José on day 2 (morning). Vehicle return: San José International Airport on day 12.
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
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon your arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport, one of our representatives will be waiting for you outside the airport terminal to welcome you to Costa Rica, provide you with the necessary travel information, and then take you to the hotel.
Accommodation : San José for 1 night
2
DAY 2 SAN JOSÉ - DOMINICAL
Today after breakfast, you will receive your rental car and begin your wonderful adventure through Costa Rica. This surfing paradise has already hosted two World Championships organized by the “ISA” in 2009 and 2016, breaking attendance records that demonstrate the surfing culture that permeates the country, and the quality of waves for enthusiasts of this great sport. You will drive to the southern Pacific region, specifically to the Dominical area. Playa Dominical has some of the strongest, most stable, and fastest waves in all of Costa Rica, with wave heights that rarely drop below the waist; it has firmly anchored sandbanks make lefts and rights a challenge, as well as strong barriers. The beach stretches for approximately 1.5 kilometers, with multiple wave breaks that produce strong waves. Surfers of all levels will find plenty to enjoy at Playa Dominical.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Dominical for 2 nights
3
DAY 3 DOMINICAL
Breakfast at the hotel. This quiet area has some of the most consistent waves in this region. It has powerful and hollow waves that form on a break that runs the entire length of the beach. Despite the strong currents, this town offers the opportunity to practice quality surfing, along with many other points just 10 kilometers away, this town offers something for everyone.
Meals : Breakfast
Optional Excursions :
PRIVATE SURF LESSON IN THE MANUEL ANTONIO AREA
Duration: Approx. 3hrs
Approximate pick-up time: Usually 8AM, 10AM, and 1PM, but varies according to the tide
Services included: Transportation, bilingual instructor (English/Spanish), equipment, water and fruit
What to Bring: Comfortable swimwear, towel, sunblock
*Children’s policy for tours: Children from 0 to 1 year old are no allowed
4
DAY 4 DOMINICAL - ESTERILLOS
Today you will continue towards the central Pacific area, specifically to Esterillos, a strategic area. Besides being an ideal place for surfing, you will be staying just 20 minutes from Playa Hermosa which is the mecca for surfers. Thousands of people come here every year to ride some of the huge waves that the area offers. The waves can be up to 4 meters high, making it one of the most difficult beaches to surf in the country. If you are an experienced surfer, Playa Hermosa will push your skills to the limit. The waves here are hollow and very fast, ideal for barrels.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Esterillos for 2 nights
5
DAY 5 ESTERILLOS
Today, continue to enjoy Playa Hermosa; the experienced surfer will enjoy these waves, with a beach that is less crowded than Jaco due to the conditions for bathing. It is worth mentioning Playa Hermosa, which is known as one of the beaches with the most constant waves in the world. For this reason, it was chosen to host the 2009 Surf World Championship, which brought together the best surfers in the world and attracted the attention of millions of people around the planet.
Meals : Breakfast
6
DAY 6 ESTERILLOS – SANTA TERESA
After breakfast, drive towards the northern Pacific coast, to the wonderful area of Santa Teresa. This destination offers waves for every type of surfer. If you are a beginner, go to Playa Carmen for a wide sandy beach and a break that keeps the waves below a meter. More experienced surfers should head to Santa Teresa, with rocky outcrops extending into the sea, sandy bottoms, breaks, and high swells that lead to great tubes. Here, in addition to enjoying surfing, you will have the opportunity to admire one of the best sunsets in Costa Rica.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Santa Teresa for 2 nights
7
DAY 7 SANTA TERESA
With a leisure day to enjoy in San Teresa, surfing can be amazing, with deep and fast waves and some extraordinary peaks, some say that surfing here is more intense than in Mal País. Surfers like Kelly Slater have frequented Santa Teresa, and it has become one of the most popular beaches in the region in recent years. Santa Teresa is known for a section called Suck Rock, a rocky part that causes good movements to the right. Surfing at Suck Rock is best when the tide is high and the waves are long. Some surfers have reported waves up to 20 feet high when conditions are at their best, offering rides of up to 100 yards; if you are up for a great challenge, Suck Rock is the place to go!
Meals : Breakfast
8
DAY 8 SANTA TERESA – TAMARINDO
Breakfast at the hotel, then head to Tamarindo. This place may be the most well-known surfing spot along the Pacific coast, with consistent waves, high sea winds, long sandy beaches, and reefs. Tamarindo not only has the main beach in the center of the city, but there are others beaches great for surfing just five minutes away. Here you will find the most consistent waves in the area. Playa Langosta offers experienced surfers a break that moves quickly to the right and left.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Tamarindo for 3 nights
9 - 10
DAYS 9 - 10 TAMARINDO
Free days where you can enjoy this surfing paradise, Tamarindo is renowned throughout Costa Rica for its long waves. One of the advantages of taking a surfing vacation here is the proximity of this beach to the excellent waves of Playa Grande, Roca Bruja, Ollie’s Point to the north, and the sections of Playa Langosta, Playa Avellana, and Playa Negra to the south. Located in an ideal location, Tamarindo is the perfect place to surf whether you master the waves completely or have no idea what a surfboard is. It is difficult to refer to Tamarindo in Guanacaste without talking about surfing. This beach town became famous thanks to the Bruce Brown documentary called “The Endless Summer II” and remains one of the best surfing destinations in Costa Rica.
Meals : Breakfast
Optional Excursions :
PRIVATE SURFING LESSONS TOUR - PLAYA TAMARINDO (minimum 4 participants required)
Duration: Approx. 1h30
Includes: Certified instructor, surfboard, lycra, sunscreen, hydration, locker to store belongings, a smoothie and a fresh water shower.
Not included: Transportation
*Children’s policy for tours: Children from 1 to 10 years old are allowed but must be accompanied by their parents or an adult, they must pay the price of a private class if they want to take the tour, they require an instructor for each onePRIVATE SURF LESSON AT IGUANITAS BEACH
Duration: Approx. 2hrs
Includes: Boat transportation*, bilingual / local guide, surf equipment, typical boxed lunch, snacks
*Transportation from Papagayo is picked up by boat on the hotel beach and taken to Playa Iguanitas; All excursions include boat transportation pick up by sea from the following hotels: Secrets, Grand Papagayo, Four Season, Andaz, Planet, Mangroove, Bosque del Mar, Villas Sol, Casa Conde, and Condovac
Duration: Approx. 2hrs
Includes: Boat transportation*, bilingual / local guide, surf equipment, typical boxed lunch, snacks
*Transportation from Papagayo is picked up by boat on the hotel beach and taken to Playa Iguanitas; All excursions include boat transportation pick up by sea from the following hotels: Secrets, Grand Papagayo, Four Season, Andaz, Planet, Mangroove, Bosque del Mar, Villas Sol, Casa Conde, and Condovac
11
DAY 11 TAMARINDO – SAN JOSÉ
After days of adventure on the surfboard along the Costa Rican Pacific coast, it will be time to return to the city of San José where you will spend the last night of this unforgettable experience.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : San José for 1 night
12
DAY 12 SAN JOSÉ - DEPARTURE
According to your flight itinerary, you will need to transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport where you will return the rented car and then take your international flight.
Meals : Breakfast
HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR
San José
Radisson Europa 4*
Dominical
Villas Rio Mar Jungle & Beach Resort 3*
Esterillos
Alma del Pacifico 3*
Santa Teresa
Tropico Latino 4*
Tamarindo
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort 4*
| Rates in CA$, per person, starting from | |||
| Daily Departures 2026 | Double Occupancy | Single Traveling Alone | |
| May 1 – August 31, 2026 | 3269 | 6439 | |
| September 1 – October 31, 2026 | 3149 | 6189 | |
| November 1 – 30, 2026 | 3269 | 6439 | |
| December 1, 2026 – November 30, 2027 | On request | On request | |
| Optional Excursions | |||
| Private surfing lesson in the Manuel Antonio area | 229 per person | ||
| Private surfing lesson Playa Tamarindo (min. of 4 people) | 139 per person | ||
| Private surfing lesson Playa Iguanitas (group rate 1 – 6 people) | 1779 per group | ||
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. ***
Surfing Costa Rica – Detailed Itinerary
Surfing Costa Rica – Detailed Itinerary
