San José – Cartago – Cerro de la Muerte – San Gerardo de Dota

After breakfast, your rental car will be delivered to your hotel. You need a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diner´s Club) and your valid driver´s license. Once the formalities are completed, start your journey by heading out of San José and toward the former capital, Cartago, where you can visit the Basilica, one of the most beautiful churches in Costa Rica.

From there, follow the Panamerican Highway, as it starts to climb the Talamanca mountain range. About 80 km later you will be at 3000 meters above sea level. Turn right, toward San Gerardo de Dota. This small village is located at 2200 meters above sea level and is surrounded by beautiful cloud forest. It is one of the best places in Costa Rica to observe the Resplendent Quetzal, an iconic, but shy bird strikingly beautiful and very colorful, held sacred by the Mayans and other native people. Enjoy a walk through the jungle and observe the variety of exotic birds in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: San Gerardo de Dota
Included meals: None
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: About 90 km
Total driving time today: About 2 hours

San Gerardo de Dota – Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

San Gerardo is a fabulous place for anyone interested in birds. Get up early to go birdwatching in the nature reserve. In the early morning hours, birding is best, as this is their most active time. Make the most of this morning walk, as there is a long journey ahead of you, down to Golfo Dulce. After breakfast, continue on the Panamerican Highway, heading south. The road climbs up to the highest mountain pass in Costa Rica, the Cerro de la Muerte at an elevation of  3400 meters above sea level. Once upon a time, before the widespread use of motorcars, crossing the pass was a perilous journey, that often did not end well for ill-prepared travelers – which is how this mountain got its name. The winding road will take you down to San Isidro de El General, a major hub near the southern Pacific coast. Continue on the Panamerican Highway, passing large pineapple plantations until you reach the little village of Villa Briceño. Here, turn left. Soon you will reach Esquinas Rainforest Lodge or “The Austrian Rainforest” as this place is often called.

Accommodation: Golfo Dulce
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: About 210 km
Total driving time: About 3.5 hours

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

There are many things to do at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge. We recommend a boat tour to explore the beauty and serenity of the mangrove forests. A horseback riding tour, or a hike through the rainforest to spot birds and wildlife other options.  

Accommodation: Esquinas Rainforest Lodge
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: None
Total driving time: None

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge – Dominical

The journey continues along the coast. As you travel north you will pass several beautiful, wild beaches. Take in the beauty of this lovely part of Costa Rica, go for a swim or just enjoy the tropical sun and the gorgeous views. In the late afternoon, you will reach Dominical.

Accommodation: Dominical
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: About 120 km
Total driving time: About 2 hours

Dominical – Quepos / Manuel Antonio

While in Dominical you could go horseback riding to a beautiful waterfall. As they say: a ramble in the great outdoors is always good for body and soul. Alternatively, you could take a hike through the jungle at Hacienda Barú, or spend a couple of hours relaxing at the beach. Later, when you are ready, continue your journey north to Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. This is quite a busy area as it is popular with people from San José and foreign tourists alike. There are many tours and activities offered, from jungle tours to kayaking, white water rafting or sea kayaking and snorkeling tours.

Accommodation: Quepos/Manuel Antonio
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: About 50 km
Total driving time: About 1 hour

Quepos / Manuel Antonio

While in this area you should definitively visit Manuel Antonio National Park (closed on Mondays, entrance fee USD 16 per person). Apart from the beautiful beaches that are part of the area protected by the park, there are trails through the rainforest, where, with a little bit of luck, you might catch a glimpse of various species of mammals, especially monkeys, such as the super cute, but sadly, endangered squirrel monkeys, who live in the park. Even though Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest national parks in the country, the diversity of wildlife in its 682 ha, with 109 species of mammals and at least 184 types of birds, is without equal.

Accommodation: Quepos/Manuel Antonio
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: None
Total driving time: None

Quepos / Manuel Antonio – Carara National Park – San José

Time to head back to San José. But before you re-enter the hustle and bustle of the city, take time to visit Carara National Park. Located in a transitional zone, this is a special place, where the wet tropical forest meets the dry tropical forest, and many species at home in either eco-system, converge. There are also some rare species of orchids not seen elsewhere, But the main attraction of the park is its large population of Scarlet Macaws. These magnificent, but sadly, endangered birds, find a sanctuary here. 
Return to San José and drop off of the car.

If you are catching a return flight on this day, time your journey so that you will arrive at the airport approximately 3h30min prior to your flight’s departure, in order to give yourself plenty of time to return the car and check-in.

Accommodation: None included
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: About 170 km
Total driving time: About 3 hours