Self-Drive: Cloud Forest, Volcanoes and Caribbean Grooves

Itinerary

This 14d/13n  itinerary combines the Best of Costa Rica at a leisurely pace. Visit the famous Cloud Forest Reserve of Monteverde, with its fabulous hanging bridges and nature reserve, explore Arenal with its numerous soft adventure activities and hot springs, discover the northern lowlands, an area rich in wildlife, and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, an interesting area that not only offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the country, but also the largest archeological site. From here head for the Caribbean Beaches for a couple of nights before spending the last two nights before returning to San José, at one of the remotest eco-lodges in the country. Here you’ll have the opportunity to give back, by planting a tree.

Day 1

Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by a representative of our agency, who will provide a detailed explanation of the selected route; we will deliver your welcome packet and coordinate the transfer to your selected hotel in San José.

Accommodation: in San José.
Meals: none
Activities: none

Day 2

Monteverde Tree TopsSan José – Monteverde

After breakfast, your car will be delivered to your hotel and you can start your Costa Rica adventure. Head south on the Panamerican Highway towards the Pacific. Eventually, the route turns north. At the intersection in Pitahaya follow Ruta 606 to Santa Elena in Monteverde. The last 35km or so are a bit tough, as the road is not very good, but the beautiful scenery and the adventures in the Cloud Forest make the journey very worthwhile.

Accommodation: Santa Elena/Monteverde
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: none
Total driving distance: approx.150km
Total driving time: approx. 3h

Day 3

Monteverde Hanging BridgesMonteverde

The Cloud Forest is full of mystery. The trees are draped in mosses and epiphytes, and the canopy is in the clouds. This is a great area for bird watching and to explore this special eco-system in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The most popular attraction of this area is the canopy walkway, a system of hanging bridges that allows you to view the cloud forest at eye-level with the wildlife that lives in the canopy.

Accommodation: Santa Elena/ Monteverde
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: only local
Total driving time: depending on hotel location and distance to the reserve

Day 4

Monteverde – Arenal

Continue your journey to the Arenal region, on the other side of Lago Arenal, an area that is dominated by the presence of the beautiful, almost perfectly cone-shaped Arenal Volcano. The first part of the journey, to Tilaran is again, a bit rough, with many potholes marking the road. After Tilaran the road improves as it makes its way to La Fortuna, hugging the shoreline of Lago Arenal. A beautiful drive.

Relax at your hotels hot spring pools or explore the area. There are many activities available in this region, which has developed into a kind of outdoor adventure hub.

Accommodation: La Fortuna/Arenal
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: 125km
Total driving time: approx. 3h30min

 

Day 5

Arenal Paraiso Canopy ZiplineLa Fortuna (Arenal Volcano)

After breakfast, you have all day to explore this magnificent region and all that it has to offer: adrenaline buzzes like canopy zip-line, whitewater rafting, inner tubing, night safaris, horseback riding, rappelling, mountain bicycle tours; hiking, spelunking, visiting waterfalls, or hanging bridges, or more relaxing activities, such as taking a rejuvenating dip in the thermo-mineral waters that come from a volcanic vein.
Accommodation: in La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano).
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None

Day 6

Boca Tapada TreeArenal – Boca Tapada

Continue your journey to the northern lowlands of Costa Rica. Take Highway 4, then switch to Highway 250 towards Pital and keep going north until you reach the remote village of Boca Tapada. Here you will find a forgotten world, off the beaten track, hidden in the Lowland Rainforest. Despite the fact that this fertile, wetland area is home to innumerable fruit plantations, it also still harbors quite extensive tracts of tropical forest and its resident wildlife. In fact, it is a significant link in the chain of the nature reserves that for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, an important interconnected habitat chain that enables the free and continuous movement of wildlife. 

Accommodation: Boca Tapada
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: 80km
Total driving time: 2h30min

Day 7

Boca Tapada Blue Jeans FrogBoca Tapada

This place is particularly interesting for those who want to get close to nature. Depending on the lodge you choose, there are different activities available. Always an option is a hike in the rainforest, but you may also have the opportunity to take a boat tour or kayak tour, which is usually the best way to see the wildlife. This is a virgin area of natural forest, where many animals are repeatedly seen.

Accommodation: Boca Tapada
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: None
Total driving time: None

Day 8

Boca Tapada – Sarapiqui

Today you continue your journey up to the Caribbean hinterland around Sarapiqui. You will pass many fruit plantations along the way. But once in Sarapiqui, you’ll find another interesting area. Among other things, there is one of the most important pre-Columbian archeological sites in this area. 
Accommodation: Sarapiqui
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: 90km
Total driving time: 2h30min

Day 9

Cacao FruitSarapiqui

Time for optional local activities. Our recommendation is to visit La Tirimbina for a cultural and ethnobotanical experience: the chocolate tour, where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about how chocolate is made from the beans of the Cocoa Tree. Or you can take wildlife-walk. Don´t forget your binoculars, they will never leave your face! 
Accommodation: Sarapiqui
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: None
Total driving time: None

Day 10

Sarapiqui – Puerto Viejo

When you are ready, continue your journey to the Caribbean, where you can relax for the next couple of days. The journey takes you first via Guapile, then Siquerres to Limo. Here you head south to Puerto Viejo, a typical Caribbean town with a laid-back atmosphere. The hotels are located a couple of miles or so away from the town, and close to the beach.

Accommodation: Puerto Viejo/Limon
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: approx. 200km
Total driving time: approx 4 hours

Day 11

Caribbean BeachCaribbean Beaches

Relax by the beach or explore the area. Although it seems like you have reached the back of beyond, there are places waiting to be discovered. You can go and explore the Cahuita National Park, visit a native community or go kayaking or horseback riding. Or visit the Jaguar Rescue Center which rescues and rehabilitates not only jaguars but many species of animals that have gotten into accidents or have become orphaned. 
Accommodation: Puerto Viejo Limon area
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: only local
Total driving time: depends on your appetite for adventure

Day 12

Turrialba VolcanoCaribbean Coast – Turrialba

Today, head back to Siquerres, then turn off onto Ruta 10 to Turrialba. Here you are back in the Volcano country of the Central Valley. This area of Costa Rica is a quiet, rural region, but there are also some great places for watching wildlife or to pursue some adventurous activities, such as white-water rafting, mountain biking or horseback riding. There is also a lodge that specializes in birding. Ask, if you are interested in staying there.

Accommodation: Turrialba
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: 175km
Total driving time: approx. 4h

 

Day 13

Costa Rica Central Valley VolcanoTurrialba – San José

Start early, if you want to visit Irazú Volcano on the way back to San José, as it usually gets cloudy after about 10 am. before heading back to the capital, you might also like to visit Cartago, the former capital of Costa Rica and its Basilica Church, or the beautiful Lankaster Botanical Garden, with its interesting orchid collection and many other tropical plants. If you return to San José early, you might still have time to explore the capital and visit the museum.

 

 

Accommodation: San Jose or Alajuela
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None
Total driving distance: approx. 60km (without side trips)
Total driving time: 2h (without side trips)

Day 14

Lagarta Lodge Playa DesiertaSan José International Airport

After breakfast, at the appropriate time, head back to the airport. It is recommended to get there 3h-3h30 before your flight’s departure in order to allow for plenty of time to drop off your rental car and get through the check-in and security procedures. The rental car offices are located a little bit away from the airport, but they will give you a lift to the terminal after you have dropped off the car.  It’s time to say goodbye to Costa Rica and board your flight home!

Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: None

Rates

This itinerary is fully customizable regarding your choice of vehicle and class of hotel and type of room. To receive an accurate quote, please inquire, with your personal preferences.

Costa Rica’s capital is San José and its international airport is Juan Santamaria Airport, located in Alajuela province, just outside the capital, in the Central Valley. Most journeys in this country start and finish in San José. However, Liberia Airport in the north Pacific region of Costa Rica is another option as an international arrival and/or departure point, for travelers coming from the US or Canada.

  • Reception at the airport
  • Collectivo (shared) transfer airport – San José
  • Lodging in the areas mentioned, at hotels, picked during  the booking process
  • 13 days rental car type 4×4
  • Meals according to the description
  • A welcome package with general information about the country
 
  • International flight
  • Guide
  • Fuel, highway tolls, parking fees or traffic fines
  • Meals or drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Optional activities and/or entrance fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Airport departure tax SJO, currently USD 29 per person (usually included in ticket price)
  • Gratuities

Weather

Costa Rica is a tropical country and rain must be expected at any time. However, there is a distinct dry season, which usually runs from about December to April. From April/May to December is ‘green season’, with regular rains, although it does not rain all day every day. Rather, rains or thunderstorms occur in the afternoon or at night. But weather patterns also vary depending on the location within the country. The Caribbean coast has much less predictable weather patterns than the rest of the country.

Although Costa Rica lies in the tropics, much of its terrain is mountainous and thus has a very pleasant climate with warm, rather than oppressively hot temperatures. In the highlands, you might even need a sweater at night.

Since many regions of Costa Rica lie in the WET tropics, you might want to bring some zip-lock bags to keep important documents or items dry.

 

Seasons

The busiest and most expensive times to travel in Costa Rica are Christmas and Easter. These are times when not just tourists are present everywhere, but Ticos also travel at these times.

Wildlife Watching

Costa Rica has a rich presence of wildlife and you may be able to observe many birds and animals even from the terrace or garden of your hotel. But undoubtedly, the best way to observe nature is in one of the many national parks, and better still, with a knowledgeable guide.

Sea-Turtles

Excellent places to observe animals are around waterways or lakes. Thus, Tortuguero National Park offers a very rewarding experience, not just for turtle observation. But if you visit this are between July and September you may visit the beaches with a guide to watch sea turtles lay their eggs. It is the only nesting site for Loggerhead turtles in Costa Rica.

Other species, such as Olive Ridley and the Pacific Green Turtle only nest on certain beaches along the Pacific coast, most notably in northern Guanacaste and Nicoya peninsula.

Adventure Activities

There are many adventurous activities available in Costa Rica, from Canopy zip-lines to diving, from rappelling to whitewater rafting or horseback riding. It is a fantastic place to enjoy such pursuits. However, make SURE that your travel insurance covers adventurous activities. Not all do!

Money

Dollars are widely accepted, but the exchange rate is usually bad. It is always best to pay with local currency. But rather than taking cash and exchanging it locally, it is usually better to withdraw cash in local currency from an ATM machine. ATM machines are commonly found in all major tourist areas. Many businesses accept Visa or Mastercards but may charge a hefty 7-9% processing fee on purchases.

Safety

Generally speaking, Costa Rica is a pretty peaceful country. However, that does not mean that it is entirely risk-free. As everywhere in the world, it is important to keep your wits about you and remain alert to your surroundings. Most hotels have safety deposit boxes or will keep valuables safe at the front desk safe. To avoid losses, it is best to leave valuable items at home.

Download the official guide to staying safe in Costa Rica, from the Tourist board

Electricity

Costa Rica uses 110V for regular appliances and 220V for major appliances. US appliances can be plugged straight into the outlets, but European traveler will need to bring an adapter. Some remote eco-lodges may not have electricity at all, or only switch it on for a few hours each day. 

Communications

It is easy to make calls in Costa Rica as the telecommunications system is well developed. Mobile phones are also commonly used. To make an international call you must dial 00 before your country code. Costa Rica’s country code is 506. Many, even small hotels, offer free WIFI to their guests.

Swimming

Please note that many beaches are not safe for swimming due to strong rip tides. Some beaches, especially on Nicoya Peninsula have lifeguard during the main season. Always take heed of warnings by the locals.

Golfo Dulce, in the far south, is the safest area for swimming in Costa Rica.

 

Driving in Costa Rica

  • Travel with your current driver’s license and passport, or a copy of your passport and entry stamp page and rental car papers.
  • All passengers and the driver must drive with their seatbelts fastened.
  • Since street lighting is not very common in Costa Rica it is advised that you only drive during daylight hours
  • Be aware of the wildlife at all times, but especially at dawn and dusk.
  • If an approaching vehicle is flashing its headlights or you see a makeshift traffic cone fashioned from branches, SLOW DOWN, as this means that there is probably an accident or a broken down vehicle ahead.
  • Costa Rica may FEEL like a safe haven, but theft from vehicles is not a rarity. Never leave anything of value in your car and always keep your doors locked, even if you step out of the car to take a picture for just a minute.
  • If you are involved in an accident, do not move your vehicle. Wait until a police officer arrives and prepares a report. You can also report the accident by calling 911.

Download the official driving safety tips flyer for drivers from the Costa Rican Tourist board here

As the weather can be so variable you should think in layers and prepare for all kinds of weather. However, obviously, you’d need warmer clothes during the cold half of the year.

  • Passport
  • (Driver’s License)
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • sunglasses
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Rain poncho, windproof jacket
  • A warm sweater (in the mountains it can get quite cool in the evenings)
  • Sturdy, closed sneakers or walking boots (on jungle excursions Tewas and the like are not acceptable)
  • Flashlight
  • Batteries/charger if needed for your equipment
  • Spare pair of glasses
  • Personal medicines
  • Adapter plug (only for non-US standard appliances)
  • Ziplock bags to keep things dry
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Day pack
  • Swimsuit
  • A long pair of trousers and long sleeved shirts (protects agains mosquitos and scratches on jungle walks)

Costa Rica is fairly casual, so there is little need to bring formal attire unless you intend to go wining and dining at one of the upscale restaurants.

Rental Car Categories:

SUV Economic 4WD ST/J – Suzuki Jimny or similar

Gear change: Manual transmission
Maximum Adults: 2
Maximum Suitcases: 1 large, 2 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 2
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 1.3 L


SUV Compact 4WD/L – Daihatsu Bego/Ssang Yong Korando or sim

Gear change: Daihatsu Bego: Manual transmission / SsangYong Korando: Automatic transmission with Tiptronic)
Maximum Adults: 3
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 1 medium, 1 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 1.5 L (Daihatsu BeGo) / 2 L (Ssang Yong Korando)


SUV Intermediate 2WD ST/Q – Hyundai Tucson/Creta or similar

Gear change: Manual transmission
Maximum Adults: 4
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 1 small
4WD: No
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 2.0 L


SUV Intermediate 2WD AT/R – Hyundai Tucson/Creta or similar

Gear change: Automatic transmission
Maximum Adults: 4
Maximum suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 1 small
4WD: No
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 2.0 L


SUV Intermediate 4WD ST/D – Hyundai Tucson IX35 or similar

Gear change: Manual transmission
Maximum Adults: 4
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 1 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 2.0 L


SUV Intermediate 4WD AT/F – Hyundai Tucson IX35 or similar

Gear change: Automatic transmission
Maximum Adults: 4
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 1 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 2.0 L


SUV Standard 4WD AT/H – Hyundai Santa Fe or similar

Gear change: Automatic transmission
Maximum Adults: 5
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 2 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 2.4 L


Pick-Up Double Cabin 4WD/K – Isuzu DMax/Mitsubishi L200 

Gear change: Manual transmission
Maximum Adults: 5 without luggage or with luggage in the open cargo area, 2-3 with luggage inside of the cabin
Maximum Suitcases: Cargo area (open, no cover available) or inside the cabin (fewer passengers)
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Diesel
Motor: 2.5 L


SUV Full Size 4WD AT/G – Mitsubishi Montero Sport or similar 

Gear change: Automatic transmission
Maximum adults: 5
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 2 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Diesel
Motor: 2.2 L


SUV Premium 4WD AT/O – Ford Explorer or similar 

Gear change: Automatic transmission
Maximum Adults: 5
Maximum Suitcases: 2 large, 2 medium, 2 small
4WD: Yes
Doors: 4
Fuel: Diesel
Motor: 2.3 L


Sedan Mini ST/N – Hyundai Grand i10 Hatchback or similar 

Gear change: Manual transmission
Maximum Adults: 2
Maximum Suitcases: 2 small
4WD: No
Doors: 3
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 1.25 L


Sedan Intermediate AT/A – Hyundai Elantra or similar 

Gear change: Automatic transmission
Maximum Adults: 3
Maximum Suitcases: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small
4WD: No
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
Motor: 1.8 L

We work with a wide range of accommodations, but preferably with those that have been certified by the Costa Rican ‘sustainable tourism’ label. This label certifies tourist businesses according to their ecological standard. Certification is graded from 1-5, with 5 being the highest level. Some smaller lodges have not been certified, yet make every effort to run their operations ecologically responsible. You will choose the specific where you want to stay according to your preference, during the booking process. However, our preferred options may not always be available, in which case we search for the next best option.

 

We make every effort to choose eco-certified hotels for our self-drive itineraries. Furthermore, we offer these self-drives with Adobe, an eco-certified rental car company:

About Adobe :

Carbon Neutral

In 2011, pursuant to the Declaration on the Verification of Carbon Neutrality, we were verified by the Carbon Neutral Unit of EARTH University, for complying with the criteria of INTE-ISO 14064-1 and INTE 12-01-06, evaluated against the criteria of the Standard INTE-ISO 14064-3, according to the concept of Neutrality of CO2eEmissions. In 2016, we renovated this verification, so the Company is Carbon Neutral in all it´s Operations nationwide.

Certification for Sustainable Tourism

Certification for Sustainable Tourism – CST – is a program of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) designed to classify and to differentiate tourism companies according to the extent in which their operation approaches a sustainability model, regarding natural, cultural, and social resources. On this evaluation, we achieved the five levels with a score of 100.

Blue Flag Ecological Program

The Blue Flag Ecological Program is an award that is granted yearly, which rewards effort and voluntary work. Besides, it promotes safe competition and community organization for the benefit of present and future generations. During the second year in which we were assessed, we achieved the blue flag of the ecological program with four stars for our central offices in San Jose.  This year, we achieved, 5 out of 5 stars, plus an extra star for the family involvement of employees with the project.