Costa Rica Guanacaste Package Self-Drive
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This 10-day tour starts in San Jos and finishes back there after a fantastic journey through Costa Ricas diverse landscapes. Youll explore the lush Tortuguero National Park with its wildlife-rich canals and charming village, then head to the Arenal area to enjoy volcano views and rainforest hikes. Next, discover the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest, famous for its incredible biodiversity and optional treetop walks or coffee tours. The adventure wraps up with some chill time in the vibrant beach town of Tamarindo, where you can relax or try surfing. Its a perfect mix of nature, culture, and laid-back beach vibes.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysHotel Rating
-5 star hotelsStarts
San JosEnds
San JosMinimum age
No minimum ageMaximum age
100Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
NoCountry
Costa RicaPassengers
$2,505.00
$611.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max 15
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
On this tour, all arrangements such as accommodation and transportation are pre-arranged for you. You may enjoy included activities and guided sightseeing, but you will need to navigate your way through the tour by yourself. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A packed itinerary, visiting multiple places each day with limited downtime, ideal for those who want to maximize sightseeing.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
NoGroup Size
Min 1 / Max 15Tranportation
N/ALanguage
EnglishLanguage
EnglishRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
On this tour, all arrangements such as accommodation and transportation are pre-arranged for you. You may enjoy included activities and guided sightseeing, but you will need to navigate your way through the tour by yourself. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A packed itinerary, visiting multiple places each day with limited downtime, ideal for those who want to maximize sightseeing.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - San Jos
Upon arrival in vibrant San Jos, you will be welcomed by our representative who will assist you to your transport. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the city, where you will spend your first night in Costa Rica. This evening is yours to relax and settle in after your journey.
Day 2 - San Jos - Tortuguero
We depart early this morning, travelling by bus through Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean plains. Along the way, we enjoy impressive mountain views and pass through charming villages. A tasty breakfast is served en route before we continue by boat through the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park, surrounded by lush jungle. Upon arrival at our eco-lodge, we have lunch before boarding the boat again to visit Tortuguero village. Here, you can stroll around town, walk along the beach, and observe local life. During the turtle hatching seasonfrom September to Decemberwe will watch for baby turtles making their way to the sea. The afternoon is free to relax at the lodge, immersed in tropical forest and wildlife. Lunch and dinner are included.
Day 3 - Tortuguero
Today offers a leisurely start with free time to relax by the pool at your eco-lodge. We then take a three-hour guided boat tour through Tortuguero National Park, where you can spot over 350 protected species including birds, monkeys, crocodiles and sloths amid lush vegetation. During the turtle nesting season from July to September, you may choose to join an optional late-night tour to witness turtles nesting, available to purchase directly at the lodge. Lunch and dinner are included. You will spend a second night in Tortuguero.
Day 4 - Arenal
Early this morning, we depart by boat back to Guapiles, where you will transfer by road to a nearby restaurant for lunch. After your meal, a representative from the car rental company will meet you at the restaurant to hand over your rental car for the remainder of the trip. You can then drive yourself to the Arenal area, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore independently. Overnight in Arenal.
Day 5 - Arenal
After breakfast, you have the opportunity to explore Arenal Volcano National Park independently. As you hike through the lush surroundings, take in views of the dormant volcano and keep an eye out for wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys, and anteaters. Please note that the park entrance fee is not included. The afternoon is yours to relax or discover more of the area at your own pace. Overnight in Arenal.
Day 6 - Monteverde
Begin the day with an early breakfast before deciding whether to spend the morning at leisure or set off early for Monteverde. As you travel, observe the landscape shift from rainforest to cloud forest, reaching an altitude of around 1,200 metres. Monteverde, in the Puntarenas province, is known for its misty cloud forests, coffee plantations, and abundant wildlife including monkeys. The nearby town of Santa Elena is charming and compact, offering a selection of welcoming restaurants and artisan shops. You can spend the day exploring independently or choose from optional activities such as the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided toura three-hour hike across trails and suspension bridges that provide a unique view of the rainforest canopy, with opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, sloths, and diverse plant life. Alternatively, the Don Juan Coffee Tour offers insight into Costa Ricas coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane production, with a focus on coffee and its cultural significance. These optional tours are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 7 - Monteverde
After breakfast at the hotel, you can set out on a hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Established in 1972, this renowned reserve is celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity and important conservation efforts. It protects around 2.5% of the worlds species, including a wide range of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and plants such as mosses, vines and native cloud forest trees. Entrance to the reserve is not included. You may also choose to join one of the optional tours you missed yesterdaythe Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour, which offers a unique perspective above the forest canopy, or the Don Juan Coffee Tour, which provides insight into Costa Ricas coffee culture and production. Both tours are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 8 - Tamarindo
After a satisfying breakfast, we travel to the vibrant beach town of Tamarindo in the Guanacaste province. Upon arrival, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore the stunning coastline, relax on the beach, or enjoy the hotels amenities. Overnight on the Pacific Coast.
Day 9 - Tamarindo
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Tamarindo, a vibrant beach town known for its warm climate and stunning coastline. Relax on the sandy shores or take advantage of the hotels facilities. If youre feeling adventurous, you can try surfing the well-known waves heresurfboard rental and lessons are available locally but not included. This day offers the perfect balance of relaxation and optional activity in a lively coastal setting. Overnight on the Pacific Coast.
Day 10 - San Jos
After a hearty breakfast, you will drive from Tamarindo to Juan Santamara International Airport for your onward flight. Return the rental car at the designated office before taking a shuttle transfer to the airport. Breakfast is included.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
Can't find a date that works for you?
Dates for 2027 haven't been released yet.
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