Costa Rica Manuel Antonio Package Self-Drive
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This 10-day tour starts in San Jos and finishes back there, offering a fantastic mix of nature, wildlife, and beach time. Youll explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park, spotting monkeys, sloths, and maybe even baby turtles during hatching season. Then its on to Arenal, where you can hike around the impressive volcano and enjoy verdant landscapes. Monteverdes cloud forest awaits with its unique biodiversity and optional treetop walks or coffee tours. Finally, unwind on the Pacific Coast near Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its tropical wildlife and stunning beaches. A perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
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
$2,740.00
$668.00
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 met 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 initial evening allows you to settle in and prepare for the adventures ahead.
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, enjoy the striking mountain scenery and pass through charming villages. We stop for a delicious breakfast en route before continuing by boat through the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. Upon arrival at the eco-lodge, we settle in and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. Later, we take another boat trip to Tortuguero village, where you can explore the town, stroll along the beach, and observe local life. If travelling between September and December, we may have the chance to see baby turtles making their way to the ocean during hatching season. The remainder of the day is yours to relax at the lodge, surrounded by tropical forest and abundant wildlife. Lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Tortuguero.
Day 3 - Tortuguero
Today offers a leisurely morning to relax by the pool before we set out on a three-hour guided tour of Tortuguero National Park. This area is home to over 350 protected species, including a variety of birds, monkeys, crocodiles and sloths, all thriving amid lush tropical vegetation. During the turtle nesting season from July to September, you may choose to join an optional late-night tour to witness turtles nesting on the beach, available to purchase directly at the lodge. Please note that the park entrance fee is not included. Lunch and dinner are provided, and you will spend another night at the eco-lodge in Tortuguero.
Day 4 - Arenal
We depart early by boat from Tortuguero to Guapiles, where ground transport will take us to a restaurant for lunch. After the 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 then have the freedom to drive yourself to the Arenal area, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the surroundings or relaxing as you wish. Overnight accommodation is in Arenal.
Day 5 - Arenal
After breakfast, you have the opportunity to explore Arenal Volcano National Park independently. As you hike through the park, take in the lush surroundings with the dormant volcano as your backdrop. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys and anteaters that inhabit the area. Please note that the entrance fee to the park is not included. You will spend the night in Arenal.
Day 6 - Arenal - Monteverde
After an early breakfast, you may spend the morning at leisure or begin your journey to the Monteverde Cloud Forest region. As you ascend to around 1,200 metres above sea level, observe the landscape shift from rainforest to misty cloud forest. Monteverde, in Puntarenas province, is known for its rich biodiversity, coffee plantations, and welcoming local community. The nearby town of Santa Elena offers charming restaurants and artisan shops to explore. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy independently or to join an optional activity such as the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour. This three-hour hike takes you along trails and suspension bridges through the cloud forest canopy, providing excellent opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, sloths and diverse plant life. Alternatively, you might prefer the Don Juan Coffee Tour, which offers insight into Costa Ricas coffee, chocolate and sugar cane production, with a focus on coffee and local folklore. Optional tours are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 7 - Monteverde
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will take a guided hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Established in 1972, this renowned reserve protects an exceptional range of biodiversity, hosting around 2.5% of the worlds species. As we explore, youll encounter a variety of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and unique plant life, including native trees, mosses and vines. You may choose to experience the Selvatura Treetop Walkway, a series of suspension bridges offering panoramic views of the forest canopy, or alternatively, join the Don Juan Coffee Tour to learn about Costa Ricas coffee production and cultural heritage. Both optional tours are available but not included. You will spend the night in Monteverde.
Day 8 - Tamarindo
After breakfast, we travel to the Pacific coast, arriving in the Tamarindo area near Manuel Antonio National Park. Upon arrival, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure to relax on the beach, explore the local surroundings, or enjoy the hotels amenities. Overnight on the Pacific coast.
Day 9 - Tamarindo
After a hearty breakfast, you have the chance to explore Manuel Antonio National Park independently. The park features a flat, scenic trail that loops for approximately two miles, offering excellent opportunities for photography and taking in the stunning views. Manuel Antonio is notable for hosting three of the four tropical primate species found in Costa Rica. Midway through your walk, pause at the renowned Third Beach to relax on the soft sand or enjoy the waves. Along the trail, you may spot sloths, various birds, reptiles, wild orchids, butterflies, and diverse tropical plants. Please note that the park entrance fee is not included. You will spend the night on the Pacific Coast.
Day 10 - San Jos
After breakfast, you will drive from Manuel Antonio to the airport for your departure flight. Please allow sufficient time to return the rental car at the designated office before taking the 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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