Santa Teresa Nature Self-Drive
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This 15-day tour starts in Liberia and finishes back there, offering a fantastic blend of beach vibes, rainforest adventures, and cultural experiences. Youll kick off with relaxing beach days in Tamarindo, Smara, and Santa Teresa perfect for soaking up the sun or catching some waves. Then, explore the vibrant capital, San Jos, before heading to Tortugueros lush canals and wildlife. The journey continues through Sarapiqus rainforest, Arenals volcano and hot springs, and the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest. Expect a great mix of nature, wildlife spotting, optional adrenaline activities, and plenty of time to unwind in stunning surroundings.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
15 daysHotel Rating
-5 star hotelsStarts
LiberiaEnds
LiberiaMinimum age
No minimum ageMaximum age
100Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
NoCountry
Costa RicaPassengers
$3,730.00
$909.00
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 balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
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 balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
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 - Liberia - Tamarindo
Your Costa Rican adventure begins on arrival at Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, located in the countrys north-west. Upon landing, a representative will meet you to assist with collecting your rental car. From there, youll drive to Tamarindo Beach, a lively coastal town that offers a great introduction to Costa Rica. Enjoy your first evening here, with time to explore the vibrant atmosphere and unwind by the Pacific Ocean. Overnight accommodation is arranged in Tamarindo.
Day 2 - Tamarindo - Smara - Smara
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Smara, a charming beach town known for its relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. The village is nestled around a distinctive half-moon bay, featuring a long stretch of white sand beach lined with graceful palm trees. Spend the day at your leisure, soaking up the sun or exploring the tranquil surroundings. Overnight in Smara.
Day 3 - Smara
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel before the days activities begin. You can spend the morning relaxing on Samaras beautiful beach or exploring the surrounding area at your own pace. For a more active option, join an ocean safari that includes a boat tour and snorkelling session, offering the chance to spot local marine life such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles against the backdrop of the regions striking coastline. After the safari, return to your hotel with the remainder of the day free to unwind and enjoy the facilities. Please note that the ocean safari is optional and not included. Overnight in Samara.
Day 4 - Smara - Santa Teresa
After breakfast, collect your rental car and drive from Samara to Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the worlds Blue Zonesareas known for the longevity and health of their residents. Santa Teresa has rapidly become a popular spot for beach lovers and surfers, drawn by its excellent waves and striking coastal scenery. Many visitors have been so taken by the area that theyve made it their home, contributing to a vibrant, international atmosphere that blends seamlessly with local Costa Rican culture. Youll notice this cosmopolitan influence in the eclectic shops and restaurants around town. Overnight in Santa Teresa.
Day 5 - Santa Teresa
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. You then have a full day at leisure to unwind on the beach or at the hotel, take part in one of the many activities available locally, or explore the surrounding area independently. Overnight in Santa Teresa.
Day 6 - Santa Teresa - San Jos - San Jos
After breakfast, drive to San Jos, arriving in the early afternoon. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the capital city at your own pace. Wander through its orderly streets and take in some of the main landmarks, experiencing the vibrant urban atmosphere. Overnight in San Jos.
Day 7 - San Jos - Tortuguero
Youll start early this morning, driving through Braulio Carrillo National Park with its stunning mountain scenery and charming villages as you make your way to the Caribbean plains. Upon arrival, meet your guide and enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant. Leave your rental car safely parked here before continuing by shared transport to the pier. From there, board a boat to cruise the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park. After arriving, check in to your eco-lodge and savour a delicious lunch. Later, take another boat trip to Tortuguero village, where you can stroll along its well-kept paths, explore the beaches, and experience local life. If travelling between September and December, you may have the chance to witness baby turtles making their way to the sea. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at the lodge, surrounded by tropical forest and abundant wildlife.
Day 8 - Tortuguero
Today is a day to unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of Tortuguero. Spend some time relaxing by the pool or take the opportunity to join a three-hour guided tour through Tortuguero National Park. This excursion offers a chance to spot over 350 protected species, including birds, monkeys, crocodiles and sloths, while admiring the parks rich vegetation. If you are visiting between July and September, you may also opt to join a late-night turtle nesting tour, available to book directly at the lodge. Please note that entrance to Tortuguero National Park is not included. Overnight in Tortuguero.
Day 9 - Tortuguero - Sarapiqui
After breakfast, we travel by boat back to Guapiles, where you will stop for lunch and collect your rental car. From there, you drive to Sarapiqui, located just north of San Jose. Nestled in the foothills of Braulio Carrillo National Park and bordered by mountain streams, lush rainforest and pasturelands, this area offers a refreshing change of scenery. We stay overnight in a comfortable lodge featuring thoughtfully designed rooms, providing a peaceful base to explore the surrounding rainforest environment.
Day 10 - Sarapiqui
After breakfast, you can choose from several optional activities in the Sarapiqui area. Join a floating safari on the Sarapiqui River to observe the rich flora and fauna of the rainforest from the water. Alternatively, experience the thrill of rafting on the rivers class IIIII rapids, surrounded by lush tropical forest. For a more relaxed option, take a 2.5-hour chocolate tour that explores the traditional cultivation and history of cacao in the Tirimbina forest, including a walk across a suspension bridge to a former cacao plantation used for environmental education. If you prefer an adrenaline rush, try the canopy tour, which offers a unique perspective of the forest from above as you glide along zip lines through the treetops. These activities are not included and can be booked locally. Overnight in Sarapiqui.
Day 11 - Sarapiqui - Arenal
After breakfast, depart Sarapiqui and drive to Arenal. The area surrounding Arenal Volcanoone of Costa Ricas most active volcanoesis a hub for adventure seekers. Spend the afternoon at your leisure to explore the hotel grounds or join an optional activity. You might choose a Canopy Tour at Arenal Ecoglide Park, which features 15 cables and 18 platforms among the treetops, including the thrilling Tarzan Swing. Alternatively, enjoy a kayaking excursion on Lake Arenal, where guides provide equipment and instruction as you paddle along the shoreline with views of the volcano and local wildlife. For a more relaxing option, unwind at the renowned Tabacon Hot Springs. Optional activities are not included. Overnight in Arenal.
Day 12 - Arenal
After breakfast, explore Arenal Volcano National Park at your own pace. Enjoy a walk through lush landscapes with the dormant volcano as your backdrop, keeping an eye out for wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys and anteaters. Adventurous travellers may wish to try activities like zip lining, hanging bridges or kayaking in the area. Spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring independently or taking part in an optional activity. You may choose to revisit the Canopy Tour at Arenal Ecoglide, go kayaking, or unwind at the renowned Tabacon Hot Springs, depending on your preference. Overnight in Arenal.
Day 13 - Arenal - Monteverde
Begin the day with an early breakfast. You may choose to spend the morning at leisure or set off early for Monteverde, ascending to 1,200 metres where the rainforest transitions into cloud forest. Monteverde, in the Puntarenas province, is known for its misty cloud forests, coffee plantations, and abundant wildlife including monkeys and sloths. The nearby town of Santa Elena is small and charming, offering a selection of welcoming restaurants and artisan shops. Spend the day at your own pace, exploring the area or joining optional activities such as the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour. This involves a three-hour hike along trails and suspension bridges, providing a unique perspective above the rainforest canopy, with opportunities to spot birds, monkeys, sloths and diverse plant life. Alternatively, you can take the Don Juan Coffee Tour to learn about Costa Ricas coffee, chocolate and sugar cane production, with a focus on coffee and its cultural significance. These optional activities are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 14 - Monteverde
After breakfast at the hotel, set out on a hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Established in 1972, this renowned reserve is celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity and vital role in conservation and scientific research. It shelters around 2.5% of the worlds species, including numerous mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects and arachnids, alongside a rich variety of flora such as mosses, vines and native cloud forest trees. Spend the afternoon at your leisure to relax or join an optional activity. You may wish to revisit the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour for a closer look at the forest canopy, or explore Costa Rican culture on the Don Juan Coffee Tour. Entrance fees to the reserve and optional activities are not included. Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 15 - Monteverde - Liberia
After breakfast, drive from Monteverde to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia for your departure flight. Return your rental car at the agency 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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