Self-drive Costa Rica: Coast to coast adventures

Day 1

Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Transfer by land and boat to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast.

Today you’ll head off to discover the Caribbean coast with a couple of days most rewarding wildlife spotting. This is true wilderness: it isn’t the Caribbean of resort hotels, sugary beaches and piña coladas. You’re driven for 3-4hr northeast, including a short bumpy ride through banana plantations to Caño Blanco dock.

Then you have an hour’s boat ride along the shore hugged by twisted mangrove swamps before you arrive in the small, ramshackle and remote village of Tortuguero and your lodge.

Day 3

Wildlife spotting excursions from your lodge.

Set off on a guided boat trip through the mangrove forest of Tortuguero National Park, now one of the last protected areas of tropical rainforest in Central America, with 11 different natural habitats and a huge range of endemic wildlife, much of which can be spotted as you glide through the water.

Three species of monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced), three-toed sloths, and river otters are often seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. Caiman, iguanas, river turtles, lizards and poison dart frogs inhabit the area too, along with over 320 species of birds including 3 of toucan and 8 of parrot. The park was originally intended to conserve a major nesting beach of the Atlantic green sea turtle: if you travel between June and October you might be lucky enough to see them laying their eggs.

Day 4

Pick up your rental car and drive to Sarapiqui.

Return by boat to Caño Blanco dock and continue by road as far as Guapiles where you will be met by our representative who will deliver your hire car. Drive on a quiet rural road for approximately an hour to Sarapiqui.

The small town has become a popular base in which to take advantage of the wonderful forested national parks in the area, dispersed between banana and pineapple plantations. It has several low key hotels and restaurants. The Rio Sarapiquí runs just east of the main street and is popular for white water rafting.

Day 5

Explore Tirimbina Reserve before driving to Arenal Volcano.

The morning is at leisure to explore the Tirimbina Reserve, which caters for research and recreation in this rainforest environment including some walking trails, suspension bridges and a chocolate tour explaining about cacao cultivation in the area.

From Sarapiqui, it takes 1 ½ hours (75km) to reach La Fortuna, the main town in the foothills of Arenal Volcano.

A modest 1,674m high but an impressive conical mountain dominating the surroundings, Arenal Volcano last erupted in 1998. These days, lava flow and volcanic eruptions are infrequent and there has not been any significant activity since 2010. However, as seismic activity is often unpredictable the situation may change by the time you travel. Even without any recent volcanic activity, the region is still considered to be one of the highlights of a visit to Costa Rica.

Day 6

Visit La Fortuna Falls and the hanging bridges.

At leisure to explore the rainforest close to Arenal. There’s a 3km long trail taking you through primary forest over bridges so you get a real close-up experience as you spot wildlife and exotic plants. There should be good views of the Arenal volcano and neighbouring reservoir. The trail is linked by 6 hanging bridges and 80 fixed bridges, some measuring up to 22m in length and constructed from steel and aluminium to ‘blend with the natural environment.’ With a maximum grade of 7 degrees the carefully engineered trail is accessible to most ages and levels of fitness.

Day 7

Discover Caño Negro wildlife.

At leisure to explore Caño Negro. This remote reserve near the Nicaraguan border is a lowland forested wetland set up to protect migratory birds. It has become renowned for opportunities to observe water-loving birds, especially during migrations. It’s an enchanting 3hr boat trip up the Río Frío through the reserve to Caño Negro lake, a shallow overflow from the river in the wet season (it’s dry in March-April).

En route you’ll be watching out for sloths, monkeys, caimans, bats and tropical flora. It’s possible to drive the 1.5 to 2 hours to Los Chiles 4km from the border and trips into the park can be arranged from there or if you fancy a break from driving we can arrange it for you from La Fortuna where many trips depart from early in the morning.

DAY 8

Drive from Arenal to Monteverde

The drive from Arenal to Monteverde is only 110km but takes at least 4 hours. The first section to Tilarán skirts the northern shoreline of Lake Arenal on a winding, paved road and is particularly scenic with Arenal Volcano looming in your rear-view mirror.

Soon after Tilarán, the tarmac ends and the road becomes increasingly bumpy and at times quite steep, as it winds up through the mountains, past small farms and coffee plantations, to Monteverde. It can be slow going but the views are rewarding particularly on a clear day.

Day 9

At leisure to discover forest trails and ride on a zip line.

Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve accompanied by a naturalist guide. The reserve includes a protected area comprising 6 different life zones. So many habitats in such a small area, along with extensive trail improvements, allow visitors to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna with relatively short distance and easy walking.

The reserve was founded in 1972 and extends down both slopes of the Tilarán Mountains. It is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 of birds and 1,500 of plants. Walking along the well-marked trails, amidst dense, dripping foliage, you are likely to encounter the Resplendent quetzal (Jan – Jul. Occasionally a dozen or more individuals at once). Other species include the three-wattled bellbird, the emerald toucanet, and white-faced and howler monkeys.

Day 10

Drive from Monteverde to Rincón de la Vieja.

Follow a road through rural Costa Rica flanked by fields and low-lying vegetation. After 2.5hrs you arrive at a junction where you turn off onto a bumpy dirt track for a further 1.5hrs, with views of mist-swathed Rincón de La Vieja National Park.

The verdant park straddles the Guanacaste Cordillera. Its terrain ranges from tropical forest to lower mountain rainforest. There’s an abundance of wildlife particularly of birds and butterflies, and the country’s national flower – the cattleya skinneri orchid. The park’s main attraction though, is its active 1,895m volcano. There are also numerous waterfalls, fumaroles, boiling mud pools and geysers.

Day 11

At leisure to raft, hike or go horse-riding.

A wide range of classic Costa Rican outdoor activities can be undertaken from your lodge, including horse riding, mountain biking, zip-lining and white water rafting. There is also a choice of slower-paced nature tours, including a visit to a butterfly farm.

Day 12

Drive to the Pacific coast.

As you drive on through Guanacaste to the Pacific coast temperatures start to rise, the cool mist turns to a dry heat and the landscape takes on a golden glow. Start off on a gravel track following signs to Liberia (2hrs). It is a pleasant drive.

The lush rainforest gives way to more arid, scorched vegetation as temperatures soar in the coastal area of Guanacaste province. You are heading for the beach at Playa Panama, less than half an hour’s drive from Liberia.

Panama Beach’s rock-free, smooth, toffee-coloured sand is great for sunbathing. With its sheltered position south of Culebra Bay the swimming conditions are perfect. Additionally, the region’s abundant good weather may entice you out on the water: sailing, scuba diving, and sport fishing are popular activities. There are a number of resort hotels and other leisure developments currently under construction there but it remains a balmy, peaceful place with wonderful sunsets.

Day 13

At leisure on the beach.

At leisure to relax or explore the national park.

Day 14

Drop off car at Liberia airport and take international flight home.