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Highlights
Discover Costa Rica’s beauty with this unforgettable self-drive adventure tour!
Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes on a flexible self-drive journey.
Stay in comfortable lodges and hotels nestled in nature and cities.
Experience wildlife watching, cultural sites, and outdoor adventures.
Enjoy the freedom to customize your daily itinerary and activities.
The Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour offers a unique way to explore Costa Rica at your own pace, combining the freedom of driving yourself through stunning landscapes with carefully selected accommodations ranging from comfortable hotels to charming lodges. Along the way, experience the country’s rich biodiversity, from lush rainforests to volcanic regions, while enjoying opportunities for wildlife watching and cultural visits. The itinerary balances adventure and relaxation, making it accessible to travelers with a moderate activity level.
Travelers will appreciate the flexibility to customize their daily plans, allowing for spontaneous stops and deeper exploration of favorite spots. Guided activities and local insights enhance the experience, while the self-drive format provides independence and convenience. This tour is perfect for those who want to dive into Costa Rica’s natural beauty and culture without the constraints of a fully guided group trip, offering both comfort and adventure in one package.
The Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour offers a unique way to explore Costa Rica at your own pace, combining the freedom of driving yourself through stunning landscapes with carefully selected accommodations ranging from comfortable hotels to charming lodges. Along the way, experience the country’s rich biodiversity, from lush rainforests to volcanic regions, while enjoying opportunities for wildlife watching and cultural visits. The itinerary balances adventure and relaxation, making it accessible to travelers with a moderate activity level.
Travelers will appreciate the flexibility to customize their daily plans, allowing for spontaneous stops and deeper exploration of favorite spots. Guided activities and local insights enhance the experience, while the self-drive format provides independence and convenience. This tour is perfect for those who want to dive into Costa Rica’s natural beauty and culture without the constraints of a fully guided group trip, offering both comfort and adventure in one package.
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Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Costa Rica
Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). After clearing customs and entering Costa Rica, a representative will be waiting for you outside the airport. You will then be privately transferred to your hotel in San Jose.
Overnight Location: Autentico Hotel in San Jose
Meals: None
Day 2 Drive to Sarapiquí’s Lush Lowlands
After breakfast, pick up your rental vehicle and begin your adventure. Head toward Sarapiquí, a lush, peaceful region in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands. As the scenery shifts from urban streets to rural landscapes, enjoy the views and watch for wildlife along the way.
Overnight Location: Selva Verde Lodge in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Day at leisure to enjoy the surroundings
Enjoy a relaxing day at your own pace! For those looking to explore more, a variety of optional tours are available to suit your interests – choose from a mountain biking adventure, safari boat tour, guided night walk, chocolate experience, floating safari on the Sarapiquí River, or whitewater rafting on the La Virgen section of the river.
Overnight Location: Selva Verde Lodge in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Journey to Turrialba
Today, drive to the Turrialba region in Cartago province, a picturesque town set at the base of the impressive Turrialba Volcano. This area offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and outdoor adventure. Spend the rest of the day exploring the surroundings or relaxing and enjoying your hotel’s amenities.
Overnight Location: Hotel Casa Turire
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Discover Turrialba
Enjoy a relaxing day at your own pace. If you’re eager to explore more, several optional activities are available to match your interests—choose from an exciting canyoning and zipline adventure, a tour of the tropical plantations, or a scenic walk to the Guayabo National Monument.
Overnight Location: Hotel Casa Turire
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Scenic drive to the Los Santos Highlands
Today, set out on a scenic self-drive from Turrialba to the beautiful Los Santos region, a highland area known for its lush cloud forests, coffee plantations, and charming rural villages. Enjoy the peaceful drive through winding mountain roads, passing through picturesque landscapes and local communities. Once you arrive, take time to relax or begin exploring the natural beauty and rich culture of this lesser-known gem in Costa Rica.
Overnight Location: Trogon Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Leisure and local experiences in Los Santos
Enjoy a leisurely day at your own pace. If you’re in the mood to explore more of the area, optional tours are available to match your interests—choose from a coffee tour, a visit to nearby waterfalls, or an excursion to the Páramo.
Overnight Location: Trogon Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Return to San José
After breakfast, begin your drive back to San José, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Once you arrive in the capital, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. You might explore the city’s highlights or join the optional Bites and Sights tour for a deeper cultural experience.
Overnight Location: Autentico Hotel in San Jose
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Departure Day
After breakfast, bid farewell to beautiful Costa Rica and its warm-hearted people. On your departure day, return your rental car before heading to the airport for your flight home.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour Price and Dates
The departure is available on any day of the week. Prices below are per person:Accommodation on Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour
This tour is based in hotels and lodges that offer comfort and authentic local charm. Each accommodation provides a cozy atmosphere and convenient access to the region’s natural and cultural attractions.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
What’s Included in the Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 8 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
A rental car is included for the duration of the tour. The standard vehicle provided is a Hyundai Creta 2WD AT or similar (2WD, automatic, PLI & WIFI).
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees where applicable
- Private airport transfers
- 24/7 emergency support
- Rental car from day 2 to day 9
- VAT
Not included
- Flights to and from Costa Rica
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Departure taxes
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Fuel costs
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions:
- Day 1 – Bites and Sights tour
- Day 2 – Mountain bike tour, Safari Boat tour, Guided night walk tour, Chocolate tour
- Day 3 – Mountain bike tour, Safari Boat tour, Guided night walk tour, Chocolate tour, Safari floating at río Sarapiquí, Whitewater rafting at río Sarapiquí (La Virgen section)
- Day 5 – Canyoning & Zipline, CATIE tour (tropical plantation), Walk to Guayabo national monument
- Day 7 – Coffee tour, Waterfall tour, Paramo tour
- Day 8 – Bites and Sights tour
- How hard is the Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Costa Rica?
- Are meals included on the Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to San Jose to start this tour?
- Where does the Adventure Beyond the Trail Self-Drive Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Costa Rica?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Costa Rica?
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. This tour involves moderate walking and light physical activity, but nothing too strenuous. Most days feature sightseeing, guided tours, and comfortable accommodations, making it suitable for most travelers in average health.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
8 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover all the activities listed on the tour. Get your travel insurance.
Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, where a private transfer will take you to your hotel to begin the tour.
The tour ends in San Jose.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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