Prices per person, in US dollars, including accommodation, breakfasts and the services listed in the program. The package details are listed below.
Picture yourself at the wheel, leaving the Central Valley behind for misty highlands, northern rivers and the Caribbean coast. This Costa Rica self-drive tour, known at the agency as the Blue Jeans tour, covers 16 days and 15 nights at a relaxed pace, with your lodging and guided outings arranged in advance. You drive; the route, the stops and the timing have already been thought through.
The 16-day Costa Rica itinerary begins at Poás Volcano and the cloud forest of Monteverde, then heads down to the dry plains of Guanacaste, the turquoise waters of Río Celeste and the hot springs of Arenal. It continues through the wetlands of Caño Negro and the remote rivers of Boca Tapada, near the Nicaraguan border, before reaching Sarapiquí, the Caribbean coast around Cahuita and the coffee country of Turrialba. Along the way come night walks, boat trips, wildlife rescue centers, a morning on the river and visits to family farms.
Vacances au Costa Rica has been planning trips from its base in San Francisco de Heredia since 2014. On arrival, a representative of the agency meets you at the airport, and a welcome note from Vincent, the agency's founder, who has called Costa Rica home for more than 40 years, invites you to leave everyday stress behind. Throughout your Costa Rica road trip, the team remains reachable and answers your questions in English.
Your itinerary
San José · 1 night
Monteverde · 2 nights
Volcán Tenorio (Río Celeste) · 1 night
Volcán Arenal · 2 nights
Caño Negro · 2 nights
Boca Tapada · 2 nights
Sarapiquí · 1 night
Cahuita · 3 nights
San José · 1 night
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Costa Rica and first miles to San José
Your flight lands at Juan Santamaría International Airport, in the province of Alajuela. In the arrivals hall, a representative of the agency is waiting for you, easy to spot with a sign bearing your name. A private transfer takes you to the rental agency, where you pick up the car that will carry you across the country for the next two weeks. Once your bags are loaded, you set off for San José. This first drive is a gentle introduction to the roads, the traffic and the warm tropical air. Vincent's welcome note sets the tone: leave your watch and the stress of daily life behind, the holiday has begun. Night in San José, with breakfast the next morning.
Day 1 of the Costa Rica self-drive tour begins with a night at a modern hotel in San José, near SJO airport.
Day 2
Poás Volcano crater and a night walk in the Monteverde cloud forest
After breakfast, you drive up into the Central Volcanic Range to Poás Volcano National Park, at more than 2,700 meters (nearly 8,900 feet). A marked trail leads through high-altitude vegetation to the viewpoint over the main crater. When the sky is clear, you look down into a vast crater and its acid lake, whose colors shift from one visit to the next; clouds often roll in and wrap the site in mist. Bring a warm, waterproof layer, and note that access depends on the weather and on volcanic activity. You then continue to Monteverde. At nightfall, a local naturalist guide leads you along the reserve's trails by flashlight in search of tree frogs, insects, spiders, reptiles and small nocturnal mammals. Encounters vary, and the sounds of the forest at night are part of the experience.
The entrance sign of Poás Volcano National Park greets visitors on day 2 of this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 3
Monteverde at your own pace
Today belongs to you. Without a guide, you set out on the marked trails of the Monteverde cloud forest and walk at whatever pace suits you. Mist clings to the leaves, the air is cool, and almost every trunk is covered in mosses, lichens and epiphytes. Look closely and you will find ferns, bromeliads and orchids thriving in the constant moisture. Moving quietly and scanning the canopy, you may spot hummingbirds and other birds, insects, amphibians or small mammals. Stop wherever you like: to photograph a hidden orchid, to watch the light filter through the fog, or simply to listen. After last night's guided walk, this is a chance to see the forest with fresh eyes. Please stay on the trails, leave plants and animals undisturbed and carry out any waste. Second night in Monteverde.
The red wooden visitor center at the edge of the Monteverde cloud forest, a day-three stop on this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 4
Rescued wild cats and a float on the Río Corobicí
You leave around 7:30 a.m. and drive toward Cañas, in Guanacaste, through green plains and open pastureland. Near town, you visit a sanctuary for wild animals that, for various reasons, can no longer return to the wild. Begun through the work of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer and supported by a foundation since 2003, it shelters native cats such as pumas, jaguars and ocelots, along with several species of monkeys. At 11:30 a.m., you board a boat on the Río Corobicí for a calm outing of about an hour and a half. Watch for large American crocodiles and the many birds along the banks, framed by the tropical dry forest of Guanacaste, so different from the humid forests of the previous days. Lunch is included. You then drive on to the Tenorio Volcano area for a night in a bungalow.
A puma gazes off to the side, its tawny coat set against deep green foliage.
Day 5
Río Celeste waterfall and an evening in Arenal's hot springs
After breakfast, you leave around 8:30 a.m. for Tenorio Volcano National Park, arriving between 9:00 and 9:30. A hike of about three hours winds through dense rainforest of tall trees, ferns and lianas, where birds and amphibians may cross your path. The sound of water grows louder until you reach the Río Celeste waterfall: 253 steps lead down to the viewpoint, and the same steps lead back up. The pool below is a vivid turquoise, the result of mineral particles that change the way light is scattered, a phenomenon most striking at El Teñidero, where the river takes on its color. In the afternoon, you head to Arenal and unwind at a hot springs complex, where pools of different temperatures and small waterfalls are fed by water heated by the volcano's geothermal activity. A buffet dinner at 7:00 p.m. is included.
The Río Celeste waterfall and its turquoise pool, reached by a stairway through the rainforest, a highlight of day 5 on this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 6
Lava flows and hanging bridges around Arenal Volcano
The morning offers an optional hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, with the entrance fee paid on site. Leaving around 8:30 a.m., you walk for an hour and a half to two hours, mostly on flat ground, through rainforest that has slowly reclaimed old volcanic terrain. A rougher section of 200 to 300 meters crosses rocks from former lava flows, including those of 1992, and ends at a viewpoint over the volcano and its lava fields. Along the way, a ceiba tree more than 400 years old towers over the trail. In the afternoon, the included hanging bridges walk takes about two hours along nearly 3 kilometers (2 miles) of trails, with 8 fixed bridges and 6 suspension bridges, some 48 to 98 meters long. From these secure walkways, you look straight into the canopy, listening for birdsong and scanning the branches for wildlife.
The cone of Arenal Volcano towers over the entrance sign of Arenal Volcano National Park on a sunny day.
Day 7
Slowing down in the wetlands of Caño Negro
Today you head north into the quiet farmland of the Caño Negro region, bordered by wetlands and known for its abundant birdlife. No activity is planned: once you have settled into your hotel, the afternoon unfolds between tropical gardens and the swimming pool, far from the busier tourist sites. As evening falls, take a moment to enjoy the calm of the place before dinner, which is included at the hotel tonight and tomorrow night. It is a welcome pause halfway through the journey, a chance to rest after the volcano days and to get ready for the rivers ahead.
An agami heron wades through still water among tangled branches in the Caño Negro wetlands.
Day 8
Caño Negro boat tour through the wildlife refuge
After breakfast, you set off on a boat excursion along the Río Frío and the lagoons of the Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, one of the country's most notable wetlands. With a local guide, you glide through channels lined with lush vegetation and learn how this ecosystem works. Keep your eyes open for herons, kingfishers, caimans, iguanas, turtles and monkeys. Animals live freely here, so sightings can never be guaranteed, and the route may vary with the weather and water levels. Back at the hotel, the afternoon is yours: by the pool, in the gardens or simply resting. Dinner at the hotel rounds off the day in an unhurried atmosphere.
Travelers scan the riverbanks from a covered boat during a wildlife cruise in Caño Negro, a highlight of this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 9
Boca Tapada and the forest after dark
You drive on to Boca Tapada, a remote corner of the northern lowlands where rivers and rainforest remain largely preserved. After settling into your bungalow, the day slows down until nightfall, when a local guide leads you along the property's trails by flashlight. In the dark, the forest changes completely: sounds grow sharper and many species leave their hiding places. You look for frogs, insects, reptiles, spiders and other small creatures and, with some luck, animals that are harder to see by day. Your guide helps you identify each find and explains its habits and its role in the balance of the tropical ecosystem. Every rustle or glint among the leaves can become the start of a new discovery.
A kinkajou peers out from a mossy branch during a night walk in Boca Tapada.
Day 10
By boat to the Río San Juan, then monkeys in the rainforest
After breakfast, you board a boat right from your lodging and head to the mouth of the Río San Carlos, where it meets the broad Río San Juan, here the natural border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The ride is calm, through a largely untouched landscape of rainforest and waterways. Herons, ibises, egrets and kingfishers feed along the banks, while caimans, iguanas, turtles, frogs and sometimes a well-hidden snake may reveal themselves. Your guide points them out and explains how water, forest and wildlife are bound together. Later, a guided rainforest hike in the reserve takes you through the layers of the forest in search of howler monkeys, spider monkeys and capuchins, along with birds, insects and reptiles.
A covered blue boat waits at the riverbank, ready for an excursion near Boca Tapada.
Day 11
Sarapiquí rafting, leaf-cutter ants and red-eyed tree frogs
After breakfast, you drive to an adventure center on the Sarapiquí River, arriving by 9:15 a.m. at the latest. The morning is spent rafting Class II and III rapids for about half a day, with a professional guide who gives a safety briefing before leading you downstream. Calmer stretches let you take in the vegetation along the banks. If you prefer something gentler, you can choose a safari float of about two and a half hours in a non-motorized raft, or a motorboat trip, both suited to watching birds, monkeys and reptiles. A typical Costa Rican lunch follows at the center, then a visit to the highly organized world of leaf-cutter ants. After checking in at your hotel, a 6:00 p.m. walk takes you in search of the red-eyed tree frog, most active after dark.
A group paddles a blue raft through foaming rapids with their guide on the Sarapiquí river.
Day 12
Pineapples, heart of palm and the road to the Caribbean
After breakfast, you leave around 8:30 a.m. for Horquetas de Sarapiquí, a green rural area known for family farming. At an organic pineapple and sugarcane farm, you follow the fruit from planting to harvest and even put a young pineapple plant into the ground yourself, before learning how sugarcane fits into local rural life. Around 11:30 a.m., the owner of a small family farm introduces you to heart of palm, called palmito, and to pejibaye, the fruit of mature palms. After a tasting of fresh heart of palm, lunch at the family's small local eatery, known as a soda, features traditional dishes made with it, depending on the day: palmito ceviche, lasagna, bread, chorreada or picadillo. You then drive to the Caribbean coast and Cahuita, your base for the next three nights.
A local farmer shows a freshly picked pineapple in his field, a stop on a Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 13
Wildlife rescue and conservation on the southern Caribbean coast
After breakfast, you leave around 8:45 a.m. for a wildlife rescue center about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Cahuita, with your visit set for 9:30. In the rainforest, this private sanctuary cares for injured, sick or orphaned animals and, whenever their condition allows, prepares them to return to the wild. You learn about the team's daily work and may see mammals, reptiles, butterflies and birds, including sloths and frogs depending on the day. In the afternoon, you visit a conservation project devoted to local species through breeding, reintroduction and habitat protection programs. A presentation is followed by a guided walk in the surrounding forest, where birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs and reptiles may appear. The day unfolds along the coast between Cahuita, Punta Cocles and Manzanillo.
A guide shares information with visitors next to a mesh enclosure surrounded by tropical vegetation.
Day 14
Cahuita: an organic farm and a river by kayak
At 9:00 a.m., you meet your local guide for a day devoted to nature and to the people who live from the land. It begins with a visit to an organic farm, where you discover tropical crops and farming practices that respect the environment. Then you take your seat in a kayak for a gentle paddle down the river, gliding between green banks. The river acts as a natural corridor, and howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas and many birds may show themselves along the way, while your guide helps you spot the shyer residents and shares a deep knowledge of the region and its plants. Lunch is included. In the late afternoon, you return to your hotel for free time by the pool and a quiet evening on the Caribbean coast.
A yellow kayak glides along a calm, tree-lined river near Cahuita on day 14 of this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 15
Turrialba coffee tour, then back to San José
After breakfast, you leave around 9:00 a.m. for Turrialba, as the scenery shifts from the coast to mountains, plantations and green valleys. Around 11:30 a.m., you arrive at an organic coffee farm whose production follows international standards for growing and processing, with close attention to quality and the environment. You tour the beneficio, the mill where freshly harvested coffee is processed, and follow each step that turns the coffee cherry into beans ready for roasting. The visit ends, fittingly, with a cup of Costa Rican coffee and a chance to appreciate the aromas of a local harvest. You then drive on to San José for your final night.
Freshly harvested coffee cherries spread out to dry under a translucent greenhouse tunnel near Turrialba.
Day 16
San José on foot, then homeward
After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, you explore San José on a walking tour of its historic center. The Central Market comes first, a local institution where tropical fruit, spices, crafts and the scent of coffee fill the busy aisles. You continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral, then to the National Theatre, inaugurated in the late 19th century, with its elegant facade and richly decorated interior. Time permitting, you may add the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the Jade Museum; entrance fees to monuments and museums are not included. You then return your car to the rental agency near the airport, whose staff take you to the terminal, planned so that you arrive at least three hours before takeoff. ¡Pura vida!
The neoclassical National Theater in downtown San José, a final stop before heading to SJO airport on a Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Where you will stay
San José · 1 night
A city hotel in San José with an executive king room, a comfortable first stop after you collect your rental car. Breakfast included.
Monteverde · 2 nights
A hotel in the Monteverde cloud forest area, in a standard room, your base for the night walk and the self-guided day on the trails. Breakfast included.
Volcán Tenorio (Río Celeste) · 1 night
Bungalow accommodation in the Río Celeste area, within driving distance of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Breakfast included.
Volcán Arenal · 2 nights
A junior suite in the Arenal Volcano area, for two nights between hot springs, old lava flows and hanging bridges. Breakfast included.
Caño Negro · 2 nights
A quiet hotel in the countryside near the Caño Negro wetlands, with tropical gardens and a swimming pool. Half board, with breakfast and dinner included.
Boca Tapada · 2 nights
A bungalow on a property in the northern lowlands with its own forest trails; the night tour takes place here and the boat trip leaves from the property. Breakfast included.
Sarapiquí · 1 night
A family cabin in the green Sarapiquí region, a simple and practical base after the river morning. Breakfast included.
Cahuita · 3 nights
A superior room in a hotel on the southern Caribbean coast near Cahuita, with a swimming pool for your free afternoons. Breakfast included.
San José · 1 night
Back in the capital, a city hotel with an executive king room for the last night, before the walking tour and the drive to the airport. Breakfast included.
What the package includes
Included
Private transfer from the airport to the rental agency
Nights in the hotels listed, or similar if unavailable before final booking
Breakfast every day of the tour
Lunches mentioned in the program *
Dinners mentioned in the program *
Mandatory PLI / LWD insurance
Car rental with the mandatory insurance
National park entrance fees listed as included in the program
Activities and visits listed as included in the program
Private transfer to the airport on departure day
The 13% hotel tax
The 13% tax on tourist activities
Our assistance in English throughout your stay
* Meals include a main course and one non-alcoholic drink
National park entrance fees listed as optional in the program
Activities and visits listed as optional in the program
Extensions, variations and suggestions
Personal expenses and tips
Travel or repatriation insurance
Not included: road costs, fuel, parking, ferries and tolls
Any other service
Optional activities
Arenal Volcano National Park entrance fee: USD 17, payable on site
Who this trip is for
This journey is for travelers who are comfortable behind the wheel and want the freedom of a Costa Rica road trip without planning every night and every outing themselves. It suits couples, friends and families alike, with rooms for two, three or four people. Nature sets the tone: night walks, boat trips, wildlife rescue centers and farm visits take precedence over beach time, so it will appeal most to those curious about wildlife, plants and rural life. A reasonable level of fitness helps for the three-hour Río Celeste hike and its 253 steps, while the rafting morning can be swapped for a gentler float. Some days start early, and the drives between regions are part of the experience.
Frequently asked questions
How does the car rental work on this Costa Rica self-drive tour?
On arrival, a private transfer takes you from Juan Santamaría International Airport to the rental agency, where you pick up your car. The rental includes the mandatory PLI/LDW insurance. On the last day, you return the car to the rental agency near the airport, which then takes you to the terminal. Fuel, tolls, parking and any ferries are not included, and the optional SPP deductible waiver, also not included, is strongly recommended.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Lunch is included on days 4, 11, 12 and 14, and dinner on days 5, 7 and 8. Included meals consist of a main course and a non-alcoholic drink; drinks outside meals and alcoholic beverages are extra.
Is the entrance to Arenal Volcano National Park included?
No. The lava flow hike in Arenal Volcano National Park on day 6 is optional, and the entrance fee is paid directly on site. The hanging bridges walk that afternoon is included. On the San José walking tour, entrance fees to monuments, the National Theatre and museums are also extra.
I would rather not go rafting. Is there an alternative?
Yes. The rafting on the Sarapiquí River on day 11 runs Class II and III rapids. If you prefer a calmer outing, it can be replaced by a safari float of about two and a half hours in a non-motorized raft, or by a motorboat trip, both well suited to wildlife watching.
What room configurations are available?
The trip can be booked for two travelers in one double room, three travelers in a triple room, or four travelers in either a quadruple room or two double rooms. Stays are in the planned hotels or similar ones if a hotel is unavailable before final booking.
From the cool summit of Poás to the warm rivers of the Caribbean, this Costa Rica self-drive tour lets you discover the country one region at a time, with every night and guided outing already arranged. Working from San Francisco de Heredia, the agency team can adjust the pace, the room configuration or the activities to suit you, and answers your questions in English. If this route speaks to you, feel free to ask for a quote: we will be glad to help you shape your own self-drive trip in Costa Rica.
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