Vacances au Costa Rica

Quote

Local travel agency · Since 2014

Scarlet Macaw Circuit: a 15-day Costa Rica self-drive tour from the Caribbean to the Pacific

Two weeks at the wheel, from coffee hills and Caribbean reefs to the turquoise Río Celeste and the waves of Playa Sámara.

Scarlet Macaw Tour, Costa Rica

Prices per person

4 travelers

  • Quadruple room USD 2,151

Choose this option

3 travelers

  • Triple room USD 2,188

Choose this option

4 travelers

  • Double room USD 2,491

Choose this option

2 travelers

  • Double room USD 2,711

Choose this option

Prices per person, in US dollars, including accommodation, breakfasts and the services listed in the program. The package details are listed below.

The Scarlet Macaw Circuit is a Costa Rica self-drive tour designed for travelers who want freedom on the road without giving up a carefully built framework. Over 15 days and 14 nights, you cross the country from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific, with your own rental car and a program of guided visits and outings already booked for you.

The route follows the country's changing landscapes: the coffee farms of Turrialba, the rainforest and coral beaches around Cahuita, the farms and rivers of Sarapiquí, the remote waterways of Boca Tapada on the Nicaraguan border, the cone of Arenal Volcano, the blue water of Río Celeste, the dry forest of Guanacaste and finally the beach at Playa Sámara.

This 15-day Costa Rica road trip gives real weight to wildlife and to the people who protect it: rescue centers, a conservation project, night walks in search of the red-eyed tree frog, boat trips among caimans and herons. It also opens the door to rural Costa Rica, with family farms growing heart of palm, pineapple and sugarcane.

Vacances au Costa Rica, a local agency based in San Francisco de Heredia since 2014, organizes every stage, and the team answers your questions in English before and during your stay.

Your itinerary

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Juan Santamaría and a first drive to San José

You land at Juan Santamaría International Airport, in the province of Alajuela. In the arrivals hall, a representative of the agency waits for you with a sign bearing your name, and a welcome note from Vincent, who has made Costa Rica his adopted home for more than 40 years, sets the tone: from now on, you can leave the watch and the daily rush behind. A private transfer takes you to the rental agency, where you pick up your car. Once settled in, you drive at an easy pace toward San José. This first short stretch of road lets you get used to the tropical atmosphere and begin the trip calmly. Night in San José.

Modern white hotel facade in San José with a green living wall, a curved canopy entrance, and a red cow sculpture
First night in San José, near SJO airport, at the start of a Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 2

Turrialba coffee country, then on to the Caribbean

After breakfast, you set off around 9:00 toward the green region of Turrialba, where the scenery shifts from mountains to plantations and tropical valleys. Around 11:30, you visit a farm devoted to organic coffee, grown according to international standards with close attention to quality and to the environment. You tour the beneficio, the mill where freshly harvested beans are processed, and follow each step that turns the coffee cherry into beans ready for roasting. The visit ends with a tasting of Costa Rican coffee, a chance to appreciate the aromas of a local harvest. You then continue to Cahuita, on the Caribbean coast, for the night.

Coffee cherries drying in rows on a concrete floor inside a white plastic greenhouse tunnel
Coffee cherries spread out to dry under a plastic tunnel, a step in coffee processing you can discover on a Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 3

Punta Cocles and Manzanillo: wildlife rescue and conservation

Leave around 8:45 for a private rescue center about 20 kilometers from Cahuita, with your visit scheduled at 9:30. Deep in the rainforest, the team cares for injured, sick or orphaned wild animals and, whenever possible, prepares them to return to the wild. You may see mammals, reptiles, butterflies and birds, sloths and frogs among them, depending on the day. In the afternoon, you visit a project dedicated to protecting local species through breeding, reintroduction and habitat conservation. After a presentation, your guide leads you on a walk through the surrounding forest, where birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs and reptiles may appear, depending on conditions and a bit of luck. Night in Cahuita.

Guide explaining an animal enclosure to three visitors on a shaded path in a Caribbean Costa Rica rainforest
A guide shares details about the animals in a covered enclosure during a stop near Punta Cocles on a Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 4

Cahuita National Park: rainforest, white sand and coral reefs

Today belongs to Cahuita National Park, protected for both its forest and its marine life. The park is open from 8:00 to 16:00, and the full trail between the Puerto Vargas and Cahuita entrances is about 11 kilometers. You can walk it all, or enter at Cahuita, follow part of the path and simply turn back. The trail winds through dense vegetation, often a few meters from the shore, with glimpses of the Caribbean between palms and vines. Watch for monkeys, iguanas, raccoons, coatis, sloths, basilisks and tropical birds. At Playa Blanca, take time to swim, rest in the shade or enjoy a picnic of your own. Park entrance is optional and paid on site.

Sandy beach lined with tropical forest at Cahuita National Park on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, under a clear blue sky
A curving sandy beach framed by green vegetation at the entrance to Cahuita National Park, a stop on day 4 of this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 5

Organic farm and a gentle kayak descent with a local guide

At 9:00, you meet your local guide for a day spent close to nature. It begins with a visit to an organic farm, where you discover tropical crops and farming practices that respect the land. Then you climb into your kayak for a calm descent of the river, gliding between green banks. The river acts as a natural corridor: howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas and many birds may appear, and your guide helps you spot the shyer animals while sharing his 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 Caribbean evening.

Yellow kayak bow on a calm jungle river lined with dense tropical trees near Cahuita, Costa Rica
A yellow kayak glides along a calm, tree-lined river near Cahuita on day 5 of a Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 6

Sarapiquí: heart of palm, pineapple and red-eyed tree frogs

Leave around 8:30 for Horquetas de Sarapiquí, a rural region known for family farming. Around 11:30, the owner of a small family farm shows you how heart of palm, or palmito, is grown, and how mature palms produce pejibaye fruit. After tasting fresh palmito, you sit down at the family soda for traditional dishes such as palmito ceviche, lasagna, bread or picadillo, depending on what is prepared that day. Next, an organic pineapple and sugarcane farm, where you plant a young pineapple yourself. From 18:00, as the forest wakes up, a guided walk goes in search of the red-eyed tree frog. Night in family cabins in Sarapiquí.

Smiling woman carrying a bundle of freshly cut sugarcane stalks on her shoulder among tropical plants in Sarapiquí
A local host carries freshly cut sugarcane through a lush garden in Sarapiquí, a stop on this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 7

Rafting on the Río Sarapiquí, then the road to Boca Tapada

After breakfast, drive to an adventure center, arriving no later than 9:15. A professional guide gives the safety briefing before a half-day rafting trip on class II and III rapids of the Río Sarapiquí, with calmer stretches to take in the riverbanks. If you prefer something gentler, a safari float of about 2 hours 30 minutes, in an unpowered raft or a motorboat, can replace the rafting and is ideal for spotting birds, monkeys and reptiles. A typical Costa Rican lunch is served back at the center. You then discover the organized world of leaf-cutter ants before driving on to Boca Tapada, a wild and preserved region. Night in a bungalow.

Group white-water rafting in a blue raft with yellow helmets and red life jackets through river rapids in Sarapiquí
A group paddles a blue raft through foaming rapids during a rafting excursion in Sarapiquí.
Day 8

Boca Tapada: by boat to the Río San Juan and into the rainforest

After breakfast, you board a boat right from your hotel and head for the mouth of the Río San Carlos, where it meets the Río San Juan, the natural border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The ride is peaceful, through largely untouched forest. Herons, ibises, egrets and kingfishers line the banks, and with luck you may see caimans, iguanas, turtles and frogs. Your guide helps you identify each species. Later, a local guide leads you on a rainforest walk, explaining the layers of the forest and searching the canopy for howler monkeys, spider monkeys and capuchins, along with birds, insects and reptiles. Second night in Boca Tapada.

Blue wooden boat with a canopy and orange life jackets moored on a brown river bordered by tropical forest near Boca Tapada
A covered blue boat waits at the riverbank for an excursion through the lowland forest of Boca Tapada.
Day 9

Arenal Volcano, a 70-meter waterfall and hot springs

You drive across the green plains of San Carlos toward La Fortuna as the near-perfect cone of Arenal, about 1,600 meters high, rises ahead. Its sudden eruption on July 29, 1968 began a long period of activity; today it is much calmer and closely monitored. Near La Fortuna, a staircase of about 530 steps, 15 to 20 minutes down, leads to a waterfall more than 70 meters high that plunges into a natural pool. Swim when conditions allow, take photos and watch for butterflies, birds and perhaps monkeys. The afternoon is spent at a thermal complex fed by Arenal's geothermal waters, with pools at different temperatures, and a buffet dinner at 19:00.

Hikers descending stone stairs with wooden railings toward a tall waterfall in dense rainforest near Arenal, Costa Rica
Hikers walk down a stone staircase framed by wooden railings, with a waterfall dropping through the jungle ahead.
Day 10

Lava flows and Arenal hanging bridges

Leave around 8:30 for a 1.5 to 2-hour hike in Arenal Volcano National Park. The trail is mostly flat and easy, apart from a 200 to 300-meter section across old lava rock that calls for care and rewards you with views of the volcano and its lava fields when the weather is clear. You walk past the 1992 lava flows and a ceiba tree more than 400 years old, through forest where nature has reclaimed the land. Park entrance is optional and paid on site. In the afternoon, a walk of about 2 hours covers nearly 3 kilometers of trails, crossing 8 fixed and 6 hanging bridges, some 48 to 98 meters long, at canopy height.

Arenal Volcano cone under blue sky with clouds, behind the Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal entrance sign and a gravel road
The cone of Arenal Volcano rises behind the national park entrance sign, a stop on day 10 of this Costa Rica self-drive tour.
Day 11

Río Celeste hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park

Leave around 7:30 for Tenorio Volcano National Park, in the Guanacaste volcanic range, arriving between 10:00 and 10:30. Park entrance is included. A hike of about 3 hours leads through dense forest of ferns, vines and tall trees, home to many birds and amphibians. To reach the waterfall viewpoint, you go down and back up 253 steps, then see the water fall into a pool of startling turquoise. The color is natural: mineral particles in the river change the way light is scattered, an effect most visible at El Teñidero, where the water takes on its blue tint. After dark, a guided night walk searches for frogs, insects, reptiles and spiders by flashlight.

Río Celeste waterfall pouring into a turquoise pool, with wooden stairs descending through rainforest in Tenorio Volcano park
The Río Celeste waterfall drops into its bright blue pool, reached by a long wooden staircase through the forest.
Day 12

Cañas wildlife refuge and a float on the Río Corobicí

Leave around 7:30 for Cañas, through the plains and pastures of Guanacaste. You visit a refuge that cares for wild animals unable to return to nature, including pumas, jaguars, ocelots and several monkey species. Originally created through the work of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer, it has been supported since 2003 by a foundation funded by visits, donations and sponsors. At 11:30, you board a boat on the Río Corobicí for a calm outing of about 1 hour 30 minutes, watching for large American crocodiles and many birds amid the tropical dry forest, a contrast with the humid forests of earlier days. Lunch is included, then you continue to Playa Sámara.

Close-up of a puma with amber eyes and open mouth against a blurred green forest background
A puma looks sideways with its mouth slightly open, photographed against a soft green background.
Day 13

Dolphin watching in Playa Sámara and a free afternoon

Around 8:00, the operator picks you up at your hotel reception for a shared boat trip off Playa Sámara. You head out on the Pacific in search of dolphins and, depending on the season, the weather and the animals, humpback whales, with views of the Guanacaste coastline. Observation respects the animals and their habitat. You are back around 12:00, with the afternoon free for the beach, a walk along the shore or a swim. As an option, booked with the same operator, you can leave around 18:30 for a nearby refuge protecting sea turtles and, mainly from July to January, possibly into early February, perhaps watch a turtle come ashore to nest.

Two dolphins surfacing side by side in blue ocean water off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica
A pair of dolphins breaks the surface during a boat outing from Playa Sámara.
Day 14

A free day on the Pacific coast

No activity is scheduled today, by design. After breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy Playa Sámara and its surroundings at your own pace. After two weeks of trails, rivers and early starts, this is a moment to slow down: the beach, the waves of the Pacific and the easygoing rhythm of this part of Guanacaste are right at hand. It is also a good time to look back over the journey, from the Caribbean reefs to the dry forest, before the return drive tomorrow. Third night in Playa Sámara.

A sea turtle digging its nest in the sand by moonlight on a Pacific beach near Playa Sámara
Optional during your free day in Playa Sámara: sea turtle nesting, from July to January, at the Camaronal refuge.
Day 15

Return of your car and departure

After breakfast, you drive to the rental agency near your departure airport, return the car, and the rental agency takes you to the terminal. Allow about 4 hours 30 minutes on the road to Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, or about 2 hours to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia. Departure is planned so that you reach the airport at least 3 hours before takeoff. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours to explore San José or Liberia, its parks, museums or streets; entrance fees are not included. Then it is time to fly home. ¡Pura vida!

Where you will stay

San José · 1 night

A comfortable city hotel in San José with a king-bed executive room, convenient for a calm first night after your flight and a smooth start on the road the next morning.

Cahuita · 4 nights

A hotel in superior rooms on the Caribbean coast, close to Cahuita National Park, with a swimming pool for relaxing after days in the forest and on the river.

Sarapiquí · 1 night

Family cabins in the green countryside of Sarapiquí, a simple and welcoming base for an evening walk in search of red-eyed tree frogs.

Boca Tapada · 2 nights

Bungalows in a remote rainforest setting near the Río San Carlos, with boat trips leaving directly from the property.

Volcán Arenal · 2 nights

A hotel with junior suites in the La Fortuna area, at the foot of Arenal Volcano, well placed for the national park and the hanging bridges.

Volcán Tenorio y Río Celeste · 1 night

Bungalows surrounded by forest near Tenorio Volcano National Park, ideal for the Río Celeste hike and the night walk.

Playa Sámara · 3 nights

Double bungalows near the beach at Playa Sámara, on the Guanacaste coast, for a slower pace at the end of the journey.

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

Not included

  • International flights to Costa Rica
  • Drinks outside meals and alcoholic drinks
  • SPP insurance (excess waiver), strongly recommended
  • 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

  • Cahuita National Park entrance fee: USD 6, payable on site
  • Arenal Volcano National Park entrance fee: USD 17, payable on site
  • Night sea turtle watching tour: USD 45, payable on site

Who this trip is for

This journey suits travelers who are comfortable driving abroad and want to set their own pace between well-planned stages. It speaks to nature lovers, photographers and curious minds drawn to wildlife conservation and rural life, and it works well for families: farm visits, planting a pineapple and night walks appeal to all ages. Active days, such as the Cahuita trail, the lava rocks at Arenal or the 253 steps at Río Celeste, call for reasonable fitness, while the class II and III rafting can be swapped for a calmer safari float. Rest days on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts balance the early starts.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in this Costa Rica self-drive tour?

The package includes the private airport transfer to the rental agency, the rental car with mandatory PLI/LDW insurance, 14 nights of accommodation with daily breakfast, the lunches and dinner mentioned in the program (main course and a soft drink), the activities and park entrances marked as included, the 13% hotel and activity taxes, the return to the airport via the rental agency, and agency assistance throughout your stay.

Which costs are not covered during the trip?

International flights, fuel, tolls, parking and ferries, drinks outside meals and alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses, travel and repatriation insurance, and the optional deductible waiver (SPP), which is strongly recommended. The Cahuita and Arenal Volcano National Park entrances and the turtle nesting tour are optional and paid separately.

Is the rafting on the Río Sarapiquí suitable for everyone?

The rafting runs class II and III rapids with a professional guide and a safety briefing. Travelers who prefer something calmer can replace it with a safari float of about 2 hours 30 minutes, in an unpowered raft or a motorboat, better suited to wildlife watching.

When can you see sea turtles nesting near Playa Sámara?

The optional evening turtle outing is mainly offered from July to January, with sightings sometimes extending into early February. Nesting always depends on natural conditions and the presence of turtles. It is booked with the same operator as the dolphin boat trip.

Which airport do I fly home from?

You can leave from Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, about 4 hours 30 minutes from Playa Sámara, or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, about 2 hours away. Departure is planned so you arrive at least 3 hours before your flight.

From the coffee hills of Turrialba to the Pacific beach at Playa Sámara, this Costa Rica self-drive tour follows a thread of forests, rivers and encounters with the people who care for the land and its wildlife. Each stage can be fine-tuned to your dates, your room needs and your pace. If this route speaks to you, the Vacances au Costa Rica team will be glad to prepare a personalized quote and answer your questions in English.

Request this tour

Tell us your dates and who is traveling: we will reply with a personalized quote for “Scarlet Macaw Tour”.

A personal reply within 48 business hours, with no obligation, from a travel consultant based in Costa Rica.