Self Drive Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
4.6 stars on(8,997 reviews)- Choose from 42 Costa Rica tours
- 25 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Self Drive Costa Rica tour packages
Compiled by
SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
- Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves
- Pura Vida Route - With Rental Vehicle
- Natural Escape in Costa Rica - With Rental Vehicle
- COSTA RICA – Arenal to Manuel Antonio
- Wildlife Pure from the Caribbean to the Pacific (with swimming extension)
- Highlights of the North (8 nights)
- Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
- Fantasy on Beaches and Volcanoes, Self-Drive
The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything went very smoothly. Accommodations were great, and the food was delicious.”
Kirsten, traveled in December
A self-guided adventure with a rental car connects Arenal to Monteverde (Days 4-8). The package features GPS, stays at Casa Luna Hotel and Country Lodge, guided tours in Tortuguero National Park and a catamaran trip to Tortuga Island.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Tortuga Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,883
10% Off- NZ$2,594You save $288
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great guides and we especially loved the boat ride out to Tortuguero.”
Ingrid, traveled in January
A Daihatsu Bego opens up Costa Rica's varied terrain, from Arenal Volcano National Park's trails to Monteverde's cloud forests. The route extends to Tamarindo's beaches with unlimited mileage.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, Arenal Volcano National Park, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,926
10% Off- NZ$2,633You save $293
Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The mix of jungle, beaches, and the Arenal Volcano was stunning. Highly recommended!”
Sarah, traveled in August
Duration 9 days Destinations San José, La Fortuna, Playa Tamarindo Age Range Ages 99+ Operator Journaway From $1,575
38% Off- NZ$984You save $591
Duration 8 days Destinations San José, Tenorio Volcano National Park, Tarcoles, Puntarenas Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From $2,395
10% Off- NZ$2,156You save $240
Duration 8 days Destinations San José, Arenal Volcano National Park, Upala, Sarapiquí Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From $3,147
10% Off- NZ$2,832You save $315
Your SUV/VAN carries you from San Jose's urban pulse to Arenal's volcanic terrain. The route stretches through Monteverde's cloud forests and coastal paths to Manuel Antonio, with dedicated transport for comfortable sightseeing.
Duration 6 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
10% Off- NZ$4,667
The 1,665 km route from San Jose's Sleep Inn Paseo de Damas to Tortuguero's canals offers countless vistas. Roads wind through Braulio Carrillo National Park and over the Cordillera de Talamanca, ending with Pacific coastal drives.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero, Cahuita, Turrialba, Manuel Antonio National Park, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator DERTOUR From
10% Off- NZ$4,930
The scenic routes from La Fortuna to Liberia showcase Arenal's volcanic landscapes and Monteverde's cloud forests. The journey continues from thermal springs at Rincon de la Vieja to coastal Tamarindo, featuring stays at distinctive properties like Buena Vista del Rincon and Luna Llena hotel.
Duration 9 days Destinations La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Miravalles, Liberia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator DERTOUR From
10% Off- NZ$1,676
Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The packaged tour saved us a lot of time deciding where to travel to and where to stay.”
Gary, traveled in December
The 705km route in a fully-insured vehicle runs from Liberia Airport through volcanic terrain, cloud forests, and coastal roads. Self-driving allows personal stops at Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio.
Duration 8 days Destinations Liberia, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Bijagua, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,601
10% Off- NZ$2,341You save $260
A Daihatsu Bego 4x4 opens up Costa Rica from San Jose to Arenal Volcano National Park and Playa Tamarindo. Accommodations include Sleep Inn Hotel, Casa Luna Hotel & Spa, and Tamarindo Diria.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,087
10% Off- NZ$1,878You save $209
What people love about Self Drive Tours in Costa Rica
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
The tour is very well planned. The hotels picked were excellent and the service was great from everyone we dealt with. Noteworthy items: Costa Rican drivers are very polite and somewhat slow drivers. Driving is very easy throughout the country. We loved driving ourselves and having the freedom to go where we wanted. In tortugero the rooms don’t have AC and you can hear your neighbors. The resort is beautiful and we are glad we went, but I wish we brought electric fans. We asked to be moved to a room with no one next to us.
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
Everything was right on schedule. Great guides and we especially loved Juan Carlos who brought us from San Jose to the boat ride out to Tortuguero and picked us up and drove us back to Guapile. A+ from us
- Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves
I joined the “Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves” in August and it was unforgettable. The mix of jungle, beaches, and the Arenal Volcano was stunning. Everything was well organized, with comfortable hotels and delicious local food. Making every activity—whether hiking, swimming at waterfalls, or relaxing by the ocean—feel special. A perfect balance of adventure and downtime. Highly recommended!
What our customers ask about Self Drive Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
What type of vehicle is recommended for a Self Drive tour in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's diverse landscapes call for a 4x4 vehicle such as the Toyota Fortuner or Daihatsu Bego. These vehicles prove essential when navigating to places like Monteverde Cloud Forest and Arenal Volcano. Each rental comes with GPS technology unlimited mileage and insurance coverage. Most accommodations including Casa Luna Hotel & Spa in La Fortuna provide secure parking facilities. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The 4x4 rental car was perfect for navigating both paved highways and adventurous mountain roads giving us the freedom to explore at our own pace."
How long should I plan for a Self Drive tour in Costa Rica?
Plan for 10-15 days to see Costa Rica's key destinations at a comfortable pace. Most travelers spend 3-4 nights in La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano 2-3 nights exploring Monteverde Cloud Forest and 3-4 nights in beach towns like Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio. The Autentico Hotel in San José works well for first and last night stays. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The 12-day self-drive gave us plenty of time to explore each location at our own pace while enjoying both adventure activities and relaxation."
When is the best time to do a Self Drive tour in Costa Rica?
December through April marks the dry season offering the best road conditions especially in Guanacaste and the Central Valley. Each region follows its own weather patterns. The Caribbean coast near Puerto Viejo sees less rain from September to October while the Arenal area offers better volcano visibility from July to October. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We went in March and had perfect weather for driving between destinations with clear roads and amazing views of the Arenal volcano."
How long does it take to drive between major destinations in Costa Rica?
Key routes in Costa Rica connect major sites through manageable drives. San Jose to Arenal takes 4 hours covering 130km Arenal to Monteverde runs 3 hours at 120km and Monteverde to Manuel Antonio spans 4 hours across 190km. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The packaged tour saved us a lot of time deciding where to travel to and where to stay with the limited time we had. Driving around Costa Rica (about 600 miles) was no more difficult than driving in Vermont."
What are the must-see highlights along Costa Rica's Self Drive routes?
The road network connects Costa Rica's natural wonders including Arenal Volcano with its hot springs Monteverde Cloud Forest's suspended bridges and the beaches of Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio. Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero puts you close to wildlife viewing areas. The route from San José leads to Poás Volcano La Fortuna Waterfall and Rincón de la Vieja National Park. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Having our own car allowed us to visit both popular spots and hidden gems like the secluded waterfalls near Montezuma and lesser-known beaches along the Pacific coast."
What's the best way to plan daily driving distances in Costa Rica?
Keep daily drives under 4-5 hours to allow for unexpected discoveries and local activities. Common routes like San José to Arenal stretch 160km taking 4 hours while Arenal to Tamarindo covers 200km in 4.5 hours. Hotels like Autentico in San José and Casa Luna in Arenal offer strategic locations for route planning. A TourRadar traveler advised: "We found it best to start drives early morning arriving at destinations by early afternoon to enjoy local activities and avoid driving after dark."