Self Drive Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
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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 (including Arenal)
- Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves (including Puerto Viejo de Talamanca)
- COSTA RICA – Arenal to Manuel Antonio
- Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive
- Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 8 Days, Self-Drive
- Treasures of Costa Rica, Self-drive
- Beaches and Nature with Santa Teresa, Self-drive
- Ultimate Escape Costa Rica, 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 up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,860
15% Off- NZ$2,431You save $429
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 up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,903
15% Off- NZ$2,467You save $435
Duration 9 days Destinations San José, La Fortuna, Arenal, Playa Tamarindo Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator journaway From $1,649
63% Off- NZ$612You save $1,036
Duration 12 days Destinations San José, Playa Tamarindo, La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator journaway From $2,666
64% Off- NZ$958You save $1,708
COSTA RICA – Arenal to Manuel Antonio
“The 3 main hikes were great. The Samaria Gorge, the coastal walk and the Zaros Gorge”
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 8 to 90 year olds Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
64% Off- NZ$4,595
Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Costa Rica is a beautiful country. We had a great time!”
Paula, traveled in January
A Daihatsu Bego rental puts you in charge from San Jose's Mercado Central to Arenal's hot springs and Manuel Antonio's beaches. Overnight stays include Villa Tournon, Los Lagos, and Plaza Yara hotels.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,185
15% Off- NZ$1,007You save $178
Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 8 Days, Self-Drive
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Everything was lovely from the hotels that were chosen to the rental car that came with GPS.”
Chelsea, traveled in August
A Daihatsu Bego carries you through Costa Rica's highlights, from Arenal's volcanic terrain to Manuel Antonio's coastal beauty. Stops include Zarcero's topiary gardens, Lake Botos at Poas Volcano, and Orosi Valley's colonial churches.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,272
15% Off- NZ$1,082You save $191
Treasures of Costa Rica, Self-drive
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were great. The transfers were timely and being greeted in San Jose at the airport was a life saver.”
Kay, traveled in December
An SUV with GPS guides you through Costa Rica's landscapes. The route connects Sleep Inn San Jose to Casa Luna Hotel near Arenal, through Monteverde's cloud forests to Tabulia Tree Hotel in Manuel Antonio, with daily breakfast included.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,856
15% Off- NZ$1,578You save $278
Beaches and Nature with Santa Teresa, Self-drive
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was well laid out, and we enjoyed every moment. The self drive part worked out very well.”
Mabel, traveled in December
The 890km route showcases Costa Rica's diverse landscapes in a Daihatsu Bego or upgraded vehicle. The path leads from Tamarindo's beaches through Santa Teresa's coastal roads to Monteverde's mountain paths.
Duration 15 days Destinations Liberia, Playa Tamarindo, Samara, Playa Santa Teresa, San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $4,326
15% Off- NZ$3,677You save $649
Duration 11 days Destinations Liberia, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Tortuguero National Park, San Jose, Braulio Carillo National Park, Herradura Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $3,459
15% Off- NZ$2,940You save $519
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
Great itinerary and excellent guide for Tortuguero portion. Rest was self drive. Could get an explanation of why two adults sharing a room needed to each pay a supppement from tour radar or the supplier.
- Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
The packaged tour saved us a lot of time deciding where to travel to and where to stay with the limited time we had. Service by Tour Radar was excellent, answering questions quickly and professionally. The lodges we stayed at were superb and driving around Costa Rica (about 600 miles) was no more difficult than driving in Vermont (I drive on plenty of dirt roads with potholes, and the paved roads in CR are good). We recommend that you book ahead national park registrations during the busier months.
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."