
Self-drive tour - Luxury in the wild
Duration
12 days
From
US$3,175/pers.
The spirit of travel
Between volcanoes, cloud forests and Pacific beaches, this itinerary invites you to discover the most beautiful landscapes of Costa Rica in a setting that combines nature and comfort. Admire the majestic Arenal Volcano and enjoy the many outdoor activities offered by its region. Continue your adventure at Rio Perdido, a true haven of peace nestled in the heart of a wild canyon, renowned for its natural hot springs and preserved environment. Then explore the misty forests of Monteverde, sanctuary of exceptional biodiversity. After this immersion into nature, reach the paradisiacal beaches of Manuel Antonio and Uvita, where tropical wildlife, relaxation and spectacular views await you. A balanced journey between discovery, wellness and escape, in the heart of Costa Rica's most beautiful regions.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary

Arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport
Aéroport Juan Santamaria-San Jose → San José
At the airport exit, an agent will welcome you and take charge of your transfer to your hotel.
A private English-speaking briefing is reserved for you.
You will review together the logistical details of your trip. This will be an opportunity to ask him your questions.

La Fortuna
San José → La Fortuna
Breakfast and pickup of the rental car and drive to La Fortuna, a village located at the foot of the Arenal volcano.
The Arenal volcano has one of the most eventful volcanic histories of the last century in Central America. A perfect cone at 1,648 m altitude, which borders the lake of the same name, it offers spectacular landscapes that make it one of the must-visit destinations in Central America.

Arenal Volcano
In the Volcan Arenal National Park, you would have the opportunity to access the famous 1992 lava flow and could thus be as close as possible to the volcano while enjoying superb views over Lake Arenal and the Tilarán mountain range. You could also enjoy the exceptional panorama offered to you from the observation tower on the peninsula trail.
Free day.
Your choice: visit to La Fortuna waterfall, zip-lining, suspended bridges, visit to a biological garden, among others…
Recommended activities:
Hot springs
Suspended bridges
National park
La Fortuna waterfall
Visit to local farmers

Bagaces / Rio Perdido
La Fortuna → Rio Perdido
Rio Perdido means "lost river," and it is perfectly hidden by its canyon and a dense canopy of flora. In this river, geothermally heated waters flow beneath massive rocks.
You can explore the river canyon and enjoy hiking. You can try canyoning, rappelling down, and crossing a 200-foot suspended bridge. Hot springs await you at the end of this incredible day

Bagaces / Rio Perdido
Superb amenities in the heart of a magnificent canyon and mountain region: 20 highly comfortable bungalows with terraces and hammocks. 2 restaurants and 3 pools at different temperatures, free access to the river hot springs and the Canyon with its natural pools, Tubing, volcanic mud, 16 km of hiking trails, superb canopy course with 15 platforms and 1 Tarzan Swing, 20 km of mountain biking trails, Spa and craft shop.

Route to Monteverde
Rio Perdido → Monteverde
Founded by American Quaker immigrants fleeing conscription for the Korean War, this community was able to develop thanks to livestock farming and the protection of the surrounding forests. At 1250m altitude, you will cross the cloud forest and perhaps spot, around a bend in a trail of the Monteverde Biological Reserve, the Quetzal, a legendary bird that once represented the Mayan empire.

Monteverde
Early in the morning, you could visit the Monteverde Biological Reserve internationally known for the chance to spot the mythical Quetzal and many other specific animals that inhabit the cloud forests.
Free day and activities of your choice among those offered in the area: night tour at the Ecological Sanctuary, zip-lining, visit to a coffee plantation, suspended bridges, serpentarium, etc…

Manuel Antonio
Monteverde → Parc national Manuel Antonio
You will head towards the famous Manuel Antonio beach resort which was recently featured in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.
There's more than just the beach at Manuel Antonio! The Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most popular stops in the country for its rich wildlife and flora.
Howler monkeys, the famous squirrel monkey and sloths have made their home here for a long time and delight tourists who come to photograph them up close. The national park also contains several beaches, all equally beautiful.
Relaxation and swimming on the agenda
Note: in the parking lot of the national park, guards watch over vehicles (budget approximately 4 US$ tip - not included)
Attention, Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays!
Uvita
From Manuel Antonio, you are just 45 minutes by car from the Marino Ballena National Park, known for its wild beaches and its famous tombolo shaped like a whale's tail. You have the opportunity to take a boat trip to observe dolphins and humpback whales in season.
Not far from there, there are the Nauyaca waterfalls but also the Baru refuge which is of great biological importance as it is home to several different tropical habitats (mangroves, primary and secondary forests, beaches, rivers).


Departure
To Aéroport Juan Santamaria-San Jose
Private transfer to Juan Santamaria Airport.
Return flight
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights
- Les assurances voyages
- Personal purchases
- Beverages and meals not mentioned in the "included" category.
- Tips at your discretion.
- Park entrance fees not indicated as included
- Vehicle excess insurance.
Included
- English-speaking reception at the airport with private transfer to your hotel.
- 11 nights of hotel accommodation with hotel taxes included.
- Breakfast
- The rental of a 4x4 vehicle with basic insurance, MIFI system (WIFI), 2 drivers can be registered on the rental contract free of charge, unlimited mileage.
- English-speaking assistance Morpho Evasions 24/7.
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Costa Rica dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer au Costa Rica, votre passeport doit être valide au minimum un jour après la date de sortie prévue du pays (soit pour toute la durée du séjour), mais il est fortement recommandé qu'il soit valide au moins six mois après la date d'entrée afin d'éviter tout refus d'embarquement ou d'admission.
Le passeport doit comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration et être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Séjour touristique sans visa
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques au Costa Rica.
À ce jour, cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 90 jours lors de l'entrée sur le territoire. Aucune prolongation automatique n'est accordée : tout dépassement de cette durée est considéré comme une irrégularité.
Les autorités peuvent également demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation vers un pays tiers),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour (généralement estimées à environ 100 USD par jour ou 300 USD minimum).
Formulaire d'entrée numérique (Pase de Salud / eTicket)
Avant votre arrivée, il peut être nécessaire de compléter un formulaire d'entrée en ligne mis en place par les autorités costaricaines. Ce formulaire regroupe des informations personnelles et sanitaires requises à l'immigration.
Il permet de transmettre aux services d'immigration certaines informations nécessaires à l'entrée sur le territoire :
informations du passeport
détails du vol et de l'itinéraire
adresse du premier hébergement au Costa Rica
Le formulaire doit généralement être rempli en ligne dans les jours précédant votre arrivée. Une confirmation numérique ou un QR code pourra être demandé lors du passage à l'immigration. Nous vous recommandons de vérifier si ce formulaire est toujours en vigueur au moment de votre voyage.
Santé et vaccins
Aucun vaccin n'est obligatoire pour entrer au Costa Rica pour les voyageurs en provenance d'Europe ou du Canada. Cependant, certaines vaccinations sont recommandées selon les zones visitées :
la fièvre typhoïde et l'hépatite A sont recommandées pour tous les voyageurs,
la fièvre jaune est recommandée pour les voyageurs se rendant dans certaines zones forestières ou frontalières.
Des risques liés à la dengue et au paludisme existent dans certaines régions, notamment les zones rurales et forestières. Il est conseillé de consulter un médecin ou un centre de vaccinations internationales avant le départ.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.
Le Costa Rica applique des règles strictes concernant les voyages de mineurs : lorsqu'un enfant voyage sans l'un ou les deux parents, une autorisation parentale notariée peut être exigée par les autorités costaricaines à l'entrée comme à la sortie du territoire. Il est fortement recommandé de se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade du Costa Rica avant le départ.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Costa Rica de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
Visitors can stay in Costa Rica visa-free, provided they have a valid passport for at least 1 day after their stay and present a return ticket. The exact visa-free stay periods vary depending on nationality. Before booking your trip, verify the conditions applicable to your nationality with the Costa Rican consular authorities.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 200 and 330 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and activities. International flights (800-1200 euros return) are additional. Costa Rica is more expensive than its Central American neighbours, as befits its quality.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each itinerary to travellers' profiles. For families, we prioritise relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage that protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.

Let's talk about your next trip to Costa Rica
Nature travel craftsman in Costa Rica, based in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country that reminds us how much nature can still be omnipresent. My role is to help travelers discover it without altering it.
— Mathieu







