Self-Drive Tour - The Essentials of Costa Rica
From the perfect cone of Arenal to the wild beaches of Manuel Antonio, the essence of Costa Rica in 8 days
Duration
8 days
From
US$845/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Family, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
Between volcanoes, tropical rainforest and paradisiacal beaches, this tour invites you to discover two of the most emblematic destinations in Costa Rica. At the foot of Arenal volcano, enjoy the spectacular landscapes of La Fortuna and explore a region renowned for its lush nature and its many outdoor activities. Continue your journey to Manuel Antonio, where one of the most beautiful Pacific coasts meets an exceptional tropical rainforest. Between trails bordered by wildlife, fine sand beaches and tropical panoramas, this stay offers a perfect balance between discovery, relaxation and immersion in Costa Rican biodiversity.
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 for you to ask him your questions.
Route to La Fortuna
San José → La Fortuna
Breakfast and pickup of the rental car and drive towards La Fortuna, a village located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano.
Arenal Volcano experienced one of the most eventful volcanic histories of the last century in Central America. A perfect cone at 1,648 m in altitude, which borders the lake of the same name, it offers spectacular landscapes that make it one of the must-see destinations in Central America.
Arenal Volcano
In the Arenal Volcano National Park, you would have the opportunity to access the famous 1992 lava flow and thus be both as close as possible to the volcano and enjoy superb views of 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.
Options: visit to La Fortuna waterfall, zip lines, suspension bridges, visit to a botanical garden, among others…
Recommended activities:
Hot springs
Suspension bridges
National Park
La Fortuna waterfall
Visit to local farmers
Manuel Antonio
La Fortuna → Parc national Manuel Antonio
You will head to the famous Manuel Antonio beach resort which was recently included 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.
Capuchin monkeys, the famous squirrel monkey and sloths have made their home there 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
Please note that Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays!
Manuel Antonio
The Manuel Antonio National Park covers an area of 683 hectares. It concentrates the most varied and splendid landscapes. It is surrounded by a lush and very humid tropical forest. Its trails are visited by white-faced monkeys, sloths, badgers, raccoons, iguanas and numerous bird species; it is also home to the squirrel monkey, a species endemic to Manuel Antonio, found nowhere else in the world. The species is increasingly threatened; according to the latest census, only 1500 remain.
The Park also protects 12 islands which serve as excellent refuges for many species of seabirds. It consists of three excellent beaches: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Escondido. Furthermore, it is home to a 14-hectare lagoon as well as a mangrove. Punta Catedral which connects the beaches of Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur is a charming place.
San José - Departure
Parc national Manuel Antonio → San José
Drive to San José where you will return your vehicle to the car rental office. You will then be transported free of charge to the Juan Santamaria airport terminal located just a few minutes away.
Important note: if your flight departs before 4 p.m., we recommend spending your last night in San José.
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
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases
- Beverages and meals not mentioned in the "included" category.
- Tips at your discretion.
- Entrances to national parks not indicated as included
- Vehicle excess buy-back insurance.
Included
- English-speaking reception at the airport with private transfer to your hotel.
- 7 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 agreement free of charge, unlimited mileage.
- English-speaking Morpho Evasions assistance 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.
The information below concerns travelers from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Costa Rica for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, and we recommend that you verify this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Costa Rica, your passport must be valid for at least one day after your planned departure date from the country (i.e., for the entire duration of your stay), but it is strongly recommended that it be valid for at least six months after your date of entry to avoid any refusal of boarding or admission.
The passport must have at least one blank page for immigration stamps and be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays in Costa Rica.
Currently, this exemption allows a stay of up to 90 days upon entry to the territory. No automatic extension is granted: any stay exceeding this duration is considered irregular.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return flight or onward travel to a third country),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay (generally estimated at approximately 100 USD per day or 300 USD minimum).
Digital Entry Form (Pase de Salud / eTicket)
Before your arrival, you may need to complete an online entry form implemented by the Costa Rican authorities. This form contains personal and health information required for immigration purposes.
It allows you to submit to the immigration services certain information necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight and itinerary details
address of your first accommodation in Costa Rica
The form must generally be completed online in the days prior to your arrival. A digital confirmation or QR code may be requested when passing through immigration. We recommend that you verify whether this form is still in effect at the time of your travel.
Health and vaccines
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Costa Rica for travelers from Europe or Canada. However, certain vaccinations are recommended depending on the areas visited:
typhoid fever and hepatitis A are recommended for all travelers,
yellow fever is recommended for travelers visiting certain forest or border areas.
Risks associated with dengue and malaria exist in certain regions, particularly in rural and forest areas. It is advisable to consult a doctor or international vaccination center before departure.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
Costa Rica applies strict rules regarding travel by minors: when a child travels without one or both parents, a notarized parental authorization may be required by the Costa Rican authorities upon entry and exit from the territory. It is strongly recommended that you check with the Costa Rican embassy before departure.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Costa Rica in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended that you have assistance-repatriation and foreign medical expenses coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for worry-free travel!
Choose the plan that best suits your needs:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer'Complementary Credit Card Coverage
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend taking out one of these plans.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these formulas, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for declaring any claim. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout the duration of their trip.
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 adventure — Central Volcanic Valley
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
