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
- Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
- Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves (8 destinations)
- Pura Vida Route - With Rental Vehicle
- Natural Escape in Costa Rica - With Rental Vehicle
- COSTA RICA – Arenal to Manuel Antonio
- Self Drive Costa Rica - 14 days
- Costa Rica's unique biodiversity (15 days)
- Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves
- Green paradise (10 nights)
Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was great experience. Very recommended.”
Alena, traveled in May
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 All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $713
15% Off- US$606You save $107
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 $1,721
15% Off- US$1,463You save $258
Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves (8 destinations)
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 $1,568
29% Off- US$1,115You save $453
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
29% Off- US$1,430
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
29% Off- US$1,879
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
29% Off- US$2,790
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Braulio Carillo National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
29% Off- US$2,855
Duration 15 days Destinations San José, Tortuguero, Guapiles, Pejibaye, Turrialba, Sierpe, Corcovado National Park, Uvita Age Range Ages 16+ Operator ASI Reisen From
29% Off- US$3,417
Duration 12 days Destinations San José, Playa Tamarindo, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Journaway From $2,161
29% Off- US$1,533You save $628
The 900km route connects San Jose to Liberia across 8 destinations. Roads wind from Caribbean Cahuita to Puerto Viejo, passing Lake Arenal, with planned stops at comfortable lodges.
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Turrialba, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Sarapiquí, La Fortuna, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Liberia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator DERTOUR From
29% Off- US$1,101
What people love about Self Drive Tours in Costa Rica
Our trip was great! We loved the volcanos area so much that we are planning a return visit.
Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
It was Awesome Tour and tourradar support was available at any point of time with quick response as problem solver. Being a new to any country we were feeling with us as invisible tour guide always with us for at any support with all possible alternates. Thanks to Tour Radar and the team and now we are going to plan family tour for some other destination.
The tour was awesome a little quick but I had a great time! Everything was lovely from the hotels that were chosen to the rental car that came with GPS. I would definitely be interested in another Tour Radar tour. Thanks guys ! And thank you to Destination Services in Costa Rica
Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 8 Days, Self-Drive
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."