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Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 8 Days, Self-Drive

8 days
From San Jose to Alajuela
4.5 (2 reviews)
Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 8 Days, Self-Drive - Destination Services Costa Rica
From
US $766 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
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2027

Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Road Trip & Self-Drive
Hit the open road and travel at your own pace
Self-guided
Independent exploration, backed by expert advice and support
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    San Jose

    San Jose
    Start point
    Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Car pick up at San Jose Airport)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Villa Tournon), Hotel 4* (Hotel Balmoral), Hotel 5* (Park Inn)
  2. Day 2

    San Jose to Arenal

    San Jose to Arenal
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (San Bosco), Hotel 4* (Montaña de Fuego), Hotel 5* (Los Lagos)

    Included Activities

    • Photo stop in Zarcero village - Parque Francisco Alvarado and Iglesia de San Rafael with topiary garden

    Optional Activities

    • Visit hot springs facilities in Arenal (own expense)
    • Dinner at hot springs facilities restaurants (own expense)
    Landmarks
    Parque Francisco Alvarado
    Iglesia de San Rafael
    Arenal Volcano
    Lake Arenal
  3. Day 3

    Arenal

    Arenal
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (San Bosco), Hotel 4* (Montaña de Fuego), Hotel 5* (Los Lagos)

    Optional Activities

    • Half-day hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park
    • Visit natural hot springs throughout the area
    • Horseback ride through pastures and rainforest to La Fortuna Waterfall
    • Sky Tram gondola ride through rainforest to observation deck
    • Sky Trek zip line tour
    Landmarks
    Arenal Volcano National Park
    La Fortuna Waterfall
  4. Day 4

    Arenal to Manuel Antonio

    Arenal to Manuel Antonio
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Plaza Yara), Hotel (Costa Verde), Hotel (San Bada)

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
    • Enjoy beaches in Manuel Antonio
    • Boat trip through estuaries and mangroves surrounding Damas Island
    • Visit Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation - sustainable organic plantation growing vanilla, cocoa, pepper, and cinnamon
    Landmarks
    Manuel Antonio National Park
    Damas Island
    Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation
  5. Day 5

    Manuel Antonio

    Manuel Antonio
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Plaza Yara), Hotel (Costa Verde), Hotel (San Bada)
  6. Day 6

    Manuel Antonio

    Manuel Antonio
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Plaza Yara), Hotel (Costa Verde), Hotel (San Bada)

    Optional Activities

    • Day trip to Jaco Beach
    Landmarks
    Jaco Beach
  7. Day 7

    Manuel Antonio to San Jose

    Manuel Antonio to San Jose
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel 3* (Villa Tournon), Hotel 4* (Hotel Balmoral), Hotel 5* (Park Inn)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Poas Volcano National Park - short easy hiking trails
    • View Lake Botos - inactive crater surrounded by cloud forest
    • Visit Irazu volcano - Costa Rica's highest active volcano
    • Explore Orosi Valley - colonial area with oldest church in Costa Rica
    • Visit museums in San Jose
    • Explore Mercado Central - old, unique bustling food market
    Landmarks
    Poas Volcano National Park
    Lake Botos
    Irazu Volcano
    Orosi Valley
    Mercado Central
  8. Day 8

    San Jose

    San Jose
    End point
    Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Car drop off at San Jose Airport)
    Meals
    Breakfast

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Guide
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change
Platinum Operator
Rating
4.4 (380 reviews)
Response time
9 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.5
Overall rating based on 2 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    5.0
  • Transport
    5.0
  • Guide
    4.0
  • Accommodation
    5.0
  • Food
    5.0
  • 4.4

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  • Jacquelyn4.0March 2026
    A fun trip to do. Driver says he would have preferred a car with a bit more oomph. So possibly worth upgrading. Hotel...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2026
    Reply from: Destination Services Costa Rica
    Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the trip overall and that you liked the hotels in San José and Manuel Antonio. We appreciate your comments regarding the vehicle, the hotel in Arenal, and the need for clearer information about car pick-up and parking. Your feedback is very helpful and will allow us to improve our recommendations and pre-trip communication for future travelers. Thank you again for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica in the future. Warm regards, Customer Experience Team
    Show more
  • Chelsea
    Chelsea5.0September 2021
    The tour was awesome a little quick but I had a great time! Everything was lovely from the hotels that were chosen to...
    Show more
    Traveled in August 2021

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Dates & Availability

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
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    28 Aug, 2026
    To Friday
    4 Sep, 2026
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    31 Aug, 2026
    To Monday
    7 Sep, 2026
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    From Tuesday
    1 Sep, 2026
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    8 Sep, 2026
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    Price based on Private Double Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Wednesday
    2 Sep, 2026
    To Wednesday
    9 Sep, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    Price based on Private Double Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Thursday
    3 Sep, 2026
    To Thursday
    10 Sep, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    Price based on Private Double Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Friday
    4 Sep, 2026
    To Friday
    11 Sep, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    Price based on Private Double Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    5 Sep, 2026
    To Saturday
    12 Sep, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    Price based on Private Double Room
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Sunday
    6 Sep, 2026
    To Sunday
    13 Sep, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
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    Price based on Private Double Room

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From
US $766 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Best price guarantee Learn More

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 207475

  • Currency
    Costa Rican Colon
    Costa Rica
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.

    Type A
    Costa Rica
    Type B
    Costa Rica
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Costa Rica. Ideally 10 days before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before October 24th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after October 24th, 2026, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Destination Services Costa Rica. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Destination Services Costa Rica will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Destination Services Costa Rica" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Insurance

    Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.

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  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec