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2026

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

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ChildrenUnder 18

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From
US $2,472 per person

Costa Rica Scenic Self-Drive Road Trip - 9 Days incl. Private Activities with Local Guides

9 days
Start and end in San Jose
4.9
17 reviews
From
US $2,472 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

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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

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
    San José, San José, Costa Rica (San Jose International Airport - Arrivals Hall: our representative will wait for you holding a sign with your name, 00:00 - 00:00)
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in San Jose )

    Included Activities

    • Walking tour of San Jose city center
    • Visit Gold Museum with pre-Columbian artifacts
    • Explore Teatro Nacional
    • Visit Plaza de la Cultura
    • Explore Central Market

    Optional Activities

    • Visit La Ventolera Viewpoint for panoramic city views
    Landmarks
    Gold Museum
    Teatro Nacional
    Plaza de la Cultura
    Central Market
    La Ventolera Viewpoint
  2. Day 2

    Volcan Poas National Park

    Volcan Poas National Park
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in San Jose )

    Included Activities

    • Visit Volcán Poás National Park and view crater lake
    • Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens
    • Guided tour at Doka Estate coffee plantation
    Landmarks
    Volcán Poás National Park
    La Paz Waterfall
    Doka Estate
  3. Day 3

    Irazu Volcano - Orosi Valley

    Irazu Volcano - Orosi Valley
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in San Gerardo de Dote)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Irazú Volcano and view crater
    • Explore Cartago's colonial monuments
    • Visit Ujarras Viewpoint
    • Visit Orosi Viewpoint
    • Visit Colonial de Orosi Church
    Landmarks
    Irazú Volcano
    Ujarras Viewpoint
    Orosi Viewpoint
    Colonial de Orosi Church
  4. Day 4

    San Gerardo de Dota - Manuel Antonio National Park

    San Gerardo de Dota - Manuel Antonio National Park
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Manuel Antonio Area )

    Included Activities

    • Cloud forest exploration in Cerro de la Muerte
    • Explore Manuel Antonio National Park trails
    • Beach walks near Manuel Antonio National Park

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Batsu Garden botanical garden and cultural space
    Landmarks
    Cerro de la Muerte
    Batsu Garden
    Manuel Antonio National Park
  5. Day 5

    Central Pacific Coast - Monteverde

    Central Pacific Coast - Monteverde
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Monteverde area)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Hermosa Beach
    • Visit Royal Butterfly Center
    • Observe American crocodiles at Crocodile Bridge
    • Guided night tour at Curi-Cancha Private Reserve
    Landmarks
    Hermosa Beach
    Royal Butterfly Center
    Crocodile Bridge
    Curi-Cancha Private Reserve
  6. Day 6

    Monteverde Cloud Forest - Lake Arenal

    Monteverde Cloud Forest - Lake Arenal
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation), Dinner (Local dinner prepared by a chef)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Arenal Volcano Area )

    Included Activities

    • Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest
    • Visit Viento Fresco Waterfalls
    • Local dinner prepared by chef

    Optional Activities

    • Stop at Caffe Macadamia for local coffee and macadamia treats
    Landmarks
    Monteverde Cloud Forest
    Viento Fresco Waterfalls
    Caffe Macadamia
    Itinerary Image 1
  7. Day 7

    Arenal Volcano National Park

    Arenal Volcano National Park
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Arenal Volcano Area )

    Included Activities

    • Hiking trails in Arenal Volcano National Park (choose by preference)

    Optional Activities

    • Hanging Bridges Hiking Trail - 3 km, 1-1.5 hours through rainforest canopy
    • Volcano Arenal Lake Hiking Trail - 5 km, 2-2.5 hours scenic reservoir trail
    • El Silencio Viewpoint Hiking Trail - 5.5 km, 2-2.5 hours through lava fields and forest
    • Chato Lake Crater Hiking Trail - 7.5 km, 4-4.5 hours challenging hike to extinct volcano rim
    • Waterfalls & Ponds Hiking Trail - 8 km, 2.5-3 hours through rainforest to waterfalls and pools
    Landmarks
    Arenal Volcano National Park
    Arenal Lake
    Cerro Chato
  8. Day 8

    Sarapiqui River - Maleku Indigenous Reserve

    Sarapiqui River - Maleku Indigenous Reserve
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation), Lunch (Traditional local lunch with the Maleku Tribe)
    Accommodation
    Hotel 4* (Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Arenal Volcano Area )

    Included Activities

    • Rafting on the Sarapiqu­í River
    • Guided tour of Maleku Indigenous Reserve
    • Traditional local lunch with Maleku Tribe
    Landmarks
    Sarapiqu­í River
    San Rafael de Guatuso Indigenous Reserve
  9. Day 9

    La Fortuna Waterfall - San Jose

    La Fortuna Waterfall - San Jose
    End point
    San José, San José, Costa Rica (Return your rental car at San Jose Airport , 00:00 - 00:00)
    Meals
    Breakfast (Daily breakfast at the accommodation)

    Included Activities

    • Visit La Fortuna Falls
    • Guided chocolate tour at Don Olivo Farm
    Landmarks
    La Fortuna Falls
    Don Olivo Farm

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What's Included

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  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Guide
  • Insurance
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Indie

Response time
within 2 days
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy

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Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

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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
Upcoming departures
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends on 15 Jul, 2026
  • From Monday
    13 Jul, 2026
    To Tuesday
    21 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    From:
    US $2,845 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • From Tuesday
    14 Jul, 2026
    To Wednesday
    22 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
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    Multiple Room Types
  • From Wednesday
    15 Jul, 2026
    To Thursday
    23 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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  • From Thursday
    16 Jul, 2026
    To Friday
    24 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
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  • Instant Confirmation
    From Friday
    17 Jul, 2026
    To Saturday
    25 Jul, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Saturday
    18 Jul, 2026
    To Sunday
    26 Jul, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
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    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Sunday
    19 Jul, 2026
    To Monday
    27 Jul, 2026
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    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
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    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Monday
    20 Jul, 2026
    To Tuesday
    28 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
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    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Tuesday
    21 Jul, 2026
    To Wednesday
    29 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,845 per person
    Multiple Room Types
  • Instant Confirmation
    From Wednesday
    22 Jul, 2026
    To Thursday
    30 Jul, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $2,845 per person
    Multiple Room Types

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From
US $2,472 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

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: 342350

  • Currency
    Costa Rican Colon
    Costa Rica
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • 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 August 14th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 14th, 2026, a minimum payment of 50% is required to confirm your booking with Indie. 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 35 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 Indie will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Indie" 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
  • 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