18 Days Deluxe Self-Drive Tour
18 Days Journey through Costa Rica - Travel in Style!
With superb tours and hotels - just relax
Costa Rica may seem relatively small at first glance, but appearances can be deceiving. Our little country offers an incredible variety of natural wonders and small miracles, allowing you to truly experience the country extensively on an extended nature tour. Our eighteen-day tour of Costa Rica combines well-preserved and protected nature with exciting tours and activities, upscale accommodations, and a touch of gourmet gastronomy.
Unique hotels and challenging tours: with us, adventure and nature are not compromised - relaxation can also be found in the midst of exploration. An exciting adventure is a good preparation for subsequent enjoyment in the natural paradise. We carefully plan the route to keep travel times short, ensuring that experiences take precedence.
The route is diverse, allowing you to experience the most exciting facets of Costa Rica.
We know many places in Costa Rica that are far from the normal tourist routes - some destinations are so spectacular that we include them, even though our guests may encounter other visitors there. The somewhat challenging-to-reach destinations make this authentic journey perfect. Whether it's the hospitable innkeeper deep in the jungle or the lively fisherman in the Caribbean, destinations like these are part of Costa Rica and make the journey unique.
This journey takes you through relatively unknown natural wonders on a carefully planned route with a lot of experience. We provide high-quality accommodations, guarantee imaginative gastronomy and comfort. For the days in your own 4x4 vehicle, we naturally provide navigation tools and take care of the right vehicle.
For those with more time, there is the option of additional extension days. The route can also be changed or adjusted as desired.
Day 1 (-, -, -):
Arrival at San Jose Airport. Private pick-up, transfer to Hotel Alta in Santa Ana. Acclimatization and relaxation in the tropical garden with hummingbirds - depending on the arrival time, there is an opportunity to explore the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. In the evening, enjoy a delicious à la carte dinner, often accompanied by stylish, soft live music.
Day 2 (B, L, -)
Full breakfast at the hotel, start of a private tour to the nearby highlights in the Central Valley: the unique Poás Volcano, the La Paz waterfalls, and the Doka coffee plantation. Enjoy a typical lunch with a magnificent view.
Day 3 (B, L, D):
The day is dedicated to wildlife observation in the Tortuguero rainforest. Early in the morning, head towards the Caribbean, having breakfast at a scenic spot near Guápiles. In the afternoon, take a tour of the town of Tortuguero and Cerro Tortuguero. Overnight stay in a Superior room at Mawamba Lodge.
Day 4 (B, L, D)
Spend most of the day in the national park. A semi-private canoe safari through the canals, accompanied by one of our experienced guides - with a bit of luck, a German-speaking biologist may join. It's incredible what you can see from the boat here. During the turtle season from late June to September, you can watch the giant leatherback turtles laying eggs at night. Overnight stay in a Superior room at Mawamba Lodge.
Day 5 (B, L, D)
Early in the morning, there is time for another short tour, then head back towards the mainland. After lunch, take over the 4x4 rental car and embark on an exciting off-road journey into the deep jungle. The destination is Selva Bananito Lodge in the Talamanca Mountains, a luxurious rustic eco-lodge where you can experience thrilling adventure tours. Overnight stay with full board in a Superior room at Selva Bananito Lodge. Driving with your own car on this day: 2 hours, 30 minutes, 120 km.
Day 6 (B, L, D)
Another day of exciting adventures in the natural paradise. Whether it's a horse ride through the savanna, a gyrocopter flight, an adventurous waterfall tour with rappelling, or an extensive hike through the unique nature, a bird-watching tour with a skilled ornithologist - each participant decides what interests them the most. Overnight stay with full board in a Superior room at Selva Bananito Lodge.
Day 7 (B, -, -)
After breakfast, climb back into your jeep and embark on the short but adventurous journey to the South Caribbean. The destination is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, the center of the Caribbean world in Costa Rica. Beautiful beaches, reggae, Caribbean delicacies - just pure goodness. Overnight at Namú Garden & Spa. Driving on this day: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Day 8 (B, -, -)
After a delicious breakfast, visit an indigenous reserve to experience and explore traditional living and cooking methods. The specialty of the area is excellent cocoa. The afternoon is free for individual experiences, and we have many suggestions. Overnight at Namú Garden & Spa.
Day 9 (B, -, -)
In the morning, continue northwards with the jeep. There is plenty of time for personal exploration. The day's destination is the Maquenque Eco Lodge on the San Carlos River.
The lodge is located on the edge of a 500-hectare tropical rainforest, far from civilization. In the afternoon, explore the jungle on your own, with some small activities included in the price. A wonderfully beautiful experience is the canoe tour, which you can start on your own. This takes you directly to the jungle along one of the two lagoons, past decaying tree trunks occupied by orchids and bromeliads. A very special experience is spending the night in a treehouse at almost 20 meters high. Overnight at Maquenque Eco Lodge, (Drive on this day: 250 km, 4 hours, 30 minutes)
Day 10 (B, -, -)
On this day, visit the special destination: the Arenal Volcano. The Arenal is considered the most active volcano in Central America and is also the youngest in Costa Rica.
The Arenal is a stratovolcano, often surrounded by light smoke, visible from afar on clear days.
The last major eruption of the 1,670-meter-high Arenal was in 1968, destroying the towns of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacón
, whose remains can still be visited today.
The drive to "La Fortuna" passes through Pital and "El Muelle de San Carlos," where you cross the famous Iguana River. It's worth a stop. Continue east through the highlands, with a distant view of Arenal. In "La Fortuna de San Carlos," take the time to explore the beautiful town, get another view of the Arenal Volcano, and try some fruits at Plaza Central. After lunch, you can visit the Fortuna Waterfalls (La Catarata de la Fortuna). A beautiful walk through the forest leads first to a viewpoint, and a quarter-hour and 370 steps down, you reach the 70-meter-high waterfall. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa. Driving time: 2 hours, 90 km.
Day 11 (B, -, -)
This will be a special day. The untouched Rio Peñas Blancas is fed by several small waters from the cloud forest around Monteverde and is surrounded by lush rainforest, volcanic hot springs, waterfalls, and up to 200-meter-high wooded canyons - a picturesque adventure.
The guided tour starts in the morning at the hotel. You will float on a raft or kayak with a guide on calm water through the evergreen rainforest. Wildlife observation is a priority. The guide's experienced eye is crucial because sloths blend in too well with the environment. And true to its name, it moves too little to be seen normally.
The afternoon is free. Overnight at Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa.
Day 12 (B, -, -)
Drive to Rio Celeste - just a short drive of about 90 minutes. The sky-blue river in Tenorio National Park is rightfully considered a natural wonder. Stay at the upscale Hideaway Hotel and start a guided tour into the national park from there. 80 km, driving time 2 hours,
Day 13 (B, -, -)
Now it gets even more exciting. Head to the resort at Rio Perdido. The resort has everything an action-packed day demands: situated between two impressive canyons, the cold Rio Blanco and the hot Rio Perdido, this adventure paradise offers everything the discerning guest could wish for - spacious bungalows with daring architecture integrated into nature.
There are many natural attractions that are all part of the hotel. The river is suitable for tubing, with the tour offered daily. Caution: not everyone likes this. You can explore the entire area by mountain bike, many hiking trails invite you to trek. A canopy route raises emotions and can be combined excellently with the hikes. In the hotel's hot springs, wellness offers, spa, massages, and hot baths are possible. Overnight with breakfast at Rio Perdido Resort & Spa, driving time about 1 hour 30 minutes, 50 km.
Day 14 (B, -, -)
A delightful day at Rio Perdido. Overnight with breakfast at Rio Perdido Resort & Spa,
From Day 15 (B, -, -)
Now it's time for the Pacific. Relaxation on a dream beach. Optional tour opportunities. Tamarindo is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica - rightfully so.
Hotel Capitán Suizo entices with a refreshing pool, tropical garden, and is located directly on the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica. Just enjoy.
A highlight from Tamarindo is a spectacular gyrocopter flight along the west coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. It's amazing what you can see from such a different perspective.
The rental car will be picked up at the hotel.
Day 18 (B, -, -)
Depending on the timing of the international flight, you will be picked up in Tamarindo in time and taken to the airport.
- Extension days are possible at any time!
