Self-driven road tour Costa Rica

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De 2600$ à 2990$ CAD

Self-driving tours

11D / 10N

3/5 (Comfort level)

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Overview
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Self-driven road tour of Costa Rica

- Want to travel at your own pace? Get behind the wheel and go in Costa Rica...with only your itinerary and a detailed map to guide you. We’ll take care of the rest: accommodations, transfers, car rental and destination logistics. Costa Rica is a country that lends itself easily to discovery by road. The roads are in good condition and offer easy access to parks and reserves.

An ideal formula for discovering the essence of Costa Rica while driving your own 4x4! Your itinerary will guide you to the discovery of some of the most captivating national parks in Central America, including formidable Manuel Antonio National Park. This small national park covets some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches imaginable, and is surrounded by breathtaking tropical rainforest. There are many species of animals to be discovered: White-headed capuchins, squirrel monkeys, coatis, sloths, iguanas and more!

Other exotic encounters include the Quetzal - the mythical sacred bird of the Aztecs and coffee growers, two highly celebrated Costa Rican symbols. The region embodies nature in its most beautiful and pristine state. Just let yourself go along this journey, in freedom, without any constraints except the time you want to spend taking it all in!

Don’t hesitate to consult with our expert advisors for more information on this auto tour of Costa Rica!

Day 1 | International Flight - Arrival in San José

Greeting at Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose, situated at 1,150 metres above sea level in the heart of the Central Valley. Enjoy your first contact with Costa Rica while receiving your travel documents. Transfer to hotel.
Meals at leisure.

Day 2 | San José - Braulio Carrillo Park - Tortuguero (B, L, D)

Early morning departure to the must-see region of Tortuguero, along the Caribbean coast. You’ll pass through Braulio Carrillo Park and its rainforest canopy, kept lush by torrential rains. Along the way, you’ll follow the banana plantations that have contributed to Costa Rica’s status as one of the leading banana exporters in the world. At Caño Blanco, you’ll board a motorboat and navigate between tropical flora and fauna en route to your lodge.
Afternoon visit to the Caribbean village of Tortuguero and its turtle museum.
Meals included (at lodge).
Overnight at lodge.
Note 1: Approximately 4:00 drive and 1:30 hour boat trip.
Note 2: Bundled services (transportation and excursions) provided by the lodge.

Day 3 | Tortuguero National Park - Navigation channels (B, L, D)

Spend the morning exploring Tortuguero’s canals by boat. This large aquatic national park consists entirely of canals and lagoons that wind their way through an impressive jungle backdrop, earning it the nickname of the “Costa Rican Amazon”.
As you move deeper into the heart of this unique and extraordinary network of canals, rivers and marshes in the heart of the jungle, you’ll embark on a journey with your guide to discover crocodiles, caimans, toucans, turtles, howler monkeys, parrots, sloths, iguanas, colorful birds...
In the afternoon, you can enjoy the lodge’s many trails and activities at your leisure.
Meals included (at lodge).
Overnight at lodge.

Day 4 | Tortuguero - Siquires - Limon - Puerto Vieja de Talamanca (B, L)

In the morning, navigate to Caño Blanco landing where you will continue your journey by road to the southern Caribbean coast, passing through Guapiles. Along the way, make a stop in Limón, the capital of the province bearing the same name. The busy Port of Moín is a frequent host to cruise ship landings, as well as banana boats loading cargo for the long journey to Europe.
Settle into your hotel near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a colourful village lodged between the sea and mountains which is characterized by the variegated wood houses of its inhabitants, many perched on stilts.
Breakfast included (along the road to Guapiles). Lunch at leisure.
Note 1: 40 kms navigation, followed by 140 kms by road (approximately 3:00).
Note 2: Location and method of retrieving rental vehicle to be specified later.

Day 5 | Puerto Viejo and the Caribbean coast (B)

Free time to explore the area as you desire. There is no shortage of awe-inspiring activities to choose from, whether you just want to relax and swim, indulge in cultural exchanges with Afro-Caribbeans or Talamanca Indians, stroll through the Hitoy Cerrere, Cahuita and Gandoca-Manzanillo nature reserves, observe local wildlife, including leatherback turtles and tucuxi dolphins, or play sports (surfing, horseback riding, diving)...
Overnight at hotel.
Meals at leisure.

Day 6 | Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Limón - Turrialba (B, D)

Morning departure for the Turrialba valley, whose surrounding region is known for its clean air and river rafting adventures. Along the way, you’ll visit the Guayabo National Monument, one of Costa Rica’s rarest archaeological discoveries. This mystical 218-hectare site is situated on the southern slopes of the Turrialba volcano and is of great cultural and religious significance. Inhabited from 1500 BC to 1400 AD by as many as 10,000 people, Guayabo would eventually be abandoned for unknown reasons.
Settle into your hotel near the Turrialba volcano.
Meals at leisure.
Note: 3-4 hour drive (Approx. 165 kms).
Caution: Turrialba National Park is prone to close without advance notice in conjunction with volcanic activity. Numerous paths remain open, thus interest in the area remains intact.

Day 7 | Turrialba - Cartago - San Gerardo de Dota - Coffee Plantation (B)

The morning will be spent on a two-hour tour of a coffee plantation, where you will learn everything about the popular beverage, from seed to cup. Stroll through the plantations, discovering roasting techniques and sampling numerous types and grades of Costa Rican coffee. After indulging in coffee and confection tastings, your journey will continue.
Depart for San Gerardo de Dota (2,200 metres), in Quetzal country.
Along the way, you’ll cross the Cerro de la Muerte (3,400 metres), named in memory of peasants who died from the cold while transporting their harvests to San José prior to construction of the Pan-American.
Settle into your hotel at the bottom of the steep Rio Savegre valley.
Overnight at hotel.
Meals at leisure.
Note: The Turrialba / San Gerardo route is approximately 107 kms long, or a 3:00 drive.

Day 8 | San Gerardo de Dota - Manuel Antonio – Quetzal observation (B)

Early morning departure for a nature walk in search of Costa Rica’s legendary bird, the Quetzal. The Quetzal is known as the sacred bird of the Aztec and Mayan cultures, and San Gerardo de Dota is home to Costa Rica’s most abundant Quetzal populations.
Depart for Costa Rica’s Pacific coast via San Isidro de El General. You’ll cross the Cerro de la Muerte (3,400 metres), named in memory of peasants who died from the cold while transporting their harvests to San José prior to construction of the Pan-American. Then you will proceed to the tiny seaside resort of Dominical, a popular destination for surfers.
Continue along the road to Manuel Antonio, a beautiful park named after the Spanish conquistador.
Settle into your hotel.
Meals at leisure.
Note 1: 120 kms, approx. 4-5 hourdrive.
Note 2: About a 2-hour hike.

Day 9 | Manuel Antonio (B)

Free day to enjoy Manuel Antonio National Park, combining beautiful beaches with coral reefs and an abundance of flora and fauna: swim in crystal clear waters, relax on a sandy beach, stroll through tropical vegetation... This site is ideal for observing animals, including sloths and squirrel monkeys.
Overnight at hotel.
Meals at leisure.
Note 1: Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Mondays.
Note 2: Park entry fee included.

Day 10 | Manuel Antonio - Jaco - Atenas - Alajuela (B)

Free time to enjoy Manuel Antonio National Park before driving back to the Costa Rican capital city of San José. Along the way, you’ll pass through Orotina and San Mateo via a scenic mountain road, before reaching Alajuela, known as the mango city.
Return your vehicle and transfer to hotel.
Meals at leisure.
Note 1: 185 kms, 3-4 hour drive.

Day 11 | Alajuela - San José - Departure (B)

Transfer to Juan Santamaria Airport three hours prior to departure of your international flight home.
Meals at leisure.

Fares (on-site)
Price per person	2600$CAD

** Budgets displayed on this website are provided for information purpose only and do not have any contractual value, Uniktour cannot be held responsible for any consequences related to this information (departure dates are not indicated). Fares are led to change on a regular basis, depending on exchange rates and the fluctuation in the hospitality industry. For a precise quotation, you may click here.

** Fares applying to the on-site itinerary are not subject to applicable GST (TPS) & QST (TVQ). The displayed budget does not include 0.1% FICAV contribution (The Compensation fund for customers of travel agents)

Other fees
International Flight	Contact us
Deluxe travel insurance (estimated cost)	212 $
Deposit required for land portion	793 $
Single occupancy supplement	685 $
Superior hotel supplement	Contact us

The land portion budget for this trip includes:

Transportation
- Private airport / hotel transfers on Days 1 and 11;
- Combined land and sea transportation services from Day 2 to Day 4 (San José / Tortuguero / Guapiles) - operated by the lodge;

Car rental
- Manual-drive 4x4 vehicle - Suzuki Jimmy model – from Day 4 (Guapiles pick-up) to Day 10 (Alajuela return) - 7 days total;
- Compulsory insurance (CDW and SLI);
- Unlimited mileage;
- GPS rental (satellite navigation, available in French or English);
- 1 additional driver included;

Meals and Accommodations
- 10 nights accommodations at indicated establishments or their equivalent, in a double room with private bathroom;
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D : Dinner);

Organized group excursions, English / Hispanic guide (site entry fees included);
- Channel navigation (via P.N. Tortuguero);
- Coffee plantation tour;
- Quetzal observation;

Free visits (site entry fees included)
- Manuel Antonio National Park;

Miscellaneous services
- Hotel taxes and tourist fees;
- 24/7 francophone support from our team during your stay;
- Customized travel book (provided on arrival) describing your journey, a road map, a telephone card and travel documents (vouchers, airline tickets for domestic flights, etc.).

The budget for this trip does not include:

- Any type of service offered as an “option” or “suggestion”;
- Travel insurance;
- Meals mentioned as being “at leisure”;
- Drinks;
- Equipment rentals;
- Individual equipment
- Personal expenses and tips;
- Incidental passage taxes (eg. Passing through private properties);
- Costa Rican Airport Departure Tax (USD$28 / person);
- Anything not indicated in the ‘The budget for this trip includes’ section above.