Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive

Itinerary

ARRIVAL LIBERIA – RINCON DE LA VIEJA (35km – 1 hr)

Your Costa Rican adventure begins on arrival to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, in the north-western part of the country. Here, our representative awaits to greet and assist you as you collect your rental car for this exciting trip. Afterward, depart to the region of Rincon de la Vieja for your first night in Costa Rica. 

Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja.

RINCON DE LA VIEJA – BIJAGUA (100km – 2 hrs)

Begin your day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Today you can visit the Rincon de la Vieja National Park in the section known as Las Pailas. The Las Pailas area, which means ‘the cauldrons’ in Spanish, spectacularly showcases the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in the region. Steam and sulphur pour out of the rust-coloured ground from natural fumaroles while coffee-coloured pools boil with hot volcanic water and grey volcanic mud bubbles, exploding in large pits. This special volcano experience is like no other in Costa Rica. Hike the 3.5 kilometre Las Pailas loop trail through the dry tropical forest to discover spectacular nature, mesmerizing volcanic activity, and impressive wildlife. The park is home to more than 300 bird species and other animals like armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, white-nosed coatis, and white-faced howler and spider monkeys. After your park visit, walk back to the hotel to collect your bags. In the early afternoon, transfer from Rincon de la Vieja to Bijagua, a small town located between two volcanoes, Miravalles and Tenorio. There are many activities to enjoy, such as hiking, natural hot springs, horseback riding, agricultural tours, bird-watching or butterfly spotting. Rincon de la Vieja National Park entrance fee is not included.

Overnight in Bijagua.

BIJAGUA

Have breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the day at leisure, exploring on your own or participating in an optional activity, for example, a horseback ride and hike to Rio Celeste, whose name translates to ‘Light Blue River’. The mysterious colour of the sky-blue waters is one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena in the country. As you follow the river’s trail, encounter hot springs, an abundance of tranquillity, and a remarkable waterfall. Horseback riding lasts one and a half hour each way, followed by a three-hour hike to arrive at Rio Celeste. Later, return to the hotel to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner. 

Overnight in Bijagua.

BIJAGUA – MONTEVERDE (110km – 3 hrs)

Have a delectable breakfast at the hotel before you are transferred to mystical Monteverde. Located in the Puntarenas province, this is a place of cloud forests and mist, coffee plantations, monkeys, and friendly locals. The town of Santa Elena is small and quaint, filled with inviting restaurants and folksy artisan shops, while the nearby rainforest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own participate in an exciting optional activity like the Sky Walk or the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tours. The first choice includes a 3-hour hike along a network of trails and suspension bridges in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Be on the lookout for birds, monkeys, sloths, insects, and interesting plants of all shapes and sizes. The Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tour takes you through and above the rainforest. A series of eight suspension bridges, connected by trails for a total 3 km in length, provides a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy! 

If adventure is not something you are interested in, join the interesting Don Juan Coffee Tour to understand Costa Rica´s coffee, chocolate and sugar cane production (with the emphasis on coffee!). The tour offers an interesting opportunity to learn about coffee and its production as well as to get close to the fascinating Costa Rican folklore. Sky Walk, Selvatura Treetop Walkaway and Don Juan Coffee tours are not included.

Overnight in Monteverde.

MONTEVERDE

After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, we recommend you drive and enjoy a hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is world-renowned for its incredible biodiversity, conservation actions and contributions, as well as scientific research. The reserve’s 3,500 hectare of land hosts 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves in the world. It has four ecological ‘life zones’ with different ecosystems and hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and arachnids, as well as a large variety of flora, such as mosses, vines or the autochthonous trees of the cloud forest. You can enhance today´s experience by joining one of the memorable tours you missed yesterday. Whether you choose to explore the cloud forest during the Sky Walk or the Selvatura Treetop Walkway guided tours, or you prefer getting closer to the fascinating Costa Rican culture while on the Don Juan Coffee tour, your day will be unforgettable. Sky Walk, Selvatura Treetop Walkaway and Don Juan Coffee tours are not included.

Overnight in Monteverde.

MONTEVERDE – MANUEL ANTONIO (190km – 4 hrs)

This morning after breakfast, descend towards the Quepos area, the proud home of the Manuel Antonio National Park, the country’s smallest natural park, but one of the most visited parks of all Costa Rican National System of Conservation Areas. Manuel Antonio National Park is a small biological peninsula found within an area devoted to different economic activities, such as agriculture, cattle and tourism development. It is one of the country’s most scenic and beautiful national parks as it covers pristine beaches, mangroves, and spectacular forests. Once you are checked in at the selected hotel, take the rest of the day at leisure or participate in an optional excursion like the Catamaran Relaxing or the Ocean Kayaking Tours. The catamaran will depart from Quepos and glide around the back of the Manuel Antonio National Park, touring the beautiful coastline. Afterwards, your captain will set anchor at Biesanz Bay, giving you the freedom to snorkel or simply rest on board, followed by a delicious barbecue lunch. And if you want an adventure, choose the thrilling Ocean Kayaking Tour and venture out on a kayak from Quepos Pier for a 2.5-hour journey. The tour allows you to discover stunning examples of nature, above and below the ocean’s surface, from pelicans to flying fish. On return to the pier, head back to base camp to enjoy a delicious homemade meal. Round-trip transportation from the hotel will be provided. The Catamaran Relaxing and Ocean Kayaking Tours are not included.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

Begin your day with a luscious breakfast and then, take the opportunity to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park on your own. The trail is flat, picturesque and loops through the park, making your course about two miles long. The park is a great place to take pictures or just to admire the impressive views. One of the highlights of this tour is that Manuel Antonio is home to three of the four existing tropical primates living in Costa Rica. Halfway through the hike, enjoy a leisurely stop at the world-famous ‘Third Beach’. Take a rest on the soft sand or play in the waves. Throughout the hike, it is common to see sloths, birds and reptiles as well as admire wild orchids, butterflies and tropical vegetation. The entrance fee to the Manuel Antonio National Park is not included. You can spend the day at leisure or enjoy an optional activity. You have again the great opportunity to unwind while enjoying the Catamaran Relaxing Tour or feel the thrills given by the exciting Ocean Kayaking tour. The Catamaran Relaxing and Ocean Kayaking Tours are not included.

Overnight in Manuel Antonio.

MANUEL ANTONIO – DEPART LIBERIA (270km – 4.5 hrs)

Indulge in a flavourful breakfast and, at the appropriate time, drive from Manuel Antonio to Daniel Oduber International Airport to catch your flight back home.