10 days / 9 nights
Caribbean to Pacific - Self-drive
Inclusions
meals
accomodation
activities
transfer
sightseeing
Themes
Honeymoon
Summer
Adventure
Family
Snapshot
Depart on a 10-day coast-to-coast self-drive journey discovering the wild side of Costa Rica. Stay in a picturesque Caribbean beach town and explore the country’s interior in search of the awe-inspiring quetzal bird. Hike in lush rainforests, snorkel over an incredible reef, and get an adrenaline rush on a white-water rafting adventure. Observe the vast variety of flora and fauna throughout the trip and prepare yourself for a stunning trip you will never forget.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: A Caribbean seaside town famous for its surfing scene, beautiful scenery and easy way of life
Cahuita National Park: Boasting beautiful coral reefs, this natural park is tops for its pristine beaches and coastal rainforest
Turrialba: Found in the Costa Rica’s Central Valley, this verdant town is the base to a great white-water rafting adventure town the River Pacuare
San Gerardo de Dota: This remote area is set in a deep forested valley, great for fishing and bird-watching
Manuel Antonio: This picturesque national park is Costa Rica’s smallest but packed full with wild animals, lush vegetation and beautiful beaches
Inclusions
Assistance on Arrival
Daily Full Breakfast
Hotel Accommodation on twin / double sharing basis.
All tours / activities / shows as per the itinerary
All entrance tickets as per itinerary
All Pick up drops / transfers mentioned in the itinerary
Transport in A/C car / Bus as mentioned
Meals as per the itinerary / included in the itinerary
Exclusions
Air Tickets (International / Domestic)
Visa and Insurance
Hotel Taxes
Suggested optional activities/ tours if any.
Any meals / snacks other than mentioned in the itinerary
Camera Fee and any other entertainment charges
Tips of any kind – Guides, Driver, Cruise Crew, etc.
Portages at airport
Personal Expenses such as Laundry, Telephone etc
Beverages of any kind
Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVAL SAN JOSE
Upon arrival to San Jose, meet and greet services at Juan Santamaria International Airport will direct you to your transport who will drop you off at your hotel in San Jose for your first night in Costa Rica. Arrival transfer will be offered at any time for your convenience.
Note: It is imperative to have a valid driver’s license, be older than 21 years old and have a valid credit card.
Day 2
SAN JOSE – PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA (215km – 5 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. At 08:00 am, a representative of the car rental company will meet you in the hotel lobby to give you the rental car you will be using for your trip. Then, drive yourself towards Puerto Viejo, passing through Braulio Carrillo National Park and its rainforest, spectacular mountain scenery and quaint villages of Costa Rica Caribbean region. Arrive to your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the surrounding region on your own or join an optional activity.
Day 3
CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK
Today, after breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure to explore on your own or participate in an optional activity, for example, snorkelling and hiking through the nearby Cahuita National Park (not included). This is the most important coral reef of Costa Rica. Packed full of sea life, be prepared to see many different species of coral, an abundance tropical fish, sharks, eels, sea urchins, shellfish, crustaceans, algae, sea turtles, lobster, shrimp and more. After discovering the beauty of the underwater world, you can hike through Cahuita National Park, with the possibility of observing various types of snakes, such as boas, bush master, eyelash vipers; sloths, white-faced and howler monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, raccoons, blue Morpho butterflies among others, birds and much more. The afternoon is at leisure to participate in other optional activities or simply relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 4
PUERTO VIEJO – TURRIALBA (180km – 4 hrs)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive to the village of Turrialba, a journey that lasts around four hours, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the surroundings or just relax at your hotel. If you feel adventurous, take today to relax in order to prepare yourself for an optional excursion rafting adventure down the River Pacuare tomorrow or a river canyoning adventure. Please note that the minimum age for white-water optional rafting activity at Pacuare is 12 years old.
Day 5
PACUARE RIVER
Have a nice breakfast to make sure your energy reserves are high for today’s adventurous outing. In the optional Pacuare white-water rafting adventure, ride down class III and IV rapids, considered one of the best rafting rivers in Costa Rica. Feel the adrenaline pump as you paddle through the thrill of the rapids, and observe the natural beauty that surrounds you, such as cascading waterfalls and a variety of tropical flora and fauna.
Day 6
TURRIABLA – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA (120km – 3 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive yourself to San Gerardo de Dota, in the Los Quetzales National Park, a cloud forest reserve where the iconic quetzal bird lives. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the area on your own or join an optional activity.
Day 7
SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Breakfast at the hotel. You will have today available to join an optional activity this area has to offer. One of the most interesting options is to begin your day early to go out on a ‘quetzal quest’ (optional, not included). This bird’s metallic green plumage, bright red breast, spikey head and its incredible streaming tail feathers make spotting a male quetzal in flight a magical experience. San Gerardo de Dota is a proud home to a large population of these birds, one of the most beautiful in all of the Americas
Day 8
SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – MANUEL ANTONIO (150km – 3 hrs)
This morning after breakfast, drive yourself to the Central Pacific Coast down the Pan-American Highway to San Isidro de El General. You then take the road to the South Pacific and finally the coastal route will take you to the town of Quepos, just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park. Check in to your hotel and have the afternoon to enjoy the area
Day 9
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, take the opportunity to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park on your own (entrance fee not included). The trail is flat and 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. Half way 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. (Note: Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Mondays)
Day 10
MANUEL ANTONIO – DEPART SAN JOSE (160km – 3 hrs)
At the appropriate time, drive from Manuel Antonio to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your flight back home. The main office of the car rental company is located very close to the airport. Drop off your car here and then take a shuttle transfer to the Juan Santamaria International Airport. Breakfast included.
Accomodations
3 STAR
Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort, Holiday Inn Escazu or similar, Holiday Inn Express Forum or similar, Hotel Guayabo Lodge or similar, Real Intercontinental or similar, Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa, Suria Lodge or similar, Trogon Lodge or similar, Villa Florencia or similar, Villas del Caribe or similar or similar
4 STAR
Casa Turire or similar, Hotel San Bada Hotel or similar, Le Cameleon or similar, Parador Resort & Spa or similar or similar
Policies
- Above rates are subject to availability.
- Cancellation charges as per company policy.
- The above rates are subject to change in case of travel during the festive season
- In case we are not able to provide the same hotels as mentioned, then we shall provide similar alternate properties, change in the cost if any will be advised.
- In case of Political Unrest, bad weather or sudden breakdown of the vessel we may shift guest to alternative govt ferry and no refund will be entertained during that situation.
- Our Executive may change your itinerary depending on the weather condition and ferry availability same will be update to you daily basis.
Car Category
A: Daihatsu Bego or similar (4 seats / 5 doors)
B: Suzuki Grand Vitara or similar (5 seats / 5 doors)
C: Toyota Fortuner or similar (7 seats / 5 doors)
Guide options
Guide type: Not included