Description
Ready to explore Costa Rica by car? Start in San José, a vibrant city full of culture and life. Then immerse yourself in the rainforest of Boca Tapada, home to rivers and tropical birds. Enjoy the lush forests and rivers of Sarapiquí, and the towering mountains and coffee landscapes of Turrialba. The Los Santos area mountains amaze with their mystical fog and unique wildlife, before reaching Uvita, with paradisiacal beaches and the splendor of the Pacific Ocean.
PRICE INCLUDES
2 nights lodging in San Jose. Radisson San José or similar. (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
2 nights lodging in Boca Tapada. Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
2 nights lodging in Sarapiquí Rainforest. Ara Ambigua Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
2 nights lodging in Turrialba Town. Villa Florencia Hotel or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
2 nights lodging in Los Santos Area. Lauráceas Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
2 nights lodging in Uvita Beach. Cusinga Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Daily Breakfast.
Private Transfer IN from Airport to Hotel in San José.
14 days of Car Rental. Hyundai Kona 4WD AT (or similar)(SUV Intermediate 4WD, automatic transmission. PLI&WIFI incl).
Rainforest Tour.
Night walk Tour in Sarapiquí.
Cacao & Chocolate Tour.
Canyoning & Zip Line Tour.
Quetzal Birdwatching Tour
Marino Ballena Park Combination Tour (Whale & Dolphin Combo)
VAT
PRICE EXCLUDES
Optional tours.
Departure taxes ($29 per person).
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
Airfare
Tips
International Travel Insurance.
Itinerary
Arrival to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). After customs and enter Costa Rica, a representative of GWA will be waiting for you outside the airport. You will have a private transfer to your hotel located in San Jose.
- Meals: none
- Radisson San José or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Today you’ll pick up your car and begin an adventure through Costa Rica’s scenic roads. As you drive, the lush green landscapes will surround you, turning every kilometer into a unique experience.
You’ll leave the city behind and head into the charm of Boca Tapada, a region filled with mountains and rich biodiversity.
Your first destination is a true tropical paradise, with trails surrounded by vibrant vegetation, exotic birds, butterflies, and beautiful nature reserves.
Boca Tapada is one of the few remaining nesting sites of the endangered Great Green Macaw.
You’ll leave the city behind and head into the charm of Boca Tapada, a region filled with mountains and rich biodiversity.
Your first destination is a true tropical paradise, with trails surrounded by vibrant vegetation, exotic birds, butterflies, and beautiful nature reserves.
Boca Tapada is one of the few remaining nesting sites of the endangered Great Green Macaw.
- Meals: breakfast
- Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
You will head towards the rainforest within the hotel property, where you will begin a 3 km hike (approximately 2.5 hours). During this walk, it is possible to observe a wide variety of local flora and fauna, while the Naturalist Guide explains everything around.
You will also visit the Botanical Garden, Medicinal Garden, and conclude the tour at the Hotel Garden.
You will also visit the Botanical Garden, Medicinal Garden, and conclude the tour at the Hotel Garden.
- Meals: breakfast
- Maquenque Ecolodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Today you’ll drive your car to Sarapiquí. It offers plenty of adventure, including rafting, boat tours, and night walks.
A perfect way to begin your journey immersed in the magic of the rainforest.
Enjoy a naturalist-guided adventure as you explore the tropical rainforest at night!
Bring your flashlight and search along the trails and surrounding grounds for nighttime wildlife, including tree frogs, leaf mimicking insects, and nocturnal mammals such as kinkajous and bats.
A perfect way to begin your journey immersed in the magic of the rainforest.
Enjoy a naturalist-guided adventure as you explore the tropical rainforest at night!
Bring your flashlight and search along the trails and surrounding grounds for nighttime wildlife, including tree frogs, leaf mimicking insects, and nocturnal mammals such as kinkajous and bats.
- Meals: breakfast
- Ara Ambigua Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
A delicious chocolate tour where you’ll discover the entire process from cacao bean to rich, handcrafted chocolate. Enjoy tastings, learn about traditional techniques, and savor the unique flavors of Costa Rican cacao.
- Meals: breakfast
- Ara Ambigua Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Let’s head to your next destination: Turrialba town
This trip takes you straight to a charming little town with amazing nature sites such as the Turrialba Volcano, which is currently active and regularly throwing ashes. Located in the rural part of the Cartago Province. Its Pacuare and Reventazon rivers, perfect for whitewater rafting.
Take advantage of this trip to try one of Turrialba’s most famous products, its cheese.
Take advantage of this trip to try one of Turrialba’s most famous products, its cheese.
- Meals: breakfast.
- Villa Florencia Hotel, or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Turrialba, a truly incredible ADVENTURE!
Canyoning is an adventure sport practiced in river canyons and includes varied routes through forested areas. The experience begins with an introduction to the techniques and the use of rappel equipment, always emphasizing safety. The route combines rappelling down waterfalls of 10 to 15 meters, zip lines (five in total three long and two short), a hanging bridge about 40 meters long in true “Indiana Jones” style, small surprise swings, and a climbing wall.
At the end, the guides will show you where you can change before enjoying lunch.
Canyoning is an adventure sport practiced in river canyons and includes varied routes through forested areas. The experience begins with an introduction to the techniques and the use of rappel equipment, always emphasizing safety. The route combines rappelling down waterfalls of 10 to 15 meters, zip lines (five in total three long and two short), a hanging bridge about 40 meters long in true “Indiana Jones” style, small surprise swings, and a climbing wall.
At the end, the guides will show you where you can change before enjoying lunch.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch.
- Villa Florencia Hotel or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Los Santos area is very special for several reasons, one of the most important is the wildlife that live here specially the birds. The high elevation of the area attracts woodpeckers, warblers, falcons, owls and quetzal.
The other reason is the high-quality coffee produce in this land. Consider one of best coffee in the world you can delight with it when you visit a coffee plantation and a local coffee shop.
The other reason is the high-quality coffee produce in this land. Consider one of best coffee in the world you can delight with it when you visit a coffee plantation and a local coffee shop.
- Meals: breakfast.
- Lauráceas Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
In San Gerardo de Dota, you have the best chance of finding and observing this spectacular Quetzal. The Aztecs believed the Resplendent Quetzal was the representation of Quetzalcóatl, their supreme god.
One of the guides will take you to the places where the quetzal feeds on aguacatillos, their favorite fruit. It only needs a few seconds of watching the quetzal to appreciate why it is considered to be the most beautiful species in the American continent.
One of the guides will take you to the places where the quetzal feeds on aguacatillos, their favorite fruit. It only needs a few seconds of watching the quetzal to appreciate why it is considered to be the most beautiful species in the American continent.
- Meals: breakfast.
- Lauráceas Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Driving from Los Santos area to Uvita Beach is a journey that blends mountain scenery with the charm of Costa Rica’s South Pacific. The ride begins among coffee plantations, fresh air, and sweeping views, then descends through lush tropical vegetation.
As you approach Uvita, the climate becomes warmer and the bright blue ocean comes into view. You’ll arrive at a beach known for its peaceful atmosphere, golden sand, and the iconic Marino Ballena National Park, perfect for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying an unforgettable nature experience.
As you approach Uvita, the climate becomes warmer and the bright blue ocean comes into view. You’ll arrive at a beach known for its peaceful atmosphere, golden sand, and the iconic Marino Ballena National Park, perfect for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying an unforgettable nature experience.
- Meals: breakfast.
- Cusinga Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
The tour begins by boat, giving you the perfect opportunity to admire up close the majestic whales and playful dolphins of the Pacific. The adventure starts at Punta Uvita Beach, where you can see the famous “whale tail” formation that appears in the sand at low tide, as well as enjoy views of Ballena Island, the Tres Hermanas islets, and the impressive sea caves of Ventanas Beach.
Accompanied by your guide, you will navigate crystal clear waters in search of the magnificent Humpback Whale, as well as Pacific spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. And when the moment arrives, you’ll be amazed by the deep songs of the whales and the acrobatics of dolphins jumping and playing around the boat, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
Accompanied by your guide, you will navigate crystal clear waters in search of the magnificent Humpback Whale, as well as Pacific spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. And when the moment arrives, you’ll be amazed by the deep songs of the whales and the acrobatics of dolphins jumping and playing around the boat, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
- Meals: breakfast.
- Cusinga Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Enjoy a leisure beach day in your own way!
If you want to explore more this area, you can acquire an optional tour according to your preferences. Here you will find a small list of ideas that will make out of this free day an incredible ADVENTURE!
If you want to explore more this area, you can acquire an optional tour according to your preferences. Here you will find a small list of ideas that will make out of this free day an incredible ADVENTURE!
- Surf at Dominical Beach
- Yoga and wellness classes
- Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
- Wildlife watching
- Kayaking or paddle boarding on the Barú River
- Whale and dolphin watching tour
- Walk on the beach at sunset
- Shop at the local artisan market
- Enjoy the nightlife
- Take nearby day trips (Marino Ballena Park or Playa Ventanas)
- Meals: breakfast.
- Cusinga Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Please, contact your traveler advisor so they can book the selected activity for you!
Enjoy a leisure beach day in your own way!
If you want to explore more this area, you can acquire an optional tour according to your preferences. Here you will find a small list of ideas that will make out of this free day an incredible ADVENTURE!
If you want to explore more this area, you can acquire an optional tour according to your preferences. Here you will find a small list of ideas that will make out of this free day an incredible ADVENTURE!
- Surf at Dominical Beach
- Yoga and wellness classes
- Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
- Wildlife watching
- Kayaking or paddle boarding on the Barú River
- Whale and dolphin watching tour
- Walk on the beach at sunset
- Shop at the local artisan market
- Enjoy the nightlife
- Take nearby day trips (Marino Ballena Park or Playa Ventanas)
- Meals: breakfast.
- Cusinga Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Please, contact your traveler advisor so they can book the selected activity for you!
Drive back to San José while enjoying Costa Rica’s stunning landscapes. The route takes you into the central mountains, passing through charming towns, scenic viewpoints, and the lush greenery that defines the country. It’s the perfect drive to unwind, take in the changing scenery, and wrap up your journey with one last, authentic dose of Pura Vida.
- Meals: breakfast.
- Radisson San José or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 Stars).
Thank you for visiting and for letting us be part of your adventure in Costa Rica. From your hotel in San José, you will need to drive to the office near the Juan Santamaría International Airport to return your rental car quickly and easily. We recommend doing so with enough time and arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight.
Thank you for choosing us, and see you soon!
Thank you for choosing us, and see you soon!
- Meals: breakfast.
Secrets of Costa Rica (15 days & 14 nights)
Ready for an unforgettable adventure through Costa Rica?
Explore lush forests, mountains, and paradisiacal beaches in a rental car. Start in San José and immerse yourself in the nature of Boca Tapada with a rainforest tour, followed by a night walk and a chocolate tour in Sarapiquí. Feel the adrenaline in Turrialba with canyoning and zip lining, and spot the majestic quetzal in Los Santos. Then, relax in Uvita beach with a whale and dolphin watching tour and enjoy free days to explore the coast. Finally, return to San José to rest and take home unforgettable memories of a trip full of nature, culture, and freedom on the road.
Tailor This Trip
Secrets of Costa Rica (15 days & 14 nights)
Map
