Embark on a 9-day adventure across Costa Rica, driving yourself from one beautiful destination to the next. From the roaring rivers of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, to the pristine jungle of Arenal Volcano National Park, and to the white sand beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, this tour allows you to experience the best of Costa Rica from the driver's seat!
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Upon arrival at Liberia International, meet up with your guide and transfer to the car rental office. Obtain your vehicle here and embark on your Costa Rican driving adventure! Drive 1.5 hours to your hotel, the lovely Blue River Resort, located on the slopes of the imposing volcano, Rincon de la Vieja. Settle in and enjoy dinner at the resort.
After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a guided whitewater adventure on the Cucaracho river. The Cucaracho, ranked Class III-V, flows through Rincon de la Vieja National Park about 2 hours from Liberia. Get your adrenaline pumping as you cruise through the gorges and canyons of this pristine wilderness area. The trip takes about 2 hours. Return to the resort to relax for the afternoon after your exciting morning on the river. Enjoy lunch and dinner at Blue River.
Take a leisurely breakfast this morning and get busy relaxing in Rincon de la Vieja National Park. This national park is considered one of Costa Rica's finest hidden treasures. Its andesitic stratovolcano is alive and active, one of five in the Guanacaste mountain range. This volcano, while remote, is highly accessible to travelers and rich in vistas and ecological wonders. Enjoy a free day in the park, exploring and taking advantage of the many activities offered onsite. Return to your hotel in the evening.
After breakfast this morning, drive 3.5 hours to Arenal Volcano National Park, another of Costa Rica's stunning protected areas. The national park is home to the active Arenal Volcano and its dormant counterpart, Chato Volcano, as well as monumental Lake Arenal. Spanning over 33 square miles and reaching depths of 200+ feet, Lake Arenal accommodates a myriad of activities including windsurfing, fishing, and boating. During your visit, take part in any number of volcanic/jungle adventures. The park is known for its spectacular canyoneering excursions, whitewater rafting trips (in case you got hooked on rafting back on day 2!), and insightful guided hikes. Also featured are a unique network of hanging jungle bridges and hot springs to unwind in after a full days of exploring. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel, enjoy dinner and a restful evening.
Dine at the hotel this morning before taking advantage of Arenal's famous Skytram or Skytrek tour. These tours will take you through the national park's peaceful canopy via either tram or zip line. Both routes offer a one-of-a-kind vantage point from which to take in the pristine beauty of Arenal's surrounding forest. Head back to your hotel for a leisurely afternoon on your own.
This morning after breakfast, start off on a scenic, 3.5 hour drive to Puntarenas, located on the Central Pacific coast. From there, ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquere on the Nicoya Peninsula. Drive on to your hotel, about 1.5 hours from the ferry dock. Settle in, enjoy dinner and lovely nightfall on the peninsula.
Enjoy a day on the beaches of Nicoya completely at your leisure. This unique peninsula is considered ecologically wealthy, providing habitat for sea turtles, rare bird species, and diverse plant life. Explore subterranean caves and historic maritime treasure sites. Relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings, dining this evening at your hotel.
After breakfast and a free morning, start off on your drive back to Liberia, about 3.5 hours from your hotel in Nicoya. Along the way stop for lunch in Guaitil, an artisan village in San Vicente de Nicoya. This charming town, home to the native Chorotegas, provides a glimpse into ancient Maya culture. Visit the town park, where artisans skillfully construct traditional pottery in typical workshops and ovens, keeping the legacy of this ancient art alive and thriving.
After your visit, continue on to your hotel in Liberia and enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 9: Depart Liberia
1 Breakfast
Have breakfast at your hotel this morning before returning your car to the rental office near the Liberia International. From there, shuttle to the airport for your departing flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,208
Notes
Select a Date
Rate based on joining other rafters on day 2. Additional surcharge may apply.
Family Discounts available. Self-Drive package includes rental car and basic insurance for rental car. Additional costs for insurance may apply
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 166 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 166 reviews on
4 days ago
Adventure Life took care of everything! All we had to do was show up when we were supposed to, which made our first trip to Costa Rica largely stress-free and incredibly fun. Our trip reps, Hannah and Mariethony, were helpful and responsive, getting back to us by email usually within a few hours. Our accommodations were all great, and we got incredibly blessed with some absolutely stellar guides and drivers.
Our Jungle & Beach trip was an excellent balance of adventure and rest. We got to try out a lot of different activities, including snorkeling, hiking, white water rafting and kayaking, while also partaking of some rest around the pool or by the ocean. We enjoyed seeing and exploring the beautiful Caribbean side of the country.
Joy Knowles
1 week ago
The company made our adventure trip hassle-free, and a lot of fun! I will definitely be using them again
Carolena F
1 month ago
For our first trip to Costa Rica, Adventure Life designed a tour that meets the interests, ecological and adventure, of our party; but also takes into account our physical limitations sine we are all septuagenarian. We are looking forward to the trip.
John Zent
1 month ago
COSTA RICA a trip of a life time travelling round this beautiful country. All went like clockwork even when the weather was against us and all transfers seemed to be part of the holiday not a chore. Would definitely use Adventure Life again having previously used them 20 years ago!!
Cynthia Calton
1 month ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.
