Overview of Your Colors of Costa Rica (Self Drive) Tour
This flexible Costa Rica tour has you visiting two classic Costa Rica locations, along with one of the best off-the-beaten track beaches in all of Costa Rica. Explore the famous Arenal Volcano area, with options to soak in natural hot springs, zipline through the rainforest, or walk among the monkeys on hanging bridges high in the forest canopy. Head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve to explore the Sky Trek, an extensive system of trails, suspension bridges and canopy walks. Continue your Costa Rica travel tour in Santa Theresa, a bohemian surf town where you can relax, surf and enjoy the beach before heading home. Southern Explorations will book your hotel accommodations and rental car according to your budget and preferences and recommend activities to make your trip outstanding, flexible and fun.
Trip Features
- 9 Days
- Starting at $2,745 per person
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PHYSICAL RATING
Easy -
ACTIVITIES
Self Drive, Snorkeling, Ziplining, Canopy Walk, Hiking, Surfing -
HIGHLIGHTS
Arenal Volcano area, Tabacn Hot Springs, Arenal Lake, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
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Talk to a Travel Expert
Arrive San Jose. A Southern Explorations guide will meet you outside customs and transfer you nearby to the rental car office to pick up your vehicle for your trip to the Arenal Volcano area, about a three-hour drive from San Jos. Your Costa Rica adventure begins with an overnight stay at a local hotel in the vicinity of the volcano. After check-in, spend the rest of day getting settled and exploring the area on your own. (B)
Spend the day enjoying some of the many activities in the Arenal area. Explore the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, a Costa Rica ecotourism paradise for birders interested in waterfowl. Go horseback riding or relax in several 102F thermal pools fed by the Tabacn River at the Tabacn Hot Springs, a Spanish-style bathing resort in an idyllic setting of lush tropical gardens. Take an unforgettable guided canopy tour of interpretive trails across 15 hanging bridges. Choose any of the activities you prefer before you head back to your hotel for the night.
Pack up after breakfast for a trip around Arenal Lake, passing picturesque small towns. In about 4 hours youll reach the rural community of Monteverde, nestled in the highlands of the Tilaran mountain range. Check in to your hotel in Monteverde before you relax and take a look around. Overnight in Monteverde. (B)
Explore the area’s main attraction, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a 6,200-acre wildlife sanctuary established by an American Quaker community. One of Costa Rica’s richest ecological habitats, the reserve contains Sky Trek, an extensive system of trails, canopy platforms, a treetop platform and a suspension bridge in the tropical vegetation of evergreens, vines, orchids and bromeliads. Those looking for extra thrills during their Costa Rica travel tour can take an adrenaline-pumping zipline flight deep into the forest, a highlight for most visitors. Spend the evening exploring the area or relaxing in your hotel in Monteverde (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, youll drive to Puntarenas to catch the ferry that takes you across the Nicoya Gulf. Enjoy the nice views of the gulf and its islands as the ferry heads to Paquera. From Paquera youll drive about 1.5 hours to Santa Teresa to check in to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the area and relaxing. Overnight in Santa Teresa. (B)
Spend the next two days enjoying the hotel and relaxing by the beach. Take a surf lesson, explore nearby beaches like Mal Pais and Montezuma, or visit to the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve. Overnight in Santa Teresa. (B)
After breakfast, youll pack your bags and drive back to Paquera to catch the ferry. Once you land in Puntarenas, Once you land in Puntarenas, youll continue to San Jose to check in to your hotel and enjoy a free evening. (B)
Self-drive to the San Jose International Airport where you will return the rental car, marking the end of Southern Explorations services.
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Speak with our expert team so we can get you exactly the trip to Costa Rica you’re looking for.
Phone
1-877-784-5400
Trip FAQs
We have so much to share with you! How does this all work? Start with the frequently asked questions below, and if you want to talk to us directly, simply reach out by phone or form.
Talk to a Travel ExpertYou have the flexibility to choose your own travel dates on most of our trips. Certain trips, such as cruises, have fixed schedules. Availability on these trips is always changing so please contact us with your preferred travel time and we can find the perfect itinerary for you
We provide full service tours so in general our trips include all guided activities with professional English-speaking guides, accommodations, transportation, airport transfers, entrance fees and permits, select meals, and pre-departure services. You will be responsible for international airfare while we will book all in-country airfare. Contact one of our expert travel planners for even more details on this specific tour.
The first step is to get in touch with a Southern Explorations travel planner for date availability and information on activities, accommodations and other travel aspirations you may have. Give us a call at 1.877.784.5400, fill out this form or email info@southernexplorations.com.
Yes! All of our posted itineraries can be considered a starting point and we’re happy to tailor a trip to your exact desires. There may be some elements of a trip, such as a cruise or all-inclusive lodge stay, that cannot be modified but we can always adjust the tours around those components.
We have more detailed information about each destination in the Plan Your Trip section of this website. Our team of friendly travel planners is also available to walk you through various options and to work with you on the perfect trip!
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Learn More About Costa RicaTestimonials
Wonderfull trip, every day exceeded expectations. Thank you for the last minute work to get this organized, all went well.
– Ken Stead
