Costa Rica · 9 Days / 8 Nights
Beyond the Trail – Self-Drive Adventure — 9 Days
Embark on an exciting journey through Costa Rica with the freedom to drive at your own pace. Discover the hidden treasures of Turrialba, Los Santos, and the ecological refuge of Sarapiquí.
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Costa Rica
Price and booking
- Deposit to confirm 25%
- Balance before departure 75%
- Card payments +5%
Private departure, guided in English or Spanish. Prices in US dollars.
What's included
Included
- 8 nights of accommodation in standard hotels (3 Stars)
- Daily breakfast
- Private airport-to-hotel transfer upon arrival
- 8-day rental car (basic insurance and MiFi included in the package)
- Sales taxes
Not included
- Additional mandatory vehicle insurance or car security deposits
- Fuel, tolls, and parking
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Optional tours or national park entrance fees
- Departure tax ($29 per person)
- Airfare and international travel insurance
Day by day
- Day 1
Welcome to Costa Rica
Arrival at the airport and warm welcome by an Inka Rainbow / local partner representative, followed by a private transfer to your hotel for a night of rest.
- Meals
- None
- Accommodation
- Hotel Auténtico or similar
- Day 2
Roadtrip to Sarapiquí
After breakfast, you will pick up your rental vehicle (equipped SUV) to begin the true driving adventure. Travel to Sarapiquí, a destination world-renowned for its biodiversity and immersive tropical forest environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Selva Verde Lodge or similar
- Day 3
Exploring Sarapiquí
Free day to explore the region with your vehicle. We recommend visiting the hanging bridges, birdwatching tours, biological reserves, or learning about local organic cacao.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Selva Verde Lodge or similar
- Day 4
En Route to Turrialba
Drive to the charming Turrialba Valley, nestled at the foot of an active volcano and home to great agricultural and historical beauty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Casa Turire Hotel or similar
- Day 5
Discovering Turrialba
Use your vehicle to visit fascinating places at your own pace. We suggest visiting the Guayabo National Archaeological Monument (the most important in the country) or enjoying rafting, canyoning adventures, or exploring local cheese farms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Casa Turire Hotel or similar
- Day 6
To the Highlands – Los Santos Zone
Drive ascending to the Los Santos Zone, celebrated for its high-altitude coffee plantations, dense cloud forests, and refreshing climate. You will experience spectacular views along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Trogón Lodge or similar
- Day 7
Los Santos Zone & The Quetzal
Day dedicated to enjoying this privileged region. Optionally, you can embark on a hike in search of the legendary Quetzal bird, visit traditional coffee farms, or relax by the pristine river.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Trogón Lodge or similar
- Day 8
Return to San José
Descent back to the capital. Enjoy the afternoon exploring urban amenities or doing your last souvenir shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel Auténtico or similar
- Day 9
End of Adventure
Drive to the rental company office near the airport to return your vehicle and then take your flight back home, taking with you incredible memories of this freedom adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
More in Costa Rica
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- Luxury & Adventure Costa Rica — 11 Days11 Days / 10 Nights
- Costa Rica: Birding Paradise — 6 Days6 Days / 5 Nights
- Family Vacations in Costa Rica — 6 Days6 Days / 5 Nights
- Golden Coast Luxury Escape — 5 Days5 Days / 4 Nights
- Travel to Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: questions and answers
The first step
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Photography: Omar Mena / UnsplashJoseph Piña / UnsplashRico Meier / UnsplashCésar Badilla Miranda / UnsplashCésar Badilla Miranda / UnsplashBernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC0Aleksandar Popovski / UnsplashJavier Mazzeo / UnsplashZdeněk Macháček / UnsplashImagePerson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Aleksandar Popovski / UnsplashJulio-César Chávez / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Matt MacGillivray / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0EcoNaturalist.com / UnsplashMax Kratzer / Unsplash