Unknown paths are calling out. Sights to see and smells to smell. Winding roads and wind on your face. For the adventurous and wanderlust at heart, a Costa Rican road trip will gladden your heart and satiate your soul. From beautiful Caribbean beaches to dense tropical forests to volcanic mountains. Read on and you will find tips which will help you in planning a road trip in Costa Rica.
Most parts of Costa Rica have decent roads, however the lack of sign posts and clear directions may confuse you, but armed with a GPS and some amount of planning, the country is ripe for a perfect road trip. There is something for everyone and if you have kids or teens in tow, be assured they will have the trip of their lifetime. So pick up your passports and pack your bags. Lets travel to the country which has 6% of of the worlds bio diversity, even though it has only 0.03 % of the land mass. Our road trip drive covered more than 800 Km of beautiful Costa Rica.
Arrive in San Jose
Most major airlines fly into Juan Santamaria International airport in the capital San Jose. Liberia, on the west coast of Costa Rica is an alternate option to fly into. Due to the unpaved and pot holed conditions of roads in some part of CR, it is highly recommended that you reserve a 4×4 and cover yourself with required insurance. Car rental is expensive in CR especially with the added insurance, but you can’t put a price tag to the freedom on the road. For an additional premium you can also choose a rental car with a driver and this is rather compelling if you are travelling as a group and are a party of 8 or more.
The adventure begins ( Day 1 to 3)
Our journey started in San Jose. San Jose to La Fortuna ( approximately 140 km) is about 3 to 4 hours drive at leisurely pace. Start from San Jose and drive by Poas Volcano and after a moderate hike, relax and view the beautiful views of the crater lake. This hike was shut down for the last few months due to volcanic activity and is due to open soon. Continue driving and stop at the La Paz falls
La Paz falls
This park is the most popular tourist attraction in Costa Rica and is perfect when combined with Poás Volcano and Coffee Estate as a day tour from San José. Explore five magnificent waterfalls accessed by paved trails through rain and cloud Forest. The wildlife refuge features the largest aviary and butterfly observatory in Costa Rica as well as rescued Jaguars, Pumas, Capuchin and Spider Monkeys. Feed friendly Toucans and photograph many species of tame Hummingbirds in their natural habitat.
While there are stretches where the road gets a bit curvy, the drive from San José to La Fortuna isn’t too treacherous. This part of Costa Rica is a must-see, especially for nature lovers and adventure-seekers. Near La Fortuna, is Arenal volcano National park a predominately primary forest which hosts a great assortment of wildlife and exotic plants.
On day two wake up to sounds of hundreds of birds chirping and views of beautiful dense forests and after a leisurely breakfast, head on to Mystico hanging bridge national park.
Mystico Hanging Bridge national park
Observe Costa Rica’s bountiful wildlife from the hanging bridges of Mistico Park in Arenal. Trek along ground-level forest trails and suspended walkways in this private, family-owned nature reserve that’s home to a vast array of birdlife, monkeys, reptiles, and tropical plants. Learn about the area’s rich biodiversity from a naturalist guide as you explore different levels of the rain forest, from floor to canopy, and enjoy commanding views of Arenal Volcano. Highly recommended to sign on for a guided tour.
There are fabulous white-water rafting tours, horseback riding trips, hanging bridges, rainforest walks, waterfall repelling excursions, and quite a few different accommodation-options ranging from hostels to five-star boutique hotels and resorts and Airbnb’s. Stay two to three full days here at the very least .
Drive on from La Fortuna to Monteverde ( Day 4 and 5)
Total distance is about 160 km but be prepared for a rough ride as the roads are unpaved and worse than those found in third world countries. I find it difficult to understand why the government has not be able to build a proper road in such an important global biodiversity hotspot- I am told that the road construction is in works for the past ten years. This drive will take you three to four hours, also be warned that there are no rest rooms or hotels on the way.
Monteverde is a mystical cloud-forest reserve that has continued to capture the hearts of scientists, bird watchers, and nature enthusiasts. Spending time here is like spending time in a fairy tale. There are moments when you are literally inside
the clouds as they pass through the dense virgin forests. On a clear day, from an elevated viewpoint, you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. There are zip line canopy tours, suspension bridges to trek through the forest, a butterfly garden, and even a famous cheese factory.
Sign on for a guided tour of the Monteverde cloud forest and be prepared to be amazed with the diversity of plants and birds. See variety of species of Toucan, Macaw’s, Quetzal, Hummingbird’s and many other birds. Plan to spend two to three hours for the cloud-forest hike.
After the cloud-forest tour signed up for a three in one plantation tour – Coffee, Cocoa and Sugarcane. This was very educational and worth the three hours we spent on the plantation tour- You will learn to make your own chocolates from raw cocoa powder and taste some of the best costa rican coffee.
Two days is adequate time to explore Monteverde and the adventure options available here. Zip lining in the cloud forests of Monteverde ranks among the best in the world.
Now check out and head to the beach ( Day 6, 7, 8)
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio ( about 185 KM) is around 4 hours of drive time. After spending time in the sleepy cloud-forests of Monteverde, a few days in Manuel Antonio will be a welcome change of pace.
Manuel Antonio is an small oceanside village with plenty of great places to stay – from luxury condos to beach front hotels to charming Airbnb’s tucked into nature. Famous for its national park, this tiny yet bustling town is located off Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast just a stone’s throw away from Quepos which is famous for surfing and sportfishing. The region is a treasure for biodiversity, attracting nature buffs, eco-travelers and adventure-seekers alike.
Manuel Antonio national park
Though one of the smallest park in the country, Manuel Antonio National Park is the most popular – and rightfully so. Manuel Antonio is often considered among the most biodiverse parks in the world. Spanning several natural habits, this gem boasts more than 109 different species of mammals and 184 species of birds. You can spot the white-faced and howler monkeys, two-toed sloths and the endangered squirrel monkey. Its four beaches cater to snorkeling, swimming and sun bathing.
Unwind at the beautiful beaches in Quepos and take a surfing lesson or watch people surfing. Relax and let the beautiful beaches rejuvenate you.
Loop back around to San Jose ( Day 9)
Manuel Antonio to San Jose (170 kilometers) is about 3-4 hours dive. The end of the road is coming soon, unless of course you decide to keep venturing on. There is actually a great selection of museums, and boutique hotels in San Jose for those who want a few extra days in Costa Rica. The surrounding areas of San José also offer some great adventure tours like zip lining, white-water rafting, horseback riding, and hiking. There are also very informative and delicious coffee and chocolate tours available too.
If you have time spend half a day checking out the farmers market and shops around San Jose downtown. Now that it is time to return the car and bid goodbye to CR, Pack your bags and print out your tickets. It was time for us to bid goodbye to our driver Gerardo and head back home.
For more stories on planning for travel read How to plan a great American Road trip.
If you are aiming to achieve financial independence and travel the world send us a note and we will send you a FREE booklet on “How much do you need to achieve Financial Independence.”
Wonderful memories captured in words as well as in pictures. Added Costa Rica to my bucket list.
Thanks, Will be a treat.