Costa Rica Self-Drive Adventure: Monteverde, Tamarindo & Arenal - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José

Welcome to the land of pura vida! After arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, the rest of your day is free, so you can explore Costa Rica's vibrant capital city as you wish. Suggested activities include: 

• Stroll through Mercado Central (Central Market), the largest in the city, with over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants), perfect for an inexpensive lunch of casado, a traditional dish of rice, beans, and meat, served with tortillas. 
• Explore Barrio Amón, a historic neighborhood that's home to cafetalero (coffee grower) mansions constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the area's historic buildings have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and galleries, making this a popular district.
• Visit the Teatro Nacional, an opulent neoclassical building constructed in the late-19th century, which offers free guided tours on the hour. 
• Explore Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, located in the city's lush botanical garden. 

For dinner, opt for a restaurant in the hills of Escazú. This elevated region on the western edge of the city offers panoramic views of the valley below. That said, San José is filled with great restaurants serving everything from traditional to forward-thinking fusion cuisine.

Day 2: Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest

After breakfast, pick up your rental car for your three-hour drive north from the central valley into Guanacaste Province and the Monteverde region. 

This being Costa Rica, there's no shortage of ecological wonderlands between the capital and Monteverde. So feel free to stop and take in the sights along the way. Just north of San José, for example, you'll find La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This privately-run ecological attraction includes five amazing waterfalls accessed through miles of well-maintained walking trails. It's a great place to visit, thanks in part to wildlife exhibits devoted to wild cats, snakes, frogs, and even a butterfly observatory and hummingbird garden.

Farther along on your road trip, you can also stop at Crocodile Bridge. Located right before you reach the Pacific coast on Route 34, this bridge over the Río Tárcoles is a favorite spot of congregating crocodiles. Snap as many photos as you want, just don't get too close. Eventually, you'll arrive in the Monteverde region, famous for the 26,000-acre (10,522 ha) Cloud Forest Reserve, home to countless species of flora and fauna. Suspension bridges throughout the reserve allow for walks above the forest canopy—keep your eyes peeled for the colorfully plumed, resplendent quetzal. 

At some point, you'll no doubt want to enjoy a nice dinner. Head to nearby Santa Elena, a charming town with a heavy Quaker influence that's known for excellent coffee and cheese.

Day 3: Zipline Fun in Monteverde Cloud Forest

Sky Adventures Monteverde Park is an aerial amusement park that raises jungle excitement to the next level. Its Sky Tram network of gondolas transports visitors from one adrenaline-pumping activity to another. First, you'll start with a guided Sky Walk, which combines trails and suspension bridges that ultimately reach heights of up to 984 feet (300 m) above the jungle canopy. The region's flora and fauna will be on full display, and your guides will point out the most interesting specimens. Later, you'll ride in an open-air Sky Tram gondola. During this journey, you'll ascend over the rainforest and enjoy sweeping views across the mountains.

Arriving at the end of the line, the exhilarating adventure of whizzing down the mountain begins. Connect to a zipline cable that stretches over rainforest treetops and across clifftops, finally returning you to the starting point. Sky Trek is known as the most thrilling zipline in the country, and Monteverde is renowned as the birthplace of the canopy tour in Costa Rica.

Day 4: Drive to Tamarindo via Liberia

It's time to leave the hilltops of Monteverde as you travel east. The landscapes will change as you leave the rainforests behind and enter the tropical dry forest and vast savannas of Guanacaste Province. After three hours, you'll enter Liberia, the region's capital.

Continue onward over paved and dirt roads toward the Nicoya Peninsula. After an hour, you'll arrive at the ocean and your destination: the popular surf haven of Tamarindo. This small community teems with activity, famous for its sunny beaches and world-class surf.

Day 5: Private Surf Lesson at Playa Tamarindo

In the morning, enjoy a private surf lesson on Playa Tamarindo. Take the rest of the day to practice riding the waves on your own or enjoy some well-deserved relaxation on the beach. A must-visit spot near Tamarindo for more experienced surfers is Playa Naranjo, which locals have nicknamed "Witch's Rock." It's located in a national park, is accessible only by boat, and features big surf with both left and right-breaking waves. A few miles beyond, you'll reach Ollie's Point, another excellent surf locale.

You can also take a yoga class at one of Tamarindo's studios, stroll through town, or enjoy a meal at a local café.

Day 6: Free Morning, Afternoon Snorkel & Sunset Catamaran Cruise

There's no shortage of secluded bays and inviting beaches in Guanacaste Province. And after so much activity, you're likely eager for a day relaxing on the sand. If you happen to be a surfer (or just want to learn), Tamarindo is the place. You'll find both beginner and advanced waves here, as well as a number of surf schools. This laid-back surfer haven is also home to some of the best restaurants in the country.

In the afternoon, you'll board a catamaran for a sunset sail. The ship will stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor, and you'll explore the crystalline waters while the crew prepares a dinner feast. While you eat, enjoy the sunset over the Pacific horizon while keeping a sharp eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a breaching whale.

Day 7: Drive to La Fortuna via Río Celeste

Today you'll start heading to Arenal but stop along the way for a hike in Río Celeste, one of the true natural wonders of Costa Rica. The river's electric blue hue is the result of a mixture of sulfur and carbonate, which the nearby Tenorio Volcano produces. You'll trek along the river, hiking rainforest trails for approximately four hours. You'll trek alongside rainforest trails for approximately four hours. Eventually, you'll reach the jewel in the crown of this river: the Río Celeste Waterfall.

After the hike, get back on the road and drive two hours southeast to Arenal Volcano National Park and the town of La Fortuna. For dinner, choose from one of the town's 100+ restaurants. Solid options include: 

• Don Rufino, an upscale grill, serves up big portions with a decent wine list and vegetarian options.
• Café Mediterraneo, for Italian classics like homemade fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza.
• Rancho Perla, a ranch-style eatery serving Costa Rican staples like beef, chicken, and seafood. Get lucky, and you might spot toucans, iguanas, and even sloths in the trees near your table.

Day 8: Coffee Farm Tour & Tabacon Hot Springs

This morning you'll head to a local farm for a tour centered around one of Costa Rica's most famous exports: coffee. You'll participate in the entire farm-to-cup process, from picking the beans to roasting.

Afterward, spend the evening relaxing with a dip in the mineral-rich waters of Tabacon's hot springs, used as therapeutic baths for more than 200 years. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa also offers day passes and includes a spa where treatments are given in rustic bungalows.

Day 9: Optional Chocolate Tour, Return to San José

Enjoy your last morning in La Fortuna. Take a stroll around the central plaza, or visit the La Fortuna Waterfall. If you're interested, you'll have enough time for a chocolate-making tour. In this hands-on program, you'll learn about the origin, history, and production of one of Costa Rica's most famous exports. You'll participate in the cacao harvest, as well as the drying and grinding of the seeds used to produce creamy cocoa butter. Learn how a traditional Costa Rican chocolate drink was developed centuries ago—and, of course, sample some delicious freshly made chocolate.

After lunch, it's time to drive back to San José and drop off your rental car. You'll still have much of the evening to explore the city and take advantage of anything you may have missed at the beginning of the trip.

Day 10: Depart San José

It's time to say adiós to Costa Rica. Depending on your departure time, you'll have the morning to explore more of San José, relax in a café, or browse some shops before boarding your flight home.

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