The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
From 1.331 €

The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive

holiday package
Created: Thursday, October 31, 2024
Ref ID: 13252198
price per person From
1.331 €
Based on 2 adults
2.662 €
Total Price
Created: Thursday, October 31, 2024
Itinerary
Tours

Enjoy the highlights of Costa Rica on this ten-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcano, cloud forests, tropical jungles and a secluded Island. This is a country of great natural beauty and every destination has something unique to offer. Whether you are watching the Arenal volcano whilst bathing in hot springs, walking in the canopy of Monteverde’s cloud forest or relaxing on the pristine jungle of Tortuguero, Costa Rica really is a nature lover's paradise.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Tortuguero: Tortuguero, is one of Costa Rica's most popular ecotourism destinations. This destination is you "must stop" while in Costa Rica. Discover its Network of canals, lagoons and dense rainforests and had the chance to see the turtles hatch. 

Arenal: Prior to December 2010 the Arenal Volcano was one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world and it was a truly majestic sight. Today there are no lava eruptions, but you can still see smoke/ash spew out of the top of the volcano. Find the balance between mind, body and spirit surrounded by nature thanks to the lush jungle and the imposing Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna area is recognized worldwide for being one of the most prominent wellness tourism destinations in the world.

Monteverde: A true nature lovers paradise with a marvellous diversity of wildlife and plant life. Monteverde Cloud Forest is unique from Costa Rica’s other forests, with a constant mist that looks like clouds and gives the forest its name. Monteverde is a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquillity combined with adventure and adrenaline activities, cultural and culinary experiences to discover the secrets of the forest! 

Tortuga Island: Relax on a paradise accessible only by boat, its beauty consists of white sand beach, clear turquoise water and incredible views. A Tortuga Island day cruise is one of the best day trips from San Jose city.

Day 1: ARRIVAL SAN JOSE (18km – 30min)

Welcome to Costa Rica. A local representative will greet you and assist you at the airport. Shared transfer from airport to the hotel in San Jose. Check-in at the hotel and then enjoy leisure time to refresh, relax and get comfortable at your hotel room. Explore by your own the city and its surroundings. 

Overnight at San Jose.

Day 2: SAN JOSÉ – TORTUGUERO (117km – 3.5hrs by land / 1.5hr by boat)

Early check-out from the hotel. Around 6:00 am a local representative will pick you up at the hotel lobby and take you on a shared transfer to your next destination: Tortuguero National Park, located in the North Caribbean Coast. On the way, around 8:30 am there will be a stop for breakfast in Guápiles city and then continue to La Pavona dock, where you will board a boat shared with others guests, that will take you to the lodge where you will immerse yourself in a perfectly quiet, laid back and tranquil stay. Around 1:00 pm, check-in and enjoy a delightful lunch (included). Afterwards, around 2:30 pm, meet your guide for an expedition through the Tortuguero Canals, a must activity while you are in Costa Rica. Explore the lagoons and hidden canals; as you go deeper into the forest the canals become smaller and the surrounding wildlife gets closer. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Overnight in Tortuguero.

Day 3: TORTUGUERO

Breakfast at the hotel. Around 9:00 am meet your guide to discover nature by taking a walk through the Lodge’s private trails. Enjoy free time in the morning to cool off in the pool and simply relax. Later this day, around 2:30 pm join to the guide and visit the small and picturesque village of Tortuguero. Afterwards, return to the Lodge to relax. Lunch and dinner included at the Lodge. 

Overnight in Tortuguero.

Day 4: TORTUGUERO – ARENAL (174km – 3.5hrs / 1.5hr by boat) / CAR HIRE DELIVERY

Breakfast at the lodge and check-out. Around 9:30 am be ready to depart on a shared transfer by boat and land from Tortuguero to the Restaurant located in Guápiles city, where you will enjoy the lunch (included). After lunch, around 1:30 pm, a local car rental representative will meet you at the restaurant and deliver you the rented vehicle and all the information regarding the contract. Afterwards, self-drive to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the wonderful Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, around 4:00 pm, check-in at the hotel in La Fortuna and free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.

Overnight in Arenal.

Day 5: ARENAL

Breakfast included at the hotel. Enjoy leisure time to simply relax or explore the Arenal region on your own. 

Overnight in Arenal.

Day 6: ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (80km – 1.5 by land / 1.5hr by boat)

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. At the convenient time, self-drive to your next destination: Monteverde Cloud forest Region. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel in Monteverde, enjoy free time to relax and discover the natural beauty of this destination on your own. 

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 7: MONTEVERDE

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore the wonders of Monteverde, such as its biological reserves, experience a Zipline adventure flying over the treetop forest canopy, walk through the suspension bridges or enjoy some cultural experience like a coffee tour or a Costa Rican cooking class.

Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 8: MONTEVERDE – SAN JOSE (145km – 3.5hrs) / CAR HIRE HOTEL RETURN

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. At the convenient time, self-drive San Jose. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel in San Jose and at the agreed time, meet the local car rental representative at the hotel lobby to return the vehicle. Enjoy free time to relax or go to explore the capital city on your own.

Overnight in San Jose.

Day 9: SAN JOSE – TORTUGA ISLAND – SAN JOSE (98km – 2hrs / 2 HOURS – 1.5hr by catamaran)

Around 6:00 am meet a local representative at the hotel lobby for a one day experience to Tortuga Island, located in the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas Province. Breakfast on the way. You will arrive at Puntarenas city where you will board a catamaran that will take you through the ocean admiring incredible landscapes while enjoying music and some tropical snacks on board. Arrive at the charming Tortuga Island. Once there, enjoy the beach, its turquoise waters, sunbathe and relax! Lunch is served on the beach. Around 3:00 pm, get ready to return to San Jose enjoying the sunset aboard the catamaran and then continue by land.

Overnight in San Jose.

Day 10: DEPARTURE SAN JOSE (18km – 30min)

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. At the agreed time, a local representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you on shared transportation to Juan Santamaria International Airport to take your flight back home. 

Comfortable and light and quick dry clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Costa Rica. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, sweater, raincoat or jacket, bathing suit, a hat or cap and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. All drivers must carry their current driver's license. All drivers must carry an international personal credit card (Visa, MC, Diners Club, and AMEX).

Remarks:

Does not include:

* Tips.

* Personal expenses.

* No other services not specified in the previous section.

* We inform you that in some countries there is a local tax known as "stay tax", "municipal tax", "tourist tax" (or similar denomination) that is not included in the price of the reservation and must be paid directly by each guest at the corresponding establishment and / or airport. Keep in mind that these taxes can change over time, therefore, it is necessary to check if the country of destination charges this type of tax and the current amount to be paid.



Very important:

* This document, obtained by the User through Compositor Panavisión Tours, does not constitute a confirmation of reservation or a firm reservation of any of the travel services described therein. Such confirmation will only be obtained when Panavisión Tours receives the total price of the reservation through the retail agency selected by the User among those associated with Compositor Panavisión.


* The booking of tourist services and product purchases contained in this document will be governed by the specific contractual conditions with which they have been offered and by the General Conditions applicable to travel services and products sold by Panavisión Tours that are published on this website, a copy of which is attached to this document.


* The confirmation of the reservation obtained by the User through the Composer Panavisión Tours www.panavision-tours.com or www.panavision-tours.es is also subject to availability at the time the User makes his payment for places in the means of transport, accommodation , or any type of service selected within the tariff selected or used for the offer.


* The final price obtained in the document generated through Compositor Panavisión Tours www.panavision-tours.com or www.panavision-tours.es may be subject to change at the time of requesting and confirming the reservation as a result of the companies' dynamic pricing policy aerial.


* Likewise, the final price is always conditioned to currency fluctuation, fuel price, taxes and tourist surcharges for airports, accommodation, airline tickets, maintenance services, visas and in general all those that apply to the services included in the travel, which may justify a price change, even after the reservation is confirmed under the terms and limits set by law.


* Confirmed the reservation, cancellation fees will be applied to those services that have previously been indicated in the reservation process, which are "Non-Refundable".


* This trip may not be suitable for people with reduced mobility. Check with your agency about its suitability based on your personal needs.


* We inform you that in some countries there is a local tax known as "stay tax", "municipal tax", "tourist tax" (or similar denomination) that is not included in the price of the reservation and must be paid directly by each guest at the corresponding establishment and / or airport. Keep in mind that these taxes can change over time, therefore, it is necessary to check if the country of destination charges this type of tax and the current amount to be paid.


* Group reservations are considered to be those reservations or blocks made by the agency of 5 rooms or more under the same or several locators with the same creation date, or made on different dates and the dates of stay of the reservations coincide on several of the days or at all. Therefore, in these situations, the wholesaler reserves the right not to accept said reservations, having to confirm the price and availability of said places expressly by it and after the quotation of places and prices through the department of groups.


* In the case of making the reservation, the rates do not allow modifications. You must cancel and make a new reservation. Cancellation expenses according to rate conditions.



INCLUSION INSURANCE IN COMBINED TRAVEL RESERVATIONS


With regard to our inclusion insurance, said insurance exclusively includes those people who have their residence and origin of the trip in Spain or Portugal.


CHAPTER I (Obligations of information and content of the combined travel contract), Article 153 (Pre-contractual information), point 1, section H:


"1. Before the traveler is bound by any package travel contract or corresponding offer, the organizer, and also the retailer, when the package is sold through the latter, will provide the traveler with the form with the standard information regarding to the package trip that appears in annex II, A or B, as well as the following information that is applicable to the package trip:

"h) Information on the subscription of an optional insurance that covers the expenses originated in the event that the traveler decides to terminate the contract or the expenses of assistance, including those of repatriation, in case of accident, illness or death."



Said section refers to the obligation to inform the client of the possibility of contracting insurance, not to the obligation to include insurance on the trip, that is, the client has the power (option) to contract insurance with the agency or not. . The agency has the obligation to inform that it is recommended that the client take out insurance that includes, at least, issues such as repatriation,... which is basically inclusion insurance.


Once the agency informs the client about the recommendation to contract insurance for the trip, it is the client who can contract insurance with the agency, or contract it directly with whoever they want.



price per person From
1.331 €
Based on 2 adults
2.662 €
Total Price
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This idea includes
Destinations 4
Tours 1
Tour summary
Guide languages
English
Español
Included

TOUR GUIDE: 

  • Operated with English and Spanish-speaking guides only during included activities (Day 2, 3, 9)*

*Please note you will be accompanied by local guides for the activities only. There is no guarantee that you will be part of a group, or part of the same group during the tour.

ACCOMMODATION:

  • 9 nights’ accommodation 

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1, 8-9 San Jose:

Standard Hotel Category = Sleep Inn Hotel or similar 3*

Day 2-3 Tortuguero:

Standard Hotel Category = Pachira Lodge or similar 3*

Day 4-5 Arenal:

Standard Hotel Category = Casa Luna Hotel & Spa or similar 3*

Day 6-7 Monteverde:

Standard Hotel Category = Country Lodge or similar 3*

CAR RENTAL OPTIONS

Car Group A = Daihatsu Bego or similar 

MEALS:

  • 9 Breakfasts 
  • 4 Lunches (Day 2-4, 9)
  • 2 Dinners (Day 2-3) 

TRANSPORT:

  • Arrival and departure shared transfers from/ to Juan Santamaria Airport 
  • Shared transfers between areas throughout the itinerary (land and boat) (except during self-drive part)

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

  • All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: guided visit to Tortuguero National Park (Day 2); guided Morning Walk in Tortuguero and guided visit to Tortuguero Village (Day 3); One Day Tour to Tortuga Island in Catamaran (Day 9)

OTHER: 

  • Meet & Greet
  • Hotel Taxes 

CAR HIRE: 

  • 4x4 Car rental from Day 4-8 
  • Car delivery (Day 4)
  • Car return at the hotel (Day 8)
  • GPS
  • Additional driver 
  • Daily Basic Insurance
Excluded
  • Services not mentioned in the itinerary
  • International and Domestic flights
  • Departure taxes
  • Visa fees 
  • Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the programme
  • Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
  • Optional tours and activities
  • Porterage and gratuities  
  • Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

NOT INCLUDED IN CAR HIRE

  • Car Rental Full Insurance 
  • Deductible deposit: A deposit will be requested on the customer's credit card, as a guarantee of the corresponding deductible payment and of the charges not contemplated in the voucher of the agency
  • Gasoline (the car must be returned with a full tank) 
  • Damage to a third party or to the hire vehicle due to negligence or inappropriate driving
  • Loss or damage to aerials, jack, safety triangles and vests, windscreen, wipers, petrol cap, luggage covers, or any other fixed or mobile component of the vehicle
  • Damage to the engine through negligence
  • Theft of the vehicle with keys left in the ignition
  • Damage caused to the vehicle or to persons through driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Fines due to breaking traffic laws and regulations during the hire period are the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle. In the event of a fine being received, there will be an administration charge
  • Any extra equipment not mentioned as included 
Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1, 8-9 San Jose:

  • Standard Hotel Category = Sleep Inn Hotel or similar 3*

Day 2-3 Tortuguero:

  • Standard Hotel Category = Pachira Lodge or similar 3*

Day 4-5 Arenal:

  • Standard Hotel Category = Casa Luna Hotel & Spa or similar 3*

Day 6-7 Monteverde:

  • Standard Hotel Category = Country Lodge or similar 3*

CAR RENTAL OPTIONS

  • Car Group A = Daihatsu Bego or similar 

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