• Flight included
  • Accommodation

Premium Costa Rica self-drive nature & beach tour

  • Sun holiday
  • 11 or 12 nights
  • Costa Rica
price from £ 1,999.00 per person
  • total price from £ 3,998.00
  • ]
  • price based on: 2 adults
Already booked 23 times

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Captivating Costa Rica tour of San José, Arenal, Guanacaste, and Tamarindo - includes flights, premium hotels, car hire, and optional excursions

One of the most bio-diverse and voluptuously green nations on the planet, Costa Rica seduces visitors with exotic wildlife, phenomenal scenery, and breathtaking beaches. Covered in a dense broccoli of rainforest and fringed by soft sands, this Central American Eden is heaven for intrepid travellers. Kicking off with one night in the capital of San José, you'll then head to La Fortuna, at the foot of the brooding Arenal Volcano, followed by a visit to luscious Guanacaste, ending with a stay on the tranquil shores of Tamarindo.

Included
  • One night at Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio by Hilton (or similar), San Jose

  • Two nights at Arenal Manoa Hotel (or similar), La Fortuna

  • Two nights at Borinquen Thermal Resort (or similar), Guanacaste

  • Four nights at Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort (or similar), Tamarindo

  • One night at Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio by Hilton (or similar), San Jose

  • Breakfast included

  • Return flight from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle to San José

  • 4X4 car rental

Optional Costa Rica excursions

Costa Rica is a verdant paradise, flanked with beautiful beaches, veined in wild rivers and blanketed in lush jungle. Add to this the peppering of cloud-skimming volcanoes and moodily misty canopies, and you've got an eco-tourist destination to remember. Lately, it’s also been climbing the ranks as a thrill-seeker’s dream destination with a line-up of action-packed activities sure to appeal to your inner Bear Grylls.

• Day two: Arenal Hanging Bridges •

Nature lovers will revel in the opportunity to discover 15 suspended rain forest bridges, ranging from five to 100 meters long, running along a trail circuit of three kilometres. Guided by a naturalist, you'll walk the bridges and get to learn about the natural history of the tropical setting, all the while soaking up imposing vistas of the Arenal Volcano. Designed by structural engineers with the most demanding safety margins in the world, the bridges are built of aluminum, galvanised steel, and concrete, with paving blocks to prevent slipping and ensure maximum safety for visitors.

• Day two: Pure Trek Canyoning •

This half-day canyoning tour will take you deep inside the Pure Trek canyon to experience a series of waterfall rappels, and activities like rock climbing and the “Monkey Drop” – you'll get wet! Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to see toucans, sloths, monkeys, and other exotic wildlife. After canyoning, you’ll head back to Pure Trek’s headquarters for a delicious, garden-fresh lunch.

• Day seven: Tamarindo Mangrove Boat Tour •

Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge protects a large estuary, mangrove forest, and tropical dry forest in an area covering almost 500 hectares. On this tour, you'll board a small, slight boat that'll take you to the narrow canals, where you can observe on both sides at the same time. You'll also get the chance to observe rare and abundant wildlife, including dozens of bird species, and two species of monkeys, while learning about the unique ecosystem of the mangrove forest.

• Day eight: Catamaran Tour •

Silently glide along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast while passing some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white sand beaches ,and tropical jungles. Gaze off the bow with a cold tropical drink prepared and served by the catamaran crew as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a breaching whale. You'll stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor, and take to the waters of the blue Pacific. Snorkel in the bay, or stroll along the deserted white sand beach - as you do, the ever-helpful crew will prepare a feast of chicken or pasta salad, fruit, chips, pico de gallo, guacamole, and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Trip details

Day 1: San Jose

Touch down in San José, a city buzzing with electricity and frenetic energy, where culture comes alive on the streets. Pick up your rental car and and hit the road to Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio By Hilton - you'll then have an evening to explore this concrete jungle by yourself.

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Gran Hotel Costa Rica  or similar

Day 2-3: Arenal

Today, make tracks to La Fortuna, where the dramatic Arenal Volcano is located - one of the most spectacular sights in the country. Arrive at Arenal Manoa Hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. The next day, you’ll have some time to explore the divine Arenal by yourself for the day. If you…

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Arenal Manoa Hotel  or similar

Day 4-5: Guanacaste

From the tops of trees to the feet of volcanoes, you're next destination is Borinquen Thermal Resort, nestled in Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Up the thrill factor with optional excursions, where you can get the chance to zip line, horse trek or river tube within the area's stunning nat…

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Borinquen Thermal Resort  or similar

Day 6-9: Tamarindo

Make the drive to Tamarindo today, an area known for its spectacular beaches, super-cool surfing and electric nightlife. You’ll be staying at Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, which is close to many of these sun-kissed beaches. Here, it’s all about rest and relaxation: take the next few days to recharg…

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Tamarindo Diria  or similar

Day 10: San Jose

Drive back to the capital today, and spend some time familiarising yourself with its vibrant culture: admire the Neoclassical architecture and try some of the quirky cafés that litter its streets. The best way to see the city might be to opt for a guided city tour, where you’ll see The National The…

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Gran Hotel Costa Rica  or similar
Optional excursions
  • Day two: Arenal Hanging Bridges (additional charge per person)

  • Day two: Pure Trek Canyoning (additional charge per person)

  • Day seven: Tamarindo Mangrove Boat Tour (additional charge per person)

  • Day eight: Catamaran Tour (additional charge per person)

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Check prices and availability for this offer
Excluded
  • Excursions
Payment

If you book this deal before 35 days of your departure, you can choose to pay in parts. The deposit will be 50% of the deal’s price plus the booking fee and travel and/or cancellation insurance (when applicable). You will find the payment amounts and deadlines to pay every installment at the last step of the booking process.

Additional Information
Conditions

Your booking is a direct contract between you and Secret Escapes Limited for the provision of your package. Secret Escapes acts as a tour operator responsible, and is therefore liable for the proper execution of the agreement. The Secret Escapes Terms and Conditions (A) apply to this booking. The Secret Escapes Cancellation Terms and Conditions apply to this booking.

Secret Escapes Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under number 07026107, registered office 120 Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD, United Kingdom.© Secret Escapes 2021

Passport, visa and health requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements (including those related to COVID-19) at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements, before you travel. Please be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.

Price changes

Please note that the flights included in this offer are subject to live availability and price, and can change during your booking process. When this is the case, we will always notify during the booking process.

Travelling through the US

If you are entering or passing through the United States by air, an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is required. Travellers can apply for an ESTA online. It is advisable to apply as early as possible before travelling. Please note that having an ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States, and the final decision remains with US border staff. For up to date information, visit the official gov.uk website or the relevant embassy.

Car rental

Please note, car rental includes a Suzuki Jimmy or similar, and alternative rental options may not necessarily be a 4x4 model, as the latter is not essential for the booking itinerary. The model will be assigned according to the availability of the leasing companies at the time of rental; it cannot be chosen by the customer but will always include full insurance.