Costa Rica has been on my bucket list forever and I really want to do a adventure trip to this beautiful country. So much so, that I designed a full 10 days DIY Costa Rica road trip itinerary for myself – In hopes that I will make it there someday (Hey, you never know – its a small world after all!)
Quick Book Guide to Costa Rica
Need to head to Costa Rica on an unplanned impromptu trip? Well then here’s a quick guide to the must-do’s and best stays to book on short notice.
Must Try Tours in Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour
Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Meals
Tortuga Island Tour with Costa Cat
Unique & Experiential Hotels in Costa Rica
Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience
Maquenque Ecolodge
Sueños del Bosque Lodge
Edit – Hell yeah I DID make it there just before the pandemic. It is SO cool to look back and see how much you have achieved and how far you have come with regard to your travel goals.Â
Costa Rica is the perfect getaway for naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts. It is blessed with beaches , islands, mountains, meadows. rainforests and even mesmerizing cloud forests.
The best way to explore is by hiring a 4×4 vehicle in Costa Rica and designing your own custom itinerary. Just pick the spots you would want to visit the most, check routes and embark on your Costa Rica road trip 10 days. Stop where you want, explore what you desire, stay where you like and steer yourself in whatever direction you want.
Complete Costa Rica Itinerary 10 Days
Are you looking for the best 10 days Costa Rica itinerary? Then follow this perfect DIY trip plan.
Day 1- Arenal and La Fortuna
Day 1 of your 10 day Costa Rica itinerary starts in La Fortuna.
Start the day with a trip to Arenal, the live erupting volcano and view the magnificent wonder and its soothing mineral waters pools. Once you have relaxed in the naturally heated hot springs and Jacuzzis close to the volcano, explore the picturesque town of La Fortuna that is just about 4 miles from the Arenal Volcano.
Watch the majestic volcano looming over this peaceful town. These are one of the most famous areas in Costa Rica and guaranteed to give an unforgettable experience.
Plus if you are into birding then definitely opt for a guided bird watching walk in Bogarin trail. This should be a part of your Costa Rica travel itinerary 10 days and will have to be pre-planned accordingly.Â
Day 2: Hike in Arenal National Park
Drive to the Arenal National Park that covers about 30,000 acres but has easy-to-navigate trails through the forest and lava fields. The families with children enjoy the flat trails especially .
You can take the Los Heliconias trail to get fabulous views of the volcano. Depending on how far you would like to go, you can easily spend the whole day here. There is a wealth of geologic and biological diversity and complexity in the area because of the active and incredible Arenal Volcano.
Day 3 – Hanging bridges and hot springs
There are 16 hanging bridges in Arenal of varying lengths, and they take you higher in the rainforest canopy, and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the wildlife and bird watching.
Edit – I was lucky enough to visit the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges park and it was a spendid adventure. Click here to read all about it.Â
After your walks, relax in the famous Arenal hot springs. Get ready for a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon as you walk on those bridges and enjoy breathtaking views.
Day 4 – Tenorio Volcano National Park
Make an early start today in your Costa Rica self drive itinerary, and reach Tenorio Volcano National Park to enjoy breathtaking views of the bright blue Rio Celeste river.
Hike up to indulge in one of the most magical experiences of the 60 ft waterfall roaring and crashing into clear turquoise waters. Rio Celeste is surely the highlight of visiting Tenorio, however, you can even go to Lago Danta, pay a visit to the volcano and check out the hanging bridges.
Day 5 – Head for the Best of the Pacific along Costa Rica
Drive through the old Spanish route of 1606 towards the Pacific Coast and it will take you 10 hours. You can start early and reach there in time to enjoy the jungle boat tour on the Tarcoles River.
Enjoy the experience of watching different species of birds and enter the world of crocodiles. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the Punta Leona Beach with the deep blue waters of the Pacific along the pristine white sand beaches.
Day 6 – Quepos
Head for Quepos in your car and get ready to enjoy once in a lifetime experience in Manuel Antonio National Park. Quepos is a nice city and offers a wide array of services. Explore marlin fishing, during the months of December to April.
There are many other activities accessible such as the tours through the Damas Estuary and Butterfly Botanical Gardens.
Day 7 – Manuel Antonio National Park
Next day,  head to Manuel Antonio, which is known for its rich forests and is home to several endangered species of Costa Rica. Don’t be deceived by its small size as it is regarded as one of the best parks for its variety of flora and fauna. It boasts of four of the best beaches in the country – Manuel Antonio, Escondito, Espadilla Sur and Playita.
The Manual Antonio beach made it to my list of favorite beach destinations in the world.
Day 8 – Uvita
On the seventh day, you can move to Uvita, which is more peaceful and a lovely beach destination. Top attractions include Uvita waterfall and the beach.
It is a perfect spot for adrenaline junkies with plenty of options from kayaking, rappelling, kitesurfing, canoeing and the likes.
Day 9 – Monteverde Cloud forest
Today is the time to make your way towards the warmer Pacific coast in your private 4×4 vehicle and hit the Pan American Highway along the Northern Pacific Coast. This forest is part of all the best road trips in Costa Rica.Â
It will be a long drive so brace yourself for the 250 km ride. It is an amazing experience to see those thick clouds hovering around the upper canopy of the forest.
The moisture from the clouds helps to thrive the great diversity of forests that is home to lichens, orchids and bromeliads as well as a large number of endemic species.
You can take long hikes through the reserves and the interior of jungles to spot the abundance of animals and birds that have made these forests their adobe.
Day 10 – Back to San Jose
San Jose is a great place to start and end your Costa Rica roadtrip.Â
This was just a ball park itinerary for my future visit to Costa Rica but be sure to design your itinerary well so as to make the most out of your trip.
Jam pack your trip with the top places on your list and experience the wonderful sights and the extraordinary environment of Costa Rica. Your 10 days in Costa Rica will surely motivate you to plan another trip to this amazing destination.
Costa Rica Car Rental Advice
Renting a jeep in Costa Rica is super easy as it is a big destination for adrenaline junkies. There are plenty of advantages of having your own wheels. You can easily explore the lesser-visited places and enjoy the freedom to make any changes to your plans or itinerary. Plus prior booking will ensure your roadtrip Costa Rica will be hassle free.Â
Booking your 4×4 rental in Costa Rica is simple as all you need to do is enter your pick up/drop off dates, times and locations along with the vehicle type.Â
Be sure to read the various car rental Costa Rica reviews before choosing which provider/site to go with for your road trip Costa Rica. I would suggest that you opt for a trusted provider like – Nomad America for your 4×4 rentals in Costa Rica.
Depending on your trip and route, you can choose the kind of car you want. Consider renting a four-wheel drive vehicle if planning to explore rural roads, coastal areas or if driving in the mountains. You can see Costa Rica on map to gauge terrain and driving routes and lengths to make an informed decision.
There are options of both compact and full-size SUV available with the car rental companies.
Nomad America cars come fully equipped with camps, rooftop showers, WiFi and even cooking equipment, which can make your road trip the ultimate camping adventure.
FAQ’s
How many Days in Costa Rica is enough?
Well personally I could've spent a month in Costa Rica but realistically speaking 7 to 15 days is a bare minimum.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive in Costa Rica?
Not necessarily but also depends on your route and terrain (As per itinerary).
Which are the best Months to Visit Costa Rica?
Dec to April are generally dry months but I visited in November which is best for national parks since they are quieter and greener.
Do you Need a Car in Costa Rica?
Well its ideal and comfortable if you want to avoid long bus rides. However, it is not necessary.
Disclaimer – This post is written in collaboration with Nomad America. The Costa Rica road trip planning and destination ideas are, however, my own. Full disclosure policy here.Â
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
- From Dollars to Digital: Which Airlines Accept Cryptocurrency? - April 16, 2024
- Seamless Connectivity – Choosing the Best eSIM for Thailand Travel - April 15, 2024
- Lodhi Art District – Showcasing Best of Delhi’s Street Art - April 13, 2024
Awesome article Jo. This has been on my bucketlist for awhile. 🙂
We did almost exactly the same route a few years back. I hope the road to Monteverde has improved, it was torture back in the day!
This all sounds great. I’m hoping to go to Costa Rica some time soon, so am pinning this for future reference. I would love to visit Monteverde Cloud forest.
This sounds like a great itinerary. I was just there a couple of weeks ago – in La Fortuna and San Jose. We rented a car from San Jose to drive out to La Fortuna as it would have been a lot more difficult to go by bus (although not impossible). La Fortuna was great with the views of the volcano and jungles.
That’s quite the itinerary! I would definitely be into hiking in Arenal National Park.
I’ve been wanting to visit Costa Rica and this seems like fun itinerary especially the Monteverde Cloud Forest trip!
would have been amazing to know how long the drive time was to each place!