7 Day Costa Rica Fly & Drive

from
$419
Land Only
from
$839*
Air & Land
 

Highlights

Independent Package Includes

  • Round trip flights Miami-San Jose
    Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
  • Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
  • 6 nights accommodations in your choice of hotels
    • 2 nights San Jose
    • 2 nights Arenal
    • 2 nights Monteverde
  • 7 day car rental: SUV Intermediate 2WD (Hyundai Tucson or similar)
  • Upgrades to SUV Compact/ manual transmission, to SUV Intermediate/ automatic transmission or to SUV Standard/ automatic transmission available
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Breakfast daily

About Your Destination

Discover Costa Rica with a car rental in this amazing vacation. Begin in San Jose where you pick up your car, and the next day depart for Arenal. In Arenal you could enjoy the wonderful hot springs, and drive to see the Arenal volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. From Arenal, drive to Monteverde. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the perfect place to explore the canopies of the rainforest in search of rare and beautiful plant and animal life.

From Monteverde drive back to San Jose. In San Jose, you could drive out to visit a local coffee farm, or perhaps visit the Jade Museum to learn how this semiprecious gemstone influenced the region since Pre-Columbian times. This independent tour offers unbeatable value and flexibility in your schedule, so book today and save on the trip of a lifetime!

Vehicle Options

SUV Intermediate - Hyundai Tucson or similar

  • 1-5 Passengers
  • 4 Large Suitcases
  • Manual Transmission
  • 2 Wheel Drive

SUV Compact Manual - Daihatsu BeGo or similar

  • 1-4 Passengers
  • 3 Large Suitcases
  • Manual Transmission
  • 4 Wheel Drive

SUV Intermediate Automatic - Hyundai Tucson or similar

  • 1-5 Passengers
  • 4 Large Suitcases
  • Automatic Transmission
  • 4 Wheel Drive

SUV Standard Automatic - Mitsubishi Nativa or similar

  • 1-5 Passengers
  • 5 Large Suitcases
  • Automatic Transmission
  • 4 Wheel Drive

Also Available

     

    Itinerary

    SAMPLE ITINERARY
    The following are suggested sites that can be visited en route to your hotel.

    DAY 1, Thursday - Depart the USA
    Depart the USA for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, which is surrounded by lush green mountains and valleys. After clearing customs, a representative will direct you to the car rental center. The remainder of the day is at leisure
    Overnight: San Jose

    DAY 2, Friday - Drive to Arenal
    Today, depart San Jose driving north. Stop for a photo opportunity in the charming village of Zarcero where you can see the Parque Fancisco Alvarado and the Iglesia de San Rafael. The park sits in front of the pink and blue Church at the town center, which is noted for its topiary garden and shrubs that have been trimmed into the shapes of various animals. Continue to the Arenal area, famous for its volcano, lake and hot springs. You may choose to visit one of the many hot springs facilities that offer visitors an ideal way to relax. Stay for dinner as well, as many of these facilities offer several restaurants
    Drive Time: 3-4 hours*
    Distance: 80 miles*
    Overnight: Arenal
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 3, Saturday - Full Day in Arenal
    Spend a full day at leisure in Arenal in the midst of an unspoiled setting. You may choose to spend half the day hiking to Arenal National Park, enjoying the natural hot springs throughout the area, or spend the morning or afternoon enjoying a horseback ride through both pastures and rainforest to La Fortuna Waterfall. For extraordinary views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, the Sky Tram gondolas soar smoothly through the rainforest to an observation deck. You can ride the tram down the same route that you ascended or take a fast-paced Sky Trek zip line tour to the bottom
    Overnight: Arenal
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 4, Sunday - Drive to Monteverde
    Depart for Monteverde Cloud Forest area. The road system in Costa Rica has improved over recent years, but be aware that those in and out of Monteverde can be bumpy and unpaved. Visit the charming small town of St. Elena, founded by Quaker settlers in the fifties and filled with tasty restaurants and folksy artisan shops. Then, explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which is dedicated to the conservation of many species of flora and fauna, and has over 8 miles of trails available to explore on your own or with a guide. Set atop the spine of Costa Rica's continental divide, Monteverde is a world above the coastal towns that dot the country's famous shoreline. You can explore the internationally recognized environment along trails, trams, canopy tours or inside museums
    Drive Time: 3-4 hours*
    Distance: 70 miles*
    Overnight: Monteverde
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 5, Monday - Full Day in Monteverde
    Enjoy a full day to explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest on your own. Boasting 120 reptile and amphibian species, 130 mammal species, and 500 bird species, the Reserve represents an outstanding example of biodiversity. You may choose to visit the Selvatura Adventure Park, where you can experience a canopy or treetop walkway tour. The canopy (zip line) tour allows tour takers to feel truly immersed within the forested environment. There are 15 cables and 18 viewing platforms that stretch over 2 miles – the longest cable length of any canopy tour in Costa Rica. The Treetop Walkway guides visitors both through and above the rainforest with a birds-eye view of the rainforest canopy on a series of suspension bridges connected by trails. Alternatively, you may choose to trot out onto the trails around Monteverde on horseback or learn about coffee production and Costa Rican folklore at the Don Juan coffee plantation
    Optionals: Selvatura Canopy Tour (AM)
    Optionals: Selvatura Canopy & Hanging Bridges Tour (AM)
    Optionals: Selvatura Hanging Bridges Tour (AM)
    Overnight: Monteverde
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 6, Tuesday - Drive back to San Jose
    Drive back to San Jose. Consider a stop at Poas Volcano National Park, one of the most visited sites in Costa Rica, which features short easy trails for hiking. A short trip from San Jose, the Poas Volcano contains one of the world's largest volcanic lakes, Lake Botos, which fills an inactive crater and is surrounded by a cloud forest. Or, head to Costa Rica's highest active volcano, Irazu, and on the way back visit the colonial Orosi Valley which is famous for having the oldest church in Costa Rica. If you are not interested in visiting volcanoes, there is plenty to do in San Jose. Visit one of the museums or head to Mercado Central, a very old and unique bustling food market
    Drive Time: 5 hours*
    Distance: 90 miles*
    Overnight: San Jose
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 7, Wednesday - Depart for the USA
    Return your vehicle at the Car Rental Facility at the San Jose International Airport prior to your departure flight home
    Meals: Breakfast

    *Please consider that the driving times and distances are estimated and that they can vary because of many circumstances, such as, specific route taken, hotel location, traffic, weather, road conditions, etc.

    Optionals

    Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling may cost an extra 10% or even more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.

    Selvatura Canopy Tour 10:30 AMDay #5 01 Nov 2011 - 31 Oct 2014           $40
    Selvatura Canopy Tour 10:30 AM Join this exciting tour to see the rainforest in a whole new way. Cross through the unique Cloud Forest's canopy while suspended from a high weight capacity zipline cable, maneuvering between the 15 platforms and 12 cables that span over 2 miles in length, making this extreme adventure one of the longest Zipline tours in the country.

    It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity as you will be walking some distance through the forest between the Zipline cables. For some, this activity may be considered very strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not to choose this optional tour.

    Pick-up time will be between 10:00 and 10:30 am from the front desk of the hotel. Approximate tour duration is 2.5-3 hours.

    Selvatura Canopy & Hanging Bridges Tour 10:30 AMDay #5 01 Nov 2011 - 31 Oct 2014           $62
    Selvatura Canopy & Hanging Bridges Tour 10:30 AM Enjoy a walk among the treetops on this 1.9 mile trail, which boasts 8 different bridges at heights ranging from 36 to 180 feet. The Selvatura Hanging Bridges are the longest and the strongest bridge system in the country. The hanging bridges give you the unique opportunity to see plants and animals not visible from the ground. Then, join an exciting tour through the canopy of the rainforest on a zipline adventure. With 15 platforms and 12 cables that span over 2 miles in length, this extreme adventure is one of the longest Zipline tours in the country.

    It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity as you will be walking some distance through the forest between the Zipline cables. For some, this activity may be considered very strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not to choose this optional tour.

    Pick-up time will be between 10:00 and 10:30 am from the front desk of the hotel. Approximate tour duration is 4-5 hours.

    Selvatura Hanging Bridges Tour 10:30 AMDay #5 01 Nov 2011 - 31 Oct 2014           $28
    Selvatura Hanging Bridges Tour 10:30 AM Enjoy a walk among the treetops on this 1.9 mile trail, which boasts 8 different bridges at heights ranging from 36 to 180 feet. The Selvatura Hanging Bridges are the longest and the strongest bridge system in the country. The hanging bridges give you the unique opportunity to see plants and animals not visible from the ground.

    It is recommended that you wear hiking boots for this activity. For some, this activity may be considered strenuous and people with difficulty breathing, heart or other medical conditions, should consider not to choose this optional tour.

    Pick-up time will be between 10:00 and 10:30 am from the front desk of the hotel. Approximate tour duration is 2.5 hours.

    Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling may cost an extra 10% or even more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.

    Dates & Prices

    Step 1: Select Your Choice of Hotel Plans        Step 2: Click a Date to Book Online
    OR: Click here to create your own flexible vacation
    Choice of Hotel Plans
    Plan C - details 
    Plan B - details 
    Plan A - details 
    Dates & PricesLand OnlyAir & Land
    Dates & PricesLand Only
    Dates & PricesAir & Land
    2013
    May 30$419889
    Jun 6$419899
    Jun 13$419879
    Jun 20$419889
    Jun 27$419929
    Jul 4$419889
    Jul 11$419889
    Jul 18; 25; Aug 1$419879
    Aug 8$419889
    Aug 15$419879
    Aug 22; 29; Sep 5$419839
    Sep 12; 19$419839
    Sep 26; Oct 3$419839
    Oct 10$419839
    Oct 17$419839
    Oct 24$419839
    Create Your Own Flexible Vacation

    Also Available:

      *Not Included:
      Car Rental Fees of up to $140.


      Additional Information:
      Please note the minimum age for drivers is 23.

      Please plan your departure flight out of San Jose on Day 7 for no earlier than 8:00 am to allow time to drop off your rental car in the morning.

      A GPS system for your vehicle is highly recommended. Reserve in advance for an additional cost of $9 per day. Reservations may be made via Vacation Builder.


      Entry Requirements:
      Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.


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      * Prices include airfare, fuel surcharges, airport taxes and fees. Air & land tour prices apply from the gateway airport or city specified in the Package Highlights. Prices will vary from alternative gateway airports or cities and may be higher. The total price will be clearly displayed prior to any deposit being required. Additional baggage charges may apply.
       
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