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Manuel Antonio coastline

Classic Costa Rica self-drive tour

15 days from £6,995pp
Manuel Antonio coastline
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Tour highlights

  • Explore Costa Rica’s magical landscapes in your own 4x4, with the freedom to stop whenever you like.

  • Enjoy a river safari in the remote Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve.

  • Explore Arenal Volcano, an activity hub home to hanging bridges, lake kayaking and hot springs.

  • Discover the trails of Manuel Antonio, where rainforest meets beach.

  • Explore the Osa Peninsula, one of the most bio-diverse areas of Costa Rica.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled international flights
  • Flight offers available
  • Fully insured vehicle hire
  • All accommodation
  • 24-hour support while you travel
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Itinerary idea in detail

With international flights from a choice of airports including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  • Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to San José & Central Valley. Arrive in Costa Rica and transfer to your hotel to relax after your flight.

    • Distant view of San José, Costa Rica
      Distant view of San José, Costa Rica
    • San José, Costa Rica
      San José, Costa Rica
    • San José City
      San José City

  • This morning, your hire car will be delivered to your hotel before you drive for around three hours to Arenal Volcano.

    • Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
      Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
    • Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
      Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
    • Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
      Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

  • Today's hanging bridges tour offers a detailed and unique perspective on the flora and fauna of the tropical primary forest through a series of trails and bridges with a specialist local guide. This will be followed by a soak in the Eco Termales Hot Springs.

    • Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
      Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
    • Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
      Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
    • Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
      Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

  • The Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve is located in a region widely considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica. Once aboard the boat, you will enjoy a river safari through the rainforest.

    • Black iguana, Arenal
      Black iguana, Arenal
    • Black Iguana, Arenal
      Black Iguana, Arenal
    • Three toed sloth near Arenal, Costa Rica
      Three toed sloth near Arenal, Costa Rica

  • Today you will drive to the cooler climate of Monteverde, which will take approximately three and a half hours.

    • Monteverde Cloudforest, Monteverde Cloudforest
      Monteverde Cloudforest, Monteverde Cloudforest
    • Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
      Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
    • Sunset over Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
      Sunset over Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

  • Located on the Caribbean side of the Costa Rican Continental Divide, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the first community-owned projects in Costa Rica. Today you'll have a chance to explore the area with a local guide.

    • Sunset over Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
      Sunset over Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
    • Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
      Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
    • Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
      Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

  • Today you will drive south to the warmer Pacific coast to the town of Manuel Antonio, where rainforest meets beach. This journey will take approximately three and a half hours.

    • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
    • Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
    • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

  • At leisure in Manuel Antonio. Feel free to explore some of the coastline walking trails.

    • Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
    • Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
    • Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

  • A further day at leisure.

    • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
    • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
      Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
    • Pacific Sunset, Manuel Antonio
      Pacific Sunset, Manuel Antonio

  • Continue driving south to Puerto Jimenez, the gateway to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, which will take just over two hours. From Puerto Jimenez, it will take at least 45 minutes and can take over an hour, depending on road conditions and wildlife spotting opportunities along the way. You will have your own hire car during your time in the Osa Peninsula. On arrival, you will meet the guides at the hotel, and they will talk you through the options for activities during your stay and when it might be best to do certain things, depending on the weather.

    • El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge, Costa Rica
      El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge, Costa Rica
    • Beach, El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge
      Beach, El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge
    • Suspension Bridge at El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge
      Suspension Bridge at El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge

  • A day at leisure. To make the most of your time in the wildlife-rich Osa Peninsula, we recommend spending as much time as possible on the forest trails with your lodge's specialist naturalist guides. They will help you to spot toucans, macaws, squirrel monkeys and the many local species of butterfly.

    • El Remanso, El Remanso
      El Remanso, El Remanso
    • Hawk spotted during early morning birding from El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge
      Hawk spotted during early morning birding from El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge
    • Vainilla Cabin
      Vainilla Cabin

  • A further day at leisure. You could explore your surroundings or ask the lodge for some recommendations of where to go in the area.

    • Vainilla Deluxe Villa plunge pool
      Vainilla Deluxe Villa plunge pool
    • Vainilla Deluxe Villa room
      Vainilla Deluxe Villa room
    • Vainilla Deluxe Villa balcony
      Vainilla Deluxe Villa balcony

  • Drive back up the coast past Uvita and Manuel Antonio toward the Central Highlands. This journey will take approximately six hours. You will spend the night in a beautiful coffee-themed boutique hotel surrounded by coffee fields, green pastures, and a rich agricultural environment.

    • Sunset view from Chayote Lodge, Llano Bonito
      Sunset view from Chayote Lodge, Llano Bonito
    • Vainilla Deluxe Villa exterior
      Vainilla Deluxe Villa exterior
    • Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
      Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

  • You will drive back to San José Airport, where you will drop your car off, before taking your international flight home.

  • Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

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The specialist who designs your trip to Costa Rica will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
San José & Central Valley
 
Arenal Volcano
 
Monteverde Cloud Forest
 
Manuel Antonio
 

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