Road Trip in Costa Rica
Exploring Guanacaste in a CamperVan!

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Meet and greet at Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley.

Your first encounter with Costa Rica and your English-speaking guide, who will hand you your travel documents as you exit the airport, before your driver takes you to the hotel.

Overnight stay at a luxurious hotel located in the hills above Alajuela.

Pick up your vehicle and head to the Nicoya Peninsula!

Picking up your campervan rental in Alajuela

You’ll pick up your campervan directly from our partner agency in Alajuela.

Visiting the location in person will allow you to receive a thorough explanation of how the vehicle works and any specific details you need to keep in mind. It’s also an opportunity to ask our team of expertsany questions you may have.

Note: Transportation to the rental agency is covered by our partner and will be by taxi.

The campervan from the“Adventure” line is the ideal companion for exploring Costa Rica off the beaten path.

Thanks to its four-wheel drive, it will allow you to tackle the country’s steepest roads.

This rental vehicle is fully equipped for a road trip, featuring a 2-person rooftop tent (1.4 m x 2.4 m), an awning, a 20-liter shower, a camping stove, an extra water tank, a cooler, 2 chairs, a picnic table, everything you need for sleeping (mattress, sheets, and pillows), as well as all the necessary kitchen utensils.

Model: 2021 Suzuki Jimny 1.5L

Route from Alajuela to Paquera via Puntarenas.

You’ll leave the Central Valley to travel to the other side of the Gulf of Nicoya.

Approximate driving time: 3 hours 

In the afternoon, guided hike and bioluminescence tour in the Curú Reserve

This excursion combines two activities into one day: a nature hike within the Curú Nature Reserve, followed by an evening exploration of the bioluminescence phenomenon.

The afternoon begins with a two-hour guided hike through the Curú Nature Reserve, where you’ll be able to observe numerous animals and explore these tropical landscapes, ranging from pristine beaches to dense jungles.

Then, around 5:00 p.m., you’ll set off by boat from the peaceful Curú Beach toward Playa Blanca, a beautiful white-sand beach located about 3 km away (the boat ride takes about 20 minutes).

Here, you’ll wait for nightfall while enjoying fresh fruit and a cold drink on the beach, then set sail again to begin the real experience:

In the darkness, you ’ll watch the water glow and shimmer with the slightest movement, but to truly experience the phenomenon, you’ll need to jump into the water and observe it from within in total darkness!

The activity doesn’t end too late, so you’ll be able to enjoy a traditional meal after leaving the Curú Reserve,

Approximate duration: 7 hours.

First night of backcountry camping on one of Paquera’s beaches

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your fully equipped vehicle as you spend the night camping.

An Immersion in the Dry Tropical Forest at the Karen Mogensen Reserve

The Road from Paquera to Karen Mogensen.

Depart from Paquera to visit the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve, located in the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula.

You’ll discover this unique place, one of the best-preserved sites on the peninsula, offering a true immersion inthe dry tropical forest ecosystem.

Approximate drive time: 2.5 hours.

Overnight stay within the Karen MogensenReserve ,with full boardand rustic accommodations.

Free day to explore the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve

The Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve is ideal for hiking enthusiasts, with numerous trails to explore—some leading to lookout points, others to waterfalls or streams—and a reserve guide always on hand to accompany you.

On site, a cook prepares all your meals, featuring traditional wood-fired cuisine. She’ll be there to pamper you with thoughtful touches, such as coffee and pancakes served at snack time after a beautiful day of hiking.

You can also ask your guide to take you on a short hike at dusk to discover the reserve’s nocturnal species.

Second night in the Karen MorgensenReserve ,full boardand rustic accommodations.

Off to the open Pacific Ocean!

The road from Karen Mogensen to Samara.

Depart from the Karen Mogensen Reserve and head to the small seaside resort of Samara.

Approximate travel time: 2.5 hours

Then, in the afternoon, set out to explore the wild Ora River by kayak.

Enjoy an outdoor adventure as you paddle your kayak through the mangroves.

Throughout your tour, you’ll be accompanied by a wide variety of birds and may spot howler monkeys. This tour is ideal because it combines the tranquility and beauty of nature.

Approximate duration: 3 hours

Second night at a wilderness or official campsite

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your fully equipped vehicle as you spend the night camping in the Samara region, which offers numerous options—both in the wilderness and at official campsites.

Discover the region’s best surf spots!

The drive from Samara to Nosara.

Today, you’ll leave Samara and head a little further north along the Pacific coast.

Approximate driving time: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Third night of wild or official camping

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your camper van as you spend a night camping in the Nosara region, which offers numerous options for both wild and official campsites.

Ride the waves in Nosara!

Let’s get started with a surfing lesson—the country’s most famous sport! It’s the perfect spot to learn safely, in a paradise-like setting nestled between mountains and palm trees.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Overnight stay at a charming hotel in Playa Guiones, in the Nosara area, with exclusive access to one of the best surf spots.

Day Two: All About Surfing!

Let’s head out for another surfing session—the country’s most famous sport! It’s the perfect spot to get started safely, in a paradise-like setting nestled between mountains and palm trees.

Approximate duration: 2 hours

Route from Nosara to Playa Venado.

Today, you’ll leave the stunning Nicoya Peninsula and head a little further into Guanacaste to spend the night at Playa Venado, a beautiful beach near Tamarindo.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Overnight stay at a wild campsite

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your fully equipped vehicle as you spend the night at a wild campsite on a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path beach near Playa Venado

Discover the Tamarindo Surf Spot!

Try out the country’s most famous sport.

Tamarindo Beach is the perfect place to safely learn to surf in a paradise-like setting, nestled between mountains and palm trees.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Route from Tamarindo to Potrero.

Playa Potrero is a charming beach resort in Guanacaste that offers easy access to the Las Catalinas Islands, a renowned diving spot on the northern Pacific coast.

Approximate travel time: 1.5 hours.

Overnight stay at a wild or official campsite

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your fully equipped vehicle while spending the night camping in the wild on one of the beaches near Potrero, or you can choose to stay at one of the many official campgrounds in the area.

Diving or Snorkeling at Las Catalinas Islands

A half-day diving trip to explore the underwater world of the Las Catalinas Islands, one of Costa Rica’s most renowned diving spots. You’re sure to be amazed by the beauty of the seabed and the many species of fish!

You’ll see whitetip sharks, schools of various fish, octopuses, five species of moray eels, numerous clownfish, southern stingrays, and several other types of rays, including Pacific manta rays.

You’ll also find seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs, and harlequin clown shrimp.

We’ll depart early in the morning for two dives at different sites, depending on visibility conditions.

Approximate duration: 4 hours, 45 minutes per dive.

Note 1: The best time of year for this dive is from May to September.

Note 2: PADI-certified divers only.

Then, drive from Playa Potrero to Sardinal

Heading to a luxurious and unique hotel in Guanacaste, located inland near the small town of Sardinal, this hotel offers an exceptional setting, nestled in the dry tropical forest.

Approximate drive time: 45 minutes

A unique overnight stay at this luxurious Guanacaste hotel near Sardinal 

Free day to explore the Guanacaste region

Please contact us for information on the various must-see activities in the area.

Keep in mind that you get 2 hours of free electric mountain bike rentals with your stay at this hotel.

Second unique night at this luxurious hotel in Guanacaste near Sardinal 

Discover the exceptional natural site of Bahía Salinas!

The Road from Sardinal to Bahía Salinas

You’ll leave the Sardinal area, located in the interior of Guanacaste, and head north toward the Guanacaste border with Nicaragua to discover the incredible Bahía Salinas.

An off-the-beaten-path coastal destination offering beautiful beaches and a world-renowned kitesurfing spot.

Approximate driving time: 2.5 hours

Overnight stay at a wild or official campground

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your camper van while spending the night camping in the wild on one of the beaches near Playa Copal, or you can choose to stay at one of the many official campgrounds in the area.

A day dedicated to kitesurfing!

We’re heading to Costa Rica’s best kitesurfing spot, Bahia Salinas, known for having the strongest winds in the country.

You’ll take part in a kitesurfing lesson to try your hand at this exhilarating activity. This activity is fun and safe—perfect for water sports enthusiasts or thrill-seekers!

However, for beginners, it will take more than one session to really get the hang of it, as there’s quite a bit to learn before you can head out to sea.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Note: Small-group lessons.

Overnight stay at a wild or official campsite

You’ll enjoy all the comforts of your camper van while spending the night at a wild campsite on one of the beaches near Playa Copal, or you can choose from one of the many official campgrounds in the area.

Day two is all about kitesurfing!

We’re heading to Costa Rica’s best kitesurfing spot, Bahia Salinas, known for the strongest winds in the country.

You’ll take a kitesurfing lesson to try your hand at this exhilarating activity. This activity is fun and safe—perfect for water sports enthusiasts or thrill-seekers!

However, for beginners, it will take more than one session to really get the hang of it, as there’s quite a bit to learn before you can head out to sea.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Note: Small-group lessons.

Overnight stay at a family-run hotel in Playa Copal, where you can make the most of your kitesurfing experience.

Discover the volcanic wonders of Rincón de la Vieja!

Route from Bahia Salinas to Rincon de la Vieja

Head to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, a volcanic region offering a wide range of activities—ideal for hiking enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.

You’ll have the chance to observe various volcanic phenomena (fumaroles, geysers, bubbling mud pools, and more).

Approximate duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Today you’ll explore one of the three sectors of Rincón de la Vieja National Park: the Las Pailas sector, known for its volcanic activity set against a lunar landscape.

At the heart of this park stands the massive Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Spectacularly beautiful and dotted with nine craters, it is the source ofthe geothermal activity you’ll see during your hikes in this area.

Here you’ll encounter capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys, as well as anteaters, sloths, and more than 300 species of birds. The park, established in 1973, is home to a very high concentration of orchids, including the local flower, the “Guaria morada” (Guarianthe Skinneri).

Note: The National Park is closed on Mondays.

Next, drive from Rincón de la Vieja to Bagaces.

In the morning, depart for Liberia, the region’s capital, to reach Bagaces, located in the Guanacaste highlands—an ideal getaway.

Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Spend the night at a luxurious hotel in the Bagaces area—the perfect way to end your trip on a high note, enjoying the comfort of its exceptional hot springs. 

In the morning, explore the Rio Perdido Canyon by tubing

You’ll pass through sections of the canyon where the rock walls are narrow and daylight is scarce. If you remain quiet and pay close attention to the local guides, you’ll realize you’re not alone. All kinds of birds and monkeys are all around you.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Then, your trip concludes with the drive from Bagaces to San José

Heading toward San José, the capital of Costa Rica, you’ll travel partly along the Pan-American Highway—including a brand-new section (completed in 2023)—then continue on Route 27, a major thoroughfare in Costa Rica, before arriving in Alajuela and then San José.

Approximate duration: 3.5 hours

Return your vehicle to our local partner, who will then arrange your transfer to the airport.