Costa Rica 11-Day Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries

Explore 3 self-drive trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to Costa Rica.

There are few better ways to see Costa Rica than behind the wheel on a road trip. With 11 days you can cover much ground, from the Arenal Volcano region to the unspoiled rainforests and golden beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. You could also drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where you can indulge in a number of activities, including “sky walks” over suspension bridges and zipping over the treetops on a canopy tour.

See more Costa Rica Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries.

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A capuchin monkey in Manuel Antonio National Park
Map of Costa Rica Highlights: Self-Drive Adventure - 11 Days
Costa Rica Highlights: Self-Drive Adventure - 11 Days

This self-guided road trip is ideal for those who love adventure. Visit Costa Rica's highlights, from the famous Arenal Volcano to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde and powdery beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Along the way, you'll fly over the treetops on a zip line tour, swim in waterfall lagoons, and spot wildlife on nature walks and snorkeling excursions.

Arenal Volcano in the Sunset
Map of Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio Self-Drive - 11 Days
Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio Self-Drive - 11 Days

This itinerary combines mountain excursions with a bit of a beach holiday and some aquatic adventure. You'll arrive in Liberia, the hub of Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province. From there, drive to Arenal Volcano National Park, where you'll hike to a waterfall, relax in natural hot springs, and raft world-class whitewater. Then it's west to the Monteverde to see the cloud forest canopy via suspension bridges and a zip-line tour. A drive south will take you to Manuel Antonio, a unique destination with a combination of the beach, jungle and national park. After a couple days enjoying the beach and wildlife in Manuel Antonio, you'll return to San Jose for your journey home.

Enjoy off-the-beaten-path road tripping in Costa Rica
Map of Self-Drive Luxury Beach and Volcano Adventure - 11 days
Self-Drive Luxury Beach and Volcano Adventure - 11 days

Time to hit the open road and enjoy the wonders of Costa Rica on this 11-day self-drive tour. Your adventure begins on the Pacific beaches of Tamarindo and Nosara, both gems of Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province. On top of exploring and surfing these beaches, you'll make pit stops in coastal villages and glean insight into the local culture. Continue your journey eastward to the towering Arenal Volcano. Here you will soak in natural hot springs and brave whitewater rapids on a rafting trip.

Other durations: 7 days · 8 days · 11 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days