Costa Rica is a land of sloths, volcanoes, and rainforests that end right on the beach. This road trip by rental car takes you through the very best of it: from the smoking crater of Poás to the waterfalls and hanging bridges under the Arenal volcano, to the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio and the surfing hotspot of Dominical – and then across the mountains through the coffee region of Dota to the wild Caribbean coast.
You'll spot toucans, monkeys, and crocodiles, swim under waterfalls and in a hot river in the middle of the jungle, hop on a surfboard, and taste amazing coffee right where it grows.
Costa Rica is a land of sloths, volcanoes, and rainforests that end right on the beach. This road trip by rental car takes you through the very best of it: from the smoking crater of Poás to the waterfalls and hanging bridges under the Arenal volcano, to the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio and the surfing hotspot of Dominical – and then across the mountains through the coffee region of Dota to the wild Caribbean coast.
You'll spot toucans, monkeys, and crocodiles, swim under waterfalls and in a hot river in the middle of the jungle, hop on a surfboard, and taste amazing coffee right where it grows.
Arrival day. After landing, you'll pick up your rental car at the airport and spend your first night nearby. Tomorrow morning, you'll head off for your first adventures.
Start your day in Alajuela and then head into the mountains to one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes. On the way, it's worth stopping at one of the coffee plantations on the slopes to have your first real Costa Rican coffee.
In the afternoon, you'll travel to the La Fortuna area below the Arenal volcano.
Your first full day under Arenal volcano. Due to jet lag, you'll probably wake up very early – take advantage of it, as the jungle is most vibrant in the morning.
Spend the morning on a jungle trail looking for wildlife, the afternoon soaking in a hot river, and the evening taking a stroll through the town of La Fortuna.


Costa Rica is a land of sloths, volcanoes, and rainforests that end right on the beach. This road trip by rental car takes you through the very best of it: from the smoking crater of Poás to the waterfalls and hanging bridges under the Arenal volcano, to the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio and the surfing hotspot of Dominical – and then across the mountains through the coffee region of Dota to the wild Caribbean coast.
You'll spot toucans, monkeys, and crocodiles, swim under waterfalls and in a hot river in the middle of the jungle, hop on a surfboard, and taste amazing coffee right where it grows.
Costa Rica is a land of sloths, volcanoes, and rainforests that end right on the beach. This road trip by rental car takes you through the very best of it: from the smoking crater of Poás to the waterfalls and hanging bridges under the Arenal volcano, to the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio and the surfing hotspot of Dominical – and then across the mountains through the coffee region of Dota to the wild Caribbean coast.
You'll spot toucans, monkeys, and crocodiles, swim under waterfalls and in a hot river in the middle of the jungle, hop on a surfboard, and taste amazing coffee right where it grows.
Arrival day. After landing, you'll pick up your rental car at the airport and spend your first night nearby. Tomorrow morning, you'll head off for your first adventures.
Start your day in Alajuela and then head into the mountains to one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes. On the way, it's worth stopping at one of the coffee plantations on the slopes to have your first real Costa Rican coffee.
In the afternoon, you'll travel to the La Fortuna area below the Arenal volcano.
Your first full day under Arenal volcano. Due to jet lag, you'll probably wake up very early – take advantage of it, as the jungle is most vibrant in the morning.
Spend the morning on a jungle trail looking for wildlife, the afternoon soaking in a hot river, and the evening taking a stroll through the town of La Fortuna.

