Holidays are essential for recharging our batteries and we all look forward to our annual leave, when we can forget about the stress of work and society in general. If you are looking for a vacation with a difference, you may want to try a self-driving holiday in Costa Rica, which is the best way to see and experience the amazing nation called Costa Rica.
Why Costa Rica?
South America is one continent that has become very popular among travellers from all walks of life and for good reason. Costa Rica is a country that is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. It is a stable democracy with a well-educated workforce, while eco-tourism is an important part of national revenue.
San Jose
The capital city is San Jose, which is also the capital of the province called San Jose, and your self-driving holiday begins with your vehicle (4×4) being delivered to your hotel, ready for an early morning drive to nearby Sarapiqui, the centre for eco-tourism in Costa Rica. It is necessary to use a 4WD vehicle when touring Costa Rica, as some of the roads are far from excellent. That’s why Costa Rica self drive vacation packages are so popular.
Stay At An Eco-Lodge
After a very comfortable night in a 5-star eco-lodge, you and your guide start to explore the forest and admire the oldest trees in Central America, namely the Almendro trees which are more than 600 years old. This hike takes around 4 hours and drinking water is provided. You should bring a waterproof jacket in case of rain and wear decent hiking shoes.
Arenal Volcano Region
The drive from Sarapiqui to Arenal is a couple of hours, which is a pleasant drive in your rental 4WD SUV. A guided tour of the volcano region includes spectacular lagoons, which have to be seen to be believed. Next is a tour of the many hanging bridges, which is a unique way to see the forest. A total of 16 bridges that cover 3.2km allow you to see the forest from a unique perspective. You might see a few sloths and monkeys, while there is a rich array of birdlife.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
A 4-hour drive from Arenal brings you to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where you check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day on the beautiful grounds. Early the next morning, your guide meets you and you can choose from many different hikes; the guide will take you to ‘La Ventana’, which has stunning views of the Continental Divide.
Return To San Jose
The following morning you return to San Jose to board a 50-minute domestic flight to Golfito in the Osa Peninsula. The light aircraft flies low, giving you an amazing view of the region and you are met at the airport and taken to the hotel. Enjoy the short boat ride to the lodge; you might be lucky enough to see whales or dolphins on the way. The next day is spent on the Osa Peninsula, where you can enjoy the river, delta and mangrove forests.
Online Solutions
If you would like to find a leading Costa Rican tour operator, Google can take you to their website and you can browse the many tour packages on offer and choose one that best meets your needs. Costa Rica is ideal for a self-driving holiday experience, as the road system is excellent, plus you have the freedom and independence that comes with having your own transport.
Book your self-driving vacation in Costa Rica and prepare for the holiday of a lifetime.