Costa Rica offers so much for such a small country. In ten nights, this self-drive trip takes you from the capital to the base of an active volcano, deep into cloud forest, and out to a quiet stretch of Pacific coastline. With a Hyundai Tucson and inclusive insurance for the full duration, you get to see all this beautiful country has to offer at your own pace.
San Jose is where the trip begins. One night at Hotel Grano de Oro, a well-regarded boutique hotel in the city, gives you a chance to settle in before heading out. A panoramic VIP city tour the following morning takes in the capital's main landmarks before you point the car north towards the volcano.
Arenal is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanic regions, a landscape of lush jungle, hot springs and open views up to the cone of Arenal Volcano. Three nights at Los Lagos Spa and Resort, a mountain view property with breakfast included, gives you a proper base to explore from.
A guided tour takes in the volcano and the Ecotermales Hot Springs, and a boat safari along the Penas Blancas River is included too, a slow, wildlife-rich journey where sloths, crocodiles and tropical birds are a regular sight.
From Arenal the drive takes you into the cloud forest of Monteverde, a mountain region where the forest sits in near-permanent mist and wildlife is everywhere you look. Two nights at Cloud Forest Lodge in Manakin Suites with breakfast gives you a comfortable base. A full day Tortuga Island tour is included, a boat trip out to a Pacific island with swimming, snorkelling and tropical scenery.
The final stretch of the trip brings you down to the Pacific coast and four nights at Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge in Nosara. The Panorama Suite comes with a king bed and breakfast each morning. Nosara is a small coastal town known for its beaches and wildlife, and Lagarta Lodge sits above the treetops with views stretching out over the estuary and ocean. It is a very good place to finish a trip like this.
Return flights from Dublin with British Airways and Aer Lingus via London Heathrow, 10 days car hire from San Jose International Airport with inclusive insurance, panoramic VIP city tour of San Jose for 2 adults, guided Arenal Volcano and Ecotermales Hot Springs tour for 2 adults, boat safari on the Penas Blancas River for 2 adults, Tortuga Island tour from Monteverde for 2 adults, and accommodation throughout as follows: 1 night at Hotel Grano de Oro San Jose (room only), 3 nights at Los Lagos Spa and Resort Arenal (bed and breakfast), 2 nights at Cloud Forest Lodge Monteverde (bed and breakfast), 4 nights at Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge Nosara (bed and breakfast). Flights depart Dublin on 01 November 2026. Price is correct at the time of posting (29 April 2026). Offers are subject to change.
Price from €3,080 per person
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