Road trips in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Paradise for Nature Lovers and Thrill Seekers Alike

Costa Rica might be the most well known for its plant and animal life, and extreme biodiversity. It’s estimated that tiny little Costa Rica contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity. That makes Costa Rica excursions a dream for nature lovers, bird watchers, and others. The geography also offers wonderful experiences. National parks and other protected stretches of land account for almost 25% of Costa Rica’s territory; there are active volcanoes to explore; and countless beautiful beaches on which to relax in the sun.

The cuisine of Costa Rica might not be considered classic or terribly exciting, but it is always delicious! Fresh fruit is abundant, cheap, and fresher than you might be used to. Gallo Pinto is a ubiquitous dish consisting of seasoned rice and beans with a little cilantro and onion that goes well with every meal of the day. The “casado” is a typical lunch arrangement that consists of rice and beans, meat or fish of some sort, a salad, and fried plantains.

Other Need-to-Know Information about Costa Rica

Being located so close to the equator, Costa Rica overs a year-round tropical climate. In general, there are two main weather periods. From December to April the country stays drier and experiences much less rain, making it the better time to visit, especially for any sort of Costa Rica adventure vacations. The rest of the year, from May to November, the country receives significant amounts of rainfall, especially in the Caribbean and Central Cordillera mountains.

Traveling to Costa Rica is relatively easy, as most visitors are only required to have a valid passport for entry. Juan Santamaría Airport in the capital of San Jose handles daily flights from all over the globe, including the United States and Europe. The Daniel Oduber Quirós airport near Liberia provides direct access to the Pacific side of the country from many U.S. cities, as well as a few from Europe. Traveling overland by car or motorcycle is another option, and a Costa Rica road trip using the Interamericana (Pan-American) Highway can make for a unique vacation. There are a number of bus services linking other Central American countries, and you could even take a boat to Panama or Nicaragua. There are several options for getting around within the country, including public bus, private bus, private transfers, and taxis. Other options include renting a car, or forging an even deeper connection with the country through a Costa Rica motorcycle rental.

While traveling to Costa Rica is simple, there are two specific entry requirements that you must be aware of! First, you must have proof of a yellow fever vaccination if arriving from any neighboring countries. Second, if you are arriving by plane, you must show proof of a return ticket that leaves from Costa Rica.

For the average tourist, Costa Rica excursions are generally safe. The country is much more developed and somewhat less corrupt than its neighbors. However, petty theft and pickpocketing can be common, and in the rougher parts of the cities, armed robberies do occur on occasion. Generally, though, if you stay alert, use common sense, and travel in a group, you won’t have any issues!

One last consideration is the drinking water. The tap water in major cities is usually safe to drink, but the further into the countryside you travel, the less likely that will be. Make sure to drink only clean bottled water, take a water purifier, or at least have some medication in case you need it.

What Planet Ride offers for adventures in Costa Rica

Planet Ride offers two main Costa Rica excursions – 4×4 and motorcycle raids through exotic jungle, mountains, beaches, and more. Our current trips last anywhere from eight to fifteen days, and each will bring you face to face with the best parts of Costa Rica, including the people and their culture. We partner with local guides who are carefully vetted to ensure the best possible tour experience. Our guide partners are experts on the local terrain and customs, as well as the vehicles you’ll ride.

The 10-day 4×4 adventure allows you to create your own travel group and choose the dates of your trip, or you can head out completely on your own! After arriving in San Jose, you’ll set off for the Poas volcano, which is the largest active volcanic crater in the world! After peering down into the fiery depths of the volcano, you’ll head for Sarapiqui where you’ll spend an adrenaline-filled day rafting down the Sarapiqui River. The next stop on this Costa Rica road trip is the area of La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano National Park. You’ll enjoy spectacular views as you traverse eight fixed bridges and six suspension bridges high amid the forest canopy. On the last few days of your journey, you’ll experience the striking blue waters of the Celestial River and then the sudden change in color, due to minerals present, as the river flows through Bijagua National Park. Finally, you’ll head down a stretch of the Pan-American highway to return to San Jose.

No true Costa Rica adventure vacations would be complete without a motorcycle ride! Our 12-day motorbike trek is an exotic adventure through the variety of landscapes offered by Costa Rica. You’ll experience gorgeous beaches, lush jungle, the rolling plains of the Caribbean side of the country, active volcanoes, and more. On this trip, we depart from San Jose and set out for the Irazu volcano, before continuing to the Turrialba Valley, which is home to coffee, sugar, and banana plantations. The third day will get your heart pounding early, as we tackle the hairpin curves of the Pan-American Highway’s “Death Hill” before relaxing on the beaches of Dominical. Eventually, we’ll make our way to Manuel Antonio National Park which is home to massive stretches of rainforest and an array of wildlife. The next few days are spent exploring the beaches of Nosara and Tamarindo, which are home to sea turtles and all sorts of aquatic adventures, like snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. The remainder of your trip is spent in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, and at a rainforest lodge in Sarapiqui. Here, you’ll be surrounded by verdant jungle, hot springs, and countless species of tropical birds. Finally, we return to San Jose before flying home.