This ain’t your usual minivan family road trip: Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula teems with lush, wildlife-stuffed rain forests; picturesque beaches; secluded hotels; and adventure-fueled activities like horseback riding and surfing (oh, and a volcano along the way).
Driving here is a bit more complicated than your standard cruise-control highway trip. Many of the beach towns are connected by unpaved roads that flood or become impassable in the rainy season (May to November; most intense in September and October). But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a place for road tripping — you just have to be a little adventurous. Four-wheel Drive is a good idea here, as is sticking to the main paved highways whenever possible.
Here’s a Costa Rica road trip route that takes you past some of the region’s finest sights — and its most fun things to do.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
San Jose
Begin your trek in Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, where you’ll find the conveniences of a big city: plazas, markets, and the like. You’ll also find a rental car spot to start your trip. It is worthwhile to pop into some of the city’s interesting museums of early artifacts, like the Museum of Precolombian Gold or the Jade Museum. Before setting out on your adventure, rest your head at the colorful Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen.
If you’re thirsty for the country’s famed green jungles and blue waves, the next phase of the trip is for you. From San Jose, make your way west to the Nicoya Peninsula. There are two ways to reach Punta Islita, your first stop on the route: driving up and around the Gulf of Nicoya or taking the ferry from Puntarenas through the gulf, and then getting on the peninsula’s main highway and driving on.
Punta Islita
Base yourself in Punta Islita, a secluded beach village and eco-adventure hub. This is a great spot for a half-day of exploring. Keep an eye out for macaws, butterflies, and sloths, and visit the Macaw Recovery Network, a beautiful nature reserve deep in the forest that is dedicated to conservation of the species. Drive over to the nearby Camaronal Wildlife Refuge, where you can stroll the sands and, if you’re lucky, see an array of sea turtles that settle on the shore during their nesting season in May through November.
Next, make your way up the peninsula to the legendary beaches of Guanacaste.
Tamarindo
Guanacaste Province on the westernmost coast of the Nicoya Peninsula is one of the most popular places to go in Costa Rica. Base yourself in Tamarindo, a former surf town-turned-vacation spot. The waves here are a big draw for experienced surfers — but it’s also a popular place for beginners, so even if you’ve never popped up on a board, you can try a lesson from one of the local surf shops and schools.
Relax after a day on the surf at JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, where you can get a massage in a tropical garden or unwind with a private yoga session.
To explore more of the stunning nature this region has to offer, take a ride across the four on-site bike trails. Alternatively, you can traverse the area on horseback rides from the resort, which takes you through ranches, forests, and beaches.
It’s easy to get comfortable in Tamarindo, but you’ll want to pull yourself off the beach — to visit another epic beach. Drive north up the coast to Playa Hermosa on the Gulf of Papagayo.
Playa Hermosa
Water sports are the name of the game here — you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, or rent a kayak on the beach and paddle out to try and spot dolphins, sea turtles, and birds.
Stick around for sunset on the beach — the colorful western view will convince you of the aptly named beach’s beauty.
Liberia, Arenal and Back to San Jose
Finish your journey by rounding back toward San Jose via Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste. While here, consider a detour to one of the country’s incredible volcanos, like Arenal or Rincon de la Vieja. You can hike, see eruption sites, or soak in steamy hot springs while you gaze at the conelike peaks.
Once you’ve gotten your volcano fix, close the loop by driving back to San Jose.
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