Costa Rica – Drive & Dive

In this 2-week tour of Costa Rica, you will discover the country with a rental car and varied overnight stays in nature. You will dive at two spectacular sites and explore national parks full of wildlife, rainforest and coast. An ideal combination of adventure, freedom and tropical marine life.

Travel period

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December

Features

Boatdiving

Starting from

17 days from NZD 7.895 p.p.

Costa Rica road trip | Self-drive along volcanoes, cloud forest and coastal national parks

Costa Rica has so much biodiversity, you could easily spend months here and still not be bored. Still, in two weeks you can get a surprisingly complete picture of what this beautiful country has to offer, if you do it smart. This roundtrip is a good example: we have selected the absolute highlights for you and combined them in a logical, relaxed itinerary.

In two weeks you will dive into the best of Costa Rica: literally and figuratively. You explore the country both under and above water, with dives at two different sites – at the beginning and end of your trip. You will make 6 dives in Catalinas Islands, a special dive site with the chance of seeing big life: white tip reef sharks and eagle rays for example. At the end of the trip you will again make 6 dives, this time in Isla del Caño, a protected and remote area. Here reef sharks, turtles and colorful fish await you.

In between, travel by rental car past tropical rainforests, cloud forests, rugged coastlines and active volcanoes. Self-driving here is easy and safe and gives you the freedom to stop spontaneously at viewpoints, local eateries or unknown waterfalls.

You stay overnight in different places, so it really feels like a journey of discovery. From the tranquility of the jungle to the bustle of small villages: you will see and experience it all. And of course there is no lack of national parks like Corcovado and Marino Ballena, where wildlife and nature know how to surprise you every day.

Best travel time for a diving vacation to Costa Rica

The best travel time for this tour of Costa Rica is from December to April, during the dry season. During this period, roads are passable, underwater visibility is excellent and the chance of rain is minimal. Moreover, you can also spot whales at Uvita during these months. Traveling in the green season (May through November) is also possible, but you should expect more rain and less visibility while diving. However, you do have a chance of bullsharks at Bat Islands during this period, which is near the first dive site.

Average Temperatures

Wetsuit advice for diving in Costa Rica

For the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a 3mm wetsuit is usually sufficient because of the warm water of 27-29°C. In the rainy season or for longer dives, a 5mm may be more comfortable to stay warm.

What will you experience on this diving vacation?

View itinerary here

Day 1 & 2 | Trip to Costa Rica

Today the journey to Costa Rica begins. You will fly to Liberia, located in the northwest of the country. Total travel time is about 15 to 17 hours, depending on the route and any stops. You usually leave in the morning or early afternoon, and because of the 7-hour time difference, when you arrive it is still early evening in Costa Rica, while in Europe it is already night.

A transfer will be waiting for you at the airport for a short ride of about 30 minutes. You will go to Villa del Sueño in Playa Hermosa, a cozy hotel within walking distance of the beach and stay here for 4 nights.

The hotel is located in the province of Guanacaste. Located on the spectacular Pacific coast in northwestern Costa Rica, this region is known for its pristine beaches, volcanic landscape and exotic wildlife. The region is characterized by vast grasslands and dry tropical forest, interspersed with white sandy beaches. You can relax on the endless beaches or visit the Santa Rosa National Park with pristine vegetation and more than 200 bird species.

Day 3 to 5 | Diving in Catalinas Islands

For the next 3 days you will dive with BA Divers, a PADI 5 Star dive resort and eco center. The diving school is located in Hermosa, about 650 meters away from the hotel. You can walk there leisurely in the morning or be picked up for a short ride.

The morning dives start at 08:00 at the diving school and soon after you leave by boat for 2 dives, with a surface interval on board. Around noon you will be back at the diving school.

The underwater world in this area consists of impressive formations of volcanic rock, overgrown with corals. It is fantastic here for lovers of caves, canyons and swim-throughs. Underwater is generally calm: currents are rare and the water temperature is between 27 and 29°C in the dry season.

One of the dive sites you will explore is the Catalinas Islands, a group of islands about 40 minutes by boat from the coast. This place is known as one of the best dive sites in Costa Rica. What makes the Catalinas so special is the chance of seeing large marine life. The islands are in the migration route of pelagic species and offer spectacular underwater encounters.

During your dives you may encounter, among others:

Whitetip reef sharks resting on the sea floor
Eagle rays and mobulas, sometimes in groups
Large schools of snappers, jacks, grunts and barracudas
Different species of moray eels, lobsters and scorpion fish
Hidden seahorses in the coral
And with a little luck: turtles or even dolphins on the way to the dive site

From December to May, there is a great chance to spot manta rays at the Catalinas. These impressive animals can have wingspans of up to 6 meters and float gracefully along the cliffs, an experience to remember.

From May through November (the rainy season) at Bat Islands you have the chance of bullsharks! These dives are a bit deeper and more challenging. Expect dives of 30+ meters deep and current. You dive here without a cage and have a chance to see several large bullsharks during your dive.

Day 6 | Pick up rental car and head to La Fortuna

Today you will pick up your rental car and start your tour towards the middle and south of Costa Rica. The rental car will be waiting for you at the hotel around 9 a.m., so it’s just a matter of getting in and starting the drive! The car is a Geely CoolRay 2WD AT or similar, which will allow you to drive comfortably on the roads of Costa Rica.

Today’s drive is to Arenal Volcano National Park, which is about 160 kilometers from Hermosa. Without stops, this is about 3 hours, but of course you have complete freedom to stop along the way.

The hotel for the next 2 nights is in the town of La Fortuna, a lively town and the perfect starting point for various hikes and tours in the Arenal area.

Day 7 | Arenal volcano hike + hot springs Ecotermales

Today we have a fantastic hike on the program – to the Arenal volcano! The Arenal is a perfect cone-shaped volcano and was for a long time one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Since 2010, the volcano has been in a dormant phase, but it remains an impressive natural monument in the middle of the rainforest.

The day begins with a hike along a scenic trail at the base of Arenal volcano. This trail takes you through the rainforest and over petrified lava flows. During the approximately 3-hour guided hike, the naturalist guide will tell you all about the history of the volcano and the impact it has had on the area and the local community over the centuries. Enjoy the breathtaking views before returning and continuing to the second highlight of the day: the hot springs of Ecotermales. Here you will find large and small pools, hot and cold, connected by hiking trails in a beautiful, natural setting. Totally unwind in the hot water. To finish, enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Today you can leave your own car. The guide will pick you up at the hotel and bring you back after dinner. In addition to transportation, an English speaking guide, a bottle of water, entrance to the park and hot springs, towel and dinner are also included today.

Day 8 & 9 | Monteverde: hanging bridges & night hike

Today you drive on again, exchanging the volcanic landscape for the mystical cloud forests of Monteverde. The drive will take you right through the mountainous interior of Costa Rica, a beautiful ride along valleys, hills and winding roads with spectacular views. Today’s final destination is Sibu Lodge, a charming, small-scale lodge surrounded by greenery and within walking distance of Santa Elena. It is a 3 to 3.5 hour drive.

The next day awaits your special exploration of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of the rarest ecosystems in the world. Walking across the suspension bridges between the treetops gives you a unique glimpse into life above the forest – a world full of ferns, bromeliads, colorful birds and mysterious patches of fog.

In the evening, adventure in the dark on a night hike in the Bajos del Tigre Reserve, part of the impressive Bosque Eterno de los Niños. Listen to the rustling of nocturnal animals, look for frogs, nocturnal birds and insects and experience the rainforest as few experience it.

The cloud forest was really 1 of the highlights of Costa Rica for me. A completely different biodiversity and super fascinating. Bring binoculars because it makes your hike even more fun if you can actually spot the birds you hear!

Margriet de Graaf

Marketing and content specialist & diving instructor

Day 10 & 11 | To Uvita on the coast

Today you will continue to the southern Pacific coast, to the quiet village of Uvita. You could easily call this village a hidden gem, as it is a lot less known than other coastal towns, making for a truly authentic experience.

The drive to Uvita is slightly longer and takes over 4 hours. It is a fantastic transition from highlands to the tropical coast.

You will stay 2 nights at the Rico Tico Safari Lodge, a small-scale lodge in the middle of nature and surrounded by rainforest and mountains. The lodge is near well-known national parks Marino Ballena and Corcovado.

In the area you will find numerous activities: hike through the rainforest, take a horseback ride, take a refreshing dip in the natural pool of the river or visit a nearby waterfall.

Uvita itself is the gateway to the spectacular Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its whale-tailed headland and migrating humpback whales. Here you can also spot dolphins, snorkel, kayak and enjoy breathtaking sunsets along the Pacific coast. Diving is also possible, but this is scheduled again on Day 12.

Day 10 is free to fill in, but we recommend a visit to the Marino Bellena National Park. Or take a day to rest – it is vacation after all! 😉

Day 12 | To Corcovado National Park

Your day begins with a short drive from Uvita to Sierpe, where you will return your rental car to a car rental representative around 10:30 am. Then board a boat at 11:00 am for a beautiful transfer across the river and coastline to remote Drake Bay, heart of the spectacular Corcovado National Park.

Corcovado is known as one of the most biodiverse places in the world and is even described by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on earth. This vast nature reserve combines tropical rainforest, mangroves, vast wetlands and rugged coastlines. Here live impressive animals such as jaguars, tapirs, colorful parrots, quetzals and the famous red-eyed tree frogs. Humpback whales and dolphins swim around in the coastal waters.

You will stay three nights at the Pirate Cove Hotel, a charming lodge on the Osa Peninsula. Accommodations include comfortable air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms and Wi-Fi. You can end your day in the hotel pool. Arrival and departure here are by boat, with no jetty.

Day 13 to 15 | Diving with Caño Island Diving

Just as you started the trip you will also end it again … for the next 3 days you will be diving again!

Early in the morning you will depart by boat for Isla del Caño, a protected marine reserve off the coast of Costa Rica. The dive sites around the island are known for their rocky formations, healthy reef structures and great biodiversity.

Underwater visibility is often excellent, especially in the dry season. You dive among schools of jacks, snappers and barracudas. Regularly you will see whitetip reef sharks resting on the sandy bottom or swimming by in the depths. Turtles, eagle rays, morays and colorful reef fish are also regular residents of the area. At some dive sites there is a chance of seeing larger species such as manta rays or even a bull shark.

Between dives there is a surface interval at the edge of the beach. Due to nature protection, the island itself may not be entered, but you can relax on board or on the sand. This is followed by a second dive at another location around the island.

After returning to the lodge, there is plenty of time to have lunch and share your diving experiences – because the next day another diving trip is scheduled.

Day 16 | Transfer from Sierpe to Liberia

After breakfast, you will be returned by boat to Sierpe, where you will board your private transfer to Liberia at 9:15 am. Along the way, a stop will be made to rest and enjoy the scenery. You will arrive in Liberia around 2:30 p.m.

You will spend 1 night at the comfortable Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport, located just in front of the airport and just outside the center of Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste Province.

In the evening, enjoy a final meal at the restaurant with international dishes or relax at the bar with a refreshing cocktail. There is also a swimming pool and a gym.

Day 17 | Flight back home

Today your special trip really comes to an end. A transfer will be waiting for you to take you to the airport, so you can travel back home relaxed.

This trip was a perfect mix of exploring the impressive world above water as well as the colorful life under the waves. Hopefully you will take away fond memories and be inspired to embark on new adventures soon.

Highlights of this trip

What can you expect from Costa Rica?

Nature & biodiversity

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Its cloud forests, rainforests and mangroves are home to countless animal species, from sloths and toucans to jaguars and colorful tree frogs. The poison green and red-eyed tree frog in particular are iconic to the country. At night, the jungles come alive with the sound of frogs, insects and nocturnal mammals. You will also find hundreds of bird species, such as the quetzal and hummingbird. Thanks to the protected nature of many natural areas, you can enjoy incredibly rich and pristine biodiversity while hiking, with a guide or on a night tour.

Whale watching

Marino Ballena National Park is home to impressive humpback whales annually around the coast of Uvita. Two migrations alternate: from July to November, Southern Hemisphere whales come to mate and give birth, peaking in August and September. This is followed by a migration from the North from December to April, with peak months in January and February . You can often spot mother-baby pairs and males in courtship. Thanks to these long seasons, Marino Ballena is one of the most reliable places in the world to see whales.

Diving in a protected area

Isla del Caño is one of the most beautiful dive sites in Costa Rica. Located off the coast of the Osa Peninsula, this protected marine reserve offers crystal clear waters, colorful corals and an impressive variety of marine life. You will dive here among reef sharks, turtles, rays and schools of tropical fish. In the right season, you may even encounter dolphins or whales. The dives are well organized, visibility is often excellent and the chance of seeing large marine life makes every dive here special and unforgettable.

The accommodations

The stay and surroundings

Villa del Sueño

The first stay of this trip is at Villa del Sueño in Playa Hermosa.

This charming accommodation is within walking distance of the beach, in a quiet cove on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Playa Hermosa is known for its relaxed atmosphere, gentle waves and beautiful sunsets. The surroundings are green and tropical, with plenty of restaurants and small stores nearby.

You will stay in a junior suite: a spacious air-conditioned room with a comfortable bed, a private sitting area and a balcony or terrace. The room is fully equipped and offers that little bit of extra comfort. Villa del Sueño has its own restaurant with fine cuisine, a swimming pool with sun loungers and regular live music nights. Breakfast is also included with your stay.

And did you know that sueño means “dream”? So a perfect name!

Arenal Paraíso Hotel Resort & Spa

You will stay two nights at the Arenal Paraíso Hotel Resort & Spa, near the lively town of La Fortuna and with panoramic views of the imposing Arenal volcano.

You will stay in asuperior room: a comfortable wooden cabin with air conditioning, cable TV, coffee maker, Wi-Fi and private bathroom. Each morning you will start your day with a full breakfast, included in your stay.

The resort features as many as 11 hot springs scattered throughout beautifully landscaped gardens. In between relaxing, visit Oscar’ s Steak House restaurant or Roxi’s Pool Bar for a poolside cocktail. There is also a luxurious spa with various treatments and a modern gym.

A wonderful place to unwind in the middle of nature.

Sibū Lodge

In Monteverde, stay at Sibū Lodge.

This small mountain lodge is located just outside the center of Santa Elena, a short distance from stores, restaurants and the region’s most famous attractions. The surroundings are green and hilly, and you’re close to the famous cloud forests of Monteverde.

You will stay in a Forest Superior room, which is comfortably furnished and includes a private bathroom, coffee maker, Wi-Fi and TV. The lodge was recently renovated and has a warm, friendly atmosphere. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks at the bar.

Rio Tico Safari Lodge

The accommodation in Uvita is the Rio Tico Safari Lodge.

This lodge is in a quiet spot on a clear river, surrounded by tropical rainforest and mountains. You are between two national parks here: Marino Ballena and Corcovado. The nearest village, Vergel de Punta Mala, is about 4 kilometers away and the beach about 6 kilometers.

You will stay in a spacious safari tent bungalow, built on a wooden platform and equipped with a fan, mosquito net, private bathroom and a terrace overlooking the river. The lodge has a small-scale, natural feel and is a fine base for hiking, horseback riding, a refreshing dip in the river or a visit to the nearby waterfall.

Pirate Cove Hotel

The last base of operations on this trip is the Pirate Cove Hotel.

This small-scale hotel is located in a remote and unspoiled part of Costa Rica, close to the famous Corcovado National Park. Accessible only by boat, the lodge is wonderfully quiet and you really feel that you are isolated from the rest of the world.

You will stay in a comfortable air-conditioned cabin with private bathroom with hot water. There is free wifi and a small pool to cool off. Pirate Cove is an ideal base to experience the nature of the Osa Peninsula up close, both on land and at sea.

Hilton Garden Inn

The last night you will stay at Hilton Garden Inn, opposite the Liberia airport.

This modern accommodation is in a convenient location for travelers returning home. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a private bathroom and amenities such as a refrigerator, coffee maker and TV.

There is a swimming pool to relax a bit more, and the restaurant serves international cuisine.

The dive center

The diving schools and facilities

BA Divers

BA Divers is a professional and small-scale PADI 5-Star dive center located in the heart of Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. With more than 15 years of experience, the center offers daily boat dives, PADI courses and snorkeling trips in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. The diving school is within walking distance of the beach and hotel Villa del Sueño.

Facilities are excellent: spacious rinse and storage areas, locker rooms, air-conditioned classrooms and well-maintained rental equipment. The boats are comfortable and equipped with oxygen, first aid, shade and snacks on board. Diving is conducted in small groups, guided by experienced, multilingual instructors.

Caño Island Diving

Caño Island Diving is a small-scale, professional diving school located in Drake Bay, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The diving school is directly attached to Hotel Pirate Cove and offers daily dive trips to the famous Isla del Caño. Thanks to the small-scale approach, there is plenty of personal attention and guidance, ideal for both novice and experienced divers.

From Drake Bay you sail in about 45 minutes to Isla del Caño, a protected marine reserve with exceptional biodiversity. Underwater you will find large schools of fish, white-tip reef sharks, turtles, rays, barracudas and, with luck, mobula, dolphins and pilot whales. Visibility is often excellent, and the alternation of rock formations and sand flats makes for a varied diving experience.

Travel costs

What is included

This dive vacation to Costa Rica is available from NZD 7.895 per person based on two people in one room. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.

Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.

Want to know more about this dive vacation to Costa Rica? Get in touch with us!

Included in this diving trip, from NZD 7.895 p.p.

4 nights at Villa del Sueño in a junior suite based on bed & breakfast
6 dives with BA Divers
7 days rental car incl. basic & top cover insurance
2 nights at Arenal Paraíso in a superior room based on bed & breakfast
Arenal Volcano hike + Ecotermales excursion
2 nights at Sibu lodge in a superior room based on bed & breakfast
Excursion Treetop walkways (hanging bridges).
2 nights at Rio Tico Safari Lodge in a Safari tent bungalow o.g. bed & breakfast
3 nights at Pirate Cove Hotel in a cabin including 3 meals
6 dives with Caño Island Diving
1 night at Hilton Garden Inn o.g. bed & breakfast
Return transfers
VZR & administration fees
Calamity Fund

Excluding

✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.