Steppes Exclusive
Designed specifically for Steppes clients, this epic drive can’t be booked anywhere else.
Uncharted Costa Rica 4×4 Self-Drive Adventure
Access routes far from the madding crowd bookable only through Steppes.
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/26 | 17/03/26 | 13 days | £7,250 pp | £2,159 | Local Guides | 8 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Venture into Costa Rica’s wilder, less-visited corners at the helm of your own 4×4 expedition vehicle, following expert Costa Rican guides leading four vehicles across riverbeds, beaches, pineapple plantations, remote dirt tracks and asphalt coastal roads.
Alongside spectacular landscapes, this 4×4 adventure, shared with just seven other Steppes clients, explores some of Costa Rica’s richest wildlife spots, including Boca Tapada near the Nicaraguan border, a region known for nesting great green macaws, Arenal Volcano National Park, Corcovado National Park and the Sierpe Wetlands. Purposely steering away from the tourist trails, you’ll experience a different side to Costa Rica, meeting people going about their daily lives and accessing routes only known through local knowledge. Catch a glimpse of this inspiring adventure in this video . From £7,250 pp.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Drake Bay
Spend three nights in Corcovado National Park, home to 3% of the world’s biodiversity.
Sierpe Mangroves
By boat, explore the extensive Sierpe mangrove forest teeming with wildlife.
Off-Roading
Cross riverbeds, beaches and remote backroads in your own 4×4 expedition vehicle.
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Day 1
San Jose (Buena Vista Chic Hotel)
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Day 2
San Jose-Boca Tapada (Maquenque Eco Lodge)
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Day 3
Boca Tapada-Arenal (Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails)
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Day 4
Arenal-Samara (Hotel Nammbu)
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Day 5
Samara (Hotel Nammbu)
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Day 6
Samara-Paquera (OPacifico Hotel)
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Day 7
Paquera-Savegre Abajo (Rafiki Safari Lodge)
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Day 8
Savegre Abajo-Uvita (Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge)
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Day 9
Uvita-Corcovado National Park (La Paloma Lodge)
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Days 10-11
Corcovado National Park (La Paloma Lodge)
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Day 12
Corcovado National Park-San Jose (Hotel Grano de Oro)
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Day 13
San Jose
Day 1
San Jose (Buena Vista Chic Hotel)
On arrival into San Jose, you will be welcomed by an English speaking guide and transferred to the Buena Vista Chic Hotel. That evening, enjoy a welcome dinner to meet the rest of the group.
Day 2
San Jose-Boca Tapada (Maquenque Eco Lodge)
After breakfast, there will be a short debrief to familiarize yourself with your vehicle before setting off towards the Poas Volcano area, passing Laguna Hule crater lake. After lunch, continue north on remote dirt tracks to Boca Tapada near the Nicaraguan border, a region known for nesting great green macaws.
Day 3
Boca Tapada-Arenal (Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails)
From Maquenque Eco Lodge, explore the San Carlos river with specialised guides in search of crocodiles before driving to Arenal. In the evening, a guide will lead the group on a night rainforest hike directly from the lodge.
Day 4
Arenal-Samara (Hotel Nammbu)
Today is spent off-roading on trails and river crossings between Lake Arenal and the small town of Tilarán in the Guanacaste province. Before setting off, a morning birdwatching tour is included. After, navigate backroads, passing the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes towards the town of Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Day 5
Samara (Hotel Nammbu)
A free day to explore Samara independently or book an optional excursion with the hotel, such as whale watching, kayaking, horseriding or a cloud forest experience (additional cost). Lunch and dinner aren’t included today.
Day 6
Samara-Paquera (OPacifico Hotel)
A day off-roading along the Nicoya Peninsula; if weather and tides allow, drive across a beautiful stretch of beach and access rivers only accessible to 4×4 vehicles. Overnight at OPacifico Hotel on Playa Naranjo beach.
Day 7
Paquera-Savegre Abajo (Rafiki Safari Lodge)
After breakfast, take the ferry to Puntarenas enroute to the small town of Tarcoles and see some of the largest crocodiles in Costa Rica lazing in the river under the Tarcoles Bridge. Continue to Rafiki Safari Lodge in the Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, where quetzals, monkeys, red-eyed tree frogs and over 420 species of orchids are found.
Day 8
Savegre Abajo-Uvita (Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge)
Set off through rural and more challenging 4×4 trails to the 150-foot Eco Chontales waterfall accessed via a short hike through the rainforest. End the day on the Pacific coast at Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge in Uvita.
Day 9
Uvita-Corcovado National Park (La Paloma Lodge)
Take the coastal road to the village of Sierpe and board a small local ferry to Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. Here, spend the next three nights at La Paloma Lodge in Drake Bay.
Days 10-11
Corcovado National Park (La Paloma Lodge)
Spend the next couple of days exploring Corcovado National Park, home to 3% of the world’s biodiversity. With a naturalist guide, hike the trails inhabited by sloths, tapir, coatis, scarlet macaws and giant anteaters. One of the days is free for you to explore the area, possibly hiking, snorkelling at Isla del Cano or a guided night rainforest hike from the lodge.
Day 12
Corcovado National Park-San Jose (Hotel Grano de Oro)
After an early breakfast, leave the 4×4 vehicles in Drake Bay and experience a boat journey through vast mangrove forests to Sierpe, where the vehicles will be waiting for you. From here, take in coastal views on the 5-hour drive back to San Jose.
Day 13
San Jose
After a free morning in San Jose, transfer to the airport for onward travel home.
Varied Terrain
Epic Route
Leave the sprawling capital of San Jose and venture into the quieter regions of Costa Rica. From the lakes, lagoons and volcanoes in the northern plains, and the Central Pacific where tropical forests meet unspoilt beaches, to the protected areas of Sierpe-Térraba Wetlands and Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. The terrain covered is diverse and offers a balance of easy and more challenging routes. Along the way, enjoy delicious Costa Rican food at small local restaurants and hot picnic lunches.
Wildlife
Corcovado National Park
Three nights are spent in Drake Bay, gateway to Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. This region is one of the most biologically diverse in Costa Rica and is home to 3% of the world’s biodiversity. Over 400 species of birds, including the scarlet macaw inhabit the forest, as well as tapirs, white-lipped peccaries, red-backed squirrel monkeys, jaguar, and more than 100 species of butterfly. With a guide, explore the park at night when many animals are most active.
Self-drive
Expedition vehicles
Drive your own 4×4 expedition vehicle across varied terrain, from smooth asphalt, to rugged gravel tracks, river crossings and beaches. A maximum of eight clients will self-drive in four automatic Toyota Land Cruise Prado Series 150 or 250 vehicles, with two guides in a lead vehicle. Each car is equipped with a two-way radio ensuring the guides can share sightings of wildlife and points of interest enroute.
What type of vehicle will I be driving, how old and what sort of mileage?
Do I need to be personally insured to drive in Costa Rica, or is the vehicle itself insured?
Is there an option to have a manual vehicle if I prefer?
What is the plan in the event of a breakdown or an accident?
Is there a first aid kit in each vehicle?
Are there two-way radios provided in the vehicles so I can stay in communication with the leader and other group members?
Is fuel included?
Are the arrival transfers in San Jose on a private or group basis? Will there be an English-speaking representative?
Do you provide water?
Will the vehicles be parked at the hotel the day of arrival so I can be briefed in advance?
Are lunches a combination of local restaurants and picnics? What sort of food can I expect? Are all meals enjoyed as a group?
What excursions are included?
Are ferry fees included?
What is the minimum age for the trip?
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Moderate Activity
Single Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- Accompanied by English speaking guides in a guide lead vehicle throughout
- Expedition vehicle hire and fuel
- Entrance to Poas Volcano National Park and Eco Chontales waterfall
- Maquenque river excursion
- Bird watching tour at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
- Ferry fees
- 12 nights accommodation in hotels, rainforest lodges and beach lodges
- Meals from dinner on the first night to breakfast on the day of departure, except on days five and 13
- Non-alcoholic drinks
What is excluded
- International flights
- Lunch and dinner on days five and 13
- Travel Insurance (mandatory)
- Optional activities in Samara and Drake Bay
- Alcoholic drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/26 | 17/03/26 | 13 days | £7,250 pp | Local Guides | 8 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
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