Arenal & Northern Plains 2
Volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls and the turquoise Río Celeste. The main roads from both airports are paved, so any car reaches La Fortuna; some waterfall and Río Celeste approaches add short gravel stretches where clearance helps. Plan 2–3 nights and expect rain in any month.
Monteverde Cloud Forest 1
Misty mountain reserves at 1,400 m reached by steep, winding roads. The last climb to Santa Elena is paved from the Pan-American side but narrow and foggy, and the lake road from Arenal is rough gravel. An SUV is recommended, and arriving before dark is essential.
Guanacaste 3
Dry-forest beaches, ranch land and volcanoes around Liberia airport (LIR). This is the easiest region to drive: mostly paved, flat and well signed, with short hops between beaches like Tamarindo and Playas del Coco and the volcano parks inland.
Any carTamarindo
Guanacaste's busiest beach town, 75 minutes from Liberia airport on smooth pavement.
SUV recommendedRincón de la Vieja
Mud pots, fumaroles, waterfalls and hot springs less than an hour from Liberia airport.
Any carPlayas del Coco & Papagayo
Diving, sunsets and easy access — 30 minutes from Liberia airport.
Nicoya Peninsula 4
Surf towns and wild beaches from Nosara and Sámara down to Santa Teresa and Montezuma. Paved highways get you close, but the last kilometers are often dusty or muddy gravel, and the coastal road between towns involves river crossings, so an SUV or 4x4 is the safe choice.
SUV recommendedSanta Teresa & Mal País
World-class surf and jungle-backed sunsets at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula — at the end of a dusty road.
SUV recommendedMontezuma
Bohemian beach village with waterfalls, near the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.
SUV recommendedNosara & Playa Guiones
Yoga, surf and jungle — protected by bumpy gravel roads that keep it blissfully uncrowded.
Any carSámara
A calm, reef-protected bay — the easiest Nicoya beach to reach on pavement.
Central Pacific 2
The closest beaches to San José: Jacó and Manuel Antonio, both on the smooth Costanera Sur highway (Route 34). It's the easiest beach drive in the country, fully paved with tolls on Route 27, so a regular car is fine all year.
South Pacific & Osa 4
Whale watching at Uvita, the waterfalls around Dominical and the rainforest of Corcovado. The coastal highway is paved all the way to Palmar; Drake Bay is reached by boat from Sierpe, and Puerto Jiménez by a long paved drive around the gulf.
Any carUvita & Marino Ballena
Whale watching, the whale's-tail sandbar and jungle waterfalls on the South Pacific coast.
Any carDominical
A small surf town with a wild beach, jungle hills and waterfalls nearby.
Any carDrake Bay & Corcovado
Gateway to Corcovado and Caño Island — drive to Sierpe, then take the boat.
Any carPuerto Jiménez & the Osa Peninsula
The eastern gateway to Corcovado, now on a paved road — but wild beyond town.
Caribbean Coast 3
Reggae culture, jungle beaches and the Tortuguero canals, on the far side of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Route 32 is paved but foggy, busy with trucks and prone to landslide closures, so check conditions before you leave; Tortuguero itself has no road and ends with a boat.
Any carPuerto Viejo de Talamanca
Caribbean vibes, jungle beaches and cycling culture — beyond the mountains of Braulio Carrillo.
Any carCahuita
A tiny Caribbean village next to a beachside national park with coral reef snorkeling.
SUV recommendedTortuguero
Jungle canals and nesting sea turtles — no roads in, so you'll finish the trip by boat.
Central Valley 1
Volcanoes, coffee farms and easy day trips close to San José airport, including Poás Volcano. Roads are paved but steep and congested around the city, so leave early, avoid rush hour and book volcano tickets in advance.
