Camping and Driving in Costa Rica

Camping and Driving in Costa Rica » the ultimate adventure

by

Some of our links are affiliated, we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product. This will have no extra cost for you. For further info please refer to our Privacy Policy

Driving and Camping in Costa Rica! Be close to nature, surf the best waves and have an unforgettable trip!

There are two things that would make us go back to South and Central America:

1º » Visit our family!

2º » Travel in Costa Rica with a 4×4 car, camping along the way, surfing perfect waves, fishing our own dinner and exploring the amazing nature. Driving in Costa Rica and have the freedom to explore this stunning country.

Camping and driving in Costa Rica is the ultimate adventure trip. Costa Rica is famous for natural parks, beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, and surf… So, we decided that it’s time to travel to Costa Rica and have the best road & surf trip ever.

Driving in Costa Rica you can explore the country, see the mountains and natural parks.

We choose Nomad America as our partner for this adventure in Costa Rica because these guys are serious about travel, safety, road trips and fun! They know that camping and driving in Costa Rica is a dream trip for many people, so they do their best to make the dream come true. 

Before we started planning this road trip in Costa Rica, I had many doubts. I questioned myself if this trip was right for me? What do in Costa Rica by car? I have never rented a 4×4 car, how does it work? How am I gonna camping there? Will we be safe driving in Costa Rica? The costs for this trip might be huge! I don’t have a surfboard… OMG!! I really want to go on this adventure road trip to Costa Rica, but I wasn’t sure…

So if you have the same doubts and fears, don´t panic!! We gonna explain everything, and how awesome is to travel and drive in Costa Rica!

What is so exciting about Camping & Driving in Costa Rica?

You have the freedom to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Nomad America will provide you with a 4×4 car rental to drive around Costa Rica during the trip,  it is up to you: 3, 7, 20 days… And this is not an ordinary 4×4 rental car, you will get a fully equipped vehicle with a camping tent, cooking utensils, portable shower, batteries, a local cell phone, maps and many other extras like surfboards [for an ultimate surf trip in Costa Rica], snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and professional travel advice. 

Camping and driving in Costa Rica is the ultimate adventure trip!

The best part is that depending on the size of the car you choose you can take up to 4 people with you! A true adventure trip is only real if you can share it with your family and friends. Sounds like a good holiday plan?? So check the price and types of packages at Nomad America, but first finish reading this whole post, follow our recommendation and plan wisely your road trip in Costa Rica.

What is not included in the package offered by Nomad America? It´s not included in your flights to Costa Rica and your meals… If I were you, I would also start checking for flight deals right now, just to be sure that you have everything planned ahead. 

Also read: When is the best time to travel to Jamaica? Find out here!

Driving in Costa Rica you will have the freedom to choose where to you want to sleep, where do you go and have an amazing time!

Why would you go for a road trip in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is the ultimate paradise for people who like nature, adventure and surf. The country is famous for its mountains, stunning coasts [Pacific & Caribbean coasts], for the volcanoes and preserved areas. It’s estimated that 5% of the world’s biodiversity is found there! 25% of Costa Rica is protected, with more the 20 national parks, 11 forests, and many conservation areas.

Costa Rica is famous for the wildlife and protect national parks. Driving in Costa Rica you can see many animals and amazing flora.

To see all this beauty you need to drive! That´s why you need a go to Costa Rica on a road trip. Because if you stay only in one or two cities, you probably won’t see 5% of the wonderful things the country has. Plus, on a road trip around Costa Rica you can combine multiple activities:

  • Surfing in Costa Rica, the Pacific coast is famous for perfect waves
  • Fishing in Costa Rica. Rivers, ocean, lakes… you choose where you gonna catch your dinner.
  • Discover the beauty of the famous Osa Peninsula for snorkeling & diving in Costa Rica.
  • Be prepared for ziplines, trekking, caving and many extreme sports in Costa Rica. 

Driving in Costa Rica you will be able to explore the whole country. For a good and comfy trip you need a 4X4 rental car!

Why do you need to rent a  4X4 car in Costa Rica?

Plan a trip to this gorgeous country can be challenging. You have to think about how to get around, how to travel inside the country without being trapped by endless bus rides. The answer to these planning questions is simple: travel in Costa Rica with a 4×4 rental car. Of course, not a simple one, you need an adventure 4X4 rental car, ready to explore dirty roads and go where your dreams and maps can take you.

If you only stay in the cities, a normal family urban rental car will be enough. However, if you are looking for an ultimate adventure trip in Costa Rica with muddy roads, river crossing, and challenging mountains, then a 4×4 rental car is what you need.

Camping by the beach, the best way to enjoy and explore Costa Rica. Driving in Costa Rica is the ultimate trip adventure!

 

Why Camping in Costa Rica?

Camping in Costa Rica means Freedom! With a tent on the roof of your car, you can sleep anywhere in the country. No need for booking hotels, hostels, you can even change your itinerary at the last minute. Your car is your house, and it goes everywhere with you! The natural parks are perfect for camping, you will be safe, with bathroom facilities and surrounded by nature and wildlife! For early morning surf nothing better than spending the night by the sea. Nomad America has a list of all the best places to camping in Costa Rica.

Don’t be scared, the idea of camping in Costa Rica is nothing like Bear Grylls survive tv show. You will have top-notch gears to enjoy camping in a modern and comfy way [this is Nat talking, and my horrible fear of nasty bugs]. Plus all the cooking utensils to have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the go. When I say freedom, I mean true freedom. Does it sound like your type of trip? For us sounds like the perfect adventure holiday in Costa Rica!

Why Cooking? Don´t they have good food in Costa Rica?

Don’t be silly, they have delicious food in Costa Rica, and you must try them all. But as you will be on a road trip it´s easy and smart to have some food and drinks with you. That’s why the kitchen and utensils are so handy and important. If you decide to camp on a rainforest or have lunch by a volcano, you can! Also, if you are on a budget trip, or you have picky friends that only eat bread and sausage, you will be covered!

Driving in Costa Rica you can see the sunrise on the Caribbean Cost and the sunset on the Pacific Cost

 

Where to go in Costa Rica?

We could write two or three posts about where to go in Costa Rica, places to visit and tops attractions. The country is famous for the beaches and parks and you will have a 4×4 car to drive around Costa Rica, so itinerary will not be an issue. Here is a list of where you can go, just a small idea of what Costa Rica is famous for. Top 10 destinations in Costa Rica to sparkle your wanderlust:

Puerto Viejo Cahuita
Torteguero Corcovado National Park
Arenal Volcano Manuel Antonio
Monteverde Mal Pais – Santa Teresa
Tamarindo Rincon de la Vieja

You need a strong and fully equipped 4x4 rental car for driving in Costa Rica, so you can explore the countryside.

 

Driving in Costa Rica, is it safe? Can I do it?

Driving in Costa Rica is safe! You will be driving in a different country with a different language, so you must drive carefully and pay attention to the road signage. Also, you have to keep in mind that it´s a developing country and many of the common laws and rules you have in Europe, USA, and even in Brazil won´t work in Costa Rica.

The two biggest issues are: big cities with heavy traffic and motorbikes and the bad condition of the countryside roads. But with Nomad America 4×4 rental cars you will be driving with safe and efficient vehicles, plus full insurance. We have driven in South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, I’m pretty sure Costa Rica is not the worst place to drive. [that´ Rob talking after driving in Thailand and Vietnam]

Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license and you must be over 18, otherwise, you can’t drive in Costa Rica! For this adventure trip in Costa Rica, we recommend you to have reliable travel insurance, so you can do all the sports, surf and drive in Costa Rica without being worried. We use World Nomads and we never had a problem with them, for more info read our travel insurance guide here.

Love it?! So Pin it!!

The Ultimate Adventure Trip in Costa Rica! All the tips to Drive, Camp and Surf in Costa Rica! Best way to rent a 4x4 and top places to visit and camp.

Now you know how to plan an awesome road trip in Costa Rica, all the details about camping, how to rent a 4×4 car and driving in Costa Rica. The best options and the company you need to choose when traveling there. Go and enjoy it!! #PuraVida

PS: This post was brought to you in partnership with Nomad America, and it was part of a giveaway campaign [from May 4th to June 15th]. The giveaway was run via Rafflecopter and all the terms and conditions are here. Congrats to the lucky reader and Thanks to everybody for being part of this huge giveaway. No doubt camping and driving in Costa Rica is a  dream trip for many people. Stay tuned for more! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Related Posts

177 thoughts on “Camping and Driving in Costa Rica » the ultimate adventure”

  10. This trip would be AMAZING!!!!! My hubby and I have been looking for an adventurous trip to take…!

  12. What A Great Experience This Would Be! Costa Rica Is A Beautiful Country! Thanks For The Giveaway!

  17. This is awesome! I would love to go back to Costa Rica and see it this way by camping and 4×4 vehicle. Wishing I will win it! I would take my brother and his son for an amazing adventure, and of course my husband.

  18. Nací en España y me encantaria un disparate poder visitar Costa Rica, porque es verdaderamente una costa riquisima

  22. This truly sounds like a great adventure! Never thought of Costa Rica as a top road trip destination, but this 4×4 experience really sounds like tons of fun. Haven’t spent so many days camping in a while, but I think it would be an interesting experience.

  25. AWESOME giveaway! We really enjoyed our time in Costa Rica, but it can get expensive. Having a car and the ability to camp would be perfect!

  27. Now that is what I am talking about. What an amazing giveaway. Costa Rica is the ideal place to go on a trip like that. Whoever the winner us they will have a great time. WOW!

  28. Loving the photos as we are passionate about road trips and camping! We hope to retired in Costa Rica and open a hostel there when we’re done traveling in 30-something years, so this would be a great prize to win and to start off with for our first trip to Costa Rica!

  31. I’m freaking out because just the thought of this is AMAZING!! 🙂 Always up for an adventure but my wallet most of the time just coughs up dust lol Got every finger crossed for this!

  32. This looks like so much fun. I think it would be a perfect getaway for me and my sisters – nothing like an adventure to bring us all closer!

  37. What an amazing trip! I’ve not made it to Costa Rica yet, but I would love to go. Camping on the beach sounds amazing and having your own car gives you so much freedom to explore!

  41. A camping adventure in Costa Rica?! Wowza – this would be an ultimate check off the ol’ bucket list! I would love to go experience the happiest country in the world! PURA VIDA!

  42. Costa Rica is at the top of my bucket list, I’ve always wanted to go. To be able to drive wherever we want at our own pace, would be a dream come true! Fingers crossed 😀

  45. Costa Rica would be a DREAM! I’ve never been to South America before and it would be great to experience this. Thank you for having this amazing competition!

  47. I traveled through Costa Rica briefly a couple of years ago, however I had to zoom through because I was running out of money and it was more expensive than I anticipated! A trip that includes adventuring, camping and cooking sounds amazing… I would love to explore Costa Rica more deeply!

  50. Have always wanted to go on a trip with a fully outfitted camping vehicle been googling around a lot, doesn’t sound like there is a better place to do it than Costa Rica

  52. Excellent advice. I like how you broke everything down. Consider my wanderlust officially inspired.

  55. Wow! My husband and I have always wanted to travel to Costa Rica. Seems like such a beautiful and magical place!

  62. YES! This is my kind of travel – how exciting. Costa Rica is super expensive, the camping side of things would save a bomb and who doens’t like to snuggle up under the stars? Bagsy not driving though, Craig can do that!

  63. I had made a plan to travel for the first time in my life this year for my 50th birthday but now something came up and i no longer have the money. I always wanted to go to Costa Rica and I never wanted to do the resort thing so this trip would be awesome. The article just makes me want to go even more, what an adventure to remember

  64. For some reason, I never think about camping in Central America (since prices are low for hotels) but you’re right — camping is an adventure!!

  72. I’ve never even been out of the USA, so a trip to Costa Rica with my husband would be amazing. Thanks for the opportunity!

  75. If I won this trip I would give it to my son and his girlfriend as They love adventure,camping and surfing! It sounds like it was made for them!

  77. Re: Goodness gracious great balls of fire. Pick me, pick me! Your next winner!!! Show me the money!!! I have always wanted to go see Costa Rica . I heard it is beautiful there. My childhood dream to see it since. It would be a dream come true and means more to me than anyone else to win. 🙁 Starving artist here desperately needs the trip to have fun and feel alive and inspired again. A life changing experience. Top of my bucket list. Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂

  78. We love to go camping and doing it this way in Costa Rica would be a dream holiday come true <3 xoxo

  98. This is a dream trip – a great excuse to eat some of Costa Rica’s beautiful food while doing some amazing activities! I SO want to win!

  102. What a fabulous trip. I’d go with hubby and three large sons for a trip of a lifetime and probably our last as just 5 of us togeether.

  111. Amazing opportunity! Thank you for offering this once of a lifetime trip for some lucky winner. Of course, I’d like to be that lucky person!

  118. I’ve camped in Canada and the US so this would be a great adventure. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

  125. Oooh, we were in Costa Rica last year and totally fell in love with everything there! We’ve been wanting to go back again ever since 🙂 Pick us, I promisse to cook for all 😉

    Cheers, N.

  136. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my
    iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.

    I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good blog!

  142. Powered by renewable energy, Costa Rica really is one of the world’s greenest destinations.

  144. Costa Rica is a dream destination. Would be great to explore this country with the best buddies! EPIC! Crossing fingers.

  146. Costa Rica is one of my favorite trips ever. Would love to explore again on a camping adventure!

  147. Costa Rica is one of our favorite countries in the world, though we’ve never been on a camping adventure there yet. thanks for the opportunity!

  148. This is an incredible giveaway! Somebody is going to be one very lucky person. I can imagine that traveling Costa Rica by car is the way to go. The rugged nature in the country is truly stunning!

  153. This is such a cool giveaway! Me, a Dutchy, leaving this sunday for a 3 week trip to Costa Rica and get reunited with two Kiwi’s (NZ)! We haven’t planed much yet, so this would be amazing to do! And I really wanna drive in a 4×4 some day 😀 I love the tent on top of the jeep too! Fingers crossed!

  155. Wow, what an incredible looking trip! I might be in a wheelchair but no way would I let that stop me enjoying a trip like this. Looks like sooooo much fun!

  158. This would be a dream come true trip, something I would not normally be able to afford but would LOVE to do!

  161. I’ve been wanting a nice vacation for a long time. I haven’t had one in almost 4 years. This looks awesome!!!!!

Comments are closed.