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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 |
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.
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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!
Now that is camping!
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.
How cool is this?! Costa Rica is for sure on my bucket list — so this would be amazing.
Great post–so much good information about Costa Rica logistics and of course, what a great prize! Thank you for this.
It’s beautiful!
i think that costa is wonderful place. so, i would like to visit it
What a great way to explore the jungles and beaches of Costa Rica!
this is awesome!
HOMG this looks OH-SOME!
OK, please let me know i’m the winner 🙂
My inner Indiana Jones finds this amazing!
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!
Ahhhhhh-mazing guys!! Looking forward to the adventure!
This must be an amazing experience!!!!
Dream trip for nomads. Sign me up!
Omg!! Definitely joining this 🙂
WOW this looks absolutely amazing. Now I really want to visit!
Cant wait to visit Costa Rica woohoo
I’ve camped in Canada and the US so this would be a great adventure. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
This looks unbelievable and the kind of camping I could get into!!
So excited. Reading all about it just makes me want to pack & go right now. 🙂
Costa Rica is a photographer’s dream and definitely on my bucket list. This trip looks awesome!
That sounds like an incredible trip… I love the tent on top of the 4×4, that just rocks!
That sounds amazing! Can’t wait!
This would be the ultimate way to see the country side.
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.
Wow. This is the trip of a lifetime.
Wow, this looks like fun, I would love to do this.
What an adventure that would be!
Costa Rica is top of my responsible tourism list – I would love the chance to get off-the-beaten track and explore properly!
Me pleasse!
would be so awesome
Wow, this looks amazing. I am going to Costa Rica in one month!
This looks like an amazing trip. We cannot wait to explore Costa Rica ourselves!
this sounds awesome
Just joined. This is awesome!
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!
Costa Rica has always been on our to-do list. This would move it to the top. 🙂
I would love to win this! I’ve always wanted to go here.
Am totally running away to live in Costa Rica once I grow up (and by that I mean once my babies are grown up) Woo hooo!
wow!!! I’m already in Costa Rica, so it would be awesome.
Man, this looks fun!
Powered by renewable energy, Costa Rica really is one of the world’s greenest destinations.
Amazing!! Im gonna win this!!!
Costa Rica is a dream destination. Would be great to explore this country with the best buddies! EPIC! Crossing fingers.
Sería espectacular!!!
Costa Rica is one of my favorite trips ever. Would love to explore again on a camping adventure!
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!
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!
Sounds like a great contest. What an adventure. I still haven’t been to Costa Rica and it’s definitely on my list.
Wow what an adventure! It would be so enriching to camp right there on the beach and fish for your food. I would love that kind of trip.