Costa Rica is a great country for road trips. The distances look short on the map, but the drive between Arenal Volcano and Monteverde, or between Monteverde and Corcovado, often takes three to six hours due to gravel roads and mountain passes. If you don’t plan for this, you’ll arrive frustrated or after dark.
What we rented
A basic Suzuki Vitara SUV (4WD), approx. 1,000 CHF for two weeks, including comprehensive insurance. Pickup near San José Airport, return there as well.
What’s important
- 4WD is mandatory—many roads (Monteverde, Corcovado) are unpaved and knee-deep in mud when it rains.
- Insurance: Comprehensive coverage with a low deductible—damage from rock chips and potholes happens.
- Gas is cheaper than in Switzerland, but gas stations are rare in remote areas—fill up early.
- Navigation: Google Maps works well offline, but Waze is better for real-time traffic updates and more accurate travel time estimates.
Tip: If you only want to see the Pacific coast, you can also opt for a 2WD — but that effectively rules out Monteverde, Corcovado, and some volcano tours.
