Renting a car in Costa Rica can be a great way to explore the country's hidden gems. While costs and risks exist, it offers unparalleled freedom and access to remote locations.
For thrilling road trips with scenic views, consider these six routes. But be ready for nerve-wracking moments, as they require a 4x4.
The path to Chirripó, Costa Rica's highest peak, starts at the end of a small gravel road connecting isolated mountain communities in the south. Visitors must climb worn-out concrete slabs to reach the park entrance. Stocking up in San Isidro de El General before heading there is best.
You don't want to climb the 12,533-foot Chirripó? It's not a problem. Cloudbridge Reserve, a 700-acre privately owned research base near Chirripó with free trekking, a giant waterfall, and an exotic plant garden, is one of the many reasons to face these magnificent mountain routes.
Monte Azul, a nearby premium art hotel, welcomes and commissions local and international painters to stay and work on the verdant grounds, home to hummingbirds zipping through tropical greenery and twisting jungle. The proprietors raise goats to make their cheese, while Antojitos de Maz, a local restaurant, serves the greatest tamales and chorreadas in town.
