There are road trips, and then there are trips that push us out of our comfort zone. These road trips in Costa Rica aren’t for the faint-hearted, but they will certainly be enough to get our adrenaline pumping as we explore these hidden parts of the country.
Sector Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa is largely protected thanks to the fauna and wildlife that resides in the area. That doesn’t mean it’s entirely shut off from the rest of the world; it just means it’s pretty quiet through the week and during the off-season. Thankfully, it also offers up an adrenaline-boosting road trip in Costa Rica that is most definitely not for the faint-hearted. Once you’ve winded your way to the sea, you’re greeted with incredible sights of the local wildlife and plenty of surfing opportunities.
The Monkey Trail
Although locals joke The Monkey Trail is a shortcut, it’s one of the most intense ways to travel between Playas del Coco and Flamingo. It’s famous for destroying cars as people have to twist through mountain roads, cross streams, and slide through jungles along the way. In fact, many compare riding The Monkey Trail to hiking more than a road trip, but the end result and the memories make it all worth it.
Cerro Chirripó
Although the end of the gravel paths looks like the end of the road, this is just the beginning of the journey if you want to explore Costa Rica’s highest peak. It’s certainly not a road trip for the faint-hearted as the concrete slabs have been worn to almost nothing, and the drops of the edge of the mountain can leave us wondering what we were thinking. Thankfully, the views teamed with the hidden gems littered across the peak make the adventure worthwhile.
Drake Bay
Sure, you could fly to Drake Bay, but where’s the fun in that when you could drive there instead? It’s one of the most remote areas of the nation, filled with farming villages, meadows, and rainforests everywhere we look. Taking this adrenaline-filled road trip means people need a lot of confidence as there are seven rivers to cross and plenty of gravel pathways to explore before you reach the wonder that is Drake Bay.
Rio Celeste
The most famous thing that draws people to this area of Costa Rica is the turquoise river that shines bright against the backdrop of the forest. As if that wasn’t enough already, renting a car and driving around Rio Celeste means people have the chance to see the famous jaguars that live in the area and test their skills as they navigate steep rocks and stretches of jungle along the way. The hike to the private river at the end certainly makes this road trip worth it in the end.
These road trips in Costa Rica aren’t for the faint-hearted, but they do have some major outcomes in the end. Want to see some of the best sights in the world? It could be time to add these adventures to the bucket list.
