Camper vans for the volcanoes and beaches of Guanacaste
Compare the 2 campervan and motorhome rental companies à Liberia to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.
Hiring a campervan in Liberia means setting off from the heart of Guanacaste, the driest and sunniest province of Costa Rica, in the north-west of the country. In less than an hour's drive you reach the fumaroles of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, the dry forest of Santa Rosa National Park or the beaches of the Gulf of Papagayo; the Nicoya Peninsula and its surf spots are only a little further. 2 partner companies, Costa Rider Campervan and Nomad America, offer camper vans with two to five berths there.
Liberia has its own international airport, Daniel Oduber Quirós, with links to North America in particular: you can land and get behind the wheel without going through San José.
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
| Vehicle | Winter January | Spring April | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €154/day median €167/day | from €141/day median €154/day | from €130/day median €143/day | from €117/day median €130/day |
Daily prices observed on October 22, 2026 for a 14-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,071.
North-east of Liberia, Rincón de la Vieja National Park is explored on foot from the Las Pailas sector: mud pots, fumaroles, waterfalls and hot springs at the foot of an active volcano. You then take the Pan-American Highway north to Santa Rosa National Park, its dry forest and the historic La Casona hacienda, before ending up facing Salinas Bay, a kitesurfing hotspot near the Nicaraguan border.
Head west to the sheltered beaches of Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco, starting point for diving trips in the Gulf of Papagayo. The coast then runs south past the shell sand of Playa Conchal to Tamarindo, the liveliest surf town in Guanacaste. Between Tamarindo and Nosara the road alternates between tarmac and dirt track; you return via Nicoya, said to be the oldest town in the country, then Route 21.
South of Liberia, the Llanos de Cortés waterfall, near Bagaces, offers a first swim. Via Cañas, Route 6 climbs to Bijagua, gateway to Tenorio Volcano National Park and the Río Celeste, a river with turquoise water. You reach La Fortuna and Arenal's cone via Guatuso, then descend towards the Central Valley through Zarcero and its clipped hedges to drop off the van in San José, another departure city of our partners.
The best time to set off from Liberia: the dry season sets in, January gets only 8 mm of rain with 11 hours of sunshine a day, and highs barely exceed 30 °C. The hills of Guanacaste are still green in December, before turning yellow. The end-of-year holidays attract many travellers.
Peak dry season and high season: almost no rain in February and March, 12 hours of sunshine a day and up to 35 °C in the afternoon in March and April. The dry forest sheds its leaves and the tracks turn dusty. Semana Santa, in March or April, fills beaches and campsites; the showers return in late April.
The green season begins in May with more than 300 mm of rain, mostly as afternoon thunderstorms, and peaks in June. In July, a lull known as the “veranillo de San Juan” often brings a few drier weeks: recorded rainfall drops to 229 mm. Lush landscapes, full waterfalls and quiet beaches make up for the showers.
The wettest period: October totals 538 mm of rain with 8 hours of sunshine a day. The Nicoya tracks turn muddy and rivers rise quickly. Favour stages on paved roads, such as Arenal or the Río Celeste, and keep your schedule flexible.
Most pleasant months: December to January.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 °C | 23 °C | 8 mm | 11 h/day | 28 °C |
| Feb | 33 °C | 23 °C | 2 mm | 12 h/day | 27 °C |
| Mar | 35 °C | 23 °C | 15 mm | 12 h/day | 29 °C |
| Apr | 35 °C | 24 °C | 57 mm | 11 h/day | 29 °C |
| May | 33 °C | 24 °C | 315 mm | 9 h/day | 31 °C |
| Jun | 30 °C | 23 °C | 438 mm | 8 h/day | 30 °C |
| Jul | 31 °C | 23 °C | 229 mm | 9 h/day | 30 °C |
| Aug | 31 °C | 23 °C | 316 mm | 9 h/day | 30 °C |
| Sep | 30 °C | 23 °C | 378 mm | 9 h/day | 30 °C |
| Oct | 29 °C | 22 °C | 538 mm | 8 h/day | 29 °C |
| Nov | 30 °C | 22 °C | 243 mm | 9 h/day | 28 °C |
| Dec | 31 °C | 22 °C | 39 mm | 10 h/day | 28 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
From December to March, a powerful north-easterly wind, the papagayo, sweeps across northern Guanacaste, especially on the Pan-American Highway towards La Cruz and around Salinas Bay. A tall, light camper van is sensitive to gusts: slow down, keep a firm grip on the wheel and avoid parking under dead branches.
Liberia is the main shopping town of the north-west: supermarkets, petrol stations and hardware stores line the Pan-American Highway. Fill up the tank, water containers and cool box before Santa Rosa or the Nicoya coast, where petrol stations are scarce and grocery shops in the surf villages are noticeably more expensive.
The last kilometres to the Las Pailas sector of Rincón de la Vieja are gravel, passable by camper van in dry weather. In Santa Rosa park, the track down to Playa Naranjo is for 4x4s only and often closed in the rainy season. Ask the rangers at the entrance before setting off on it.
Vehicle break-ins mainly target isolated car parks at beaches and trailheads. In Tamarindo or Playas del Coco, choose spaces watched by an attendant, paid a few coins, and keep documents and devices with you. A camper van catches the eye: draw the curtains and lock the storage compartments.
Our two partner companies, Costa Rider Campervan and Nomad America, each have a depot in Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste. The exact meeting place and key handover time are given in your booking confirmation. Addresses in Costa Rica are often given by landmarks: save the coordinates sent by your rental company before you leave.
The rate depends first on the departure date: the dry season, from December to April, is the most in demand, while the green season leaves more choice. The length of hire, the van model and any return to another city also count. Run a search with your dates: the prices shown include mandatory fees and can be booked straight away.
Yes, these three cities, 167 to 242 km away as the crow flies, are also departure points of our partners: you can cross the country without returning to Guanacaste, for example by driving down the Pacific coast to Manuel Antonio. One-way fees may be added; the displayed price includes them as soon as the return city is entered in your search.
Six models are available: Campervan Adventure and Adventure+ for two, Campervan Comfort for three, Campervan Deluxe with four seats and three berths, Campervan Xtrem with four seats and two berths, and Campervan Family for five. Before planning the Nicoya tracks, ask the rental company about the ground clearance and traction of the chosen model.
The Peñas Blancas border crossing is only about 75 km north on the Pan-American Highway, but rental vehicles registered in Costa Rica generally cannot leave the country. Check your rental company's conditions; otherwise, leave the van on the Costa Rican side and cross the border on foot, then continue by bus or taxi.
First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
Too rigid computer system
Very good customer experience with Cooldrive. I highly recommend it! Thanks to the team who were attentive and available for organizing my trip to Canada.
A valid foreign driving licence generally allows you to drive for as long as the tourist stay granted on arrival lasts; carry your passport during police checks. An international driving permit is recommended if yours does not use the Latin alphabet. The minimum age and years of driving required vary by rental company and appear in the offer conditions.
Campsites are few and mostly close to the Pacific beaches; around Rincón de la Vieja, some lodges and farms also welcome camper vans. Elsewhere, hotels and landowners often accept parking for a small contribution. Sleeping on the beach is not allowed everywhere: ask locally and always get the owner's permission.
For Rincón de la Vieja, Santa Rosa or Palo Verde, tickets are bought online from SINAC, the protected areas agency, preferably before you arrive, as payment at the entrance is not always possible. Visitor numbers are capped in high season and some parks close one day a week: check opening hours and quotas the day before.
Two major sites are less than three hours' drive away: Playa Grande, in Las Baulas Marine National Park near Tamarindo, where leatherback turtles nest at night from roughly October to March, and Ostional, near Nosara, famous for the arribadas of olive ridley turtles, mainly in the rainy season. Night viewing is done with a licensed guide.
The international airport is about twelve kilometres west of town, on Route 21 towards the beaches; allow around a quarter of an hour by taxi. If you land in the late afternoon, night falls early at these latitudes: arrange the van handover for the following morning with your rental company instead.
As early as possible for a departure between mid-December and April, when international flights fill Guanacaste, and even more so for the year-end holidays and Semana Santa. As supply is limited to two rental companies, the large models for four or five travellers are the first to go. From May to November, a few weeks ahead is often enough.
Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste, a land of ranches and sabaneros, Costa Rica's cowboys, and the most direct starting point for the north-west of the country. Active volcanoes, the dry forest of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, a World Heritage site, Pacific beaches and the Nicoya Peninsula are all a few hours away, without facing Central Valley traffic jams.
Our two partner companies offer six camper van models there, from the Campervan Adventure for two to the Campervan Family for five. Thanks to the nearby airport, you can go straight from your flight to your road trip, and San José, Jacó and Manuel Antonio, other departure cities of our partners, make it possible to cross the country one way. From December to April, the region has the most pronounced dry season in Costa Rica, ideal for a first camper van trip.
