Costa Rica is a beautiful and biodiverse country in Central America, best seen by overlanding in a 4x4. These are the stops you can't miss.

Costa Rica is a popular travel destination for North Americans because of its proximity and affordable flight prices. However, once you’re in Costa Rica, the price of accommodation, car rentals, and food can quickly pile up. One of the most affordable ways to see this beautiful Central American nation is by renting a 4x4 vehicle with a rooftop tent and spending a week or two driving to the most sought-after attractions. For travelers planning to overland Costa Rica this year, these are the 10 things to ensure make the itinerary.

Arenal is an active volcano in northwestern Costa Rica, in the province of Alajuela. Arenal Volcano is located in the La Fortuna district, making it convenient for travelers to visit the volcano while enjoying the comforts of the nearby city. The volcano is 1657 meters tall and has a perfectly symmetrical shape, an iconic image associated with Costa Rica. The volcano is currently in a resting phase, so there are no eruptions, but visitors can still appreciate its presence by hiking, horseback riding, or soaking in a hot spring nearby.

While visiting La Fortuna to see Arenal Volcano, travelers should also make time to see La Fortuna waterfall. La Fortuna Waterfall is part of the Arenal Volcano National Park, a gorgeous blue pool and falls set among the dense rainforest. It’s possible to visit this national park without a guide and hike to the waterfall independently. It takes around 15 minutes to hike down the steps leading to the waterfall from the lookout. However, joining a guided tour in the park provides an opportunity to learn more about the rainforest, the waterfall, and the volcano’s history.

Costa Rica has no shortage of thermal activity and hot springs, so travelers need to experience a soak in at least one of these natural baths during their visit. Although there are plenty of hot springs around the country, Tabacón Hot Springs are the most well-known. This idyllic spot features cascading warm waters where guests can soak while surrounded by the lush greenery of the rainforest.

Near the town of Monteverde, travelers can spend an afternoon exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Walking through a cloud forest is a unique experience with low-hanging clouds, often looking like a mist or fog, sitting close to the treetops, wetting the leaves through condensation. Less than 1% of all forests left on Earth are cloud forests.

The Osa Peninsula is not as easily accessible from San Jose and Liberia airports as the most touristy areas of Costa Rica, but it’s well worth the drive. From San Jose, it takes about five and a half hours to drive to the Osa Peninsula, along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Nature lovers and wildlife photographers will be blown away by this part of the country which is home to approximately 2.5% of the biodiversity on Earth.

Costa Rica has plenty of national parks to explore, regardless of which part of the country travelers are road tripping through. On the central Pacific Coast of the country is Manuel Antonio National Park, a tropical paradise that is rich in flora and fauna. Visitors can take a guided tour, go zip lining, or spend time on the sandy beaches within the park.

On the southwest coast of the Osa Peninsula, travelers can explore Corcovado National Park. Visitors who are driving the Caribbean Coast of the country will want to stop at Tortuguero National Park in Limón Province instead. The beaches of Tortuguero are famous for the hatching sea turtles.

Related: Costa Rica Wildlife Guide: See Sloths (& Other Exotic Animals)

Overlanding Costa Rica is a chance to enjoy the quiet tranquility of nature, but it’s also fun to break up the trip with some exciting nightlife and interactions with locals. Travelers driving the Caribbean Coast can plan their route to pass through Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a town known for its surf beaches, reggae music, and bars. Enjoy live music at sunset and a variety of delicious restaurants to choose from.

For a change of scenery, travelers driving Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast can head north to the province of Guanacaste. The country’s “gold coast” offers a break from the rainforest in exchange for sunshine and sandy beaches. The Nicoya Peninsula is also one of the five Blue Zones in the world where people live the longest.

Related: A Guide To Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean Beaches

The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is where travelers can find the best spots for surfing. Head to Playa Tamarindo for surfing near the town of Tamarindo in Guanacaste Province or Playa Hermosa for surfing near Jacó in Puntarenas Province. Tamarindo is an extremely popular destination among tourists, earning the nickname “Tamagringo” among locals, referring to English-speaking foreigners.

Crocodile Bridge has become a tourist attraction in Puntarenas Province in recent years, aptly named for the intimidating creatures lurking in the waters beneath the bridge. The Tarcoles River flows beneath the bridge, which is part of a busy roadway, and the crocodiles blend into the murky waters. Although it’s not an official attraction, it’s a unique opportunity to pull over and observe these animals in their natural habitat.

Robynne Trueman is a Canadian writer and traveller. She is always searching for her next destination and loves sharing travel information with others. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking with her dog, practicing yoga, or jet setting somewhere on her bucket list.