Costa Rica Travel Forum

My family rented two jeep cherokees for our trip to Costa Rica in a few weeks. We will be driving from San Jose to Arenal, then to Monteverde, then Manuel Antonio and then back to San Jose. Can someone please provide feedback on the driving in Costa Rica? I have heard from a lot of people that driving in Costa Rica will be difficult. Can someone recommend what we should do to prepare us from getting extremely lost? Do you suggest that I buy maps before we arrive to Costa Rica or when we get there? Also can you suggest where I can get an easy and detailed map of Costa Rica or each region of the country? Thanks. Please email me at capri781@yahoo.com.

You are right that the driving in Costa Rica can be difficult...it's not impossible, just difficult. The roads can be bumpy, there are potholes and there are either crazy drivers that speed passed you or very slow drivers in broken down trucks. My advice to you is to stop for directions often and to really pay attention to signs. You most likely will get lost a little, it's part of the adventure right? But, eventually you will get back on track again with a little sense of humor. The Costa Rican people are wonderful and will try to help you along. Knowing spanish will be very helpful, so hopefully you know a little or have an english/spanish dictionary. I don't know the best place for maps, but make sure to get one.

We drove ourselves all over CR and went to almost all the places you mentioned. Most of the highways are only one lane in each direction and weren't in that bad of a shape. Watch out for radar speed traps where the traffic cop will try to shake you down for $40-50. If he trys to tell you that if he gives you a citation you won't be able to get out of the country until you go to court first but you can take care of it here a much easier way.... just take the ticket, it's all BS. You can pay it at local banks and it is no big deal.
BTW, either on the way to Arenal or on the way back, go through the town of Zarcero. It's a really beautiful area with loads of cabbage fields and the town's Parque Central (on your right coming from San Jose) is worth a 20 min. stop to see all the pruned cypress bushes shaped like everything from a helicopter to a dolphin. You could also have lunch at one of the sodas (Costa Rican word for a diner/luncheonette).
Also worth a look is the town of Sarchi, the center of the souvenir and wood handicraft industry.
You may get lost nagivating thru some of the smaller towns the highways will take you thru. Just stop and ask "A (ah) Arenal?" and point in the direction you're going. "A" means "to". You'll get there.

P.S. I got our map free right at the car rental desk. The CR Tourist Board makes a very nice one that has the whole country on it.

The Berndtson and Berndtson maps are very good and can be purchased at most Barnes and Noble book stores or ordered on line from them.

Don't be afraid to ask directions. Hand signals go a long way. Costa Ricans like to be helpful. If no one speaks spanish, a little phrase book might help.

Bring a sense of humor and a sense of adventure and you will be fine. (You can tell when a costa rican is driving drunk because he is driving straight) Pot holes are a fact of life so keep an eye out and practice some dodge ball moves beforehand. In the northern areas where cattle ranches rule, the ranchers do move their cattle on the roads at times. Think of it as a kodak moment and remember that they will move eventually.

Sometimes having someone look behind you at the signs on the other side of the street can help. Allow a little extra time if you are going to any out of the way places and do be at your destination by dark (6pm).

You are going to have fun. We did a very similar (almost identical) trip a year ago in August. As many have said, the roads are not very good, but they are very drivable, especially in a jeep. Plan extra time because you will invariably get behind a very slow truck on a very narrow winding mountain road and you will probably not do the CR thing of just passing even though there is no room, no visibility and no guardrail.
If you are renting, use the maps that they give you, they are pretty good., but also buy one of those plastic laminated ones, you will use it for planning, etc.
As people have suggested, you will get lost every now and again, but as soon as you even think you might be lost, stop and ask someone. A map will be handy for that conversation.
You are going to have fun.
Frank

Agree with what everyone has said, be sure to pack something to drink , just in case you brake down.

'Bumpy' is an understantment!

People are very frendly, however out of the tourist areas English can be hard to find. DO take something to translate with.

Sense of humor is a must for driving!! I refuse to drive, and covered my eyes more times than I can remember... just riding in a car.

Parque Central is a must stop! Good chance to streach your legs and grab a cup of java. The bushes are a pure art form of their own.

Sarchi is a major place to buy those gifts to take home. Also best prices for wood and leather chairs. They will box the chair so that it can fly back with you OR they will ship it for you.

Arenal is well worth the drive, and in the park (with the hot spings is a great place to eat)

This may be too late, but may help others:

I bought a map by "Interational Travel Maps", a Canadian company. I drove all over the country and rarely got lost. Don't plan on finding highway signs or street signs. Look for signs with town names on them and an arrow pointing the way. We estimated distances from one place to another, and with the detail on this map, were able to drive quickly and conveniently.

I drove during the day and at night. I found the driving at night to be much nicer. Far less traffic. Do watch for speed traps during the day. I got busted on the way to Puerto Limon. The officer told me he was going to impound the car...yadda yadda yadda...it was all a scare routine. Just take the ticket.

Thanks on the heads up regarding the map, will have to check it out.

Regarding driving at night....I still say it can be dangerous because of pot holes. The Arenal area is generally not a problem but road conditions can change with the weather so it is always wise to be careful.

We were waved over the first time we drove down there in the early ninety's. We didn't realize what they were doing so we just waved back with a big smile. I looked back in the mirror and the cop was throwing his hands up in the air with a look of disgust. We kept going. ;-).

Everyone, thanks for your responses! I just got back from Costa Rica. The country is so beautiful! The people were extremely helpful too! Driving in Costa Rica wasn't bad at all. We only got lost leaving Manuel Antonio to go to San Jose. Other than that, it was definitely an adventure. Traveling to Costa Rica was a wonderful experience. Can't wait to go back there again....

Another convert.....why am I not surprised! Not surprised at all that you plan to go back someday.

Glad to hear you had a good time. I am sure we will see you on this board giving advice too. First hand is always better. Any chance of pictures being posted when you catch your breath?

Welcome back. It is a great place to drive around, isn't it? Looking forward to hearing your stories.
Frank

I sounds like you and your family had a great time in Costa Rica. My husband and I leave are planning a very similar trip as yours, except backwards;

San Jose to
Manuel Antonio to
Monteverde to
Montezuma to
Arenal back to
San Jose

We plan on renting a car and were wondering how long it takes to get to and from each city, and where to get directions for these trips? And maps? Also, did you feel like this route was a good one? Any other recommendations? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

This more like history than information, but old Cliffie drove around Costa Rica more than 25 years ago. There was undoubtedly a lot less traffic then, but the roads were in reasonable condition and driving standards were better than in many other countries where old Cliffie has driven over the years.....

Just another country on the long list of those he's never got round to revisiting!

You will be in for a shock if you go back Cliff! A lot more roads are paved.

Regarding the itinerary.....Wow, a lot of backtracking here. I would just go to Montezuma after Manuel Antonio. You will be passing near Puntarenas anyhow. Might as well just hop on the ferry and make your way over. After you have satisfied all your beach time you can then head into the mountains where it will be a lot cooler. From Montezuma I would take the ferry back over to Puntarenas and then head on up to Monteverde. From there head on down to Arenal and then into San Jose. I would get a map and start looking at how you will get there.

You will need to be sure and get on the Paquera ferry NOT the Naranjo. The ferries leave from the tip of Puntarenas about every 2 hours during the high season. If you have a map you will see where I am talking about. From Manuel Antonio to Puntarenas it is about 2 hrs. I believe the ferry takes about 1 1/2hrs. You will then need to drive to Montezuma not sure how long this trek is.

To get to Monteverde-reverse then head over to highway 1 (interamerican). About 18km north you will come to the first turn off which is Rancho Grande. Just follow that on up. The road will be really rough. If you happen to miss this turn....at KM149 there will be another turn off at the Rio Lagarto Bridge. This leg of the trip will be about 2 hrs to Monteverde from Puntarenas. From Monteverde head down through Tilaran (someone up there can easily point you in the right direction) and around the lake to La Fortuna. This trip will take about 4hrs. From La Fortuna head towards San Ramon from San Ramon you have a couple of choices either passing by Sarchi or down through Atenas and then over to Garita. From La Fortuna to San Jose is about 2 1/2hrs. Don't know if this has helped or confused you.

Marnin, I would get a map soon if you don't have one. Berndtson and Berndtson is a decent enough one and should get you where you need to go. If you have a Barnes and Noble bookstore nearby they carry them or you could possibly order one on line. Judging from the itinerary you were thinking about, you really don't know where places are. A map would help.