Traveling to Costa Rica

[joenali]

It is our first big international trip. Our passports just came, do we need to sign up for STEP? (Smart traveler enrollment program). I've never heard of it before. step.state.gov/step/

[joenali]

Awesome! That's what I figure too! Thanks!

[sarahsas]

I always register too - no harm in it and who knows when it might help you out?

[hw77]

I'm going to register. We are headed to Costa Rica in March!! Hope you have a great trip

[wanderlustfoodie]

Hmm, I've never done this. Perhaps I should consider.

Where are you going in CR? We went in 2006 and had a great time but I'm sure it's developed a lot since then.

[joenali]

Jan 16, 2014 22:46:39 GMT -5 wanderlustfoodie said:

Hmm, I've never done this. Perhaps I should consider.

Where are you going in CR? We went in 2006 and had a great time but I'm sure it's developed a lot since then.

Tamarindo and Monteverde.

[clseale]

Jan 16, 2014 23:51:54 GMT -5 joenali said:

Jan 16, 2014 22:46:39 GMT -5 wanderlustfoodie said:

Hmm, I've never done this. Perhaps I should consider.

Where are you going in CR? We went in 2006 and had a great time but I'm sure it's developed a lot since then.

Tamarindo and Monteverde.

I expect a full report when you get back! We almost decided on this for our big 2014 trip, but decided to finally bite the bullet and do our Italy trip. LOL. I know, two completely different trips. It's definitely on our list though, so you better AW the crap out of it when you get back.

[joenali]

One more (maybe) question.

We were thinking about renting a car, but after reading about the condition of roads, and the cost of insurance daily (they don't accept foreign insurance) I think we are not getting a car. It seems inexpensive to bus or cab it. But that changes our plans to Monteverde. It would take all day to get there by bus and we would have to go back the next day by bus, I don't want two long travel days on our short vacation. If you have been to Costa Rica, did you rent a car or use public transportation or cabs?

[joenali]

Jan 19, 2014 12:03:42 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Jan 19, 2014 10:41:32 GMT -5 joenali said:

One more (maybe) question.

We were thinking about renting a car, but after reading about the condition of roads, and the cost of insurance daily (they don't accept foreign insurance) I think we are not getting a car. It seems inexpensive to bus or cab it. But that changes our plans to Monteverde. It would take all day to get there by bus and we would have to go back the next day by bus, I don't want two long travel days on our short vacation. If you have been to Costa Rica, did you rent a car or use public transportation or cabs?

We hired drivers to move us from one location to the next, then used cabs locally. I would not drive to Monteverde, personally. I remember the road being full of huge potholes, narrow, windy, and on the side of a mountain with no guard rail. Also, there were no street signs / street names for roads. All directions are based off landmarks. I was quite happy with our decision not to drive in Costa Rica. It could have been done but it would have been a very stressful experience for me and would have wrecked our vacation (I think H and I would have ended up at each other's throats real fast there). If you do drive, make sure you have a good, working cell phone so that you can call for help if needed. With the road condition there, especially getting to Monteverde, a flat tire would hardly surprise me.

Exactly what I have been reading about. Also, I read that if you injure someone is car accident you cannot leave until that person has recovered. That could be days, weeks, months or even years. That is not a risk we want to take.

How do you go about hiring drivers?

[Redpoppy]

I went 10 years ago and travelled cheap college student style so we took the local public buses. There were private tourist shuttles though. Are those the ones you are looking at that take a day? We were there a month so could take the time but I wouldn't now. I also wouldn't rent as the roads were scary.

[joenali]

Jan 19, 2014 12:08:21 GMT -5 Redpoppy said:

I went 10 years ago and travelled cheap college student style so we took the local public buses. There were private tourist shuttles though. Are those the ones you are looking at that take a day? We were there a month so could take the time but I wouldn't now. I also wouldn't rent as the roads were scary.

My friend lives in Monteverde and told me on a good day it would take 5 hours by car. I would imagine longer by bus. I think we will just skip it this time and stay closer to Tamarindo.

[daisypaloma]

Jan 19, 2014 12:09:51 GMT -5 joenali said:

Jan 19, 2014 12:08:21 GMT -5 Redpoppy said:

I went 10 years ago and travelled cheap college student style so we took the local public buses. There were private tourist shuttles though. Are those the ones you are looking at that take a day? We were there a month so could take the time but I wouldn't now. I also wouldn't rent as the roads were scary.

My friend lives in Monteverde and told me on a good day it would take 5 hours by car. I would imagine longer by bus. I think we will just skip it this time and stay closer to Tamarindo.

We rented a car (this 5 years ago), and found a local place who would accept our foreign insurance coverage.  If you do rent, I would recommend a good jeep for Monteverde.  But I ditto on hiring a driver to go to/from Monteverde.  What about doing one night in Monteverde before heading out to Tamarindo?  We just passed by Monteverde on our way to La Fortuna and personally I think one day will do just fine.    

[librarygirl]

When I lived in Costa Rica, I used Interbus a lot (private shuttle company). More than the local buses but still cheap by American standards. They travel to all the popular tourist destinations and yes, driving a car in Costa Rica on some of the roads and highways definitely requires nerves of steel to put it lightly! 

Enjoy though, it's a beautiful country!

[monpetitchou]

We hired a driver through the hostel we were staying at.

[hw77]

Ahh now I'm going to start worrying again. We are renting a car. We fly into Liberia then head to Arenal then onto Monteverde then Tamarindo and then back to the airport, 3-2-3 nights. We have read a ton about driving so I feel like we know what to expect and are ready for the worst. We've had friends use both options. Most worried about the Arenal to Monteverde drive

[daisypaloma]

Jan 22, 2014 8:55:18 GMT -5 hw77 said:

Ahh now I'm going to start worrying again. We are renting a car. We fly into Liberia then head to Arenal then onto Monteverde then Tamarindo and then back to the airport, 3-2-3 nights. We have read a ton about driving so I feel like we know what to expect and are ready for the worst. We've had friends use both options. Most worried about the Arenal to Monteverde drive

I don't think it's as bad as we're making it sound.

If you've driven in a rural or island area before, it's the same thing.  You would face roads that are not paved. So the La Fortuna - Monteverde will likely still going to be in that condition (I went 5 years ago, and they were still trying to get started with the road work). I found a Costa Rica message board on Yahoo; maybe they can have better and most updated info for you. We drove from Monteverde to La Fortuna, and we did it before dusk, and it was raining; so with the mud, remote road, limited space to maneuver around cows/stray dogs/pedestrian, etc.; it was definitely rough. But it was not the worst driving encounter we've had in CR.

So if you rent an (automatic transmission) jeep or the like; and drove during the day, as well as watch the weather; have enough gas/water/snacks/good clothing to keep you comfortable; you should be fine. Google Map said it's going to take you about 2 1/2 hours. I'd give it about 3 1/2. Print out a good map, and bring a pocket Spanish dictionary as well JIC.

Also, you can take the Highway 1, which will set you back another 1 hour, but it's a paved (main road), although it's busier (trucks, etc. coming in/out of the country, etc.). I honestly would stick with your original plan.

[majesty318]

Lurker here but I for once actually have some input I drove in Costa Rica last year, from Liberia Airport to Playas del Coco, then to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, then to this awesome farm we stayed at near the park (called La Anita Rainforest Ranch, in case anyone is interested), and then back to Liberia Airport. All the directions were based on landmarks but we had no toruble. We rented from Vamos Rent a Car because they had great reviews and were the cheapest. We did not have any issue on the main roads at all. In the park and at the farm, we had to drive on "gravel" roads. Apparently in CR "gravel" is how they refer to boulders. So that was interesting, but we (and the small car) made it unscathed. I do not know anything about Monteverde but honestly I would not hesitate to drive again if I ever go back to CR.

I do recommend reading the Trip Advisor forum for CR. There is a poster there called HattieCostaRica who seems to know the best routes and directions all over the country.