Zippidydoo

Any help with realistic drive times, would be appreciated.

La Fortuna to Ferry at Puntarenas.

Santa Teresa to Rincon De Viejo (hoping to take Penninsula roads)

Liberia to La Fortuna.

Any help with routing would also be appreciated.

Thanks
Al

shillmac

La Fortuna-Ferry, about 4 hours, maybe 3.5.

Santa Teresa to Rincon--a LONG day!

Count on 1.5 hour to Paquera (where the ferry is).

That's where you'll start your drive north on peninsula roads. The first 35 km or so is going to be extremely rough--we did it last summer and Wow! Made the Monteverde road look like a freeway! Maybe it's been graded since then? Hope you'll have HIGH clearance!

From Paquera on up to the Liberia area should take you about 4-5 hours. I'm guessing that, with stops, you could be looking at close to 7 hours. Best case scenario--6 hours to Liberia. Then another hour to Rincon de la Vieja destination.

You can take the ferry and have better roads and a 1.5 hour rest. The time will be close to the same.

Liberia to La Fortuna, about 4 hours.

Good luck, adventurous one!

shillmac

Actually, on second thought, I don't think you can get from La Fortuna to the ferry in less than 4 hours. Could be closer to 4.5.

Zippidydoo

Thanks Shillmac,
So what I understand that you have said is that whether we take the ferry back and drive up Rte. 1 to Liberia and on to Rincon, or take the roads through the penninsula the trip should still take a full day?

On a map that I have it shows many small roads to connect from Santa Teresa through Cobano up to San Ramon & over to Jicaral where we could get to Rte 161 Carmona... are those routes to perilous to venture? Or take too much time?

One reason to go via the penninsula is to experience the remote village life, also to go through Santa Cruz and the pottery villages in that area... is that a reasonable trip, or should we just cross on the ferry and take main roads??

Lots of issues to consider.

Thanks

shillmac

There ARE lots of issues to consider. I've never heard of anyone doing those "cut through the middle" roads that I know are on the map. Off the main roads, and particularly down in that less developed area (center of the southern Nicoya Peninsula), there are often rivers to be crossed. For example, in the dry season, IF you have a 4X4, you can follow the road up along the Pacific coast from Ste. Teresa to Samara. It isn't possible in the rainy season. Is THAT the way you're thinking of traveling?

We have traveled both ways, from Paquera to Santa Cruz, driving all the way on the peninsula AND taking the ferry. There is VERY little difference in time. We've been on that east coast peninsula road twice, and it isn't that scenic. You can get a feel for small town life in Costa Rica without taking that road.

ALSO, you can still go to Santa Cruz (although it would add a little time) by turning left off of Highway 1 and taking Highway 18 across the Friendship Bridge. It brings you to Highway 21 (peninsula road) where you can turn right and continue up to Santa Cruz.

I am glad you are going to Guayitil to see the pottery. It's a neat place, and there are some beautiful pieces there.

But yes, I just don't think you can make this trip (all the way to Rincon de la Vieja)in much less than 7 hours.

If I were you, I'd just plan to make the entire day of it, particularly since you are wanting to look at the pottery. That little road to Guaytil from Santa Cruz is another 20 minutes or so. So you're looking at a hour and a half for that side trip--at least.

If you leave by 8:00 in the morning, you should be able to arrive in the Rincon de la Vieja by 5:00 or 6:00, take your time, check out the pottery, enjoy the sights along the way. But me, I'd rather rest up a bit on the ferry than bounce and bump along that horrendous road!

Good luck!

Zippidydoo

Thank you again for your specific input, I am finding it very helpful. One more question, would there be somewhere to enjoy an aspect of CR that we might miss by rushing through by turning that trip into a two day trip, if yes, where would you recommend we stay. Our current itinery is:
(we are travelling with our 2 college sons)
Land in Liberia at 6:00, spend first night at El Punto Hostel

Leave early in morning to La Carolina
play there horseback ride to waterfalls... Next day take our time going to Arenal spend 2 nights at Palo Verde and possibly one night at Tabacon (or maybe all three nights at Palo Verde.

Leave next morning to Montezuma, stay at Ylang Ylang spend next night or two in Mal Pais or Santa Teresa likely Tropicana Latina then head up to Rincon De Viejo for a night or two.

Any comments on the trip plan in general, but specifically whether to spend an overnight going from Mal Pais to Rincon De Viejo.

Thanks
Will post a report upon our return.

Al

shillmac

You'll have a wonderful trip report to post--what a great itinerary! When are you leaving?

We will be at La Carolina as well, early in July. It isn't mentioned much on Fodor's!

Given your itinerary, I don't really think there is any reason to stretch it into 2 days, unless you just want to break up the trip. In that case, you might stop off a night in Tamarindo, although it isn't that much different from Montezuma--busier, of course, and a surf location. Lots of nightlife there (more than Montezuma), if that is something your kids would enjoy--and with a little caution.

But by doing that, you are also adding time to your transfer--a couple of hours probably. So you give up some time, but see another area--briefly. Just depends on what you think you'd like to do.

Another alternative (and one that would also add about 3 hours total) would be a side trip from the city of Nicoya (south of Santa Cruz) to Playa Samara. It's quieter there, than Tamarindo. Lots of people love it, and the drive from Nicoya is pretty. We weren't that impressed, but it was good for a nice relaxing weekend a couple of years ago. That would divide your transfer pretty evenly between the two days, but might give you about 9 hours of total transfer time.

Decisions, decisions. I don't think I'd do it for just one night and being out of the way in addition. There really isn't anyplace memorable (gee, I sure make a short story long) that is also RIGHT on the way and midway.

joeschmo

I was one that did that 'cut thru the middle road' a few years back in the dry season. It's an adventure for sure! The owner of the Tropico Latino said this route was the best when the coastal road was impassable. From Cobano, we went to Florida, then Esperanza, Puerto Coyote, Jabillo, Juan de Leon and then into Carmona. Our destination was Nosara and it took around 4 1/2 hours. Even tho I always felt lost, we never were lost. Out of 6 or 7 rivers, only the Rio Ora gave me pause and that's on the other side of Carmona. This route gave me the opportunity to see gorgeous Playa Coyote and the most beautiful beach in the country...Playa Bejuco. I'd do it again in the dry season.

Zippidydoo

Thanks... We are leaving from NYC on Friday June 9th... next week !!!!Very excited. Given that it is the rainy season I think we will most likely take the ferry back, but still might try to shoot over to the Santa Cruz area. Thanks for all of your help; Shillmac and joeshmo

Any other tidbits of advice from anyone would be great, otherwise

pura vida

shillmac

Hey Joeschmoe-- I enjoyed that little tidbit of info as well--might give it a try sometime! Thanks!