Jay Weinstein

Should I rent a car or arrange to be driven during my trip to Costa Rica?

js

Should I go or not should I take my wife or not should I quit my job, should I bring my mother? <BR><BR>You asked this kind of questions Jay. Do you really want someone to make a decision for you? Do the text search on this board and then ask a specific question<BR><BR>I say rent a car or be driven.

Ally

I say rent a car. It gives you more freedom to explore. Go where you want, when you want.<BR>If you just get a driver, he'll most likely drop you off at your destination, but then you're on your own again. I repeat, rent a car!

pjr

Hi Jay:<BR><BR>We hired a driver the whole week we were there through our hotel. I would personally do this, we saw and did more than we thought we could. Not to mention we thought the roads were a little confusing. Although, I guess it depends on what you are doing. Are you staying in one place and doing day trips or do you want to stay in different places throughout the country. We chose one place for the week and did day trips from there.

Driver

arrange to be driven during your trip to Costa Rica

marilynn

We were 3 women on vacation and rented a SUV. I did all the driving from San Jose to Arenal Volcano to Monteverde Cloud Forest to Mal Pais, then back to ferry to Manuel Antonio,and up to Jaco tnen back to San Jose - If you don't mind driving - no problem - we truly had a blast in Feb.- now my husband is going with me in 5 weeks to see what Costa Rica is like.

Tom

We hired acar with a driver and it was the best way to go.

Fiona

To make this decision even more dificult for you I think you should use your own judgement. We rented a 4WD and it was fine but some roads were in a very bad shape.<BR><BR>Let us know what you decided Jay

ttt

Rent a car

Iza

We rented a 4x4 and drove around and had fun. But I also spoke to someone who got a driver and highly recommended it. The cost was comparable.<BR><BR>Ultimately, the decision will depend on where you're going, whether you will need a car at your destination, how comfortable you feel driving in a foreign country where roads are bad and signs almost non-existent etc.

Jay Weinstein

Let me get this straight. You can actually hire a driver that will drive you around Costa Rica for your entire vacation for the same cost as renting a car? It seems like a no-brainer to me. <BR><BR>I can imagine that driving in Costa Rica could become extremely stressful, especially given the fact that we are packing so much into 9 short days. We really can't spare the time getting lost, which seems like a virtual certainty.<BR><BR>Can anyone put me in touch with a reputable company that hires drivers out with decent and spacious cars? Also, what kind of cost can I expect for a 9-day trip?<BR><BR>Jay

jpn

Why won't you do some homework first. Get some guidebooks and find out what you want to know and then ask specific questions

Jay Weinstein

Gee, I thought I was doing my homework by asking questions on this site.

Kathy

Hi Jay.<BR>We just returned from Cosat Rica but you seems very rude when you not receive satisfatory answers. So I think I better ignore your quest

bly

Jay - we're leaving Wednesday and have hired a "driver". Someone to pick us up in San Jose and take us to our hotel in Arenal. Then the same company picks us up in Monteverde to take us to Tamarindo. We don't have a driver the days we're staying overnight somewhere, but I've heard taxis in the tourist towns are fairly easy to get. So far the booking has gone very smoothly, but I can let you know how it went when we get back June 3rd. b

Jay Weinstein

I bet that's what the other traveler was referring to.<BR><BR>Having your own private driver drive you around during your entire stay in Costa Rica had to be too good to be true!!

Iza

I have actually heard of people who had a driver during the entire stay, but I think you are right, it is more common to have a driver to just take you to your destination and not be with you at all times.

marilynn

Jay, If you can read a road map you will not get lost - follow your nose and don't drive at nite as roads can get bad all of a sudden. Be adventuresome - we were there for nine days and I drove a dhaitsu suv all over even up to Monteverde with the crater potholes. We checked into a driver and it became costly. you can leave when you want with a car.

Jon

Hey, Jay. From what I see people gave you their own preferences and now is time you decide what to do. Well?

Jose

Hi Jay:<BR><BR>I can get you a van and driver for about $100 a day, with you 24 hours. If you factor in the cost of the car, plus insurance, plus gas, it's close to the same amount.<BR><BR>Once you factor in the knowledge and info the driver can give you, no hasles getting lost, side trips he may recommend, CR customs and flora and fauna info, plus the fact that you can see out the window and not just down at the road, plus the worry free re breakdowns, accidents or damage to the rental car, plus taking a cooler and drinking a beer as you go along.....<BR><BR>Unles you like the thrill of driving mountain roads and enjoy map reading, go with it.<BR><BR>I can hook you up with a nice driver and a clean van, los of room.<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR><BR>Jose<BR><BR>PS: the hotels will give him a room as your driver, you cover his meals (Casados are @ $3 at mst sodas)