xjrandslk

1. Any advice on driving in the Central Pacific areas?
2. Anyone have any opinions on Hotel Vela Bar?

mrscalkins

I can give you a bit of driving advice in general. Renting a car was a good choice for us on our trip. I am really glad we did. If you say you will bring the car back with a full tank, make sure you bring it back FULL. We brought ours back with the guage just under the F and they made us go back and put a liter in it to take it to the F mark. Another couple had the same problem returning their car. You can't change your mind and decide to pay for them to fill the tank.
The main road was good, but winding and curvy. All other roads very in how good they are, some as bad as "dirt ruts through the grass," but most are decent gravel/dirt roads like if you've ever driven on country back roads. Just allow yourself plenty of travel time for the unexpected.
The locals will drive pretty fast, so it is polite to pull over when you get a chance and let someone past you if they come up behind you. Many bridges are one lane. Construction can be very different, there may be large chunks of road where you see no workers but cones have the road divided into one lane. It's not as bad as it seems, just continue on and use caution. Give trucks plenty of room when following them. Sometimes big semi's will go places you wouldn't think they could and they may need the whole road to be able to pass.
Have a good trip!

xjrandslk

Thank you very much.

Blizzardcpl

Driving the central pacific main roads and hiways are good as any in S ONTARIO. We have found the roads throughout Guanacaste spotty at best when it comes to finding the beaches off of the main roads. If you don't drive like a "sunday driver" and stay alert, you'll be fine.

mlgb

Best not to drive at night so you can see the potholes and sharp drop offs on the right.