karenlf

We are leaving in three days and need to drive from Arenal to Montezuma. We would like to avoid the ferry. Has anyone done a route crossing the Tempisque bridge and then traveling south?

TicoCR

1-with out the ferry, you have to drive along the lake Arenal to end up in Tilaran town or bagaces, then head up back toward San Jose, not to Liberia...and yes look for the Tempisque brigde La Amistad..cant miss it..once you pass the bridge ad 2 hours to tamarindo. Good luck

sean420

Taking the ferry is much faster than goping about over the tempsique bridge. If you drove around Lake Arenal and then across the Tempsique and then down tohrough Paquera and ob toward Montezuma is about 270km and 7 hours driving. It's mostly good road but the stretch between Naranjo and Paquera is REALLY BAD.

Coming through San Ramon and the ferry from Puntarenas to paquera and then on to Montezuma is only 170km. It's 3.5 hours to Puntarenas and then 1.5 hours on the ferry and then 45 minutes to Montezuma. You would want to get to Puntarenas at least 30min early to get tickets. The ferry leaves Puntarenas for Paquera at 11:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm. The ferry is actually pretty nice and a good break from driving. Just be sure to grab a few beers for the crossing

shillmac

Totally agree with Sean. That drive down the peninsula between Naranjo and Paquera is definitely best avoided. Horrendous. Absolutely horrendous. People who talk about the road to Monteverde being bad have never been on THAT stretch!

Indeed, the ferry is your best option. Of course, you have to adjust your plans to the ferry schedule, and if that is a problem, then you might prefer to brave the road all the way. But just be prepared--and let us all know how it goes! We've done it a couple of times--it CAN be done--it's just not fun. The ferry is pretty enjoyable and there is nicer scenery coming across the gulf.

Have a great time! 3 days! Lucky you. . . post when you get back!

shillmac

By the way, I intended to add--you want save much time with the ferry (if any), but at least you can get a little break from driving!

karenlf

It looks like we will try the ferry. I think the most reasonable one we can take leaves at 11:30 a.m. What time would we need to leave Arenal to be in line for this one? It seems like we would need to be in line about an hour ahead. Is that about right? Thanks again.

shillmac

Yes, about an hour. It might be a good idea to have your hotel at Arenal confirm the ferry departure times (ferry to Paquera, not Naranjo!) the day before. They do seem to change fairly often, so just to be on the safe side. . .

To be there by 10:30, you should probably get out of Arenal by 7:30 at the latest (7:00 even better). I figure a couple of hours from Arenal to San Ramon, then at least another hour from SR to Puntarenas. A lot of things can happen to add a half hour to your travels here and there, so I'm a big fan of giving oneself plenty of cushion.