We're planing a ten day trip to CR and will be driving from San Jose to Arenal, then to Monteverde, then to Manuel Antonio and back to San Jose for our flight home. I think we will rent a GPS but we are still map people who like to "see" where we're going and plot a route. Can anyone recommend the best map or maps that we should buy? And if possible, where they can be purchased (we're in the Boston area). Or Amazon or whereever!!

Any driving tips also greatly appreciated. How is signage on the roads? The trip will be mid-May. Thanks so much.

MapCR.com has great maps, on line stuff too, and a recently updated waterproof version. Love this map.

Signs can be few, but we found that major destinations were ok. (Worst driving/lack of signs I ever experienced was San Jose/Alajuela.)

I also like http://www.yourtravelmap.com/costari...hp?&width=1024 if your know your to/from cities beforehand. Tells you how long (estimated) the drive will take and turn by turn directions. I printed out their instructions last time I drove and they were spot on, though the time was a little off (estimated 4 hours driving turned out to be only 3)

I'm not sure any travel map or gps can work 100 pct of the time there. Print out specific turn by turn directions and be prepared ask. There are no street numbers and signage is spotty. Usual directions go something like "when you've gone 1.3 miles look for the store with the Xxx sign and take the next left.

We used maps and GPS on our trip. I am a map person too. Many times, the GPS put us in people's yards! Along with the map, the locals at the places we stayed gave us the best and most direct directions to our next stop. So don't be afraid to ask.