Our first time to Costa Rica. We are heading there for 11 days at the beginning of March 2010. We are flying into San Jose and I believe we want to spend most of our trip in the Monte Verde, Arenal area with some time at the Nicoya Pennisula. I have many questions, but the first is very basic... do we rent a car or is it easy to get around by other means? Also, if we are traveling around as such, do we use internal backpacks or take suitcases?
I am sure I will post many more questions, but that is my start

Thanks

For CA travel in general my best advice is PACK LIGHT - just a loosely-filled carry-on each. I prefer a lightweight conversion pack (straps tuck away if I want to check it on my way home) but as long as it's small and light it's great - whether it's a wheely or a standard suitcase or a backpack is a matter of personal taste. Check out www.onebag.com Have a great trip!

We used the public bus system thoughout Costa Rica and Panama without any problems. Average fare is about 2-5 dollars and it's alot of fun and we don't even speak spanish. Also, we just had a small carryon bag per person and a small backpack however, a large backpack will be easier to manage if you use the bus system to get around.

We use the weekender convertible bags from ebags.com. Got the recommendation on this board - lots of us have them and love them. We usually hire a private driver, but Interbus is a good option to; check to see if they go where you want to.

Volcanogirl, is it the Weekend eTech Convertable backpack? Thats the only one I pulled up from the search. If not can you help me a little with a number? Thanks.

http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender...%20convertible

Yep, that's the one. I usually bring a 50-pound rolling suitcase on other trips, but with this one, I got down to about 21 or 22 pounds.

wow! that's a tiny bag!! and i thought i packed light ;-)

We used the weekender bag too and it's not as small as it looks. It held everything I needed for the week...four bikinis and some cover ups. 8-)

Somehow I got 9 days of clothes in there; my husband was stoked!