I need some advice about some info I just got from Aventuras Naturales---Tour Costa Rica. I just reserved an overnight raft trip on the Pacuare on July 2 & 3. I was told I can rent a Toyota Four Runner when we get to Siquirres...we want to drive to Arenal.

The rental is arranged by them using Budget.
The price is $505 incl insurance for 1 week. I was told driving from Siquirres to Arenal about 3.5 hours and we would get to Siquirres at 2:30p.

Any thoughts about the rental...price, Budget. Will we have enough time to get to Arenal before dark?

Thanks, I'm finally making final arrangements and am sure will be checking in frequently for all your wisdom.

Price sounds about right for the type of vehicle. Haven't used Budget, but haven't heard negatives about them. No news is good news?

As for arriving before dark, it is doubtful. However, you can get very close by dark if that makes you feel any better! We have found (time and again) that a projected 3.5 hour drive can (and usually does) take an extra hour or more. It is very difficult to avoid this phenomenon!

More than likely, everything will back up a bit and your arrival time in Siquirres may well be later than expected (seems to happen a lot on Costa Rica's "manana time&quot.

I don't think I'd count on arriving before 7:00 in the evening--an hour past the point of darkness. We'd probably give it a go, but have been on these roads a couple of times before. If you choose to go for it, just be very careful.

Thank you Shillmac,

I was hoping for a response from you...We realized we have to go back to San Jose to get our luggage, so there won't be a chance of making Arenal that day. We will have to stay another night in San Jose

What is your experience/thoughts on the drive from Monteverde to Quepos, we are thinking of staying at Rafiki Lodge and then returning to San Jose from there.

It is our 1st trip to CR and didn't think we would drive ourselves, but it seems the most convenient with all we want to do.

We wanted to take the horseback trip from Arenal to Monteverde. Have you heard anything about having someone drive your vehicle for you...seems risky to me, but I'm pretty sure I read about this service.

Thanks again.

No, Danny, I can't help you much with the Monteverde transfer and the arrangement of having someone drive your vehicle. Others will know about that, I'm sure, from personal experience. The drive to Quepos will probably take you about 4 hours.

I really think it's a good thing for you to stay overnight in San Jose and get an early start for Arenal the next day. You could stay in town and have a taxi driver take you to El Pueblo (a maze of restaurants, bars, shops--interesting)--or, if you are absolutely uninterested in having anything to do with San Jose, drive on through and stay at one of several cool places west of town and closer to Arenal.

When will you be at Monteverde? The dates? Someone else from this board is planning on being there at Arco Iris the weekend of July 8-10. My husband and I are thinking we'll be there that weekend as well. There could be a Fodor's gathering!

Hi Shillmac

I keep changing our itinerary, trying to spend the least amount of time in San Jose. One version has us in Monteverde that same wknd July 8-10. The new revised version puts us there July 4-6. I've never planned a trip all on my own and am starting to get a little crazy. One thing for certain, it would be impossible w/out advice from people like you.

When we are definite on our dates I'll post them.

Thanks, Kim

Relax--you can't mess up! Sure, stay in touch on the dates, and, really, don't stress. It's all wonderful!