Costa Rica
 

We want to visit Costa Rica for about 11 days in Jan. 2011. We are debating whether to hire a driver or go on a tour. We always travel independently but after reading about the roads and driving conditions, I think we should not go unescorted.

Can anyone recommend a tour?

Thanks.

Mollybee

Hi Mollybee,

Sorry, I can't recommend a tour but if you don't find one you like and still want to avoid driving the roads (yes, they can be bad) then you might want to look in to an airpass on Nature Air or Sansa Air. You can get them for 1-2 weeks and then fly as much as you want between airports within CR. It is often cheaper than a car rental!

Enjoy CR and travel safe...

Molly, we always plan everything ourselves, but hire a private driver. You can still keep your own schedule and choose the places you want, but don't need to drive if you don't want to. A lot of people do drive themselves without any problems though.

For those of us who drive around Costa Rica every day, to say that the road conditions are too bad for you to drive makes me shake my head. I have basically given up trying to convince people that it is fine to drive in Costa Rica so won't try.

Here are your transportation options:

1. Fly -- both Sansa and Nature Air offer domestic air services.

2. Hire a private driver - expensive but will come and go and stop to your wants/need

3. Rent a car -- no comment

4. Use shared van shuttles - cheaper than the first three - typically about $40 per person, door to door service.

5. Public bus

You might consider using a combination of these. You don't say where you are planning on going, but for instance, you can take the shared van shuttle from the airport to the Arenal area, rent a car for local travel - things are spread out. Use a private driver for one or two transfers and on some direct route (Quepos to San Jose, for instance) ride the public bus. Riding the bus is a great experience and a good immersion in Costa Rican culture.

Interbus is a popular local shuttle service if you're interested in that.

I think you should drive. The roads aren't too bad in January, and if you go slow and pay attention I don't believe you will have any problems. I've driven all over this country and as long as you have a 4 wheel drive you will be fine.

I write about quitting my job and moving to Costa Rica at my blog. And there are some funny driving stories too!
www.happierthanabillionaire.com

<b>mollybee</b> My husband drove us in Costa Rica. He has done lots of driving in various conditions in the countryside and mountains, including off-road (he's a biologist.) I think if you have a lot of experience with country and mountain roads you will be fine driving in Costa Rica. But if you are only accostomed to big city driving, it might be better to hire a driver.

My husband is reluctant to drive. Can anyone recommend a guide or tour company?

We've used Carlos Bogarin, and he's very nice and reliable. Here's the link.

http://destinos-encantados.com/

You can also hire drivers through your hotels when you book them.

Thanks volcanogirl. I sent him an e-mail Did you use him for your entire trip or just on occasion?

Can you give me an idea about prices-Carlos and hotel guides?

You can drive. It's can be bumpy and slow, but not dangerous. Have GPS and a good map and you'll be golden. For remote areas, have really good, detailed instructions; things are not always clearly marked. And believe the instructions -- if they say cross a river, then believe you need to cross the river. Do not leave things unattended in your car.

I've also hired drivers and it is easier -- you don't have to pay attention or work at navigation. You don't get lost. I don't hire a driver for the whole trip. We just arrange with each hotel to have someone come pick us up.

For long distances, I do recommend flying Sansa or Nature Air just to save time.

Sass

m, we've used him to go from San Jose to Arenal a couple of different times. I think we paid around $140ish one way. When we first started going it was $120, but it's gone up over the years. Check with your hotel too to compare costs.