Costa Rica Transportation
 

Oh, no! I can't believe I posted my question in the El Salvador Forum! Sort of funny, but I'm not up to rewriting it tonight. Anyone who is so kind as to check that forum and attempt to answer my question it will be MUCH APPRECIATED! I am blaming my cats, who were tearing around the room and distracting me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it... ! ;0

Why not cut and paste it to where you want it?

I tried. It didn't work.

Why not get a car? The prices you list are already more than we paid for a 4WD for 16 days.

Wow, that's a good deal! How much more, if you don't mind me asking?

We last (2012) paid ~$500 for 16 days for a small 4WD (Jimney) from Solid Rentalcar across from the Liberia airport (office in the Hilton; we prefer LIR). Had absolutely no problems, and it was a perfect vehicle for 2 people and handled all the roads (some pretty steep and rough).
That was the total price: it included the extra (mandatory) liability coverage (our Visa cc covered the collision insurance).
We were pleased with the car and the service. After negotiating via e-mail, printed it all out (including evidence of Visa collision coverage) and had no difficulties or surprises.
We used Europcar on our last visit through SJO, also no problems: they delivered the car to the hotel (Orchideas) at no extra charge, and also picked it up (we took the hotel shuttle to the airport). I don't remember the price, but it was similar, and we thought reasonable (we are penny pinchers).
Just make sure you are getting what you ask for (major credit card coverage of collision helps the cost a lot), and have your paperwork in order.
We've enjoyed driving in CR; no mishaps, except for backing up by mistake to hang the rear wheel over a roadside waterfall (and some local guys immediately pulled up, ran over, lifted/pushed the car back onto the blacktop, and ran back to their car with waves and smiles).

p.s. We like to drive, and are control freaks with our time and money, and really like most of CR for driving and exploring. Some prefer being driven. So, feel free to ask for any particulars, if you prefer the driving option. We've covered a lot of the country, inland and coast (excepting Caribbean and farthest south part of the Osa, and north to the Nicaraqua border).

So- factoring in the cost of gas, the options are roughly the same price, I'm thinking. And that would be if I'm as good at snagging deals as you are, sylvia!
In our previous three trips, we rarely missed having a car, but this was because often public transportation or shared shuttle was widely available, and because we could (as nature fanatics) access trails and such from the grounds. And we enjoy meeting people in trasist, which a private car doesn't allow.

We're also a bit discouraged from renting because we cannot understand or speak Spanish very well. Our attempts to find locations on foot have met with some frustrating, (though funny!) interactions. I can only imagine where we'd find ourselves in a car!

Even so, the freedom of having a car is appealing.....hmmm.