Costa Rica -Transportation between different areas
 

My head has been spinning with trying to plan a trip to CR. Normally, I plan all my itineraries, but am also having a difficult time with this one, for some reason. I would like to go for about 10 days, and see the highlight (Arenal/MA, etc.). Although I realize I am heading to the tropics, I want to make sure that wherever we stay, the rooms are bug-free. This is important to me. My husband doesn't want to drive, so I am trying to figure out which areas to visit, where to stay and for how long, and how to get from place to place w/o having to drive ourselves. I've been doing a lot of reading and can probably figure out where to go and where to stay, but getting transportation between the different areas is where I'm not doing too well. Any suggestions would be so appreciated. I just registered onto this site and am finding it so helpful, so thank you all, in advance.

Hi SusieQ
Basically in CR to get around you can choose

scheduled shuttles like interbus or Grayline
www.interbusonline.com
http://graylinecostarica.com/graylinetouristbus.html

hiring a private driver - several recommendations in this and other forums.

using the public buses - the cheapest way

hiring a taxi - similar to private driver

flying on Sansa or Natureair - small commuter planes
www.flysansa.com
www.natureair.com

renting a car and driving yourself


Some modes work better than others from certain locations


for example from Arenal to Manuel Antonio - Interbus is a good idea. Taking the public bus would be a long drawn out process. Or you can fly this route - though most flights are via San Jose.


From MA to San Jose - the public bus is convenient and is the most economical. The cost is about $5.00 per person and the trip takes about 3.5 hours. Basically the public buses are good for point to point travel to and from San Jose for example.


Sansa and Nature Air also are a good option. Flights are short. But some people are averse to flying in the small planes. There is also a luggage restriction or either 20 or 25 lbs depending on which airline you choose..

Not knowing what your budget is or the kind of traveller you are, or how flexible you are, its hard to tell you which to pick. Do some searching in the forum - there is enough info on each and then make your decision.

As for the insect question. Unfortunately if it is really going to bother you if you come across a spider, a few ants, a gecko, a frog or even a scorpion or other insects in your room, you may be travelling to the wrong place. That's not to say that the places you choose will be over run with insects. However as you say - it is the tropics. I guess, the more air conditioned and sealed the places you stay in, the less chances of insects. And you can always buy bug spray which will keep any insects at bay.

Pura vida,
raquel

If having a few bugs in your room would make or break your trip, then there might be better choices for you. But if you're willing to "live on the edge" raquel has given you excellent advice on transportation.

My husband and I spent 3 days in Arenal followed by 3 days in MA without a car and things worked out great for us.

We hired a driver to shuttle us from the airport to Arenal for $130. 3 1/2 hour drive with a great local guy who was helpful in giving loads of tips and advice, as well as suggesting tours and helping us book them. You can save $ by taking a bus or time by taking sansa or natureair, but the door-to-door service was hassle free and we enjoyed our time with our driver. We used Wilson Rojas and highly recommend him. email: [email protected]. Others are recommended on this forum as well.

We took Interbus from Arenal to MA. Again, the door-to-door service was nice and easy. It's a 5 hr drive, very scenic at times, one 15 min break at a local shop/cafe (although the drivers are very flexible). We looked into domestic flights, but they were booked. In the end, Interbus was just fine, and at $35 it was more than worth it.

From MA, we decided to take Sansa back to the airport in order to maximize our time at MA. Less than $60/pp and a quick 35 min flight (takes off in quepos). There is a min weight req't, as Raquel mentioned (26 lbs per bag). SJO airport is just across the street from the Sansa terminal so it's an easy transition. :) As Raquel also mentioned, I imagine a bus ride is a good cheaper alternative.

Hope that helps!

susie, we always just hire private drivers through our hotels and have had good luck doing that.

We used Wilson Rojas on our trip last year as well. We are going back in June and have already reserved his time. We initially planned to only use him for transfers, but he ended up guiding us around almost the entire trip and became part of our family. Every day he stocked the van with refreshments and ensured he got the things my kids liked. He booked tours for us and even got us into Eco Thermales when they were full. For the price, I would highly recommend the private driver.

Thanks for all the good info. Am I being too ambitious thinking we can see Turtueguero, MA/Arenal,& Monte Verde? I am thinking 10 days, 8 in CR, 2 for flying there and back. If I cut anything, what do you reocmmend? Also, are there any hotels you would recommend in these areas, and how long in each one.

The private driver idea sounds great, do you hire them for the entire time you are there, or someone different from place to place. I am also looking at Interbus.

I had been hoping to go in april, but the time is fast approaching. Any other month that you would recommend - you all are so knowledgeable! I thank you.

Hi susieQ,

Can't help you so much with transportation questions as we've rented a car on our 2 trips to CR. Others will be able to help you out...

Regarding your itinerary, your flight times into and out of the country will help determine how many different locatons you can fit in. Getting from place to place takes longer than most people realize so you have to factor travel times into your itinerary.

If you really only have 8 days to work with, I would limit your trip to 2 different locations (Arenal and MA is a terrific first-time itinerary). If your flight times work to your advantage (morning or early afternoon arrival, etc...), you could possibly add a third location. Any more than that, and your whole vacation would basically be all about getting from point A to point B (with very little time to enjoy any single destination).

One big draw for Tortuguero is the sea turtles that nest there during certain times of the year. You might want to check and see if the turtles are nesting during the time you want to travel. If they aren't, then Tortuguero might be a logical destination to drop from the itinerary. I'm sure its a wonderful place to visit even if the turtles aren't present, but seeing them lay their eggs is such a cool experience!

Lots of people enjoy visiting CR May through July. It's rainy season, but you usually have clear mornings with afternoon showers, which allows time to partake in various activities. We've visited in early December on both our trips and thought this was an excellent time of year to go!

Just to add a note to cmerrell's excellent advice, regarding the "rainy season". . .we've spent many Julys in Costa Rica over the years, and have been amazed at the days that have gone by with no rain at all. Sometime a week or two at a time.

There is the "veranillo" or "little summer" (a couple of weeks with no rain), but everyone who talks about it seems to mention different times. I always heard it was around the middle of July (for a couple of weeks), but others have mentioned dates in late July or even August.

At any rate, I don't think you could possibly be disappointed traveling in the "green season". Everything is very beautiful then, even more so than usual!

Oh, by the way, just want to mention that I don't think you can expect bug free. That's probably not going to happen. However, in many visits, we have seen FEW bugs in our rooms, usually a stray spider or small ants. But for the most part, none at all.

Have fun whatever you decide. . .

Hi Hip--when are you leaving?

Hi Jill!

I think Hip's already down there. Can't wait to hear about her trip!

Yeah, the lucky duck! I know she and her daughter are having a great time! They're at BdC right now, right?

They left, and they forgot to take me with them!!!

Traitors. . .

Follow up question on same topic:

What is the best way to get from the Peace Lodge to Arenal. We probably wont rent a car and would prefer to use Interbus, but I had a hard time determining whether any of the buses stopped or picked up from the Peace Lodge...

Hi kitamaria,

I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't think Interbus does pickups at Peace Lodge because it's definitely a bit out of the way.

You might need to either back track into Alajuela/San Jose or consider using a private driver. We had a rental car so we didn't have to face that type of dilemma.

You'll get it figured out! :-)

I figured as much, but thanks for confirming! We will probably just stay in Lima for a night and do a La Paz day trip and then take the bus to Arenal for 4 nights. Thanks again!