Thanks so much JCR. I don't think our driver is using it for SJO-MA as his time estimate was still 3 hours.

I'm hoping the MA-Puerto Jimenez drive would be scenic and interesting since it's alot of coastline. 4 hrs isn't bad esp if the drive is visually interesting.

I'll be driving from SJO airport to Quepos in a few weeks. Can anyone tell me how to get from the airport to the new road? From what I can see on the maps, I'm wondering if that will be more difficult than taking the old road. This is my first trip to CR.

Thanks much!

An update that is important if anyone is still reading this thread. Recent landslides (mid-summer 2010) have closed this highway (several people hurt) so they have closed it indefinitely until they can secure the roadsides that were cleared for construction of the highway. They hope to have it re-opened by December (2010) when the tourist season starts to peak but no definite dates have been announced. Traffic is being redirected at Orotina (with no signs) to Rt 3 which is slow going if you get stuck behind a bus (or in my case a tractor).

Thanks a lot for the information, this will certainly help those who are renting a vehicle and driving>

I miss the new highway...it was SO nice. Can't wait for it to reopen. If I can remember, I will post when it is open again.

The road was closed on June 12th; however, as of July 10, 2010 it was reopened. The related story is on this link:

http://www.insidecostarica.com/daily...ca10071001.htm

Safe travels! Lisa

Just because it's open does not mean it is safe. I won't use it between Atenas & Orotina until after the Green Season(at least)

When the highway opened, a lot of naysayers insisted that something would go wrong. I thought, no, this time Costa Rica got it right. I was wrong. I love Costa Rica, but it has a way of messing up when it comes to projects like these. :(

We are going from SJ to Quepos later this week. Has anyone been on this since it reopened? Do you think it is safe or unsafe? I can't tell if it will save time or if it will cost us if the road closes due to a landslide.

H20, If it's raining, I'd say unsafe. If it rained the night before, watch for rocks & debris in the road, and of course you do not want to drive it at night.

This means faster travels. Costa Rica is simply making use of the modern technology too.

Any update on Highway 27 now, early March of 2011? Will be traveling from San Jose to Nosara. Thanks.

To see if this road is open, you can check here: www.transito.go.cr This is the transit authority in charge of roads here in Costa Rica. It is updated regularly so should be pretty current.

John - parts of it were closed last week due to bridge problems, no one was sure when it would re-open. We took the old road through Atenas and La Garita, only on the new highway for a short time.

Bookmarking to read later.

bookmark...read later