CR Itinerary-Arenal Drive Time?
 

Airfares R/T Liberia are so high that I'm considering one way into San Jose, driving to Arenal then somehow getting to Nosara for most of the time and flying out of Liberia.

Better to: Get interbus/taxi/hotel shuttle from SJ Airport to Arenal?

Rent a Car in Arenal for day or two?

Fly Arenal to Nosara, get a car there and pay the drop off fee for Liberia?

My husband has never seen Arenal and I'd like him to witness it, even briefly, before our relax time at the beach.

I'd appreciate any comments, info, ideas as to the best way to do this in 9 days without spending a fortune?

Thanks, Sharon

Hi fitzpowell,

My dos colones: SJO to Arenal is an easy drive. If you are comfortable with it, there is no need to pay a shuttle to get you there and then rent a car once you arrive. And it IS nice to have a car at Arenal--you know how it is there.

It's the next part that puzzles me a bit. My choice would be to drive on down to Nosara and drop off in Liberia, keeping the car the entire time.

For example: We did the same with Tricolor last month--rented for 10 days, dropped off in Liberia for a $45 fee. We paid around $450, and that was taking out the extra insurance for total coverage (additional $7 daily) and putting me on as an extra driver at $3 daily. So we spent $100 extra.

If you shuttle, rent, fly, rent, drop-off, I think your total will be more in the $650-$700 range. If you prefer the quicker route to Nosara and less driving, the difference might be worth it to you. Something to think about.

Good luck and have a great time!

Open jaw air is almost always more than R/T SJO.Usually find best rate into SJO

www.cheapoair.com

rent a cheap 2WD like a Sentra for
a week go anywhere I like usually some combo of

www.arenal.net

www.malpaissurfclub.com

www.manuelantoniopark.com

moderate lodging can do it quite cheaply.

Last year, all summer, open jaw, flying into SJO and out of LIR (and vice versa) was exactly the same. We did it. Same thing for us THIS year--same price, flew into SJO, out of LIR. . .didn't pay a dime more to do that. So open jaw isn't ALWAYS more $$!

Fitzpowell,

We were justin CR in April with our three children. We drove from Liberia, to Arenal, to Monteverde, to Tamarindo, to Samara and all the way to Playa Caletas (South of Playa Coyote.)

We found the driving easy, although many are dirt and gravel roads. We also paid around $400 including the deductible waiver.

If you need a hotel or inn between Arenal and Monteverde, we found a wonderful organic coffee plantation called Satya B&B in San Rafael, just 4 KM outside of Santa Elena.

We loved the owners and their home. The rooms are comfortable and the home's construction of retional almendro is beautiful. From their mountainside, you can see all the way to the Bay of Nicoya on a clear day. Satya and her husband, Ignaki have built a beautiful home and Satya's Spanish cooking is wonderful. Be sure to let them know if you intend to dine with them and Satya will have very tasty treats and her home made salsa prepared for you!

Tell them that we said hello!

See: www.satyabb.com