We are thinking of driving up to Nicaragua from Costa Rica - would like to find a driver that could take us up and return us - have 2 daughters any concerns for safety in Nicaragua and do we need anything other than our passport? Wher would you recomend to stay? San Juan de Sur - we are going in March?

In SJDS you'll find not more than on the beaches in Guanacaste. Worth is to go to Grenada or the island Omatepe. Crossing the border with a rental car is not possible. I recommend to take a taxi for long term. Ask for daily price and pay the petrol. Have much fun.
Bye wilbert - costaricaweb.de

Some Rent A Cars...will let you drive the car out of Costa Rica...let me tell you in advance..is not cheap...is not easy!!Is better if you deal with a private driver...that the car/van is in his name...all the paper work has to be done by the driver/owner...

Nicaragua is safe...like somebody mentioned the other day...most of the Nicaraguans bad guys are in Costa Rica!!

R.A Luis

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in paradise!!

You yourself can't take a rental car out of Costa Rica. No company allows that. Alamo has a deal where they will bring a Costa Rican agent to the border to pick up your Costa Rican car. You cross the border. A Nicaraguan Alamo agent can be waiting with a Nicaraguan car on the other side. They charge a LOT for this convenience. A private driver is a far better bet.

I posted a trip report two years ago titled:

"From Costa Rica to Nicaragua."

I had a private driver.

If you type Percy into the search this forum bar at the top of the page , you will get a list of all my replies on Fodors.

Go to about item 285 and you can read the report

Percy