driving again, San Jose, MA, Tamarindo
 

Dear All, Thank you for all of your helpful advice. Since this is our first trip to Costa Rica, I do need a bit of hand holding.
1. Confirmation that driving from San Jose to Manuel Antonio should be 4 hours?
2. We land in SJ at 1:30 will we have enough daylight to reach MA?
3. If we don't have enough time to make it MA by nightfall and need to fly, can we rent a car in MA for our drive up to Tamarindo?

Thank you again for your help!

As memory serves me, I think the drive time from San Jose to MA is closer to 5 hours, rather than 4. Be careful about your speed. Wherever you see speed zones, best adhere. There are police lurking behind those bushes out there!

Our trips to Costa Rica have been during February. That month, the sun sets around 6:10 - 6:20 each evening. You may be cutting it close on getting to MA if you land at 1:30pm and my drivetime estimate is accurate.

Carol L

CarolL, Thank you so much.. I am feeling unsure about the drive. We are traveling the third week in March if that makes a difference with sunset... It sounds like we should research car rental options in MA or public transportation upto Tamarindo. Thanks again for your thoughts!

tech,
We have driven SJO to Manuel Antonio several times and it is nearly always about 3 hours. We usually drive straight there with a brief stop at the Rio Tarcoles (cros for viewing!) and for a coke or bottled water. You'll be okay. 3.5 hours tops. You can get to Puntarenas in 2 hours (sometimes less), than another 1.5 hour on down. OR you can take the Atenas exit, leave the Interamerican highway, and cut down toward MA at an angle through Orotina. We usually do this as we love the view along this route.

Shillmac, thank you for your reply to this message.. and my others! I am most concerned about our daylight. Assuming we get thru customs and we aren't delayed, I think we should be on the road by 3 at the latest (we land at 1:30)getting us to MA by 6:00 to 6:30. think we will beat the darkness? just nervous. the most common driving advice seems to be avoid night driving! thanks so much, T

Well, yes, it's best to avoid it, but I wouldn't lose half a day over 15-20 min. of driving in the dark. I certainly wouldn't care to drive the entire distance after dark (although we've done similar crazy things!), but if you're not there by dark, you'll almost be there. You shouldn't have any problem driving on in--with care, of course. Once you get through Orotina (or Puntarenas, depending on your route) and turned toward Manuel Antonio, the road will take you right on in. If you don't check luggage, you can save considerable time upon arrival.

I hesitate to say "yeah, go for it" because I'd hate for you to have any sort of bad experience, but if you get on the road by 3:00, you'll MOST LIKELY do fine.

That said, you, of course, need to do what fits your comfort level. No need to start out with a big stresser in the land of Pura Vida!

shillmac, thanks for your help. Honestly, I need a little kick in the pants to just go for it... thanks again!

My apologies...I just spoke with the house brain and he informs me the drive time from SJ to MA is more likely to be 2.5/3 hours. I was thinking about our drive to a further point when I responded last night.
It ought not be a problem, as Shillmac as indicated. If you continue to be concerned however, you could consider staying someplace overnight en route.
Carol L

Thanks for this post. The information is helpful we will be facing similar timing problems. These drive to MA seems like it will be fairly predictable. I am really worried about getting from MA to Mal Pais. Shillmac- any advice? Should we take the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera or take the new bridge (which i've heard very little about)? Or is there a better way? I'm very nervous about the drive time and the road conditions. And of course missing the ferry/ waiting in line for the ferry, etc. Can anyone offer any words of wisdom on getting to Mal Pais/Montezuma?

We leave in a week and I'm excited, but nervous!

Thanks!!!!!

Yes, from Manuel Antonio you'll take the ferry from Puntarenas. The new bridge is too far north to assist you in getting to MalPais. It is really quite simple. Just check on the ferry times (a day or two before would be good), show up about an hour ahead of the departure time (to be on the safe side), and you're "in like Flint"! The drive from Paquera to MalPais is another 1.5 hour. Potholes part way, unpaved road between Cobano and MalPais. The entire transfer should take you about 5.5 hours, including the extra hour before ferry departure.

Hi People ! Listen , the sis has changed plans again , and now wants to rent a car , does the ferry from Puntarenas to Nicoya Penin. take cars ??? They really want to see Montezuma ?

Cars, buses, you name it!