Driving Directions and Safety Issues
Apr 12th, 2005, 08:55 AM
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Driving Directions and Safety Issues
Hello- Some of this may have already been covered on previous posts. I searched but couldn't find the exact answers to my questions so I appreciate the help and apologize in advance if it's duplicate. We will be driving with all of our stuff in the car from Playa Grande to Manuel Antonio at the end of May. I have already been told that the best way is to go south to Nicoya and take the Friendship Bridge, then south on the Inter-American Highway and on down to MA. Approx. 5-6 hours.
1) My map shows two options off the Inter-American Highway, Rt. 23 to the coast and then join up with Rt. 34 south to Quepos, etc., or Rt. 131 to San Mateo/Orotina area and then meet up with Rt. 34. Any suggestions? Does it matter? Also, any places to stop for a nice local lunch between P. Grande and MA where we won't be worried about the stuff in the car being stolen?
2) Driving from Dominical back to San Jose- We will be in Dominical for 2 nights and then spending our last night in CR near the airport in SJ. It looks like the best route is to take the road from Dominical to San Isidro and then take the Inter-American Highway all the way to the airport, and from the sounds of it it's a very beautiful drive, however one guide book we have says it's the most dangerous stretch of road in the country and can be really hairy. Isn't the high point in that route called Cerro de la Muerte? Also, it will be early June, so rainy season. Any thoughts on this??? Are we better off just taking the coastal road north through Quepos and Jaco and then Rt. 3 or Inter-American back to San Jose? Also, for either route any must sees along the way, or great lunch stops?
Thanks for your help. This board has been so wonderful and helpful for planning our Costa Rica adventures.
1) My map shows two options off the Inter-American Highway, Rt. 23 to the coast and then join up with Rt. 34 south to Quepos, etc., or Rt. 131 to San Mateo/Orotina area and then meet up with Rt. 34. Any suggestions? Does it matter? Also, any places to stop for a nice local lunch between P. Grande and MA where we won't be worried about the stuff in the car being stolen?
2) Driving from Dominical back to San Jose- We will be in Dominical for 2 nights and then spending our last night in CR near the airport in SJ. It looks like the best route is to take the road from Dominical to San Isidro and then take the Inter-American Highway all the way to the airport, and from the sounds of it it's a very beautiful drive, however one guide book we have says it's the most dangerous stretch of road in the country and can be really hairy. Isn't the high point in that route called Cerro de la Muerte? Also, it will be early June, so rainy season. Any thoughts on this??? Are we better off just taking the coastal road north through Quepos and Jaco and then Rt. 3 or Inter-American back to San Jose? Also, for either route any must sees along the way, or great lunch stops?
Thanks for your help. This board has been so wonderful and helpful for planning our Costa Rica adventures.
Apr 12th, 2005, 11:48 AM
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Re your #2 - You would want to drive back from Dominical via San Isidro, not via Quepos (you want BAD road - you should see the piece between Dominical and Quepos!) Anyway I just copied this blurb regarding Cerro de la Muerte from another board written by a travel agent who specializes in Costa Rica: "There is a high point on that road that was actually known as the "Mountain of Death". But not because of dangerous driving conditions. This pass is at 8,000 feet, and it can get extremely cold. In the days before cars, many unprepared travelers died of exposure.
We took that route last year at the same time you're planning - late May. We followed advice we'd seen elsewhere and made sure we did the drive in the am (it often gets foggy up there in mid to late afternoon). The road is mountainous, two lane, and windy (and beautiful), but, at least last year, it was in good condition. Not much traffic. Just be careful as you pass and watch for other passing in the opposite direction. We did run into a bit of fog/rain in early pm so we could see that it could be a problem. But it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. And quite beautiful and interesting most of the way.
What to see enroute? Well, if it's really clear (fat chance, but you never know), there's a turnoff (I believe it's marked) at the highest point where you can drive back a side road a bit and possibly have a view of both oceans.
Nice botanical gardens near Cartago before you reach San Jose. I'm blanking on the name, but it's in all the travel guides. But you'll see signs in the parking lot to the effect: don't leave anything in your car. The baby 4 x 4 we were driving contained all our stuff (visible of course)because, like you, were our own way back to San Jose from Dominical. No problem that time. We weren't as lucky however when we stopped again for lunch at the Cafe Cappucino in Cartago. It was mid day, a busy restaurant and main street. We parked in a small lot next to the restaurant on the street with several other cars. When we returned all our luggage was gone. Just took a screwdriver to the back lock. A "guardissimo" in the lot had "seen nothing." So, that's a place NOT to go!Don't know if you'll have a 4x 4 or car with trunk -- but if you stop, especially with a 4 x 4, do park where you can keep an eye on your car.
We took that route last year at the same time you're planning - late May. We followed advice we'd seen elsewhere and made sure we did the drive in the am (it often gets foggy up there in mid to late afternoon). The road is mountainous, two lane, and windy (and beautiful), but, at least last year, it was in good condition. Not much traffic. Just be careful as you pass and watch for other passing in the opposite direction. We did run into a bit of fog/rain in early pm so we could see that it could be a problem. But it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. And quite beautiful and interesting most of the way.
What to see enroute? Well, if it's really clear (fat chance, but you never know), there's a turnoff (I believe it's marked) at the highest point where you can drive back a side road a bit and possibly have a view of both oceans.
Nice botanical gardens near Cartago before you reach San Jose. I'm blanking on the name, but it's in all the travel guides. But you'll see signs in the parking lot to the effect: don't leave anything in your car. The baby 4 x 4 we were driving contained all our stuff (visible of course)because, like you, were our own way back to San Jose from Dominical. No problem that time. We weren't as lucky however when we stopped again for lunch at the Cafe Cappucino in Cartago. It was mid day, a busy restaurant and main street. We parked in a small lot next to the restaurant on the street with several other cars. When we returned all our luggage was gone. Just took a screwdriver to the back lock. A "guardissimo" in the lot had "seen nothing." So, that's a place NOT to go!Don't know if you'll have a 4x 4 or car with trunk -- but if you stop, especially with a 4 x 4, do park where you can keep an eye on your car.
Apr 12th, 2005, 06:32 PM
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Glover is right on all counts. Just leave Dominical early (by 8:00 or so) and you'll be fine AND have time to stop here and there if you wish. You should be in San Jose by 1:00 at the latest, having avoided the foggy road part of the day!
I don't know what time you are leaving Playa Grande, but the Friendship Bridge is on Highway 18. When you reach the junction to turn right on the Interamerican, there will be a fairly new gas station on your right and a restaurant across the highway. The restaurant is very good and it is possible to be seated so that you can watch your vehicle. We've done just that. You'll arrive at this junction about 2 hours after leaving Playa Grande, mas o menos.
No need to go through Orotina. You'll come to Puntarenas, and just continue on south along the coast. Route 23 will take you inland a short distance (as if you are going to Orotina), but you will get on Highway 34 south to Manuel Antonio before you actually arrive in Orotina!
If you want a restaurant that's further "down the road", there is Steve and Lisa's. It will be on your right (oceanside) south of Puntarenas an hour or so. Can't remember the exact location, but you'll see it if you are looking for it. I've heard it's very good, but haven't eaten there.
I don't know what time you are leaving Playa Grande, but the Friendship Bridge is on Highway 18. When you reach the junction to turn right on the Interamerican, there will be a fairly new gas station on your right and a restaurant across the highway. The restaurant is very good and it is possible to be seated so that you can watch your vehicle. We've done just that. You'll arrive at this junction about 2 hours after leaving Playa Grande, mas o menos.
No need to go through Orotina. You'll come to Puntarenas, and just continue on south along the coast. Route 23 will take you inland a short distance (as if you are going to Orotina), but you will get on Highway 34 south to Manuel Antonio before you actually arrive in Orotina!
If you want a restaurant that's further "down the road", there is Steve and Lisa's. It will be on your right (oceanside) south of Puntarenas an hour or so. Can't remember the exact location, but you'll see it if you are looking for it. I've heard it's very good, but haven't eaten there.
Apr 15th, 2005, 08:00 AM
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Steve and Lisas has a special place in our hearts. We first stumbled on it in the early 90's. At that time it was a welcome sight after a lot of dusty unpaved roads and the whole trip to Manuel Antonio to go which at that time was unpaved also. It is a lot quicker now. We enjoyed the cold drinks and a chance to wash some of the dust down.
The botanical gardens are called Lankester Gardens. They are in the Cartago/Paraiso area. It is an interesting place. Doesn't look like much from the road but the place is good sized. The Paraiso area supplies much of the U.S. with flowers because the climate is so great. Most of those black netted growing areas that you will see are flowers.
The botanical gardens are called Lankester Gardens. They are in the Cartago/Paraiso area. It is an interesting place. Doesn't look like much from the road but the place is good sized. The Paraiso area supplies much of the U.S. with flowers because the climate is so great. Most of those black netted growing areas that you will see are flowers.
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