driving in CR in rainy season?
 

We will be going to CR May 27-June 8 and want to get to MA. How easy is the drive from SJ ? We also don't get in until 2pm. Is it wise to try to drive that day ( we've read about fog on mountain) or should we get a driver? I don't think we can make the last flight in on Sansa. Any info will be appreciated. If a driver, any suggestions?

You would be fine renting a car - it's through mountains, but you'd be going through them before dark. You would just be arriving in MA when it's getting dark. If you want a good driver, check out Kevin's Transfers - http://www.kevinstransfers.com - great service and always prompt.

If you get in on time, you should be okay. It will take you about 3 hours. Not a bad drive at all. Very scenic through the mountains. You can also go through Puntarenas (we've done that too), but it may take a little longer. . .less scenic but still an interesting drive.

Don't expect a lot of rain. You'll probably be quite "underwhelmed"! The season is just getting started in May. You'll have light showers in the p.m. more than likely. . .sometimes not even that. We were 4 days in Manuel Antonio end of June, 2006--hardly rained at all.

I'm so glad to hear that it isn't rain all day. we live on the Gulf coast so we are used to late afternoon thunderstorms with sudden HEAVY downpours. I feel some better about us driving. Do you recommend a car rental agency? and I'm sure we need a 4wd

You really don't need a 4wd. The road is fine from SJO to MA - you'll enjoy the drive. One thing to note - 'ceda' means you yeild. There are a few one lane bridges on the road through the mountains and most tourists don't know what that sign means. Most of my friends rent at Budget or Mapache when they come. Both are near the airport. Rent a Dihatsu Terrios - most of the rental companies have them here, they are small, 4 wd (although you don't need it) and they go forever on a tank of gas.

We usually get 4X4 just in case we want to do something "more adventurous" wherever we are. For example, if you wanted to drive down to Dominical--definitely you'd need the clearance. It's kind of nice to have anyway, although it's true you could manage fine without it to MA.

Would highly recommend Tricolor--lots of good agencies, I think (I know Mapache is good), but we've just not found anyone to beat Tricolor's prices--service excellent as well.