What are the roads like from San Jose to Manzanillo...would you recommend a 4 x 4 or would a car do the trick?
...and who should i rent from in San Jose?

Forgot to mention--we have rented from Tricolor and Dollar both--numerous times. Both good service--Tricolor always comes in cheaper.

I've driven to Manzanillo twice in a Corolla. Most of the distance is good road and then a lot of potholes in some areas before and after Puerto Viejo town untill the newer road to Manzanillo.

Thanks everyone...but tell me, can you think of any places i should stop along the way before Cahuita?

Thanks everyone...but tell me, can you think of any places i should stop along the way before Limon, and which places before Cahuita?

duh...

You may be mad at me by now as I rearranged your itinerary sort of drastically! Feel free to ignore my suggestions! Between Cahuita and Limon you might want to stop at Aviarios del Caribe to see the baby sloths. Check out Cahuita Parque Nacional as well. Lots of folks like the landmark restaurant in Cahuita, Miss Edith's, but we found them to be insolent, rude, and intentionally slow (2 hours with our food--no other customers). I'd not recommend it.