From SJO to Arenal
 

Hi!

My flight arrives in San Jose at around 1 pm, and I'd like to travel to Arenal that evening. Is that do-able? Also, do you recommend taking a taxi to Arenal ($90) or waiting for the Interbus that departs at 3 pm?

Are taxis safe to take - also, are roads ok from San Jose to Arenal? And how long does the journey take?

Thanks!

If it's just the two of you, I'd wait for Interbus. It costs about $30 per person and is an excellent way to travel. Certainly do-able. The drive is about 2.5-3 hours.

Just returned from there. It took us 3hrs to drive it. We rented a car, so I don't have any personal experience with the bus, but I ran into another hotel guest that said the bus he took from the airport took over 4hrs with stops, and then had to take a taxi from La Fortuna to his hotel, which was an additional $10.

When I inquired with Interbus about transportation from SJO to Arenal, I was told that Interbus doesn't leave from the airport, but only from the city. Is this correct? We are having The Lost Iguana arrange our transportation from the airport which will cost $120. A taxi for $90 seems better!

You might check their website just to be sure. It seems odd that they wouldn't have a pick up place near the airport--perhaps the Hampton Inn across the street? Might be worth checking. I agree the taxi might be a better alternative to arranged transportation. We have traveled some long distances by taxi and it has always worked out nicely.

www.interbusonline.com

Hmm, I looked at the website just now and sure enough, it doesn't mention the airport. A taxi to the Interbus location in San Jose would cost you about $15. But then you'd be doing a few minutes backtracking. There is an e-mail address on their website. Good luck!

Yes, when I hadn't seen the airport on the website, I emailed Interbus and learned that you have to meet them in town to take the bus. That's when we decided to do the transfer through the hotel. But maybe we should do the transfer by taxi? Is a taxi a 4WD, ie: will it be as safe as the transfer van?

You've already done your homework! :)

There ARE some taxis that are little SUV's. Most are regular vehicles. How many are there of you? 4 wheel drive isn't an issue on the road from the airport to Arenal. You'd be just as safe in a taxi as you would in a hotel transport, I would think. We've only taken taxis a few times, but have never felt uncomfortable. Either way should get you there safe and sound. :)

Cherish05 : How did you find out that a taxi would only cost ($90) to go to Arenal?
Shillmac : Do you happen to know if the interbus runs from Peace Lodge, or would we be better off looking at a taxi from there?
I know this is an old message but,hopefully you both are still around and might have an answer.
Thanks in advance

Never been to CR, but doing lots of homework and I believe you can take Interbus from the Hampton Inn/Suites which is reportedly only 5min (across the way?) from the airport?

Also arenal.net has a shuttle around 3pm from the airport to Arenal for $34pp http://www.arenal.net/tour/transportation.htm

Shillmac, Just looking at posts from you. You were so helpful to me last year when I was planning a trip for December of 2005. We went for 3 nights to Arenal and then 6 nights in MA. So wonderful we are going to the Guanacaste area this year. Would love to ask you some questions if you would respond. Don't have your email address.

Jill (shillmac) is out of the country right now. She gets back next week but leaves 2 days later for a month in CR. I'm sure she might make a quick stop in here though.

Also, as to interbus....the Hampton Inn that everyone refers to has been re-named to Garden Court Hotel. It took about 3 minutes to get there from the Airport. There is a Casino & Denny's there as well, plus a Hampton Suites. Just a fyi...I didn't stay there, but still found everyone at the Garden Court very helpful. After being dropped by Interbus, they put my luggage behind the counter, called me a taxi and verified the fare for me with the taxi driver.

We took interbus from the hampton inn to arenal in March. It is just a few minutes from the airport. Some shuttles left from the green turtle shop close to the hotel. I enjoyed both our transfers with interbus. The drivers were more friendly and interactive than the private transfer we had arranged from MA to the airport. I would recommend Interbus.

You might also want to consider Grayline. They offer shuttle service similar to Interbus. I've found Grayline to be more prompt answering my questions. Come to think of it, I think I e-mailed Interbus 2 or 3 times with no response.
Carrie

That's weird, interbus usually answered me within in an hour which in CR is almost unheard of! ;)

Does Interbus stop at all on the way to Arenal after it has left all of the San Jose hotels?

Yes, they stop at a place about mid-way thru the 2.5 hr trip. Nice place with food/snacks, tons of souvenirs, clean restrooms etc. Stopped about 15 min in each direction, so it must be pretty regular as there were 2 other interbus vans there when we pulled up.