As our trip gets closer, my husband is getting a little nervous about driving in CR. He is envisioning us getting lost, running out of gas, and then getting stranded in the middle of nowhere for the night, fighting off wildlife and banditos!

So, to reassure him, please tell me there are gas stations in most towns. If not, what is the longest stretch we can expect to go without gas? Do you have a strategy of how often or where to fill up while driving around CR?

One more question, how much does gas cost there right now?

Thanks again!

Depends where you are. In the central valley and near all the tourist places, gas stations are everywhere. My favorite memory is looking for the gas station near Tamarindo. Well I didnt realize it doubled as a hardware store. I drove by several times before I realized what it was. The attendant opened a locked door and there was an antique gas pump. Culture shock for sure!

LA, In March we paid what we thought was about $3.00 per gallon. It is priced by the liter. I'm sure it is higher now, but it doesn't add up very fast. Even when traveling for several hours, you've actually covered only short distances and you don't use as much as you think you are using! In a week's time we filled up (maybe) twice, and that is without ever letting the tank anywhere near empyt. Just in case. Rule of thumb, if you're close to half empty, see a station, get some gas! Yes, they are everywhere. Some are very nice--with clean bathrooms!

We saw gas stations everywhere. We drove from Manuel Atonio to Arenal to Punta Islita, long stretches of road (5 -7 hour drives), traffic in areas, AND we took a wrong turn at one point. but we never ran out of gas, nor did we lack for gas stations.

That said, I agree, if you're at half a tank and see a station, can't hurt to stop and fill up. We did a fair amount of driving and I think we stopped for gas only 2 times.

To calm his nerves, I suggest that you start your driving early in the morning (right after breakfast, by 8 or 9 if not earlier, especially for long drives.). Just because it's a short distance in KMs, doesn't mean it won't take you hours. The roads, we found, weren't as horrendous as I read about, but they aren't great, and evidently during rainy season they are worse. Once you get to the smaller towns, the roads turn to dirt/gravel so during rainy season they aren't easy.

We loved driving around, it allowed us to see much of the country we wouldn't have seen otherwise. The scenery is just gorgeous.

Bring a good map with you! Don't necessarily trust the ones the rental agencies will give you, I found they didn't show all the roads. I think we bought a National Geographic map before leaving, that thing was great.
stacey

RELAX......like the Ticos say... Costa Rica is being reshaped for the Americans...There are gas stations all over... I will feel worse being lost in NY than in Costa Rica.
Pura Vida....

Thanks for all the great info everyone. This will certainly calm hubby's nerves a bit. Now he can find something new to worry about

Thanks for asking this question...I was going to sooner or later. My son has advised me not to tell dad about the roads yet, and actually is offering to use his own $ for private drivers! Doesn't think my husband will cope without a lot of choice words once he hits the roads!