We will be spending two weeks in Costa Rica in March, with our three boys age 11, 9 and 7. Flying in and out of Liberia; renting a 4X4. We arrive in Liberia at 12:30; would it be possible to drive to the Arenal area the same day? How difficult is the drive? We would like to spend maybe 3 nights at Arenal, 3 at Monteverde, then if possible go down to Manuel Antonio. We would then like to spend some time on the west coast--probably Tamarindo. But we are concerned about the drive from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo. How long would it take; what route is best; would it be a good idea to break up the trip somewhere, and if so, where? Or should we skip Manuel Antonio and spend a week or so in Tamarindo, doing day trips, etc.? We don't want to spend too many long days in the car. Any advice would be welcome!

way too many questions...but, don't eliminate Manuel Antonio. It's nicer than Tamarindo and has more to do with one of the nicest National Parks in the country

Spent two weeks in CR last March with wife along with 18yr son and 13 year old daughter. Flight out of Toronto into Liberia via San Jose. Rented a pathfinder and traveled over 2,200km with second week in villa located in Nosara from owner out of BC. We elected to stay north of Liberia firstnight and we only people there overlooking the Ricon area to the north. You could probably make the drive to Arenal that day, but the route i took works it way around the Arenal area into La Fortuna passing the active side on the way in. Lots to see on this road so extra time to get there is a good idea. You pass around the large lake and wind power facility along with wildlife reserve. Roads are a lot better than what you read although there a lots of crosses erected to show the driving mistakes of the CR people. Gets very dark at night so unless you are comfortable driving at night on unlit roads, forget it. Stayed 1 night in Liberia, 1 night in Fortuna, Two nights north of San Jose to see Volcanoes in that area(To misty)<BR>Drove over mountains to Domincal. Great Spot for 2/3 nights. drove up to coffee plantations west of SanJose (Wife works at Tim Hortons head office so that was a must.) Then doubled back to Jaco area. and took ferry across bay to drive to condo in Nosara. If you want some more info give me a email no later than Monday. Were gone for a week to St, Kitts

Driving around CR presents two primary challenges: (1) limited signage (a navigator w/great sense of direction comes in handy); and (2) POTHOLES, lots &amp; lots of potholes. Only really decent road in entire country is the Pan-American Highway, which altho called a 'highway', is in certain areas a two or three lane road. <BR><BR>That being said, we did rent a car when visiting there a few months ago and did enjoy the convenience of having our own transportation. Can't say how long the trip betwn Liberia-Arenal as we arrived/departed out of San Jose. If you arrive in Liberia at 12:30, then by the time you pick up your luggage, customs, get rent car, etc. it'll be about 2pm. That means you'll have about 3 1/2 hrs or so to get to Arenal before dark. Being so close to the equator, the time of sunset is about the same year round in CR ~ 6pm and it's dark; you REALLY want to be at your destination by sunset. Like I said you'll be trying to figure out how to get to your destination and dodging potholes; don't need to add unlit roads to this mix.

^<BR>FYI --- a thread on this topic,<BR>“Drive from Arenal to Manuel Antonio with children”<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=6&amp;tid=34390272&amp;numrespo nses=6&amp;start=0<BR><BR>