Does anyone know if we can take Interbus from MA directly to Peace Lodge? If we can only go from MA to San Jose, does Interbus offer any service from San Jose to Peace Lodge?

Our next leg would be Peace Lodge to Tamarindo. Anyone taken that route via Interbus? Maybe Peace Lodge to Liberia?

I don't think I can get my boyfriend to pack light enough to fly and we've actually enjoyed our ground transportation in the past, we just have a couple legs that are not pre-arranged this time.

Thanks for any tips you can offer. We going back to CR in late November if that makes any difference.

Interbus does not go to Peace Lodge. You could hire a taxi from the airport area, but expect it to run about $60 (and that may be too conservative). I think a private driver would run you about $100 or $125. It's a one hour drive from the airport, maybe a few minutes more.

Are you really adverse to driving? The routes are ALL easily driveable and it seems it would solve your problem very easily.

I think the going rate is about $50 or so either from/to PL. I did have a private driver from PL to SJO, with a couple stops in between and that was $60. Using them again in May, and their quotes were much less than what I received from the lodge I'm stayed at, if you need a recommendation just let me know.

Just to add....I think that's the first time I've ever seen mention of having problems with the BF packing light enough, usually it's the other way around!

We asked the Peace Lodge to hire a driver for us - one way between San Jose and the Peace Lodge was $50 or $55, I can't remember which. It was a pretty drive, and the road was in good shape. They'll pick you up in a nice air-conditioned van at the airport; the total drive took about an hour.

When taking Interbus from MA to San Jose, will the driver automatically drop us off at the airport or will we need to request this? I'm guessing it would be best to go inside SJO and get a voucher for Peace Lodge so we are paying the pre-established, set rate.

Tully, I would appreciate a recommendation on who to hire for getting from Peace Lodge to the coast. Any suggestions on interesting places to stop? We should know the route we will be taking, but we really don't. From what I've heard, the drivers adjust their routes depending upon road conditions, etc. but maybe traveling this route is a no brainer and it won't vary?

If the BF with numerous pairs of the big clunky, heavy sandals were up for it, I could see us renting a car at SJO and then dropping it at LIR. The place we are staying at in Tamarindo doesn't even have an actual parking lot so having a car there would be a hassle. Our travel company has already arranged ground transportation from San Jose to MA so we are set until we leave MA on 12/2.

Are the La Paz Waterfall Gardens on the same grounds as Peace Lodge or are they separate places? Guess I thought the gardens would draw enough people where transportation in and out of that area would be somewhat established. Oh well, peaceful and quiet works for us. Is it true that there are hardly any restaurant choices in this area?

Thanks everyone for all your help!

Peace Lodge is on La Paz Waterfall property. You're going to love it there!

Tully knows more, but I think Interbus will drop you at a hotel across from the airport.

We stayed at Peace Lodge 2 nights and both nights drove about 5km to a French restaurant that we really love. It is called Colbert's. The hotel people will know how to get there, but without a car, it will be tricky as there just isn't regular taxi service in the area, and I don't think the hotel will be anxious to call a taxi for you to eat somewhere else!

Colbert's has a beautiful view during the day. There are seldom many people there, and I don't know how they stay in business. But we think the food is pretty good. There is a shrimp in a puff pastry that we especially like as well as a chicken dish with mushrooms that was delicious. Lots of other options. The cheese plate is good as well--and the bread.

Your hotel is Tamarindo has no parking? That's a pity as it would be really helpful if you could pick up a rental to go to Peace Lodge and then, as you say, drop it at LIR.

You are just going to LOVE everything about Peace Lodge and the entire "waterfall park". So much to see and do there, with the butterflies, the hummingbirds, the waterfalls, trout pond, ranario (frog house), herpetarium, gorgeous swimming pool, and those hotel rooms! It's a fun place.

We are returning in August with our granddaughter. I am a little peeved that they don't have the breakfast included anymore. I think that, at those prices, that is a very poor PR move, but we'll stay one more time. Probably not again after that. Unless it is with her. It's a good way to entertain young ones with the birds, frogs, snakes, etc.

Interbus will take you pretty close to the airport, the closest being the Garden Court Hotel, which is just 3-4 minutes away.

Tell bf one pair of big clunky sandals will do

Re the driver - I've been posting his email here & there for the last year or so and realized I never asked him first, oops. I'm sure it's totally okay but I just emailed him just to make sure, so hopefully I will post his info here soon.

Linda, in addition to Colbert's, there's also a restaurant on site at the Peace Lodge and a great, causal, affordable spot called the Trout Bar. You can eat an early dinner there; we ate out by the little waterfall and had homemade chips, guacamole, casados, and Imperials - good stuff.

Linda I got the go ahead to post his email. His name is Alberto, great guy, he actually works for Bosque del Cabo but is in San Jose. His email is - [email protected] (It never seems to come out right for some reason, it should read: alberto_1175 and then the at hotmail.com) He'd be more than happy to provide you or anyone else with a quote for transfers or for several day long excursions.

Thanks Tully!! I sent Alberto an e-mail last night and had a very nice response waiting for me when I got home from work today.

Volcanogirl, thanks for mentioning the Trout Bar at Peace Lodge. I read about it somewhere, but had forgotten since it has been awhile.

Anyone have any experience with picking up a rental car in one spot and dropping it in another? BF (AKA Big Clunky Sandals) says you get charged quite a bit more doing it this way, but he is only aware of how some of our local rental car places operate.

Thanks everyone!

Yes, there is a charge. It depends on how far away you leave the vehicle, I believe. For example the charge would be more if you left it at Puerto Jimenez than if you left it at Liberia.

A couple of years ago, the fee was around $50 for drop offs in areas within a 3-5 hour drive of San Jose. If I were you I'd expect something between $50 and $100.
Of course, the rental company you use can tell you exactly what the charge would be.

Good to hear Linda. He is very nice, always quoted me very reasonable rates and is dependable. I had a few tricky connections last trip (and will this May as well) and it was nice knowing that he would be there.

On a previous post, someone else mentioned that Alamo car rental doesn't charge a fee for picking up and dropping off in other locations. When I plugged in different scenarios on the website, it looks like that is the case (at least for La Fortuna pick up and SJO drop off). www.alamocostarica.com

my main goal is to always provide suggestions of routes that get you there while allowing you to sightsee or catch other attractions.

if you are doing PL, you must do it first. then drive to wherever else you want to go.

you can drive to Fortuna from PL and then to guanacaste from there. Or to Manuel antonio.

One good option is to go to guanacaste by air and then fly to MA. Hire a driver to take you from MA to SJO or even fly again (22 min).

What i dont usually recommend is to use interbus or grayline unless you are on a tight budget. It takes many more hours to travel with them than in a cab or driving yourself. and the cost of interbus for two people is higher than the daily rental. ALAMO is the largest rental in CR and they have such volume that they have a lot of offices all over the country so the logistics of returned cars is not that complicated for them. Most of the time, companies base their drop off fees in how easy it is to rent the car out of the drop off point or get it to SJO than the distance.

Our trip is laid out as it is so we can fish and play out of MA/Quepos in the first part and then spend the last portion in the sun. We are from a rainy area in Washington state so beach time at the end of our trip, just before returning back to work, makes us happy. We realize our trip doesn't make logical sense, it just fits what we want to do. We will look at the costs of renting a car for the Peace Lodge to Tamarindo leg and see what we come up with. We both enjoy the stress free, hire a driver option so I have a feeling we may stick to that plan. Still kicking around options so thanks everyone for all the ideas.

There may be some 'shoulds' in CR but I would not say there are 'musts'. I would fit in PL whenever you can and get there however suits your schedule/family the best.