More driving times
 

I too, like Jenny, need honest approximations of drive times. We are a group of seven and are planning on renting 2 4X4s in CR next week. People in my group are starting to worry about the drive times because we keep hearing different things.

So, any info on times and road conditions for the following places would be greatly appreciated:

Liberia-Tabacon
Tabacon-Tamarindo
Tamrindo-Liberia

Thank you very much!

As I recall from another of your post - you will be arriving Liberia at around 7PM? And also asked about the possibilities of hiring a private driver.

I believe most will agree that a private transfer at that time of night is going to be the best option. It is so easy to get turned around in CR, and highly recommended to drive during the day. Sign posting is sporatic and if there at all, sometimes very difficult to see.

If you want to experience the driving, I would consider renting your vehicles or picking them up in La Fortuna.

Drive times are going to vary much between people. WE have typically doubled whatever time the hotel or travel specialist has told us. Simply because we tend to stop more and certainly get lost more.

I know this has not been of great help, but hopefully by posting it will get your question back to the top and someone far more experienced will be able to help.

The drive times can vary, but as a rule:

Liberia-Arenal: 3-4 hours
Arenal-Tamarindo: 4-5 hours
Tamarindo-Liberia: 1.5 hour

There is no reason to worry about the drive times. Latest reports are that all of the roads you are talking about a fairly rough at this time. People are always talking about how the roads in Costa Rica need to be repaired. Few realize that the heavy rains during the rainy season as well as heavy truck traffic take a serious toll on the roads. Repair is an ongoing job. Road condition tends to be somewhat seasonal. Even so, the roads are certainly not what you'd call impassable. They just might be better at some times of the year than at other times. That will affect travel time. It is what it is! Part of the adventure. :)

Thank you all very much for the advice. We're looking into hiring a driver or shuttle from Liberia to Tabacon for the night drive. The resort has shuttle service from San Jose but we're awaiting a respone from them regarding Liberia.

There is also a Grayline bus from Arenal to Tamarindo, for the second part of our trip that we're considering. I'm also awaiting their reply regarding the travel time, since we all know buses can be VERY SLOW!

As for Tamarindo, do you think we should have a car? I know it's a small town but exactly how small? We may want to cruise up or down the coast line from Tamarindo to pursue calm waters. Other than that, the only other reason we may need a car is to get back to the airport from Tamarindo. Unless you know of shuttles from there or rental car agencies that will let you rent in Tamarindo and then drop off in Liberia...

Thanks again and I'm sorry that this turned into a monster question again. :-)

You can rent in Tam and drop off in Lib, but an alternative drop off would be a bit costly.

Consider hiring a taxi driver for your return to the airport. 7 of you--2 taxis? It would probably cost $50 per taxi. I'm sure you could negotiate if they asked for more. We paid $35 for a drive of similar length last summer.

You'd enjoy a car in Tamarindo, I think. Up and down that coast is fun to explore. Especially to the north toward Potrero, Flamingo, etc.