My wife and I are visiting CR for the first time in April, we are visiting Tortuguero first up, followed by 9 days 4x4 hire from San Jose. We have 2 nights booked in Monteverde then 1 in Arenal and 5 in Malpais. Can anyone give approximate drive times between these places please?
Also what should we not miss and should we allow more time at MV or Arenal. Lots of questions i know but we still have time to tweak things if need be. Thanks in advance

I'd re-work it a bit if you can. Although I didn't go to Monteverde directly from San Jose, I'm guessing it will take you about 6 hours. It will be at least a 4-hour drive to Arenal and it gets dark by 6:00, so your time there is pretty much shot. It's a beautiful area with lots to do, so worth more time. For Mal Pais I'm guessing you will drive to Puntarenas and take the ferry? That's going to be a long day of travel. The ferry itself takes 2 1/2 - 3 hours, then there's more driving. Since you're in Arenal, it would be easier to go to Manuel Antonio or the other beaches on that side, but it can certainly be done.

Sandy

Thanks for the advice Sandy. We are kind of set on Mal Pais but i may well take your advice on Arenal. Ive noticed there seems to be a short ferry right at the far end of the gulf, do you have any knowledge of this
Andrew

Leaving Tortuguero - are you by chance taking the early flight out to SJ? If so you will be in SJ around 7AM, plenty of time for your drive.

I too would prefer the areas of the southern Nicoya Pen. MA was interesting and we certainly enjoyed it, but Montezuma, Santa Teresa, MalPais are just so wonderfully laid back.

If you are set on Monteverde and Arenal, I would truly think about adding another night to Arenal. Agree with Sandy, one night is just far to short, seriously you will arrive late afternoon and then have to be on the road early AM to the ferry.

I also might consider reversing this order making it Arenal, Monteverde then MalPais.

Another consideration would be to get back to SJ and fly to Tambor.

Or fly from Tortuguero to SJ and then onto MalPais & back to SJ, pick up vehicle and then Monteverde and/or Arenal.

The year we visited Tortuguero - we took the boat to Tortuguero, early flight to SJ, change flights to Tambor, driver picked us up and drove us to Montezuma, flew back to SJ, picked up vehicle and onto the Peace Lodge. Plus we rafted the Pacuare the day before we headed to Tortuguero. This was a 10 night trip. Logistically we were coast to coast, by utilizing several means of travel, our trip worked perfectly. Loved it.

Just some ideas. Enjoy!

Are you talking about the ferry near Cocal? It looks short on the map, but as with everything in Costa Rica, it takes longer than you think. It is worth the trip -- MalPais/St. Teresa/Tambor is a cool area. The previous poster suggested leaving from Monteverde rather than Arenal and that will probably shave a little driving time off.

Sandy

Hi Sandy and dfarmer
Thanks for your replies
The ferry is near a place called Copal on my map and seems to link highway 18. I must get a good map before we travel (any suggestions?). Monteverde lodge is already booked so we will have to go there before Arenal, we'll just have to accept the longer drive to the coast.
I am going to book the extra night at Arenal and sacrifice 1 day on the beach.

We are boating into Tortuguero and taking an early flight out but i think it gets to SJ about 9.30am
Flying in/out of Tambor is a great suggestion but tbh i like the idea of exploring in the car and maybe finding some isolated beaches. Which leads to another question, in order to get an extra day on the beach, on our last day we are leaving Mal Pais early morning to catch our 17.30 flight from SJO is this a good idea?
Thaks again,

Andrew

SJ > Monteverde is probably 3-4 hours

I'm not entirely sure about the drive between Monteverde and Fortuna.

From Fortuna to Malpais...difficult to say. From the Puente de Amistad it'll probably take you a good 3-4 hours depending on how fast you drive on unpaved roads. Alternatively you could head back down to Puntarenas and take the ferry across. From Puntarenas, the ferry ride is 1.5 hours (~$12 for the car plus 2 people), then another hour from Paquera.

You'll have absolutely no problem making your 17:30 SJO flight if you leave in malpais in the morning.

Ah! Puente de la Amistad -Tempisque Bridge... Thanks for that cb303 I have found the answer to my earlier ferry question...its now a bridge, I really must get a newer map!
Do you have any idea on times from La Fortuna to Puente de la Amistad?
I really would like to drive down the peninsula but dont want to take on too much in 1 day. I'm glad you think making the flight will be ok, I was bothered that might be a problem. Would you expect the Paquera ferry to be very busy in April?

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Andrew

britsontour,
Glad you got that resolved! Your itinerary looks great, and you have gotten very good advice on how to make it even better. Southern Nicoya is indeed very nice.

An excellent map is the laminated Berndston & Berndston that can be ordered or purchased at Barnes & Noble. For you British folks, not sure. It has served us very well--don't know what we'd do without it traveling in CR!

Have a great trip!

Hi shillmac,
Thanks for the tip, i'm searching for that map today.
Do you (or anyone else for that matter) have any idea of the drive time from Fortuna to Puente de Amistad?
Also, are the Paquera- Puntarenas ferries generally full up, has anyone turned up and had to wait for the next ferry or worse?
Thanks

Andrew

This website gives you driving times:

http://vacationcity.com/costa-rica/information/driving

great link.... thanks

Andrew

Well, we have now booked an extra night at Arenal and are going to southern Nicoya via Puntarenas- Thanks Sandy & Dfarmer.

We are much more relaxed about leaving Malpais the morning of our flight home, and now know there is a bridge at Puente de Amistad- thanks cb303.

Our Berndston & Berndston map is on order- thank you Shillmac.

We have a pretty good idea of drive times from anywhere to anywhere- thanks theapollomacs.

All of your advice has been most useful, we are really excited about our trip now.
Just one more question, does anyone know if the ferries at Puntarenas are inclined to be too full to get onboard in April i.e should we get there real early?

Andrew