Our hotels are booked. Just need some advice on how to get from point to point. I know I dont want to drive in San Jose, so any other thoughts?

-Thinking of having a rental car delivered to our first place (Vista del Valle).

-Drive to Arenal and use it while we're there(Arenal Paraiso).

-Can we leave the car rental near Arenal Paraiso or would we need to drive back to San Jose?

-I'd like to hire a private guide to take us from Arenal (if we can leave the rental car) to Playa Conchal. How much would this cost?

-Would like to hire a guide from Playa Conchal to Manuel Antonio. How much would that cost? Wouldn't mind taking the interbus either. Suggestions?

-Either interbus or city bus back to San Jose. Are the city busses safe? Thinking of our luggage and not wanting to leave it under the bus unattended.

Thanks so much for suggestions and advice.
Carrie

Carrie,
If you will rent from Tricolor, you can easily return the car yourselves. We've had good experiences with them, and they have always offered the best prices. It is just up the street from the Hampton Inn across from the airport--you can't miss it. Very simple. You might e-mail them and see if the car can be dropped in La Fortuna--otherwise it wouldn't be a problem to return it yourself. www.tricolorcarrental.com

The drive from Arenal to Conchal is not a bad one either, and even on to Manuel Antonio. If you should change your mind about being driven. . .

If I were really adamant about being driven, I'd probably choose Interbus. It is a very reliable form of transportation.

Since you plan to be driven most of the time, I'm curious as to why you would choose a rental car for your visit to Arenal, but not for the rest of the time. It might be easier and more practical for you to arrange transfers all the way around.

Just my dos colones. . .have a great time!

Shillmac,
Thank you for the information. I'm really not sure what form of transportation I want to do. I think a car can be delivered to Vista Del Valle near the end of our stay there. We'd have some freedom to explore while at Arenal. I don't think we'd use a car much at either Paradisus or Manuel Antonio. So, right now I'm trying to get ideas. I'm wondering what would be most cost effective and offer some independence. I've read some reviews about interbus, and it sounds very convienient. But I have read some comments about them double charging.
Thanks again
Carrie

Well, whatever you decide, have a great time! When are you going?

Shillmac, I am leaving on Feb. 16 for Costa Rica and have been in touch with TRICOLOR CAR RENTAL. What extra insurance or liabilities on the car rental do you recommend? I already have a platinum VISA which covers CDW. But it seems like all the rental companies offer or call things differently.

So it would be helpful to know what you chose with TRICOLOR because they seem to have good rates.

Well, now I have to admit that I am the worst person in the world to tell you those details! We use our credit card as well and have to sign a waiver declining CDW. The price that they have quoted for me online (that's how I always reserve a car) has always been all-inclusive of whatever the insurance needs/requirements are as well as taxes. Never a penny more. We show up with our e-mail confirmation number and quote.

It's not so much what you choose, but what is required for the car rental, and it is (I believe) standard throughtout the country. Perhaps someone will answer you who is more knowledgeable (or pays more attention) to the fine print and details.

Don't forget your driver's license--I almost did once, thinking that with my passport, I had no need of it. Duh!

We just returned from a 2 week (1st time) trip in Costa Rica and rented a Nissan X-Trail thru Tricolor. We could not have been more satisfied with the service and the car.
We actually made the mistake of staying in downtown San Jose, Hotel Presidente (nice place) the first night and last night, and knew immediately after being dropped off at our hotel by a taxi that there was no way we wanted to drive in San Jose. Tricolor came to our hotel the next morning, picked us (and our luggage) and drove us to their office to pick up the rental car. I had made reservations online also so the whole process was quick and easy and the contract was all-inclusive of the necessary insurance (also the best price around).
Fortunately their office is somewhat on the way out of town, so upon return we drove directly there, where Jackie, the rental agent, offered to drive us to our hotel. Thank gosh, because it was Friday afternoon and shear chaos on the roads.
We will definitely use Tricolor again.