We are arriving into SJO airport at 8:15pm. We would like to go ahead and drive to M/A. We are only there for 2 nights so we're trying to also have 2 full days. Uncertain of how safe it is to drive at night. We have hired a private driver so navigating is not an issue.
Thanks
cooper1

If you have hired a driver, I wouldn't worry about it, but I wouldn't do it alone. There are no lights on any roads, streets, etc from SJ to MA and the people and animals walk the streets at night and are very hard to see. Also, most roads are not marked well and if you don't know your way, you can get lost. A driver should know the roads and I always want to get to my destination as soon as possible. have fun.

Cooper1,
What day are you leaving next week? I'll be thinking of you having a great time while I'm finishing up those last days of school when no one (students or teachers) wants to do any work anymore! You'll be laughing and smiling all the way from San Jose to Manuel Antonio to Arenal to Peace Lodge! Hope you see the volcano! Enjoy every second, and get your hubby on the computer the minute you return! Buen Viaje!

Consider getting a good night's sleep in a hotel near the airport...I hear the Hampton Inn is okay and it's close and has a shuttle. Then you can get up early and it will be daylight and you can actually see the country on your drive to manuel antonio...

Don't forget if your flight arrives at 8:15pm you still have to collect your luggage (and sometimes luggage can be delayed...once I waited 40 minutes before the luggage for our flight even began arriving on the conveyer belt... You might not even get out of the airport until almost 9:00 pm...So if you went straight to Manuel Antonio it would still be too late to do anything but sleep...Just something to consider.

Thanks everyone for your opinions. We have decided to spend the first night at the Hampton Inn and then go on to M/A early the next morning.

shilmac- We will be arriving into SJO on May 14th. I'll be thinking of you also because you have been such a great help in planning our trip and your passion for C/R really helped us make the decision to go.

cooper1

Cooper1, Great! I didn't want to discourage you the other evening if you really wanted to get on the road, because, as someone pointed out, with a driver, it isn't that big of a deal; but I am glad you've decided to wait until morning. You won't want to miss one single view of your drive! Enjoy. . .!