fonzie

Hi-
My wife and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica the first week in April. We are planning on foregoing a rental car and taking shuttle buses around the country. Our trip ends with 3 nights/2 days at Tamarindo. If we take a 0930 Sansa flight back to San Jose arriving at 1035, will we have time to catch a 1250 flight back to the US? We are going to pay the departure tax ahead of time (ie. the day we arrive in Costa Rica). I am tempted to take the 0930 flight because the earlier flight is 0615 or so.
Also, we are trying to decide between the Vista Verde Lodge and the Arco Iris Lodge for 2 nights in Monteverde. Since we won't have a car, I'm leaning towards the Arco Iris Lodge becuase it is in Santa Elena. The Vista Verde Lodge is a good 9.5km from town. Without a car- we would be stranded, right?
Any suggestions?

fonzie

Hi-
Does anyone have advice re: scheduling domestic flights in CR?
thanks

gannetmusic

I definitely would not recommend leaving that little time to catch your flight out of the country.

There are many things that can [and do] delay in-country Costa Rican flights.

Jerry

faithie

I also find thet could be a little close for comfort . It could work , but u never know .....

Barbarian

I don't think you need worry about the hotel you choose being too far from Santa Elena and civilization at Monteverde, which is, after all, not a town, but an area strung out along a long road. Buses run regularly and inexpensively up and down that road, and taxi are quite inexpensive as well. I use them to take me wherever I want to go in this country at any time, night or day, and then I ask the driver to come back and pick me up at an appointed time. They have never failed to do so.

I think you are making an excellent decision not to rent a car in Costa Rica. They are extraordinarily overpriced because so many tourists think they cannot live without having their own transportation at all times. Then they worry constantly (for good reason) about getting all their stuff stolen from their rental cars, all of which are readily identifiable to thieves, rip-off artists and other ne'er-do-wells of every sort.

Remember, you can rent both a car AND a driver for a day in Costa Rica for LESS than it costs to rent your own car and drive yourself. Renting a car here is only for the truly auto-addicted. Leave the driving to THEM what knows the territory, sit back and relax and enjoy the views.