Hello there -

I am traveling to Pacific Edge Lodge in Dominicalito in July of this year. I need to have sound directions im which to drive there from the airport in San Jose. We understand that it is a day long trip, so start early. We also know potholes etc.. We have rented a 4X4. We know that the drive is doable because our parents drove from the airport to the Lodge. Anyone have good directions?

Blessings-Give Thanks-
Erika

Take the Interamerican Highway to Puntarenas, then south to Quepos, continuing on south another hour and a half or so to Domincalito.

An alternate route would be to head west on the Interamerican, take the exit for Atenas, through Orotina, on to Quepos and Dominicalito. This is a more scenic route and may be just a little shorter. Gorgeous vistas. You'll need about 4.5 hours. More if you stop for lunch, etc. You'll almost certainly want to stop and view the crocodiles at the Rio Tarcoles!

Get yourself a good map--I'd recommend the Berndston & Berndston from Barnes and Noble. It is excellent.

You rock... thanks for the great info... I really appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!

Erika

We'll be there for a couple of nights in June, I'm thinking. It's an interesting hotel. . .anxious to see what you think about it. . gorgeous views!

I would go directly on the Interamericana to San Isidro de General, then down to Dominical/Dominicalito, and it is paved all the way.

It takes about five hours from Alajuela to Pacific Edge. And going early in the day (leaving before 9 or 10 am) helps avoid some of the fog/mist.

Shillmac, I am surprised you do not suggest this route, as it is more direct, and you don't have the very rough road from Quepos to Dominical.

orionw--you are quite right. I'm surprised too! It's a good route and perhaps a better alternative.

Actually, I don't think there'll be much difference in the driving time, and it's always nice to avoid having to drive through San Jose (unless you have experience and know your way around).

I guess since the airport is west of San Jose, it just seems easy to me to take that 3 hour drive to Manuel Antonio, then continue on (even though the road is rough and unpaved) another 1.5 hr. to Dominical. I haven't actually been on this piece of road, but it can't be any worse than others I HAVE been on! So you're looking at 4.5 hours driving time.

Now see, if it were I, driving through San Jose for the first time, I'd lose another hour in getting lost and having to "work" my way out of town! Then it would be more like 6 hours taking that route!

Thanks for the nudge, though. That route is certainly a viable one.

Having gone both ways I would choose the Quepos/MA route. I thought it was quicker and certainly less nerve racking than trying to get through San Jose and then trying to find the turn in San Isidro. The road between Dominical and Quepos is rough going but I don't mind that little bit of it being that way. Most of the roads were that way when we started going down to CR.

George and Suzy are fun to be around. Happy Day is a favorite saying of George's. I would just contact them to get exact directions based on which way you are coming from.

I am sure your parents have told you how beautiful it is there. I certainly second it. You are lucky to have gotten a room. It took us a couple of years. They book up months in advance.