Private transfers, reserve ahead?
 

Hi,

Four of us are going to Costa Rica May 21 for 10 days. We will require transfers from the Vista del Valle to the Tabacon at Arenal, from Arenal to Monteverde and from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. We wish to hire a private car or van and driver. Could we wait to get to Costa Rica to make the arrangements or is it better to do it in advance? I've read that each trip should cost about $100 but when I called some places that advertise on the Web, they want more like $175. Is it less expensive to make the arrangements once there or are we taking a chance we won't be able to get someone? Thanks for any advice and/or suggestions.

We arranged one transfer from Alajuela to Tabacon before we got there. We did our transfers from Arenal to Monteverde, and Monteverde to Manuel Antonio once we were there.

I do have a suggestion for you though. You may want to look into the jeep/boat/jeep transfer to Monteverde from Arenal and was just 25 bucks a person. It was a little different and fun too. Tabacon should be able to book this for you once you get there.

When we were in Monteverde, we went to talk to the santa elena pension to book a private transer through them. It was about 120 total for the ride and well worth it. We booked two days before with no problems.

Our first transfer that we booked ahead of time was a little bit more expensive because we added in the cost of tabacon to it and took a detour to la paz waterfall gardens. We booked though costaricatransfers.com
We decided to book the first leg just so we didn't have to worry about it when we first got there.

Good Luck and have a blast!

Again, I highly recommend Interbus.

http://www.costaricapass.com/

The drivers I use charge about $120 for trips to La Fortuna unless you want to go past Poas and Waterfall Gardens with long waiting times. Therefore, it is $150.

Interbus, if your timing is correct with your flights, travels the route twice a day for $25 each person and is very comfortable, riding with others.
Sometimes you make friends that way.

I agree with the jeep/boat/jeep or van/boat/van trip across the lake. It is beautiful and the transportation around the lake takes many hours vs. the 2 1/2 to go across the lake route.
Tabacon can book it for you as was said before.

Monteverde info. found on the net can help you with the transport from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. Not all drivers speak Spanish but they are a good reliable company. If you book with them online, be sure and double check when you arrive in Monteverde that all is ok.

If I can help in any way, feel free to write.
HOP

Costaricatransfers.com advertises $95 per trip. I believe there are others around that also advertise that price. I have seen transfers a lot higher so that is a good price. I would definitely take the trip up to Monteverde through the mountains one way or another. You could also add a little horseback to that transfer as well. Monteverdeinfo.com is a good company to go with. I have recommended them many times with no problems. Another good company would be Desafio. It is a beautiful trip and would end up much shorter than a van transport. They take your luggage up also so no worry there.

That time of year isn't too super busy so I would just make arrangements for your first trip anyway and then play it by ear. The interbus or Fantasy buses are both very reliable and much cheaper than a private van for just 2 people but for the 4 of you would be just about even for a private transfer. They also offer private transfers. These cheaper shuttles could end up being less for the 4 of you if you don't get the $95 transfers and at that time of year could end up being private anyway due to the fewer people traveling at that time.

Vista del Valle has people also who do transfers. You might want to check with them.

Keep in mind that transfers to and from Monteverde (other than the trip through the mountains) can be more expensive because of the wear and tear and time involved in getting up there.

Thanks to everyone who wrote. I arranged private transfers from the Vista del Valle to the Tabacon Resort for $110 for the four of us through costaricashuttle.com. I decided to take the advice of those of you who said they arranged the other transfers once there through the hotel or lodge. We will be doing the drive-boat-drive from Tabacon to Monteverde. I think we'll skip the horseback since I've never even been on a horse and nobody I'm traveling with rides. I'm afraid we would all become very sore and unable to walk afterwards, not to mention hike through a cloud forest :-)

We just returned from 9 days in Costa Rica with a family of 4 and the same itinerary as you. We arranged all our transfers in advance through Jules at Arenal.net and were very pleased. The drivers we're all utterly punctual and very professional, though they didn't speak much English - not a problem for me. They used air conditioned 10-seater minivans so with only 4 of us, lot's of room to spread out. The only one that is a shared ride is from Arenal to Monteverde and that one requires you call to re-confirm the day before. (You're going to love the Vista Del Valle Inn, by the way!). Here's what we paid:

Vista del Valle to Arenal (Montana de Fuego): $99

Minivan/Boat/Minivan from Arenal to Monteverde (Monteverde Lodge): $25 X 4 = $100

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio (Hotel Costa Verde): $140

Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport: $125

I think these are all independent drivers, but we added a little extra as a tip anyway.

glad you got it all worked out! Your gonna have a great time! ENJOY!

MNP, thanks, I'm sure we'll have a blast. I'll post a trip report when I return.
Laurie

Oh please do!!!
I look foward to hearing all about it!
Nichole