My fiance and I are going to CR for our honeymoon this May. We need RELIABLE, ESTABLISHED public bus transportation from San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio, Man Ant to Arenal, and Arenal back to San Jose.

A lot of website I've seen are shady with outdated schedules. Please help

Two companies can offer you comfortable shuttle service in minivans between those points: Interbus (www.interbusonline.com) and Gray Line (www.graylinecostarica.com) You're looking at about $29 per person for each leg of the trip.

If by "public" bus service, you mean the buses that everybody takes, there is no one place to go for that information. This website (http://costa-rica-guide.com/BusSchedule.html) can give you some general information, but I don't know how frequently the schedules are updated. Every route is served by a different company which is why there's no one single source of info. You have to wing it once you get to Costa Rica, but that's not difficult.

bondgirl78,
The Grayline and Interbus routes that Jeff has mentioned are your best bet for transporting yourselves if you have luggage.
The public bus system is extremely inexpensive and actually a lot of fun to "experience" if you have the time and are traveling with just a backpack. If you have luggage, though, you'll want (and need) the security of the smaller transfer companies. Stolen luggage is a HUGE problem on the public bus routes.

I checked out Gray Line, but it looks like they only have tour packages, which we don't want, and charters. Can we charter only the two of us?! Thanks.

NEVERMIND, I found GrayLine's **nicely updated** schedule and prices! thanks!!!