Question about driving to SJO from M.A.
 

Hello Knowledgable CR group :-)
We are flying out of SJO at 12:45pm at the conclusion of our trip in July. Am I crazy to think we can transport in (we'll use a driver) from Manual Antonio that morning? I hate to give up another night in M.A. to spend it in an airport hotel. We do have 2 kids ages 7 and 12 so I'm trying to also consider logistics if we did the morning drive from M.A. (3 hour drive to airport - 2 flights home ---> could be some very tired kids...on the other hand, maybe they'll sleep on the plane :-)
The transport companies recommend leaving M.A. at 7am for the 12:45p flight, just wondering if we could be facing all sorts of traffic complications, etc that might jeopardize our flight. Thanks for your comments.

Me personally, I would go for it.

I would definitely leave from MA in the am barring any accidents you should have plenty of time. We have done it before - just remember you need to pay your exit tax first - that is what usually confuses people!

It's 120 miles pretty far for me.

if everything goes perfectly you will make it

might leave even earlier like at 6AM to be safe

or come up te night before to be safe...

Well I think it depends on a few things - how long will you have been in MA? If only one or two nights, then I'd also hate to give up a night to leave - basically you'd have to check out of your hotel and leave. But on the other hand, if you'd been there for a few days already, there are nice hotels near the airport that you could have a nice afternoon and evening at the day before leaving. This way you won't be stressed out your last morning. If you plan on doing so - you won't feel rushed and you'd still get to enjoy your last afternoon. For us, we got a great rate at the San Jose Marriott - we picked it for the rate, proximity to the airport and the pool. We left MA after breakfast and had a relaxing drive back to San Jose. We stopped for lunch on the way and arrived and had a nice late afternoon at the pool at the Marriott. They have decent restaurants and provide transportation to the airport. But again, we had already been in MA for 3 nights and didn't feel we were missing out on anything. And we wanted to relax that last morning instead of rushing to catch the flight.

ShellD,
That does make sense. We'll have been in M.A. for 4 nights already so we could definitely spend the last night in SJO. Is the Marriott authentic CR or does it feel - Marriot-y? :-)

Well, the Marriott is definitely a bigger hotel, but it's got a lot of spanish charm to it. The courtyard area is all open air. The pool is nice and the grounds are nice - but once you walk into the room - it's all marriott. For me, that didn't matter because it was the last night and I just really wanted a pool and to be close to the airport. For others, they don't like that. If you go the Marriott website and look at the Costa Rica San Jose Marriott, not the San Jose Courtyard Marriott, there are a lot of pictures. There's a lot of other hotels that are not downtown, that are near the airport that people enjoy staying at as well.

laura - we have stayed in MA our last night for the last 2 years and had no trouble getting to the airport on time. We had 12:30 flights and left between 7:15 - 7:30 to drop our car off at 10:30 (but at the airport, not at the rental agency). We arranged for our breakfast the night before so when we arrived at bfast, they had already started making it :)
Only one thing - there is construction going on between MA and SJO - they are finishing up the new road from SJO to Jaco. There are also usually a few speed traps just north of jaco. We had no problem this year but last year we hit both slow road construction trucks and got stopped by cops. I'm up to my last 3 days of my trip report which will incluse this if you want to check it out - should be finished by weekend.
Also stayed at the Marriott once - beautiful but definitely a Marriott :)

oh, and last year we left around 7 and used tricolor - they were quick with the car return and extremely helpful when dropping us off at the airport - they got us right in line for departure tax, etc...

I'd do it. We had a 1:30 pm flight and left MA at 8am. Had a few slow spots but no major problems. Got to SJO at 11. What fouled us up was 1) we hadn't paid departure tax ahead of time (so it's advisable to do that upon arrival as suggested) and 2) the security line was LONG (out the front door and down the ramp). We made it with 20 min to spare - less than I'd like. I'd certainly give myself some extra time, but wouldn't hesitate to make the morning trip again (and yes, we wanted that extra night in MA).

thanks so much for all the advice. We are going to go ahead and stay the night in M.A. I think....we will have a driver to get to SJO so no car return.
Laura