Rental Car in MA?
 

Hi Everyone!
I've learned so much from this msg bd. We are arriving in Costa Rica on July 25. 1st going to Arenal area in a rental car, then to MA for 3 nights at SI Como No. Trying to decide if we need the car in MA, we're planning on staying closer to SJ on our last night (Marriott, Los Suenos). Are there shuttles btwn MA, Marriott, and SJO airport?

Although I have not yet taken my trip to CR, I have seen that Si Como No (where we are staying, also) has some places/restaurants close by to walk to, plus, plenty of taxis from what I have heard (to go to MA or even Quepos). I plan to use Interbusonline.com for my travels b/c we have heard the driving is very tricky. They have vans (doesn't sound like buses as we know them) that travel many routes. I hope you post a trip report upon your return! Have a great time! Sarah

Hi RunGirl!
We've decided to rent a car. Sure I will submit a trip report! This is my family's 2nd trip to Costa Rica. I planned both trips completely on line. The first was a great success (with the help of advise from msg bds like this). I just booked airline tickets yesterday thru Grupo Taca (best deal). Although I ended up phoning to finalize our e-tickets. I booked Si Como No this morning. Still have 6 more days to plan for.

you dont really need a car if your staying in manuel antonio. In fact a car is a hassle to park at the entrance to the park. Shuttle buses run to the park entrance from most hotels. Public buses seem to be the way to go if you dont have lots of luggage. Be prepared. Driving in CR is scary. Terrible road signs and people drive insane there.

We stayed in MA this past April and rented a car. I really glad that we did. The parking wasn't all that bad near the beach - we were able to find a spot every day. It seemed as though the busses were jammed packed with people and a lot more waiting for the next one to come. I think you will be glad you rented the car - just for convenience sake. The roads in MA / Quepos aren't that bad to drive on either.

Hi Anita,

Not exactly sure how big Si Como No hotel is, but may run into me, my wife and my 1-1/2 year old son who arrive on the 26th. we rented a car and will be driving in from Liberia sometime Sat. PM. Hope you have a great trip and if you see a really blond little boy with a big smile, his name is Connor.

The first time we were in Manual Antonio we stayed at Si Como No and had a rental car. It didn't move the entire time we were there. We either walked or took the bus or a cab. Just easier. Second time we didn't even have a car. Didn't miss it either.

Hello Anita

My wife, two 14 year old daughters, and I are leaving for Costa Rica on August 8 and have had similar questions. We are starting off flying to Tortaguerro and back, but then renting an suv and driving to Arenal, then to San Ramon, then to Si Como No for 5 nights. I thought about dumping the car in Quepos upon arrival and flying back to San Jose, but the luggage restriction would have done us in. And I would hate to rely on public transportation to get back to San Jose because we fly out to California the same day we leave MA. So....we are keeping our car for the duration and driving back in the morning of our last day. Who knows....we may want to explore down coast a bit.

Jim

We will be in CR for 10 days, and decided on a rental car for the whole trip. I haven't planned the middle three days so we have some flexibility between Arenal and MA. We are booked at Si Como No for only 3 nights. The last night I thought we should be closer to SJO for our flight to California at 6pm. Since we have so much time the last day, maybe we should just book our last night at Si Como No as well. Is there really enough to do?

Anita

that's a part of my itinerary I'm unsure about.....staying 5 nights at Si Como No, 4 full days of the area. But the 5th night is free, so.....

Since we'll have a car, we'll probably go check out Domenical and do some horseback riding there. Otherwise, there's lots to do (and pay for) in MA and vicinity....all kinds of tours and activities. And then, there's just relaxing on the beach or poolside as well.

Jim

We were just at SiComoNo for 5 nights and really liked having our car. You have to drive to the beach ( go inside the park and not the public one!) There is lots to do in MA. Make sure to check out the butterfly garden or book one of the tours through the hotel. We never had a dull moment there. ENJOY

We always walked from Si Como No (and Makanda, which if further away) to the park and the beach. Sort of a long walk, but pleasant. However, we always took the bus back up that enormous hill to get home.

Well, I did book one more night at Si Como No. We,ll have to move to another room. It's an upgrade to a deluxe suite. Wow, $260 for one night! I don't think I've paid that much ever! I'm glad we'll have some extra time in MA since there seems to be a lot to do there.

hi anita,
i think you'll be very happy with renting a car and staying your last night @ si como no. we just came back from costa rica last week and stayed at si como no -- by far the most amazing hotel! renting a car was wonderful. we had the flexibility to drive into quepos when we wanted to eat or shop -- go to el gran escape for the seafood -- wonderful! we didn't bother driving to the beach -- instead we took the shuttle transportation provided by the hotel (and walked back to the hotel from the natl park -- up a huge hill, practically keeled over from heat exhaustion -- don't do that).
we made the mistake of staying our last night in san jose instead of si como no and boy, did we regret it! you will be so happy to spend your last night in CR in a beautiful hotel and environment. it's about 3 hours or so to the airport from si como no, so with a 6pm flight, you'll have PLENTY of time.
have fun!
brooke

Hey Jim!

I'm looking forward to Si Como No! Glad I did book that last night there. I also ended up booking one more night at the beginning of my stay at Si como No after reading Jims msg about the Special! I shd have seen the "Green Special" at the Si Como No website. If I hadn't been reminded by Jim, I would not have recieved my free night! The reservation clerk at the hotel was very accomodating and nice about it. Now we have 5 nights there! Thanks Jim! I know my kids will be happy to stay put in one place for a change! I'm sure we will have plenty to do, and you know how fast time flies by on vacation.

Hi Brooke!
Just wrote down the name of that restaurant you mentioned in MA. Thanks! Any others?

We had excellent meals at Karola's and Barba Roja's, both on the road between Quepos and Manual Antonio and both pretty close to Si Como No. Also decent Italian at Gato Negro. Mar Luna gets good reviews, but we didn't eat there. We ate one night at the restaurant at Si Como No (the casual one) and it was pretty good. Talked to some people who stayed at La Mariposa and they said the food there wasn't great. But, fine sunset views from the bar.

There are lots of fun little restaurants by the entrance to the park. I can't remember the names of any of them, but we ate at several and they were fine.

Jean

Another thumbs up for the restaurants "Karolas" and "El Gran Escape".

Keep the car for your 3 nights in MA. Convenient and afford you greater flexibility. And especially since your hotel sits up high and you may be okaying walking DOWN to the beach; but I was sooooooo glad we had our own vehicle as I know I would not have been a happy camper trekking UP from the beach to our hotel (stayed @ La Mariposa).

Anita

Bon Voyage! I've continued my research on MA and I'm very satisfied that there's enough to do and that it will be great. I'm satisfied with the 5 day duration at Si Como No. We'll be getting muddy and wet during the day checking out mangroves, waterfalls, canopies, rivers, etc and it will be nice to return to a nice hotel and use the swim-up bar. We will likely do some canyoning, some horseback riding (anybody out there know the best horse tour in MA?), some kayaking, some rafting on the Savegre, probably a suspension canopy tour, and some hanging out. Plenty of options.

I look forward to hearing about your time there before we leave on August 8th!

Jim

Hey Jim!
I too am wondering about a horse tour in MA. Last time we were in Tamarindo and there were Tico's w/ horses just waiting for tourists to escort on informal guided tours. The kids loved galloping on the beach w/ them. I hope we find something similar in MA.

Thanks Jean, for all the restaurant suggestions!