Hello,

My family of five (husband, myself and 3 daughters) will be arriving in San Jose on 12/23.

Here is our itineraryy:

Day 1 - Arrive in San Jose at 2:10 and travel to Volcano Lodge in the Arenal area where we will stay for 3 nights.

Day 4 - Travel to Manual Antonio for 5 nights.

Last day - Get up early to get to airport from Manual Antonio (have to stay there to fulfill 5 night minimum)

We have rented a mini-van but it seems like everyone says you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

I now am considering hiring a driver for the 3 legs. Can anyone suggest a driver and provide his/her e-mail or other contact information?

Also, looking for suggestions for activities in each of the two locations.

Appreciate any and all ideas and suggestions.

Thanks much,
Patti

We've always hired our drivers through our hotels, and they've all worked out well for us. In Arenal, do the Cano Negro tour through Sunset Tours to see wildlife, hike the Hanging Bridges, volcano watch, go to Eco Termales for hot springs and dinner, and maybe go to the waterfall if you have time.

In MA, take a guided tour of the national park, go to the beach, maybe horseback ride with Vinca Falmy and do a Damas mangrove tour.

I don't think the driving is bad where you're going; if you feel comfortable driving, I'd go for it. If you want to just relax though and be able to leave your things in the car, then go with the driver option. Interbus is popular too.

Hmm...I thought I replied to you yesterday, but it doesn't seem to have posted! Sorry about that!

We've been to Arenal twice and both times had a car and really enjoyed the freedom of having one. You really don't need a 4 wheel drive in the areas you will be, you'll be fine with a minivan. What we liked about our car was the fact that in Arenal things are fairly spread out and we had the flexiblity of going where we wanted, when we wanted. We could go to eat wherever we chose to, whenever we wanted. We didn't have to rely strictly on tours - we could just go. Another example, is while we were there last visit, the volcano was clouded over most of the time, but one evening we were in the pools at our hotel and it started to clear out. So we knew if we had any chance to see the lava flow, we better get changed and hop in the car and drive over to the bridge by the Arenal Observatory Lodge. So by being able to be so spontaneous we got to see amazing lava flow, even some spouting eruption type flow and some cool rumbles! Without our own car, we would have missed it. On a really rainy day, there wasn't much to do, so we just hopped in the car and drove around the lake to Nuevo Arenal and got some pasteries at the German Bakery. So, for us, we love having a car.

Now, this last trip, by the end of a 2 week vacation with younger kids (7 and 9) we didn't want to make the drive to Manuel Antonio, so we did decide to hire a driver for that portion since we didn't feel we'd need a car while there. We felt like it might be a good decision and while it was a really great way to get exposure to the local culture and learn a lot from him. He was wonderful, incredibly friendly, we felt safe, we had a great lunch, we felt it was reasonably priced...etc...if we ever go back, we likely wouldn't hire a driver again. For us, we like the freedom and adventure of driving ourselves. We had no complaints with the driver. It was nice to relax and enjoy the ride, but it just took so long to get where we were going and once we got there, even though a car wasn't needed, we would have liked to have had one. Actually, in the future, we probably would spend the money and try to fly from Arenal to MA to maximize our time in each place.

But that being said I HIGHLY recommend Wilson Rojas [email protected] if you do decide to go with a driver for any part of your trip.

As for things to do while there, volcanogirl covered the highlights! In Arenal, if you do the Hanging Bridges, I would recommend a guide to be sure you see the most, and you'll learn a lot about the environment there with one. Also, there's zip lining too. There's horseback riding in Arenal as well. In MA, we did the Damas Mangrove tour too and really enjoyed it.

Your going to have a great trip!

We've rented cars before, but just like the freedom and flexibility. Agree that you really don't need a 4X4 in the places your going.

Just to add to things to do in MA - catamaran trips (excellent lunch included), sailing, parasailing, the Spa at Hotel Si Como No, and ziplining. We arranged all the trips through our hotel and had very good experiences.

One question - what time is your flight from SJO? We left MA at 8am for a 1:30 flight and barely made it with some traffic delays and the lines at the airport. Just give yourselves plenty of time.

Having the freedom and flexibility
of a rental car for me always better
cheaper than driver.Main roads are
fine for 2WD.Tricolor Mapache are
2 good locals.You will save a ton of
cab fare things in Arenal Ma pretty
spread out...can go anywhere anytime
I like.

www.mapcr.com Good map important.

www.mapche.com Biggest local...

www.mapache.com sorry missed an a

Have Fun either way...

We have never used a driver but have rented from several different rent a car companies. The one we like best so far is colones auto rental. They speak english, have both automatics and manual transmissions available, and depending on what and where we are going we can get either a 4x4 or a regular vehicle. And there prices were good to. And when we went the last time they even had Garmin GPS navigation units so we had maps and turn by turn directions. Here is their website. www.colonesautorental.com

Thank you all for your input. I have gotten quotes from a few drivers and found that the drivers' prices were cheaper than the rental car. So we were leaning that way, but after reading your posts, I think we will need to rethink this. Glad to hear that a minivan will work! Also, thanks dfr484 for your input about flight out of SJO. We leave at 10:05 am so we will definitely be getting up pretty early to leave MA!

Patti