Hi everyone,

We're planning on going to Costa Rica in May and because we're staying an hour from SJ. on the Pacific Coast, we'll need to rent a vehicle. I'm wondering what type of vehicle is necessary in May? Can I get away with just renting a car, or do I really need to rent an SUV? With the vehicle, we would also be driving to places such as Arenal and where there are zip lines and whitewater rafting. Money is an issue, since my husband is in Grad-School, but we really need a vacation, so any help on where to go for renting with the best cost will help and tips on driving in Costa Rica. Any other information about Costa Rica travel in May would really be appreciated too!

Thanks for the input!

Jenna

P.S. Is it true that most of their main roads only have a speed limit equivalent to 38mph?
If I'm staying 20 minutes north of Jaco, appr. how long would it take to drive to Arenal?

2WD car worked fine for me

www.carrentals.com good prices

or www.mapache.com Tricolor good locals

www.mapcr.com 5 hrs or so to Arenal

speed limits are in KPH so 38 MPH is right in many areas.

We usually hire a private driver, but Tricolor gets good reviews on the board and is pretty popular.

Jenna
Hmmm. 20 minutes north of Jaco--I guess Punta Leona.
All you need is a Corolla or something similar, not a Yaris. We always rent from National/Alamo. They've given us good service over the years.Tell them where you're staying and they'll deliver the car any time that you ask for in the morning for no extra charge. Don't rent at the airport, it costs more.
We go for 5=6 weeks every year and have a car for the whole time.
Arenal is an easy 3-4 hour leisurely drive from that area and the roads are in excellent condition compared to previous years. You can take one route up and another down for a change in scenery.
If you have trouble with metric just multiply by six. Sixty becomes 36, etc. Watch for those school zones. They're everywhere.
Have fun.
Roger.

Hello again, Forgot to tell you in my previous comments. The speed limits are greater than 38 miles per hour on the main roads (outside the city limits). Around 55 miles per hour. Inside city limits is slow around 25 miles per hour. However
Costa Rica is not the country to drive fast. The roads are not in the best conditions and the road is also used for people, animals, and all sorts of things. My blog posts cover new strict penalties for violating traffic laws and I do mean they are tough. Read at www.costaricalearn.com

jENNE
As I said in my earlier post the roads are in far better shape than a few years ago. You're not going to find super highways like the States but they are good roads. These are the main roads I'm talking about. I don't receive any commissions from telling you to rent from National/Alamo, it's just who my wife and I rent from every year. I would be very careful renting from some unknown company. We tried Payless and a few others but we now deal with the above.
Just in passing, the roads are going to get a lot better in the future. Taiwan built the Friendship Bridge and in return received the shrimp industry. That contract ran out last year and the new one has Taiwan building a football (soccer) stadium in Sabana and Taiwan also gave the CR government $170 million US for the roads. Whomever you choose just have fun.
Costaricalearn-take avalium.
Roger.

Thank you to all those who have responded,

qwovadis - I'm happy to hear about a regular 2wd vehicle being sufficient! and I'm loving the website mapcr.com!

Volcanogirl - I have also heard of Tricolor being a safe company to go with so it's helpful to find others who agree as well.

Costarog - I'm going to check out your rental suggestion, and I'm relieved to hear the roads are better than in previous years. I've read so many posts stating the roads are HORRIBLE!, and there seems to be a ton of people who said they were in horrible accidents, which really concerns me on whether I want to take the chance to drive myself. I'm not sure if they weren't as careful and weren't informed on how the locals drive and road conditions, or if they were, and it's just THAT dangerous to drive there. Because some really have me freaked out.

costaricalearn - Thanks for the info on their traffic laws and speed limit info!

Again thanks to everyone thus far who have responded!

Jenna