My sister and I will be visiting CR for two weeks in July for the first time. We have decided to rent a 4x4. I have read all the safety precautions for driving in the country. Does anyone have any suggestions due to the fact it will only be us two women. Many thanks.

I believe it is road conditions, not personal safety issues, that people caution about.

I personally have never traveled by myself, however we always run into female travelers traveling solo.

I helped to plan my step daughter's trip last year, she was 22 and her friend about the same. Two early 20's females, of course me the always cautious, advised her to utilize drivers, buses and planes. They never encountered a problem, but always stayed together.

You don't mention your age, areas that you will be traveling, experience in driving in foreign countries, etc. All of this would be helpful to know, so that we could give you more detailed advice.

Common Sense, Common Sense, Common Sense!

If you are traveling off the beaten path, then a good knowledge of the Spanish Language is going to be very useful. If traveling in touristy areas then a so so understanding of the language and a good phrase book should get you through.

Remember it always gets dark around 6 PM, so always be at your destination much before 6 PM. We always calculate in a couple of extra hours to our destination - for getting lost and extra stops.

Remember to check your tires and your gas tank. Have a good map and don't leave out until you absolutely understand your route. Names of towns along the way, distances betweens these towns and some landmarks will help.

Some of the roads are terrible, others not much worse than the country roads we travel at home. Mostly it is the potholes, hundreds of speed bumps, animals and people on the road, plus the ever winding roads without guardrails and the lack of constant road signage.

I can't stress enough the common sense factor.

Thank you for the info. We are in our early thirties. I was born and raised in Vermont so I have experienc with dirt, potholed, muddy and the occasional cow in the roads. We are sticking to the main routes of interest: Poas, Arenal, Monteverde, Rincon National park, Playa Hermosa and possibly Samara.

I'm going to change my cars tire a few times, get a compass, phrase book. If there is anything elso that might come in handy, throw it at me.

i traveled there with two other women a few years ago and was there last year with my husband, and i really think you will be okay.

with the two women, i never once felt nervous - and i can be paranoid about such things. however, i did not spend much time in san jose, and my sister who was traveling alone there, felt a little uncomfortable in the city. she lives in manuel antonio now and doesn't feel the same way there.

the one thing i would say is please make sure you have a spare tire in your rental 4x4 (a must). the roads are really horrendous in areas. i mean, really bad - particularly if you go down to montezuma. there are just these enormous potholes! so it's not so hard to pop a tire.

Certainly learn how to change a tire after making sure you have a spare with air. It isn't hard, I taught my son how. A lot of the problems come up when less than nice people stop to offer help. Lock the car when you aren't in it.

Ask your car rental agency about a cell phone. Many are providing them free or at minimal cost. Although it won't work everywhere, coverage is surprisingly good and it's great to have in the event of a roadside crisis.

You apparently survived Vermont's secondary and tertiary roads during mud season, so you'll be fine. What's different, though, are some of the other drivers on the road in Costa Rica -- they'll make the Vermont-visiting New York, Boston, and even New Jersey drivers seem like rational beings I echo the above sentiments about not driving the backroads at night, especially if you aren't familiar with your route.

My daughters and I have been all over the place together and we have all traveled alone (rental car) with nary a problem. We exercise caution, of course, but have always felt very safe. There are things to watch out for, like cars that might try to pull you over, etc. . .although we haven't had that happen, we are aware of the possibility. Police cars are clearly marked and once they know you speak a little Spanish, they are much easier to deal with. Fines can be paid to the rental agency. If we had a flat tire, we'd probably NOT stop alongside the road, but continue on to the nearest town or restaurant before stopping--anywhere where there are other people. Enjoy yourselves!

Just keep an eye on your kidneys!!!