We are a family of 4 and this is our itinerary. 3 nights Arenal, 2 nights Peace Lodge, 4 nights Bosque del Cabo.
We are thinking of flying in a night early and staying in San Jose so the next morning we can get a rental and drive to Arenal. Our concern was flying in and if we have delays, we're stuck driving at night. From reading these posts that seemed like a bad idea.
What is there to do in San Jose? It will be for the afternoon we arrive and one night.

hazelnut, do you realize that the international airport, SJO, is actually NOT in San Jose, but about 20-30 min to the west, toward Arenal. It would be best for you to just drive on up to Arenal if you arrive no later than, say, 1:30.

If you arrive and have the afternoon available to you, as your last paragraph implies, I'd get right on up to Arenal. There is a lot to do up there! OR get on up there, do your 3 nights Arenal, 2 nights PL, and schedule an extra night for BdC!

This may not have helped you much, but in your case, San Jose just doesn't seem to fit. If your flight arrives late in the day or at night, you'd want to stay somewhere near the airport rather than in SJO. Then you'd be closer to Arenal when you start out the next a.m. Hope this helps. If not, disregard!

Getting delayed on the first day of vacation is a possibility that always makes me nervious too. We are coming in a day early and staying at the Costa Rica Marriott (nice hotel, with free airport shuttle)before heading off to Bosque del Cabo in February. Last year we stayed there on the back end of our trip. Having a bit of time to just read a book by the pool is a nice way to unwind before heading out.
Your trip sounds fantastic!!

Thanks Shillmac,
We are not dying to spend an extra night around San Jose but were worried about getting delayed. What do you think of the warnings about not driving too late? Right now I'm booking a flight that arrives at 930am. If we're delayed for a few hours that might have us driving to arenal in darkness which we've been told to avoid. What do you think? If we had even worse delays than we lose a night at the Iguana Lodge which I would hate!

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Not at all. Your arrival time is excellent! I seriously doubt you'd be SO delayed that you'd having a problem getting to Arenal before dark. Even so, if you can get most of the way there, truly, it shouldn't be a problem. Believe it or not (and knock on wood) we've NEVER been more than 30 min. later than our scheduled arrival time. If worse comes to worse and you arrive in the mid to late afternoon, simply carry with you the phone numbers of a couple of hotels near the airport, like Hotel Villa Bonita or Orquideas Inn.

Hi Hazlenut,

The drive between SJO and Arenal is about 3-3.5 hours, so an expected 9:30 a.m. arrival time gives you a lot of wiggle room.

We drove to Arenal from the Peace Lodge last year. We got a later start than we had planned and made the last part of the drive after sundown. The roads heading into Tanque, La Fortuna and out to our hotel (Arenal Lodge, by the lake) were all in good shape. We had no trouble navigating in the dark.

That said, I would not have wanted to make the bulk of the drive in the dark (as much for fear of missing pertinent road signs as for road conditions...), but if you were able to hit the road by 3:30, you would probaby be just fine. Your flight would have to be horribly delayed in order for this to be an issue.

Hope this helps allay the concerns a bit...

And actually, we make that drive in about 2 h 45 m at the most. Not speeding, just driving normally (but not overly slow, either). We usually stop once for a bathroom break or coke--very quick stop. Have done it in 2 h 30 min.--from Alajuela, of course, not San Jose!

I timed it on the bus this summer, through San Carlos and Zarcero (a different option for you with regard to routes). We were on the road about 4 hr. and 30 min FROM SAN JOSE BUS STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN--with the bus stopping for every Tom, Dick, and Harry alongside the road.

I'm saying this not to be contradictory, but to let you know that if you can get on the road no later than 3:30, you should not have to drive ANY in the dark. It won't be COMPLETELY dark until closer to 6:30. If it does take you a little longer, you can surely manage the last few kms with the headlights.

Really, the roads this summer were in BETTER than excellent condition. I was truly amazed on the San Carlos/Zarcero road. It was fantastic. We were on the San Ramon/La Tigre road in March and it was in good condition as well. . . .

Everyone says not to be on the roads after dark because there are no shoulders and you often see a lot of foot (and hoof) traffic. And it's a good idea--as a rule. But with care, it is certainly manageable. Nothing for you to be afraid of, anyway.

Thanks everyone,
Maybe we'll try to brave the drive. My husband wasn't sure he was up for a 3 hour drive after a 5 hour flight!

Oh yeah, he'll get an adrenaline rush! It will work out just fine!