My wife and I will be arriving on Sansa from 3 nights at Bosque Del Cabo at 2:50 PM on a Tuesday in February. We're staying at Lost Iguana for 3 nights.

It sounds like a car would come in handy in Arenal, but I am hesitant to do the drive myself given the time we are scheduled to get into SJO. Thoughts? Perhaps a private driver to LI and then pick a car up near Arenal the next day?

You could do that if it would make you feel more comfortable. However, the road is good, signage much better than it used to be, and if you arrive on time you should be on your way by 4:00 at the latest.

Let's just say you take a taxi from Sansa (actually in front of SJO) to Tricolor. You already have your vehicle reserved, so they should have you on the road in minutes. You'll need to stop for gas (there's a huge station continuing on up that same road a short distance).

We are nearly always able to drive this route in 2.5 hours or 2 hr. 45 min, no speeding, normal driving conditions. By the time it gets completely dark (6:15-6:30), you'll be very near La Fortuna and should be able to cruise right on in those last few miles. Even if you don't get out of town until 4:30, it should still be okay.

I'd not suggest driving the entire distance in the dark, but finishing up the drive after dark isn't a big deal. I think you'll be surprised with the quality of the road. As always, a little care goes a long way!

If that doesn't seem comfortable to you, then certainly a private driver could solve the problem. There are rental agencies in La Fortuna, of course.

Have a great trip!

I think the drive is doable, but if you'd like to hire a private driver, we booked one through the LI and were very happy with him.

shillmac, several people haclve said that it isn't unusual to spend a couple of hours clearing customs?

Keith

Keith, we actually did have that experience. It took us two hours to get through - the lines were running so long, past all the shops and fast food restaurants, also took forever for the luggage to come out. They told us it was because it was 4th of July weekend, so all of America was landing simultaneously, but delays can happen.

When we went last year, it only took us 15 minutes to get through. Seems unpredictable.

Keith, our experience has never been the 2 hour ordeal (thank goodness), and I'd tend to think that is the exception rather than the rule. UNUSUAL, rather than NOT unusual. .
45-75 minutes more like it, USUALLY.

We've done it very quickly a few times as well. Helps to travel with a small child--they take you straight to the nationals like for quick processing! It's wonderful!

This past summer, we were there to catch a flight to Panama, and the lines were as long as volcanogirl said, all the way past everything! That is the ONLY time I've seen it that way, but it does happen from time to time.

btheld will be coming in on Sansa and will not be having to worry about clearing customs.

The same thing can happen, though, at the rental agency. During those busy arrival times, the agencies tend to get backed up as well, and we've had it take an hour or so to get checked in and outta there with our car.

Oops, meant to say "nationals' line" not "nationals' LIKE"! Make more sense?