allison04

My husband and I have driven in CR in June, but not in Monteverde, and I've heard the roads are REALLY bad there in the rainy season. Would it be reasonable driving, as long as we had an SUV, or would there be rivers to drive ourselves through? How scary are the roads?

We're also going to Montezuma and Manuel Antonio afterward, and we're trying to decide how long we want a car. We plan to at least drive ourselves from MA back to San Jose, and we may take Interbus for the other trips.

RufusTFirefly

The roads were horrible when we were there in January last year. Big rocks sticking up out of the road bed that would do a job on a transmission or exhaust system. Parts of the road that were single lane as one side was in such terrible shape. Moving along at 5 or 10 kph. Taxi drivers told us that the repair shops couldn't keep enough suspension parts, shocks, etc. in stock because people were going thru them so fast--3 or 4 sets of shocks a year.

We saw several vehicles broken down, or the drivers just quit.

leah6

Our travel agent reccommended hiring a driver and is coordinating with a local travel agent to do so. Just a thought for you.

euripide

it is funny we go in may too and do : manuel antonio ( 4n ) montezuma ( 3or 4n) arenal (1 or 2 ) peace lodge ( 2 n )
We wanted to do Monteverde but finally we won't because I will be 5 mo pregnant. I have heard bad stories about the roads too. What is you itinerary ?

dariow

The roads in Monteverde are TERRIBLE. Notwithstanding, I would NOT MISS going there as it is beautiful. I stayed at the Fonda Fela which was my favorite hotel in CR.

Have a great vacation.

allison04

Thanks, all, for your responses--that's what I thought I'd hear! I think we'll stick to Interbus instead of driving ourselves. (We're not going to miss Monteverde!)

Our itinerary is 3 nights in Monteverde, 3 in Montezuma, and 2 in Manuel Antonio. Can't wait!

RufusTFirefly

Agree-in spite of the roads, we enjoyed Monteverde immensely. Also stayed at the Fonda Vela and would recommend it to anyone.

Jessie_

I have mostly been up to Monteverde from the Pan Am Hwy and except for the narrow and twisty unpaved road it wasn't that bad. The really rocky road is the one up from Arenal area. I've been up there about 5 times and haven't really had trouble but it was in the dry season. The road is pretty narrow in places and there are no guardrails. We have driven, ridden on horseback, taken a public bus, and private transports.

arbegold

We drove from Arenal to Monteverde and then to Manuel Antonio last month. As previously stated the road is bad. We rented a 4x4 Kia Sportage and had no trouble.
It took about 5 1/2 hours from Arenal to Monteverde. The first 3 hours are a beautiful drive on a good road around the lake. The last 2 are on a terrible, but doable rocky, dusty road (no rain). Monteverde was worth it. From MV to MA was about 3 1/2 hours. About 50 minutes on terrible road and them you hit the Pan Am highway and it's a breeze to Quepos and MA. There were bridges over all the rivers, we didn't think it was scarry.
We rented our car in San Jose. The drive to Arenal was easy, decent road with several potholes

Boleslav

Arbegold,
who did you rent your car with?
thanks.

arbegold

Boleslav:
We rented from AVIS and was pleased with the service. The base price we paid for 8 days was $353.00. Our credit card paid for most of the insurance coverage, but we decided to add the supplimental for $11.00. per day. Bon Voyage