We will be in Costa Rica in March of 2003 and were thinking of visiting Monteverde, Arenal and perhaps Flamingo area or Manuel Antonio. Do we have to rent a car for transportation? Or is there some way to either fly or bus it between these destinations?<BR><BR>Also, we are in our late 20's but want to stay away from the &quot;party&quot; life. We want outdoor experiences and a beach that is not polluted and preferably offers scuba and sea kayaking options...Any ideas?<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR><BR>Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,<BR>It's a lot easier with a rental car, but on the other hand, public bussystem works good too. There are also private buscompanies that provided transportation to the most popular (which doesn't necessarily mean most crowded) destinations in the country. Check out www.graylinecostarica.com or www.costaricapass.com for their schedules and prices. The local airlines Sansa (www.flysansa.com) and NatureAir provide air transport.<BR><BR>A lot of the beaches have a Blue Flag, which is a Costa Rican reward for cleanliness etc. If you like to go scuba diving and sea kayaking, either Flamingo or Playa Tamarindo would be an option. <BR>For more information on Tamarindo, check out www.tamarindo.com, www.tamarindo.net, www.tamarindobeach.org .<BR><BR>Hope to see you here.<BR>Rudy and Odette<BR>www.geocities.com/casalaloma<BR>www.geocities.com/travel_scuba

Agree with Rudy and Odette.<BR>I think Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio would be what you are looking for. Some of the other beaches on the Nicoya Penninsula also offer clean sand and waters and are supposedly beautiful (Samara, Nosara), but they are also more difficult to get to. <BR>Playa Flamingo is nice but I preferred Tamarindo as a town and the beach in Tamarindo is great. Flamingo is a bit overdeveloped for my taste and there is a relatively big marina there which for me detracts from the natural experience.<BR>Driving in CR is not easy but we found it fun and a great way to see and experience the country. There are no flights to Arenal and Monteverde but you could use public transporatation, private drivers or tourist shuttle buses to get there.

Jennifer,<BR>check out topic #3 - there's a lot of discussion re: bus vs. car.<BR>My husband &amp; I are traveling the same time you are, most likely to Manuel Antonio &amp; Arenal. Have fun &amp; good luck!

Did you know to rent a car they put a lein of $1000.00 on your credit card

We are using a driver to get us from San Jose to the Pacific coast. It's only $80./one way and he (she?) will stop along the way if you like. A good opportunity to talk with a local person we thought.

Carol, is that from San Jose to the Pacific coast of the mainland, or the Nicoya Peninsula?<BR>I need a way to get from San Jose to the Nicoya as well.<BR><BR>Thank you!

I am the owner of a travel company in Costa Rica, We do all services needed for a visit to our contry with competitive rates. The name of the company is Expediciones Tropicales we are aproved company by the Costa Rican tourist board and we are recommended by the latest Fodors guide to Costa Rica, the Lonely Planet, the Adventures in Nature guide to Costa Rica and several others. our site is www.costaricainfo.com, let me know if we can be of assistance. Thank you.