heathmd

We are going to CR in 1 1/2 weeks and I still have some questions regarding transportation.

1. Do the private transfer companies (such as costa rica shuttle) take a party of 2 only and will they personalize your trip for you?

2. I have heard a lot about Oscar...what kind of vehicle does he drive?

3. Is it hard to find a car rental company that has automatic transmission cars (I don't know how to drive manual) or does it just cost a lot more?

4. I heard that there is a copmpany that will drive your car between Arenal and Monteverde while you take the shorter boat trip across the lake...Does anyone know what company this is?

Costa_Rica_Traveler

I can only answer # 4,
Desafio Adventure Company will drive your car while you transfer via jeep/boat/jeep

I think for # 3, you just need to specify you want automatic transmission.

4explore

We are using Oscar's services in June. He told me he has a 12 passenger van. Should be interesting on the CR roads but I am trusting Oscar to know - he seems to be pretty highly regarded!

lvk

I can help you with #1 and #2.

1. When I contacted Costa Rica Transfers before our trip, they were very helpful, but told me that their drivers basically drive you from one place to another. They will stop for meals & bathroom breaks on longer trips, but not elsewhere unless it is pre-arranged. He also told me that most of the drivers speak little English. I'm not sure about the other transfer services

2. Oscar drives a very comfortable, clean 9-passenger "tourismo" van.

Good luck with #3!

lvk

I just saw 4explore's post. Oscar's van can technically fit 12 passengers, but he takes out the very back seat to have more room for luggage.

The 5 of us were very comfortable. (even on the 4-hour detour on windy, dirt roads that we had to take to catch our flight due to a massive trucker strike.)

4explore

lvk: thanks for explaining Oscars setup. Sounds reasonable, there are only 4 of us. Can you explain how you made payment with Oscar, I have asked him but as we all know he is very busy and can take a while to reply! I hate to carry too much cash in CR based on the recommendations on this site. 2 weeks with Oscar is a lot - can you pay with Travelers checks do you know? Thanks!

tica_traveler

I also have the contact info for a wonderful driver we used last summer. Cecilio doesn't speak a lot of English but was great. His business card is scrapbooked intop by album at home if you want it....(I'm at work.) Email me at [email protected] if you want it. We used another driver who said he was Oscar's brother (recommended by same B&B as Oscvar was busy. He was great too but costs a lot more than Cecilio.

Happy travels,

Julie, the tica traveler

heathmd

Thanks for all of the responses. They have answered some of my questions, but I just thought of others.

I have read that Lost Iguana Resort in Arenal is somewhat far from town. How much are the cab rides to restaraunts or Arenal activities? Would it be easier to have a car?

Which is nicer...La Fortuna or La Paz waterfalls? If we don't have a car, is it worth it to take a day trip to La Paz?

dfarmer

The La Fortuna Waterfall we consider -our favorites. It was spectacular. This is one waterfall, with quite a hike down and up, on a trail cut into the side.

But La Paz was fabulous too! This is 5 waterfalls, with unbelievably well engineered hiking trails. Plus you have the hummingbirds & the butterflies!

Certainly a daytrip to La Paz is worth it!

lvk

4explore: Oscar asks for payment in cash - US$ are preferred.

The subject of how much cash to carry causes constant debate in our family. My husband always wants to carry more than I'm comfortable with. I told him that there were plenty of ATM's in CR. Well, I hate to admit it, but he was right (this time ). Several of the ATM's would just not work for us. (We had 3 different cards with 4 & 5 digit pins, and they were part of every imaginable ATM network). Oscar knew where the ATM machines were, but he wasn't driving us every day.

heathmd: What time are you arriving in San Jose? We stopped at La Paz en route from the airport to Arenal. (Oscar's idea, and it worked out beautifully).

I have a couple of pictures of Oscar and his van that I snapped at the last minute as he was dropping us off at the airport. I can email them anyone who is interested. (never got around to posting them on a photo sharing web site).

heathmd

Ivk: We will be arriving at 12:30pm. Do you think that will be enough time to see La Paz and get to Arenal before it gets too dark? Do you know how far it is from La Paz to Arenal?

lvk

I think that depends on several factors. 1) How long it takes you at baggage and customs at the airport, 2) Whether you are driving yourself or are being driven. 3) Whether you plan to hit the road right away or stop for a bite to eat in between.

I believe it is about 1 1/2 hours from the airport to La Paz and then about 2 hours from La Paz to La Fortuna. CR driving experts, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Let's say you get out of the airport by 1:30, make the drive to LaPaz, arriving at, say 3:00. If you spend one hour at the hummingbird/butterfly garden and one 1 hour enjoying the waterfall hike, it's now 5pm. (I haven't even factored in any mealtimes-there is a buffet at LaPaz that you can purchase in combo with your admission)

I'm sure you have already learned that it gets dark at 6pm. So now you have one more hour of daylight driving. If you are being driven to Arenal, this shouldn't present a problem (you'll just miss some scenery along the way) However, if you are driving yourself, the combination of you're having awoken early to catch your flight, flight time, finding your way out of the airport and to LaPaz, the waterfall hike, and driving in an unfamiliar country after dark, might not be the best way to start your vacation.

If you are being driven, I think it is definitely worth a shot, instead of taking a four-hour round trip drive while staying at the Lost Iguana.

Since we took the redeye, landed in SJ at 8:30 am, breezed through baggage and customs, we didn't have such a tough decision to make.

Whether it is Oscar, or any other driver you choose, they might be able to give you more realistic advice based on their experiences.

Have a great trip!

heathmd

Ivk: Thanks for your great advice. I am leaning toward driving myself which would probably not lend itself to going to La Paz on the day we arrive. If we decide to go, we'll probably make the trip another day (even if it will be 4 hour round trip - from what it sounds like, it will probably be worth the drive).

Can anyone suggest a good and cheap rental car company? I will need an automatic car and I know that those are more expensive.

Is a 4 wheel drive car definitely recommended during this time of year?

shillmac

Our experience is that we haven't needed a 4x4 in most areas, even during the rainy season. So sometimes we rent one and sometimes not. The advantage to having one is that road conditions in CR are as ever-changing as the weather here in Oklahoma. What may have been a very decent road a few months ago could be much worse this trip. The 4X4 does serve the purpose of giving you added clearance and a better vantage point to see the road.