Do we need GPS?
Jan 1st, 2008, 07:49 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Yes!!!!!! GPS saved us many times. We did similar trip as you two weeks ago but order was San Jose to Dominical to Arenal to Puerto Veijo. Without the GPS we would still be driving around lost in the jungle. We had the best time and the GPS helped us not only with directions but with restaurants and other attractions we were interested in. It's sometimes a little hard to trust it but everytime we decided it was wrong and to go a different way we were wrong. We were almost talked out of it by the staff at our hotel in San Jose as not really needed and thank god we didn't listen to them. We never once saw a street/road/town sign and our two maps were not much help. Get the GPS and enjoy your trip!
Jan 1st, 2008, 08:01 AM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2007
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We just returned from Costa Rica last night.
I am in the process of composing our adventure in thanks to this great group for providing me with information in preparation for our trip.
Most definitely get a GPS.
We payed $10 per day and it helped with all our travel (finding gas station, hotel, activity etc).
It was a superb tool.
We stayed an hour away from La Fortuna and traveled from Fortuna to Quepos and only found ONE town that announced its name.
No road names, no road numbers. That is just how it is. We joked all towns are called Pilzen (local beer) for that is the only signs we saw.
Please let me know how your trip goes. BTW we experienced very dense fog (even at 11am) several times around Ciudad Quesada, dangerous winding roads, being careful and not speeding pays off.
When calculating distance give yourself plenty of time for winding roads and traffic.
We laugh at the two bridges from Jaco to Quepos..UNBELIEVABLE! with the high volume of tourism in Quepos. Its a bit scary going over these so called bridges; Paquita and Parrita. I drove across with my heart in my throat...both times.
Best to you and yours in this new year.
Ribota
I am in the process of composing our adventure in thanks to this great group for providing me with information in preparation for our trip.
Most definitely get a GPS.
We payed $10 per day and it helped with all our travel (finding gas station, hotel, activity etc).
It was a superb tool.
We stayed an hour away from La Fortuna and traveled from Fortuna to Quepos and only found ONE town that announced its name.
No road names, no road numbers. That is just how it is. We joked all towns are called Pilzen (local beer) for that is the only signs we saw.
Please let me know how your trip goes. BTW we experienced very dense fog (even at 11am) several times around Ciudad Quesada, dangerous winding roads, being careful and not speeding pays off.
When calculating distance give yourself plenty of time for winding roads and traffic.
We laugh at the two bridges from Jaco to Quepos..UNBELIEVABLE! with the high volume of tourism in Quepos. Its a bit scary going over these so called bridges; Paquita and Parrita. I drove across with my heart in my throat...both times.
Best to you and yours in this new year.
Ribota
Jan 1st, 2008, 03:15 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
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I took my own GPS. It was a Garmin and had only the base maps. The roads on it were quite amusing, a straight line while we were curving back and forth and back and forth endlessly.
It was helpful though! Moreso in retracing our steps since it didn't have many waypoints or roads in it's map database. A few times though I couldn't tell which way to turn (you will think you're going straight but then arrive at a stop sign and be forced to choose left or right) and as soon as I picked I'd know if we were right or not based on the previous track on the GPS.
Most of the town signs I saw were located on the pay phone signs.
Using a map there isn't too hard though, just plot your course and connect the dots from city to city as you drive, that's the only way. Doesn't hurt to ask for directions either. We were trying to find a restaurant that Fodor's recommended (Chubasco, near Poas) and 3 people told us it 3 different things, we finally found it, nowhere near Fodor's had said though.
It was helpful though! Moreso in retracing our steps since it didn't have many waypoints or roads in it's map database. A few times though I couldn't tell which way to turn (you will think you're going straight but then arrive at a stop sign and be forced to choose left or right) and as soon as I picked I'd know if we were right or not based on the previous track on the GPS.
Most of the town signs I saw were located on the pay phone signs.
Using a map there isn't too hard though, just plot your course and connect the dots from city to city as you drive, that's the only way. Doesn't hurt to ask for directions either. We were trying to find a restaurant that Fodor's recommended (Chubasco, near Poas) and 3 people told us it 3 different things, we finally found it, nowhere near Fodor's had said though.
