pocofan

Going to C.R. for the first time...I've read a few reports in guide books that say driving isn't as safe in C.R. as it used to be. Some reports have said that some people will target rental vehicles and create distractions to get you to stop. I have even had a travel agent say that she would not drive in C.R. because of this and the condition of the roads. I had planned to rent a 4X4, so I am not as concerned about road conditions (in April...dry season) as I am potential people-threats. We plan to fly into Liberia, drive to Tabacon, spend a few nights and then head west to the beach. Sould driving in this area, during daylight, be a concern?

Iza

We visited Costa Rica 3 times with the last trip (August 2003) consisting of 2 weeks driving from SJ to all over Nicoya Peninsula then on to Tabacon and to SJ. Never encountered any problems whatsoever. Just be aware of your surroundings, don't leave the car unattended and do read the warnings that the car rental company gives you.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Funny you should mention this. I did part of this drive just this morning. The section around the northern shore of Lake Arenal, from the Arenal dam west of Tabacon to the town of Nuevo Arenal, is badly potholed and very slow going. But it's been that way for years. It took almost 90 minutes to cover 30 miles. But I got to where I was going ... just very slowly. Drive during daylight hours if for no other reason than to be able to see where you're going. You'll get there too.

99mkw

My wife and I spent a week in Costa Rica in Nov 2002. The roads are rough all over and in some places (Monteverde) they are beyond belief. We opted not to rent a car and took shuttles instead. We arranged transfers from San Jose to Arenal, Arenal to Monteverde (jeep-boat-jeep), and Monteverde back to San Jose. Even though we arranged several of those especially for us, it turned out cheaper than renting a car.

I would encourage you to run the numbers; depending on the total number of days you'd be renting and how much driving you plan to do at each place shuttles may make sense for you as well. For us, leaving the driving to locals who know how to handle the roads saved so many headaches and hassles that we would have gladly paid more. In addition, all of our drivers were friendly and courteous and a few were really wonderful people whom we enjoyed getting to know.

Percy

When I was in Costa Rica a few months back I hired a private guide that another lady had recommended.
For me it was the best move I made.
For the nine days I paid him about $450-475.00 but he did all the driving and I saw more than I ever thought I would.
He knew allthe shrot cuts.
He knew all the sites to see,that I would have otherwised just driven by.
For example we left early in the morning and spent the whole day ate Arenal and Tabacon Hot Springs.
But on the way he said, "we will stop here, and here and there because I want to show you this and that"...it was just great.
When we left it was dark..the gets dark quickly in Costa Rica, but our guide knew exactly where he was going and it was nice to just chat and site see along the way.
I am spoiled now I do not want to drive.
There is nothing wrong with driving I just prefer not to.
Percy