road conditions to malpais?
May 24th, 2004, 12:07 PM
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road conditions to malpais?
does anyone know what the drive is like from Montezuma to malpais in June? do we need 4wd, or can we get away without it? I read that the road may be paved by now, but I'm not clear and don't want to get stuck. we may only have a non-4wd car, so if we can do it this way, it would be great. info please anyone!
May 24th, 2004, 02:43 PM
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Hi mad,
The road was not paved in March and I doubt if it is now. I think you will be okay in a car because you won't be crossing any rivers or anything quite that adventurous!
4 X 4 does, of course, help should you get extra heavy rain and get into a muddy situation (the road from Cobano to MalPais is hilly and toward the end, steep and down). But that isn't likely.
To make this drive from Montezuma, you drive inland to Cobano, then turn left and head back to the coast at MalPais. The road from Montez to Cob is paved.
When we were at Montezuma, we toured the Cabo Blanco Reserve (which is located nearby at Cubuya). After our tour and in Cubuya, we saw a sign that said "7km to MalPais". Well, heck, we wondered why no one had bothered to tell us about this short cut. It is a 45 minute drive from MalPais to Montezuma (we were staying at MP). So we decided to take the shorter route back to MP. DON'T DO THIS! It was the dry season, thank goodness, but the road was up and down, very narrow one lane, and full of ruts we could never have managed if it had not been for four wheel drive! At least, we figured out why it hadn't been mentioned!
The road was not paved in March and I doubt if it is now. I think you will be okay in a car because you won't be crossing any rivers or anything quite that adventurous!
4 X 4 does, of course, help should you get extra heavy rain and get into a muddy situation (the road from Cobano to MalPais is hilly and toward the end, steep and down). But that isn't likely.
To make this drive from Montezuma, you drive inland to Cobano, then turn left and head back to the coast at MalPais. The road from Montez to Cob is paved.
When we were at Montezuma, we toured the Cabo Blanco Reserve (which is located nearby at Cubuya). After our tour and in Cubuya, we saw a sign that said "7km to MalPais". Well, heck, we wondered why no one had bothered to tell us about this short cut. It is a 45 minute drive from MalPais to Montezuma (we were staying at MP). So we decided to take the shorter route back to MP. DON'T DO THIS! It was the dry season, thank goodness, but the road was up and down, very narrow one lane, and full of ruts we could never have managed if it had not been for four wheel drive! At least, we figured out why it hadn't been mentioned!
May 24th, 2004, 03:12 PM
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We were there in August of last year and the road was definitely not paved. You should make it OK in a regular car but just be careful about where you are going. You probably know this already but DO NOT DRIVE AFTER DARK (6pm) unless it is local and you know the way.
When we were there, the bridge was washed away on the main road from Cobano to Montezuma. There was a longish detour and the road was graded and in decent shape (no major ruts or holes). From Cobano to Malpais it was rough but passable without any major problems(washboard in places, very rutted and big holes and puddles in others). We had a 4x4 but I don't think you would get stuck in a regular car. It was just nice to have the extra clearance and strong suspension.
When we were there, the bridge was washed away on the main road from Cobano to Montezuma. There was a longish detour and the road was graded and in decent shape (no major ruts or holes). From Cobano to Malpais it was rough but passable without any major problems(washboard in places, very rutted and big holes and puddles in others). We had a 4x4 but I don't think you would get stuck in a regular car. It was just nice to have the extra clearance and strong suspension.
May 24th, 2004, 04:21 PM
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thank you so much for this info! soooo helpful. I was concerned because I think we may only have a 2wd option. sounds like we'll be ok, if we don't go in the middle of a rainstorm. we've got plenty of time, so we'll just go when the weather is ideal and not take any shortcuts! thanks!
May 25th, 2004, 05:29 AM
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Thanks, Shillmac - we went to Costa Rica 3 out the last 4 years. We take our vacations in the summer (August) due to our daughter's schedule and we really love Costa Rica at that time of the year, when everything is so lush and green. Like you, we also love Guanacaste and returned there on every one of our trips. I would like nothing better than to own a piece of real estate in one of the northwestern beach towns so that we could return every year - maybe some day... ;-)
This year we decided to go to Europe instead but next year it will be either Costa Rica or Panama.
This year we decided to go to Europe instead but next year it will be either Costa Rica or Panama.
May 28th, 2004, 12:09 PM
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When you first get into town at MalPais (end of the road where you have to turn left to Mal and right to Sta. Teresa), there is a restaurant/hotel on your right. It is called Frank's Place. You can arrange all types of transportation from here. Don't know the details as we had a car, but it seemed they were often busy helping people with arrangements.
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