Travel from San Jose to Liberia?
Dec 26th, 2006, 10:00 AM
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Travel from San Jose to Liberia?
We two couples plan to spend three nights in San Jose (in February), then travel to a resort (Flamingo Marina) about an hour from Liberia. Question: what's the best way to do so? Our options, I presume, are the Interbus, rent a car or fly. We've heard that the road between SJ and Liberia is not the best. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Dec 26th, 2006, 11:42 AM
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Having consumed a wealth of information on this invaluable site, it seems that a lot of folks wouldn't recommend the 4 hr drive to Liberia unless you planned to arrive before night. The two local private air carriers, Nature Air and Sansa would take 45 min to reach Liberia but have certain luggage restrictions. As you mentioned, Interbus is also an option and much preferred, it seems, over Grayline/Fantasy bus.
I am certainly not a worthy source of info, however, as I will be taking my first trip to CR in March and have route questions of my own which I will post later. I plan to rent a 4x4 upon arrival in Liberia and have purchased a wonderful map (which seasoned Fodorites recommended), Bernsdton & Bernsdton laminated map from Barnes & Nobles. Between that, just having Lasik surgery and driving in the day hrs, hopefully I won't plunge off the hills of Monteverde.
Maybe shillmac, guanacaste and the rest of those wonderfully generous folks will chime in and help you out!
I am certainly not a worthy source of info, however, as I will be taking my first trip to CR in March and have route questions of my own which I will post later. I plan to rent a 4x4 upon arrival in Liberia and have purchased a wonderful map (which seasoned Fodorites recommended), Bernsdton & Bernsdton laminated map from Barnes & Nobles. Between that, just having Lasik surgery and driving in the day hrs, hopefully I won't plunge off the hills of Monteverde.
Maybe shillmac, guanacaste and the rest of those wonderfully generous folks will chime in and help you out!
Dec 26th, 2006, 08:43 PM
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diantha--hopefully you won't be doing any "plunging"! You don't want to see Monteverde THAT up close and personal! 
Well, here are my dos colones. . .
We love to drive. We have driven between San Jose and Flamingo many times. I've driven it alone a few times. It's a pretty drive--the road to Liberia isn't bad at all--very enjoyable. A couple of years ago, Liberia to Flamingo was pretty good as well, but not so last summer. Still, it wasn't so bad that we minded being on it. Adds to the experience!
I'd rent a car and take off. Flamingo is almost EXACTLY 5 hours. That's our average time, and it is almost always the same. Flamingo will be about an hour plus 20 or 30 minutes from Liberia. Easy to find--good signage. We usually stop in Liberia at the intersection for Highway 21 (the one you'll take) and grab a burger at Burger King to tide us over.
Now, if you don't think you'll be needing a car once you arrive, then Interbus would be a great option. About $35 per person.
But my guess is you guys are going to want to get out and about and there just isn't a better way than with your own vehicle. In that case, Interbus isn't such a great option.
Of course you can rent in Liberia as well. Tricolor is our favorite (great prices, good service), and they are near SJO (up the street from the Hampton Inn) AND in Liberia. So, flying to Liberia and renting from there is certainly an option. Save you a little time. . .
For a $50 or so fee, you can even drive over there, drop the car at Tricolor in Liberia, then fly back to SJO. All kinds of ways to do it. . .
Either way, you'll have a great time! Good luck!
Well, here are my dos colones. . .
We love to drive. We have driven between San Jose and Flamingo many times. I've driven it alone a few times. It's a pretty drive--the road to Liberia isn't bad at all--very enjoyable. A couple of years ago, Liberia to Flamingo was pretty good as well, but not so last summer. Still, it wasn't so bad that we minded being on it. Adds to the experience!
I'd rent a car and take off. Flamingo is almost EXACTLY 5 hours. That's our average time, and it is almost always the same. Flamingo will be about an hour plus 20 or 30 minutes from Liberia. Easy to find--good signage. We usually stop in Liberia at the intersection for Highway 21 (the one you'll take) and grab a burger at Burger King to tide us over.
Now, if you don't think you'll be needing a car once you arrive, then Interbus would be a great option. About $35 per person.
But my guess is you guys are going to want to get out and about and there just isn't a better way than with your own vehicle. In that case, Interbus isn't such a great option.
Of course you can rent in Liberia as well. Tricolor is our favorite (great prices, good service), and they are near SJO (up the street from the Hampton Inn) AND in Liberia. So, flying to Liberia and renting from there is certainly an option. Save you a little time. . .
For a $50 or so fee, you can even drive over there, drop the car at Tricolor in Liberia, then fly back to SJO. All kinds of ways to do it. . .
Either way, you'll have a great time! Good luck!
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