gennyegirl

Hi All - Thanks for all of your help thus far as the postings are very informative. Hoping that you can help us with the final touches on our trip.

Arrive December 13th at 7:30 PM into Liberia
Currently, we are staying overnight at Best Western Hotel El Sitio near the aiport, but I am wondering whether it would be worthwhile to hire a driver to take us down the coast a bit and spend the night somewhere farther down? Sandy, I was thinkiing of emailing Swiss Travel as you recommend for a quote.

Depart December 14th to Punta Islita, Stay in Punta Islita until December 17th

December 17th - Open - we need to head back to San Jose area as we have a reservation at Xandari for the night of the 18th. Not sure where to go along the way. We were thinking we could drive back and cross the Taiwan Friendship Bridge. Thoughts from anyone? Do you think we could rent a car to do this drive if it is during the day?

December 19th - fly Nature Air to Puerto Jimenez to go to Bosque Del Cabo for 3 nights

December 22nd - depart BdC for San Jose and spend last two nights at Xandari before leaving on the 24th from San Jose

shillmac

You are leaving PI the 17th and don't have to be at Xandari until the afternoon of the 18th?

Have you thought about the Tamarindo or Flamingo area for overnight? Lots of places to stay, but it's probably a little late to get your pick. Near Tamarindo is Playa Grande and you might could see the giant leatherbacks. We never have, but I think their season is Dec-Mar. How I'd love to! You could get lucky. . .

I think that area would break your drive up into a couple of 5 hour segments, although PI may be a little closer to Tamarindo and Flamingo than that--haven't driven it.

As for your first night, by the time you get out of the airport, you might as well go ahead with El Sitio and get a good night's sleep! You wouldn't gain all that much by driving a couple of hours so late. Get a fresh start the next day. Just my dos colones. . .

Hey, you guys have a GREAT trip lined up. I'm envious of your itinerary. It sounds fantastic. Have a wonderful time! BTW, at what point in time are you renting a car? After Punta Islita? Just thinking you might want to rent the morning of the 14th and drive yourselves right up until the 19th departure to BdC?

gennyegirl

Thanks Shillmac. Just a little worried about driving ourselves....with the roads to Punta Islita. But, perhaps I can look into it. Any car rental places better than others? I think if we did that we would turn our car back in on the 18th as Xandari gives you transfers to the hotel and airports.

Yes, you are correct, we are leaving PI on the 17th and don't need to be at Xandari until the 18th. The hotel gave us directions to drive back through Nicoya, which I thought would not take us back over to Tamarindo. But, maybe we could stop there on our way down to PI?

guanacaste

nothing worth seeing in liberia, it's a pleasnt enough town, but head to trhe beaches, Playa Hermosa or Playas del Coco are the nearest beaches and Tamarindo is less than 45mins drive:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/costa_...ome/index.html

gennyegirl

Hi All - based on recommendations - I am looking into Tricolor to rent cars. For just two people - any idea of what car to rent and what a good price would be for 4-5 days?

sandyc

Hi Gennygirl,

If you want a quote from Swiss, write to Gabriela Mairena, [email protected]

Have fun!
Sandy

shillmac

As for Tricolor, you can expect to pay about $50 per day for a 4X4--and you will need the clearance for road conditions on the Nicoya Peninsula.

www.tricolorcarrental.com

gennyegirl

thanks for your help. i will look into options!

gato221

Hi --- we went to Punta Islita for a long weekend a month ago. We flew in and out of San Jose -- rented a 4x4 from Dollar at San Jose airport and drove to and from Punta Islita via the Friendship bridge. It's a LONG drive....much longer than the 3 hours the guidebooks say! (Dollar was great -- switched us to a manual transmission at the last minute and gave us some great advice).

Seriously, the stretch between Punta Islita to the bridge is pretty stressful, but we'd do it again....saw tons of butterflies, monkeys, iguanas along the way. Also stopped in some tiny little towns, met some great people, and had fantastic food. My advice would be to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the SJ area.

shillmac

Gato makes a very good point. The guide books (and the locals) always underestimate (understate) the amount of drive time. I guess if one were the only vehicle on the road on a perfect day without people, dogs, oxen, bicycles, kids, or POTHOLES! etc. on the sides of the road or IN the road, those times would be fairly accurate! But that isn't the reality. We always estimate longer than it looks like it SHOULD take--at least by an hour.

gennyegirl

thanks for the insight. we have enough time that we could break up the drive and spend the night somewhere along the way - maybe before or after the friendship bridge. any ideas on where to stop?

Also gato - how did you like PI?

shillmac

Nothing really around the Friendship Bridge (that I'm aware of). If you absolutely feel you need to break up the trip, then again, I'd suggest a night in Tamarindo or Playa Langosta (Cala Luna, Capitan Suizo, etc). Or even Playa Grande (maybe see the turtles nesting).

What you run into is this: there isn't (that I know of) anyplace on the way and near the Friendship Bridge. And to go up to Tamarindo or Flamingo will be far enough out of your way that you'll still be left with a 5 hour drive the next day. So yes, you'll "break up the trip", but be on the road about 3 hours longer than you would be if you just drove on to SJO.

Sounds like something we'd do!

Truly, your time would probably be better spent getting on into SJO and spending 2 consecutive nights at Xandari or the like.

One other thought. . .devil's advocate. . .near Puntarenas (about 2 hours west of San Jose) there is a Fiesta All-Inclusive. I suppose you could stay the night there. We've spent a weekend there before--not a bad place. It, at least, wouldn't be out of your way. Of course, by the time you get there, you are within striking distance of SJO!

Minooka1145

No advice but am very jealous! We were in PI last October and loved it!

We were there during the "green" season and our flight to PI out of San Jose was cancelled. So we rented a driver. And yes, it's a lot longer than 3 hours. I think it was 6 or 7 hours although the last stretch to PI was very slow going because of ruts in the road and swollen rivers from the rains.

Enjoy! We can't wait to go back and see Donald!

gennyegirl

thanks...that last idea shillmac might not be a bad idea. let me investigate.....thatnks!

gato221

Hey gennyegirl....we loved PI as well, and can't wait to go back. We were only at PI for 2 nights (last-minute long weekend with FF miles, and final night at SJ airport)....We didn't want to leave....I practically had to pry my wife out of the hammock! I think 3-4 days there, like you're doing, is the perfect stay. Your whole trip sounds great!