Christine_Tse

Hello, my husband and I are traveling to Costa Rica the first two week of May, and we want to find out where the best places are to visit? And if it's fine to rent a car and drive in Costa Rica or to travel by bus?

qwovadis

Go a bunch prefer mapache.com servicecarrental.com

for me

hotelvillacaletas.com around your flights

arenasdelmar.com manuelantoniopark.com

tabacon.com arenal.net

monteverdeinfo.com fondavela.com

3-4 days each place.

spirit.com jetblue.com cheap flights down

Have fun,

colibri

It would be helpful if you list out what you are interested in visiting and types of activities along with a budget for hotels - high end, midrange or budget. Costa Rica has so much to offer in a small country - volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests, zipline, hiking, surfing, birding.

If you narrow it down a bit, the suggestions will flow!

We have rented a car in the past and had no problems as long as you don't drive after dark - roads are in bad condition and there are many people and animals on the road. It's particularly nice to have your own car at Arenal Volcano where activities and lodges are a bit spread out. Somewhere like Manuel Antonio, a car isn't a necessity.

Christine_Tse

We are flying in and out from San Jose.
Definitely volcanoes (Arenal), cloud forest, zipline, hiking (a lot!), rain forest, and spend some time on the beach.

Hotels - I would say mid/low range. Definitely do not want to pay $150/night, more like $40-$80.

Activities - lots of hiking, nature seeing - want to see all the bugs and creatures like sloths and turtles and in general walking in the tropical forest is exciting. We can do a little bit of biking. Maybe some water rafting for first timers.

Which car rental would you recommend?

Thank you

hsmithcr

One possibility is Monteverde, Arenal, Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo. This will give you all you are looking for.

These websites will be helpful:

www.monteverdeinfo.com
www.arenal.net
www.tortuguerovillage.com
www.puertoviejosatellite.com

You might consider a combination of transportation. Take a shared van shuttle to Monteverde. From there, the taxi/boat/taxi to Arenal. Rent a car in La Fortuna (go with the brands you know) - things are rather spread out there.

From Arenal/La Fortuna, take a shared van shuttle (Pura Vida Tours or Anywhere Costa Rica) to the boat landing at Pavona for your boat trip to Tortuguero. From Tortuguero, head for Moin and take a taxi to the bus station and from there, a public bus to Puerto Viejo. (Of course, there are lots of beaches to choose from both north and south of Puerto Viejo.)

From Puerto Viejo back to Alajuela, either shared van shuttle or public bus.

Just one suggestion . There are lots of others, of course.

volcanogirl

Tortuguero is a great area to see turtles, but I don't think you would see many in May; it seems like July to October is better for viewing. Still a lot of wildlife there though and a neat canal environment. I'd definitely do Arenal and Monteverde. The Osa is great for hiking and wildlife - it can get pricey though. Rios Tropicales is a nice company for rafting.

colibri

All the suggestions above are great and you may also want to think about the Sarapiqui region. We love Selva Verde, find it very reasonable and go hiking at La Selva, Tirimbina and Selva Verde.

Tortuguero is wonderful, even if it's not turtle season. I recommend Modesto and Fran Watson www.tortuguerocanals.com I just went with them again in Feb., fantastic time and great wildlife viewing.