BootsnAll Travel Community

My family (husband and son and a buddy)and a small group of friends are going to CR April 2 until April 10. Arriving at San Jose airport at 1:30pm and planned to rent cars (regular ones not SUV because of the expense). We have rented a house in La Isla Palo Seco near Parrita/Quepos. We are first timers so very excited! but a little nervous about driving- heard so many things about potholes and driving horror stories especially around Quepos. Was told its only 2.5 hours drive. Was also warned not to drive after dark. I have organized the trip so feel very responsible for everyone's safety. Do we need to hire someone to lead the way? Advice please!

I've done the drive to Quepos on a couple of routes. There are indeed potholes, but the roads are not that bad compared to Nicaragua. I think it's a good idea to limit your driving to the day at least at the beginning. Because of the potholes, sure, but also because some of the more rural vehicles are not that dilligent about keeping their headlights working. Also, driving to Quepos, you are doing yourself a disservice by not being able to take in the scenery, which is some of the most breathtaking I can think of.

Haven't read any comments about what the Isla Palo Seco area is like. Day trip recommendations in the area? Any suggestions for things we should not miss besides Manuel Antonio Park? The people in our group of 8 range in ages from 10 years old to fifytish. But all love new experiences. Is Jaco fun even if I'm not a surfer? Actually my 10 yr old son would love to learn to surf. How much does a surf lesson cost? Board rental?
Also, what are the gas prices like?

Thanks so much for your help!!! So excited! So much to learn and see.

2.5 hours is not a bad time budget I think. I make the drive at least twice a month. The roads aren't real good and the drivers have very, ummmm, "different" habits than North Americans. Make sure your drivers review their defensive driving habits before they get behind the wheel.

I've been living & driving here for over 4 years and I still don't drive at night.

As piecar said, the scenery will take your breath away. Note that there are very few safe places to stop on the mountain roads. For the most part they are very narrow with deep gullies on either side. I've seen plenty of rental cars stuck in those gullies so be careful. Do be wary of the potholes as those things can do a surprising amount of damage to a rental car.

I think the best route to go is - west from the airport about 20 minutes and then take the turnoff to Atenas. This road goes through a few smaller towns, including La Garita, Atenas & Orotina. The pace is a little more gentle and the scenery is much better. Follow the signs to Jaco and you can't go wrong. Well, you could go wrong, but everyone gets lost in Costa Rica. Have your rental car guy plot the route for you on a map.

Take a half hour or so to stop at Tarcoles on the way down the coast. The crocodiles (wild ones) are pretty amazing. Stop either before the bridge or after it, otherwise the Transitos will ticket you.

I don't know La Isla Palo Seco but if you have any more questions I'd be happy to help out.

Just keep your wits about you and you will have a wonderful time. It is a beautiful country and the people are great.

ooops, missed a few of your questions.

Gas is about 90 US cents a liter right now for regular.

Jaco is a tourist town with an nice beach. There are lots of surfers but I don't surf so I cannot comment on prices etc. There is lots of shopping if that is your thing otherwise there is not much to do. Swim or shop (or drink). There are also a lot of thefts from cars here. Park where you can see your vehicles or where there is a guard or have someone stay with the vehicles. Don't park on the beach unless you know the tide tables.

In Manuel Antonio DO actually go IN to the park itself. Lots of folks miss the park entirely and stay in the hotel area and the beach. There is a small fee and there are guides available - well worth hiring one of those guys or girls as they can point out many interesting things in the area.

Wow! great! thanks for the advice. I am so excited, hard for me to concentrate on my work...I'm already on vacation mode.

What about the mosquitoes and no see ums - does the B12 vitamen ritual really work? Or should I just get major DEET protection.

Also, should we get our money exchange at the airport or bank machine? Suggestions.

Bugs don't seem to like me much so I don't use anything. But, I've heard that DEET is the way to go. Should not be too bad anyway at this time of year, but there will be plenty of bugs still to go round.

United States dollars are accepted, usually at a fair exhange rate, at most tourist venues. Some gas stations will not accept them at all. ATM's are everywhere so that is a good way to go. Know that not all ATM cards work in all machines. If it fails, try a different bank. Might want to let your bank know that you'll be using ATM's and/or credit cards in Central America. Some of them can get a bit touchy about that.

It was a sunny 34C in the Central Valley yesterday I hope you like HOT because Quepos can be one hot and humid place.

Quepos/MA area is a big tourist area. Try and get away from that for a day and see the non-touristy areas.

I have a GPS that I've been using to track my average moving speed. Combined city-highway is only 41.2 kilometers per hour. That should give you a good idea of what the roads are like and how long it will take to drive anywhere.

Our rental is in La Isla Palo Seco - which is suppose to be pretty remote and quiet. From there we plan to take day trips. But drive back by night fall.

I have a portable GPS in my car, do you think it's worth it to pack it for the trip? Just got it a couple months ago and haven't used it abroad yet. Do you find it pretty acurate in CR?

Is the Arenal Volcano worth the drive and overnight stay from our home base of Parrita/Quepos area? A friend in my group wants to go real bad, but we don't wanna go straight there from San Jose upon arrival even though its closer. The rest of us want to go straight to the rental house and chill for a day or so on the beach before making a road trip.

Thanks again...I have been raving to my friends how cool this site is and the people are so helpful.
You guys rock!

GPS can be amusing but don't expect map accuracy on the order that you would find in NA. But they can still help you find your way back to somewhere (home base, perhaps) if you know how to use it. I make maps for a living so I find it a necessity.

Arenal is for sure worth the trip. Seeing an active volcano is maybe a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. If it isn't covered in cloud that is. If you are going to make an overnighter out of it (I would) make sure you go to Monteverde Cloud Forest as well. It's on the way and it is probably the only true rainforest you'll get to see if you are based in Quepos area. Just go straight north from Quepos to Cañas and turn right.

If you really want to see the country then go Monteverde to Arenal and then southeast to Ciudad Quesada, Zarcero, San Ramon, Esparza and back to Quepos. That would be a good 2 days with a lot of driving but you would see a lot. mmmm - Maybe 2 and half days?

"You guys rock!"
Lot's of people helped me out before I moved here - just returning the karma.

Then GPS we will pack and Arenal should be on our itenerary. Do you suggest any good places to stay - that is clean and affordable?

I ran into a friend at a party last night and she has been to CR once. LOVED IT! But she said she never went swimming on the Pacific because of the strong rip tides. Of course that was alarming for me to hear because we are taking kids, home base will be right on the ocean - kids want to swim. Other than the reasonable common sense precautions we all take in any ocean, is there anything else I need to be aware of for safety reasons? Is it that rough on the Pacific around Parrita/Quepos? The kids are 10 and 11 (both swim very well in the lake where we live). For eaxample, if you are swimming in waste deep water- are the tides strong enough to pull you out. I know the ocean is unpredictable but just wondering for the most part is it that strong all/most of the time?

You have been very kind in responding to my never ending questions. Thanks.

I think that keeping your kids from the experience of swimming in the Pacific would be tragic. Thousands of people swim there every year without mishap.

It's best to consult the locals for dangerous areas and tide times. They would know far better than I.

We've never stayed at a hotel in the Arenal area (we live just a couple of hours from it) so I can't recommend any from first-hand experience. A search online would be a good place to start.

I envy people coming to CR for the first-time. It's just a wonderful experience.

If your son is old enough I definatly recomend going rafting. There are ours leaving from San Juan, it was one of the most memorable things i've done there. Costa Rica is a beautiful country!