BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello Everyone.

I'm heading to Costa Rica the last week in July and meeting up with my family for 5 nights at a resort near Liberia. However, I'm flying in to San Jose a few days early, renting a 4x4 with the intention of seeing as much as possible.

Here's my initial thoughts about an itinerary and I'd appreciate any comments about its feasability or any additional/alternative ideas.

Friday - Arrive in San Jose @ noon, pick up 4x4 and head towards Arenal. Should I stop along the way or truck it there and see something in the afternoon. Possibly stay in La Fortuna.
Saturday - Early morning visit to hanging bridges. Additional activities (?), depart for Monteverde.
Sunday - Visit cloud forrest. Additional activities (?) around Monteverde
Monday - Meet family in Liberia around noon.

I'm definitely still trying to get an idea about travel times between locations, esp. since it is the wet season.

Also, any recs on budget accommodation?

Thanks!

Tyler

Ummmm - could you possibly be flying into San Jose, not San Juan?

yeah...what a gaffe. Any recs?

Timing will be difficult on Friday.

Arrive noon. Clear airport immigration/customs/baggage by 1:30 (maybe). Get to rental agency/get vehicle 2:30 - 3:00.

It is likely to be raining hard by that time of day and the sun will set by 5:30. In the dry season count on a 2 hour drive to La Fortuna IF you don't get lost. In July . . . 3 or more hours.

I'd write off Friday as a travel day in-country and settle for getting your vehicle and spending the night closer in the area. Early Sat. travel to La Fortuna and you should have good dry weather.

thanks for the advice, raffi. sounds like travel will be difficult within the county. i might cut down the itinerary to one of the two areas. if you were to choose between arenal and monteverde, which would you choose?

Honestly, Arenal is not a bad drive from San jose. I just did it 4 times in a week and a half! Even if you get out of the airport late, as long as you are on the road and dont have a problem diving in the rain, your plans sound wonderful to me. Maybe if it gets too dark or rainy you can make it to San Ramon, a cute mountain town, about an hour and half from San Jose. La fortuna was a dissapointment, but the volcano itself was amazing. The GREENness of the vegetaion was breathtaking. I would love to see you actually wake up there! Staying in San Jose can be a huge waste of time of you are not exploring the city itself.
We stayed at Arenal Paraiso, about 70 bucks a night. If thats too much dinero, I heard great things about "vagabondo" and "Vilma". 30-40 a night. There are MANY hostles and small hotels in town. for less then 20 bucks. I have heard that the employees may go through your things if you choose the wrong spot.

quote:

I'm definitely still trying to get an idea about travel times between locations, esp. since it is the wet season.

I guess you already went to Costa Rica!?
The route planner from www.yourtravelmap.com shows travel times between destinations in Costa Rica.