We are going to cr in jan. we plan to just wing it without reservations. Is that doable? Also I have read so many things on rental cars, 4x4 or not and which company is reputable or is that an oxymoron?
We want to just try to stay at the basic affordable places without res.
We want to just try to stay at the basic affordable places without res.
1
It is so easy to wing it. Get a guide book, and go for it. Get a phrase book also. After two months on the beach, buses etc, we rented a 4x4, can't tell you which company. Needed it, but maybe you don't. It is easy to find a cheap place, away from the bar noise, especially if you have a car. Possibly a little crowded over the holiday, but Jan should be a piece of cake.Just do it!
2
You can wing it in CR no problem, keep in mind New Years week to about the 6th-8th will be peak season at the most the beaches, so plan accordingly. All other areas should not be an issue unless going to Corcovado/Drake Bay in Jan you should have reservations, and park is limited for access permits as well.Otherwise, get the MOON or LP CR guidebook and go for it. If you have wheels you dont have much to fret about as its easy to just down the road and find a place on your list.
As for a 4x4 rental, you really dont need a true 4x4 in Jan, its dry season, but in rainy season, (May to Nov) in the more remote areas yes, but usually even in Rainy season a SUV AWD is fine. For dry season, no need for anything larger than a Toyota Rav 4/Hyundai Vitara size. All the major rental agencies are in CR,I use Alamo and a local outfit Mapache often, I get all the insurance anyway, this is what cost extra per day, add $15 ish.
Many places you dont need a car, like Tortuguero canals there are no roads, boat in/out. Most the beaches you dont need a car either. If hike the Loop at Corcovado for 3 days, just fly down and back to SJ or bus/shuttle back.
You also can take a car oneway between many of the major venues and beach areas, like La Fortuna, Liberia, Tamarindo, Samara, Tambor, Quepos/Manual Antonio and/or pay a drop fee and they will come get it from your hotel.
There is also a great shuttle system in CR between all the popular venues/beaches, see Interbus, about $35PP per leg.
Put adventure first, beach last.
Rule #1 in CR, dont drive at night, not safe and roads are dark and not well sign posted, people, children and animals share the road with cars. Rule #2, dont leave anything in the car unattended, ever, not even a CD or sunglasses. Distances are longer than they appear on map, ave speed os about 45KM an hour on all two lane roads, some more, some less.
SJ to Arenal 3 hours
SJ to Monteverde 4 hours
SJ to Pt Jimenez/Corocvado 9-11 hours
SJ to Tamarindo/Samara/Mal Pais 6 hours
Liberia to Tamarindo 1.5 hours
Liberia to Arenal 3.5 hours
Liberia to Monteverde 3.5 hours ish
Liberia to SJ 4 hours
Liberia to Mal Pais 5.5 hours ish
Liberia to Rincon 1.5 hours. Tenorio 1.5 hours, Cano Negro 2.5 hours.
SJ to Pt Viejo Caribe beaches 5 hours
SJ to Playa Uvita 4.5 -5 hours.
Quepos to Arenal/Monteverde 5 hours ish
Quepos to Uvita 1.5 hours, Pt Jimenez 3,5 hours ish, Playa Carate 5.5 hours ish...
4
Beautiful BeachMy top beach/beach town is Puerto Viejo. Try the Hidden Jungle Beach House. Not on the beach, but nearby. We enjoyed hiking a jungle trail and down the beach to the south at Punta Manzanillo. The beaches on the Osa are also great, but I did not enjoy Puerto Jimenez!
6
So arriving in SJ then heading to the Carribe. side and exploring for a few days then Arenal then to the pacific. Where is a good beginners surf beach? How is Quepos for hanging out in? Any more info would be great, thanks
