What would you guys do?
I'm catching a red eye flight from San Francisco with a 3 hour layover in Houston and arriving at SJO at noon. My original plan was to get my rental car and then hightail it to Puerto Viejo but now I'm wondering if that isn't such a great idea after being on minimal sleep.
Should I plan on staying in Alajuela and then heading to PV early in the morning?
sean94110
2
ticotim
I think you will be fine. Its is a easy route once out of the San Jose area on RT#32. There are plenty of places to stop and stretch and a cold one. As long as your in Limon at the turn off south by 5pm, which is 2.5 hours ish from SJO, its juts a easy no traffic route, if your pooped, stop in Cahuita and eat, spicy Caribe cuisine, and hit the hey there, or get to PV before dark. Stay south of PV for peacefull setting and no riff raff...beaches are gorgeous from Chequita>Cocles to Punta Uva...
There are radar traps once your out of the mountains and headed down to the coast...so keep the speed in check, I think 80KP max....
3
imatraveljunkie
As usual, I'll disagree with Ticotim. Living here, everyone knows 3 things. 1) Traffic fatalities are the one of the number one killers in Costa Rica. 2) The highway between San Jose and Limon is the most dangerous stretch of highway in CR for accidents. 3) It's the rainy season, and you'll be driving in the afternoon, so it will be pouring and visibility will be low.
I would at least stay in San Jose or Heredia, that way you don't have to deal with traffic between Alejuela and San Jose while you're trying to get out of town.
4
ticotim
Whats the difference if you leave at 11 or 1?
Yes its a dangerous route, so is the Pan Am from Liberia to SJ amd SJ to Panama.
The #1 cause of death in CR is traffic accidents, but you can easily make this trip at 1pm.
Plus, I think he is going at Xmas, so weather will be a low risk factor, other than than fog and mist around the 1st 45 minutes...
5
wildrider
Stay one night somewhere near San Jose and leave early the next day. It is then rainy season and you won't see much when you drive in the afternoon, in the morning you will have a better view and travel much saver.
6
imatraveljunkie
Why take the chance, after you clear customs and get in your car it's going to be later than you think it will be. And he dumbest thing would be to stop in Cahuita, it's like 30 minutes from PV.
7
costaricablog
Just to confuse youi more:), i agree with Ticotim, its not a difficult drive and during the day should be no problem.
Be careful on CR roads at all times!!!!
Puerto Viejo
8
nyc_girl_115
Sean420: I agree with Tim, and would just go for it. But I am fine on red-eye flights (actually prefer them...).
Are you the type of person that requires a lot of sleep in order to be alert? Are you able to sleep on red-eyes?
Will you be travelling alone or with company?
9
jardin
Hi, take it easy, you are on vacations don't you? take your time, sleep well, rent the car, have a lot or information and then enjoy your trip.
cheers
Cinthya
www.jardintropicalbanb.com
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner
trusted partner