I just thought of another route... bus to Punta Gorda, then one of the daily water taxis to Puerto Barrios, then by bus... I don't have any details of transportation after P. Barrios.

Also check flights with Copa Airlines, but it probably won't be direct.

Ok... great suggestions. I think I am easy to either rent a car or take public transport, whatever works best for ease with 2 kids.
Could I take a car to Arenal and Sarapiqui, and then leave it there and do the rest by public transport?

No direct connections but using public transports is doable.
The only issue is time.

Michel

If you are entering Costa Rica and Panama via a land border, you just need a bus ticket out for the country you are about to enter..though as above points out, a flight reservation will suffice.

Does that mean that if you enter with a motor vehicle you still need a bus/air ticket out? Wouldn't that imply that you would import the motor-vehicle permanently and illegally?

I don't know what the law says, but the need for a bus/air ticket for everyone crossing a landborder seems completely ridiculous to me (which of course does not mean it's not true). I certainly have a hard time believing this is true when crossing with a motor vehicle. And if not needed with a motor-vehicle why would someone with a non-motorized vehicle be treated differently? Or even someone crossing on foot?

If entering by public transport the demand for a ticket out seems much more reasonable. I can however imagine that third country pedestrians/cyclists are so rare that they are not considered in the law or due to ignorance by officials treated the same as people on public transport. (making it a practical rule, not an official rule)

Has anyone the exact text from the applicable law at hand?

Fyi,Cuba isn't the best place for short stays or long weekends say like Puerto Rico before the hurricane or Miami and Cancun, just not really set up for the quick in and out,too much to see and do and Cubans are on island time.

As said above the issue is public transport on that route. It may actually be faster to go via Bishkek. Or consider taking private transport and visiting charyn canyon enroute.

Thank you michel.
Yes i only require transport not a tour. Love to travel by public transport but my time is very limited. Also Angola is very exspensive i believe.
Take care.

If you leave a shared/public transport, you must wait the next one available. Not a challenge but it can be much more time consuming than expected.

Michel