drive or fly from Sierpe to Turrialba?

We have the option of driving or flying from Sierpe to Turrialba ( via San Jose if flying) The question is whether the drive is interesting enough to warrant the extra time it will take. From what I gather we would save about four hours if we were to fly ( and drive from San Jose ). Any thoughts are welcome.

It's definitely worth it in my opinion, to fly.

Well, its no easy feat driving across 3/4's of the country, which is what you would be doing. The route from Sierppe does take you thru multiple micro climates and various dense forested rainforest, cloud forest, and even mangroves on the Pacific.

I don not have my map handy, so I think your would go the following way, or at least this way would scenic.

Sierppe to Palmar Sur is 30 minutes, this route is plantations and then you would head Dominical I imagine, up the lovely and possibly one of the prettiest stretches of the Pacific coast, mountains above and huge cliffs and ocean below, similar to Santa Barbara.. Thats about a hour and 30 minutes, then you head east over the Estalerros to San Isidro de General. A pretty road, thru cloudforest and great views of the pacific, then into the valley that the 4th largest city in CR is. You then get on the Pan Am 1, and head north, up and over the continental divide, this goes up to the clouds, at 10,000 feet plus, foggy and even sleet can come down, temps drop from 90's to 30's in about 40 minutes....narly and wild as the road literally goes along the top ridge of the very crest of the divide...this is also the Pan Am, so cargo trucks and slow moving haulers are always in the way, passing and steep turns and a winding road make it a harrowing drive, best on a Sunday when traffic is light. It will take 2 hours from San Isidro to San Jose area, though you will turn off about 40KM from SJ and head Northeast to Turriblia, which is set in a pretty valley of coffee plantations and deep lush greenery, very nice vistas, and of course, the River Rio Paquare slice thru it down the Caribe slopes...

All in all, a adventure,,,,and could be a tad taxing for sure....at least 5 hours I would think....

It's at least 5 hours from Palmar Sur to Cartago, then about 2 more to Turrialba from Cartago. Although you wouldn't have to come all the way back to San Jose, you will have to head down into Cartago, then through Paraiso and on to Turrialba. It's still quicker to fly to San Jose and then drive down.

Also, the Pacuare isn't the river close to Turrialba, but the Reventazon. Pacuare is about 35 kms east.

Thanks Junkie....

I was not sure how far it was in that portion, can you not go east north east before Cartago?

(I dont have my map)

So, to sum this up, if it was me, its almost a 2 day trip, I dont like to drive in CR more than 4-5 hours...its stressful and all 2 lanes...

I took almost this route this spring when we rege going from Ojochal to Caribe. Tim is right, it takes at least 5 hours for your part, but may take longer if you are lucky enough to hit fog patches in the mountains. One afternoon we had to turn half way back from our way to San Isidro due to thickening fog. The road is no easy task when you have to share sharp turns with big trucks coming onto you, so if you are not very confident in your driving skills away from NA 4-lanes highway, possibly you should think about taking a flight. However, the car trip is absolutely worth it, the scenery is beautiful to say the least.
These pictures were mostly shot on the way from Pacific to Caribe:
Mountain road shots