We are taking a family vacation to Costa Rica over Easter-two boys 14 and 16. We are staying at the Mattiott Los Suenos, flying into San Jose. Recommend renting a car? ANy safety concerns? Ideas on what to do and see?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by papierniak:
...... Recommend renting a car? ANy safety concerns? Ideas on what to do and see?</font>

No - I would advise aainst renting a car. Apart from the beaches, rainforest, check out the dormant volcanoes and if time permits go to the Arenal hot-springs and volcano.

Do some searches in Latin America and in South America forums. I would definitely NOT rent a car for safety reasons.

Really interested in a trip return when you get back. I am considering a visit with two children next year. Thanks in advance.

I just returned from Costa Rica...I was doing business in San Jose and stayed at the Marriott there. The country was very picturesque, and my associate did rent a car (Hertz).

Compared to other Latin American countries, I thought the driving wasnt that bad. It sure beat Mexico or Venezuela, where you wouldnt catch me driving...ever! That being said, in any Latin America country you have to be ultra-defensive, as the "rules of the road" we have come to know simply do not exist.

I thought Costa Rica was a very nice country...it felt like Miami with mountains! Unfortuantly I didnt make it to the beach (work, work, work!). I have to return and hope to be able to do a few more "touristy" things next time.

the roads weren't the greatest, but you'll be on the main highway, si IMHO go for the car. I did and I drove on roads that I wouldnt walk on, just VERY SLOWLY. U will NOT have this problem.

No, I would not rent a car either... except perhaps, to drive out of San Jose....but definitely not to drive in the capital city proper...(it is chaos...)

Enjoy Costa Rica....people are very friendly and definitely do not miss the rafting trip on the Pacuare River...it is great...

I hear the coastal resorts are very nice

I did a day trip over to the east side, but the Tortuguero reserve...it was very neat like rainforest, and people out there travel by boat (upriver and downriver, like a road, you even see road signs)

On the way there, you go by the Carrillo Nat'l park, and they have this river that merges, like clear water and murky water.... I think it was in Columbus movie like 10 yrs ago...

Been there many times, but would advise against renting a car, especially in San Jose, they really do drive by idiots. Laid back country, laid back people, 'till they get behind the wheel. Go figure.

My favorite place is Manuel Antonio, outside of Quepos, with an amazing beach. For hotels and info, see http://www.maqbeach.com

I stayed at both Mono Azul and Verde Mar, and strongly recommend Verde Mar. Of course YMMV. OTOH, there are many others, and take what I say with a grain of salt, I travel on my own dime, and I'm a seasoned budget traveler. Did I mention I've been to Latin America at least ten times in the last couple of years?

My Spanish is getting better all the time because many of the places I've stayed in are inexpensive local places where English isn't spoken. Ingles was spoken at both Mono Azul and Verde Mar.

Enjoy your stay, and have a cerveca con hielo for me. CR is the only place I've visited where they serve the beer with ice.

Pura Vida, EmailKid

Edited to correct spelling of ice in Spanish. You'd think I'd remember it by now http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/rolleyes.gif

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I am NOT a tin elite! Then again, what the hell do I know?

[This message has been edited by emailkid (edited Mar 06, 2004).]