When I was there in 2000, I drove from San Jose to Quepos and it was a gorgeous drive. I'd gladly do that again, but I'd make sure to have a vehicle that could handle the rain if I do it in the rainy season. I'm not a packaged tour kind of traveler. I prefer the freedom of going where I want, when I want it, so having a car is a great thing in a place like CR. That said, I have decided to not go this year as there doesn't seem to be a whole lot going on down there at the moment.