It can certainly be done. I've driven many thousands of miles in Costa Rica over the 28 years or so I've been going there.

If you're not used to driving in challenging destinations, I probably wouldn't do it. When I went from San Jose to the Andaz earlier this year, there was tons of roadwork before Liberia. Road safety and driving are way below US levels, not that the US is that great.

Certainly don't drive to Liberia from San Jose at night.