| One of the most often asked questions from | | | | the roads, this is always a good opportunity to have |
| travelers about Costa Rica besides "How much does | | | | some small talk with the locals. |
| it rain in the rainy season?" is: "Do we really need a | | | | You better get up early in Costa Rica, because the |
| rental car?". The answer depends very much on you, | | | | sun goes down around 6 pm. Driving at night in Costa |
| but by describing a bit more the conditions I can | | | | Rica can be dangerous and is not recommendable. |
| make the decision easier for you! | | | | Most of the roads don't have lights and road marking |
| Driving in Costa Rica is not as difficult as it seems in | | | | mostly exists on the main roads. |
| some frightening reports. Nevertheless it is true that | | | | The alternative to renting a car is to travel with the |
| the Costa Ricans that are known for a laid-back and | | | | extensive bus system. This is a good way to see the |
| calm attitude seem to get into a hurry as soon as | | | | country and meet the Ticos. There are buses going |
| they sit behind the wheel of a vehicle. They are not | | | | almost everywhere in Costa Rica, connections |
| alone on the planet with this particularity, the only | | | | between outlying areas are limited. The capital San |
| difference is that in many other places the people | | | | Jose is the major transportation hub of Costa Rica, |
| seem to be always in a hurry. | | | | sometimes it is necessary to return and switch the |
| The roads in Costa Rica are famous for their | | | | bus here. Before you buy a ticket for the bus ask |
| potholes and some destinations can only be reached | | | | precisely if this bus really goes to the destination |
| on a gravel road. If you plan only to visit San Jose | | | | where you plan to go. There are several towns in |
| and Jaco you may be fine with a sedan, but it is | | | | Costa Rica which share the same name! You can |
| highly recommendable to rent a 4x4. In the rainy | | | | assure going to the right Playa Hermosa by |
| season you will even have to cross some rivers. | | | | mentioning the Province where you plan to travel. |
| Even some of the main attractions for tourists in | | | | There is a Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste and a Playa |
| Costa Rica are only accessible with an all-terrain | | | | Hermosa in Puntarenas. There are several other |
| vehicle. The road to Monteverde is not paved and | | | | examples like Naranjo and San Isidro. |
| there are no plans for doing so. The local community | | | | Traveling by bus is certainly cheaper than renting a |
| wants to protect this unique place and does not | | | | car, but is most often slower. There are several |
| want that to make their place accessible for huge | | | | hundred bus companies operating in Costa Rica and |
| tourist buses. | | | | unfortunately they don't always work together. This |
| The big advantage of renting a car in Costa Rica is, | | | | can result in an unplanned overnight stay at a place |
| that you are independent and can make a stop | | | | where you missed your connecting bus. |
| whenever you want. Fruits and crafts are sold along | | | | |