Canadian_Traveler

My husband and I are arriving in San Jose on Dec. 25, leaving Jan. 5. Our itinerary looks like this:
2 nts - Hotel Los Lagos, Arenal
3 nts - Tamarindo (no hotel booked yet)
5 nts - Allegro Papagayo
1 nt - San Jose (no hotel booked yet)

The problem is, we don't have any form of transportation yet. During our 6 days at Allegro, we'd like to be able to take day trips to Rincón de la Vieja or Santa Rosa National Park (I believe these are feasible).

So far we've gotten prices of over $1000US for car rentals for the 12 days!!! If this is the case, bus sounds more like our style.

Can anyone suggest an alternative? I.e. bus to Arenal (can we catch a bus at 2 pm on Christmas day from San Jose?) and then bus to Liberia and rent a car from there. I guess I'm trying to look for justification to spend that kind of money on a car rental. How much more difficult will it be to catch a bus for both short trips (local beaches, day trips from Papagayo) or long ones (i.e. Tamarindo to Papagayo)? Should we just fork the money for a car?

If anyone has any suggestions or tales that can help us decide we'd really, really appreciate it!
Thanks!

Ally

There are two 'tourist' buses you can look into, one, 'Fantasy', has a bus that goes to Arenal at about 1:00 if I recall correctly. Check out
www.costaricapass.com
and
www.costaricatransfers.com
I think your biggest problem is going to be finding a hotel available in Tamarindo at that time. Keep in mind, many ticos are also off at that time of year and also flock to the beaches. We were in Tamarindo in August and looked at 5 hotels before we found one that had a room available, and that was in the low season! Good luck!

shillmac

Before you decide to "bus it", try Tricolor. They consistenly offer lower rates and good service. Agree that getting a room at Tamarindo is going to be a huge problem by now. It is definitely one of the more popular beach areas. For your last night near the airport, check on Las Orquideas. OR, if you want to experience San Jose and don't have a departing flight until afternoon, try the Hotel Don Carlos in town. Airport taxi will cost you $12 from the Don Carlos. It is in a good location to do a nice walking tour of the central part of the city in the a.m.

If you are unable to secure a room in Tamarindo, but you decide to rent a car, check Hotel Brasilito in Brasilito (about 20 min) from Tamarindo. It is between Conchal and Flamingo beaches--very nice area. Kind of an odd little town, but endearing! We stayed at this hotel during the Christmas holidays last year. It is basic, but has an excellent restaurant, friendly owners, and two rooms RIGHT on the beach with hammocks outside the door. We have, in fact, stayed there on numerous occasions--we pay about $30 in the green season and $50 during high season for a beachfront room. It's kind of a fun little place, and really IS in a good location for seeing the area and several nearby beaches. If you would like more info on this hotel, you can e-mail me at [email protected]

Canadian_Traveler

I got a quote from Tricolor for $1000 US for 11 days rental. That is defintely more than we'd like to spend. Thanks for bus links / info...it looks like this may be the route we take.

I've actually heard back from a couple places that have availability in Tamarindo but it sounds like I should chose one and book NOW! Can anyone recommend the following: Monte Fresco Mountain Suites, Hotel Pasatiempo, or Villas Macondo?

Thanks for all your help!

Sailing

Hello Canadian Traveler:
definately get your reservations in as soon as possible as we are expecting a record year in tourism this year and you are visiting at one of the busiest times of the year. The car rental companies will all have high pricing this time of year so as suggested you have a choice of Fanasy Bus or Interbus to get you from hotel to hotel. The only problem is you loose valuable time traveling on bus schedules. All the private drivers I know are already booking up fast. I'm trying not to advertise but do have some options for you for transfers and day trips from Allegro Papagayo. Email me direct and I will try to help.
[email protected]

shillmac

Have stayed at Hotel Pasatiempo. It would be very acceptable. A fun place--especially during the holidays. Nice little bungalows with hammocks, nice pool.

ellene

If you need a car mostly for your time at the allegro, it may make more sense to book excursions from the hotel Contact them and get prices, which usually include tranportation

arbegold

We reserved a 4wd manual transmission from Dollar in high season. $412.00 for 8 days incl. additional insurance.
Daily rate beyond 8 days was $50.00 per day, plus $9.00 per day insurance.
You can do the math. Call the USA Dollar toll free number, not the one in Costa Rica.

shillmac

Arbegold,
I think the problem is that Canadian Traveler is renting during peak season, which is another notch above high season. We have rented through Dollar before as well (not USA Dollar, but Costa Rica Dollar, Senor Ivan Segura to be exact). I don't believe the Costa Rican agencies to be dishonest in their rate quotes. Having experience with both Dollar and Tricolor, if $1000 for 11 days is the best Tricolor can do, it is highly doubtful that any company is going to come in under that.

shillmac

I visited the Tricolor website and requested a suzuki ignus for 11 days beginning Dec. 25, and they quoted $685 including insurance and taxes. The representative's name was Cynthia Segura. www.tricolorcarrental.com

shillmac

BTW, during the dry season, you shouldn't even need a 4x4. A sedan will also be less expensive.

Canadian_Traveler

The quote I got was from Cynthia as well (Tricolor) but I think part of the problem is that we need automatic (neither of us drives standard).

We've decided to rent a car (not 4x4) for the 1st few days (San Jose to Arenal to Tamarindo) then bus or taxi from Tamarindo to Papagayo (though we're really not sure the best bet or how far a drive this is).
We rented with National for 3 days, pick up in San Jose, drop off in Tamarindo for $135 US. It seemed like a pretty good deal. We're going to take the suggestions of others and book day tours at Allegro instead of driving since the rental was so expensive. Also, we've booked a flight from Liberia to San Jose to get back so we don't have to worry about that long drive. In the end, we save money too.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and help. It's been incredibly useful in planning our trip (and I'm sure i'll have more questions).

shillmac

Tamarindo to the Papagayo Peninsula is about an hour, maybe just a little less. Have a great time! You are correct in that once you get to the Allegro Papagayo, a car would be somewhat wasted. It's a fun hotel....enjoy yourselves!

Sailing

Wonderful to hear all has worked out!
Have a wonderful vacation and don't miss Playa del Coco as we usually have a rodeo around the time you are visiting and it is very entertaining!
Just another quick item which I'm sure Tricolor will reinforce - don't leave anything in your rental car for even one minute - especially in Tamarindo. We had 9 seperate groups/guests last year that took a quick 3 minute look at the beach to return to find everything was gone, passports, luggage etc. All in Tamarindo.
Not to scare you, there is virtualy no crime here except theft. A word of warning from a fellow Canadian!

Have a great time!

ellene

YOu will be happy with your decision not to drive from Liberia to San Jose, the road is really lousy(filled with pot holes). Nature air was a pleasure to deal with, and the planes were fine. You also fly low enough you get to see some of the country

Canadian_Traveler

A million thanks again! And oh, btw, we did manage to book a room at El Milagro in Tamarindo. It was a little more than we wanted to spend but found the rates were near $80 for most hotels that had availability anyway for such a busy season.

Now I just have to count the days till Christmas...

shillmac

Good for you! That is a relief
Feliz Navidad!