Like everything else, the world of transportation changes fairly quickly.  Please check with us about current tips about travel from your place to and around Costa Rica.

One large suggestion - Don't automatically think you'll rent a vehicle.  North Americans tend to just assume that they should have a vehicle parked outside where they are sleeping.  Here, having a vehicle for your entire stay (or at all) may be just a waste of money - and of time and enjoyment!

Go by local air or hire a Tourismo (7 seater mini-van) for trips of a few hours.  Local taxis are cheap and convenient.

For example: 

- rent a car to go to Tambor from San Jose - full (no deductible) insurance (absolutely necessary!), gas, ferry - say maybe $130??  One tourist has the pleasure of intensely watching the unfamiliar road winding by!

- Pinky (César's nickname!!) will take you to our place from San Jose for maybe $50 or $60 more and all the tourists get to be touring.  By the way: Pinky is great: He speaks decent English. Based out of Alajuela - where the San Jose International airport is.  Will take you on tours all over Costa Rica at reasonable prices. He looks for the best value in lodgings for you and knows the restaurants with the best food and the cheapest prices. Tico (ie. Costa Rican) food? Italian? North American? No prob - if he doesn't know it, it doesn't exist.

If you are renting our place, we'll be pleased to assist in tour reservations with him (by the way , we DO NOT take a cut!).  Or take a look at his website.

Local Taxis:  The red vehicles ("Los Rojos") which look like cabs are, indeed, taxis.  Generally, very knowledgeable of their locality and quite reasonably priced.  Pirate Cabs: about half the cost of the licensed cabs.  DO NOT USE in San Jose - the local traffic cops can get quite nasty about tourists using pirate cabs - you might suddenly end up on the sidewalk!  In the less urban areas, probably the way to go is with your pirate.  Chat with us!

RENTING A CAR FOR "SPECIAL" TRIPS:

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