Costa Rica offers spectacular landscapes, wildlife and a ‘Pura Vida’ laidback approach – but what is it like to drive there? Travel specialist, Lauren, talks through her own experience of a Costa Rica road trip.
To get to the point, it’s straight forward to drive in Costa Rica! The main roads are generally well kept and signposted, rural roads are quiet and the views along the way make driving anything but boring.
The car hire companies deliver cars to hotels, which avoids the stress-inducing prospect of having to navigate the roads of San Jose upon arrival. This is strongly recommended as at rush hour you may feel like you are back on the UK motorway… but with the added factor of driving on the right.
If you have driven on the ‘wrong side of the road’ before then this will be a breeze! The hire cars are well equipped and in very good condition.
Safe adventuring
As two women self-driving throughout Costa Rica, it felt incredibly safe and certainly gave us independence and flexibility. We were able to stop when we wanted, be that to top up on snacks, gaze at beautiful views or even look at crocodiles below Tarcoles Bridge!
Longer drives like the one between La Fortuna and Uvita offer a sense of adventure. Reaching your destination is all the sweeter as you know you’ve navigated the route yourself. And being greeted by a breathtaking sunset at the coast was fitting reward for the journey.
With parts of Costa Rica, such as Tortuguero and the Osa Peninsula, accessed by boat transfers, you’ll also have plenty of non-driving days to relax.
Prepare for the unexpected
We opted to use the Waze app for navigation, which was fantastic and connected to the car’s in-built system making it very easy to use. It also proved very helpful when we met with the unexpected. On our first day of driving, en route to La Fortuna, we came across a flooded road – it was wet season after all. Waze kicked in with a diversion through rural, less paved roads, which was very picturesque. It was a very quiet route with just a few cows for company. I took it easy, mindful of potholes, but it was a pleasant drive.
Road sense
Drivers in Costa Rica are very respectable on the road, however, be prepared for locals to overtake you when it is safe to do so.
The speed limit varies by road. Driving on roads in rural areas you might encounter speedbumps near schools, some of which are well disguised. In and around Arenal and Manuel Antonio, there are ‘give way’ points for crossing narrow bridges. This is a rule, not a guideline and is abided to by all.
Parking is generally free in the majority of areas, or you can pay a small fee for someone to look after your car. This is especially popular in the main resorts of Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.
Ultimately, based on my own experience, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a self-drive in Costa Rica!
Lauren’s top tips for driving in Costa Rica
- Download the Waze app before you leave. Of course, other navigation apps are available.
- Check with your phone provider about your roaming data. All the vehicles rented on a Discover the World holiday include car WiFi as complimentary, but it’s worth having data access as a backup. The assurance of in-car navigation is a small price to pay for data charges.
- Be prepared for diversions especially in the wet season. Some roads are prone to flooding but this is all completely normal in Costa Rica and makes for a good story when you get home.
- Make sure to take it easy on rural roads as there can be some potholes, especially during rainy season.
- Get your car delivered to your hotel in San Jose, instead of collecting at the airport. Avoid rush hour in city!
- Have some change available in US dollars and Costa Rica colones for the tolls.
Planning your Costa Rica self-drive
Take a look at our pre-planned self-drive itineraries in Costa Rica, which can be tailored into something entirely bespoke. We’ve done the leg work so all you have to do is enjoy the journey.
And if you prefer to leave the driving to others, get in touch with our Travel Specialists to discuss private transfers or joining a group tour. Call on 01737 214 250 or send an enquiry.