What are the road conditons?
- The Caldera Highway 27 (San Jose to the beaches) and the Costanera Highway 34 (beach) are very nicely paved. Be aware that the Caldera highway 27 (San Jose to the beaches) is sometimes routed as one way only going from the beaches to San Jose! This is to facilitate the return of city folk back home after visiting the coast on busy holiday weekends. If you are driving from the city to the beaches on a Sunday or holiday, you may need to use GPS or WAZE to re-route yourself through side streets and small towns. Prior to departing the rental car agency ask if there are any road conditions you should be aware of.
- Traffic in San Jose will be very congested during rush hours. Please try to drive while it is still light, and leave as early as you can. It gets dark early in Costa Rica, sunset is between 5:15 and 6:00pm. Driving unfamiliar, poorly lit, mountainous roads at night is not safe, and it is easier to get lost. You may wish to consider staying in San Jose overnight, rather than driving in the dark. Making good time, with no stops, should take about 3 ½ hours to travel from the Airport to our area.
- We suggest loading WAZE on your cell phone, a free app that provides directions, road alerts and will divert you to avoid traffic and accidents.
- Some paved local roads are missing painted lines and reflectors.
- Side roads will likely be patchy concrete, gravel and clay. We suggest renting a 4x4 to be able to explore our area.
- Ticos (Costa Ricans) are known to drive recklessly!! Expect; vehicles to pull out on to another road without stopping or looking, pass on blind curves and hills, have complete disregard for double yellow lines, and turn signals can mean any number of things such as; "I am turning left or right", "pass me on the left or right", "I'm making a u-turn", or "I have forgotten i have my turn signal on". Drive defensively and carefully, especially at night as most stretches of road are not lighted.