Visit Costa Rica - Driving Advice for Costa Rica - Wolters World
video description
Date: 2022-02-04
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Andy
Thanks for the vid. Just got back from CR. We rented a car. It was a good decision because we were able to travel on our own schedule, but there were more than a few crazy drivers. Motorcycles, busses, and tractor trailers seemed to be the worst. The trick is to not let them influence your own driving. Also, watch out for pedestrians and cyclists because they won't be watching out for you.
Like other commenters, I would also suggest a GPS. Ours worked great. Turn left on unpaved road was good enough to get where we needed to go. I'd also like to point out that CR requires insurance for the car rental. They will try to upsell you for more coverage, but you probably won't need it.
reply
Thanks for the vid. Just got back from CR. We rented a car. It was a good decision because we were able to travel on our own schedule, but there were more than a few crazy drivers. Motorcycles, busses, and tractor trailers seemed to be the worst. The trick is to not let them influence your own driving. Also, watch out for pedestrians and cyclists because they won't be watching out for you.
Like other commenters, I would also suggest a GPS. Ours worked great. Turn left on unpaved road was good enough to get where we needed to go. I'd also like to point out that CR requires insurance for the car rental. They will try to upsell you for more coverage, but you probably won't need it.
reply
Jaclyn
Drivers in Costa Rica are kitty cats compared to drivers in the Dominican! That being said, we rented a car for our entire time in Costa Rica (drove from Monteverde all the way down to the South) and never had any issues. Just take it slowly and be cautious. Remember, you are a visitor in their country and are not expected, nor should you try, to drive like the locals. As mentioned in the video, there are very little street signs within and outside the towns, with many of the roads having the same names so a GPS and your hotel's phone number is a good idea to have with you at all times. Just in case you get lost. But driving on your own is possible.
reply
Drivers in Costa Rica are kitty cats compared to drivers in the Dominican! That being said, we rented a car for our entire time in Costa Rica (drove from Monteverde all the way down to the South) and never had any issues. Just take it slowly and be cautious. Remember, you are a visitor in their country and are not expected, nor should you try, to drive like the locals. As mentioned in the video, there are very little street signs within and outside the towns, with many of the roads having the same names so a GPS and your hotel's phone number is a good idea to have with you at all times. Just in case you get lost. But driving on your own is possible.
reply
Van
Unrelated but: Can you please advise on what to do when you arrive at your 5, All inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean and the hotel is FAR FAR from what you have seen on pictures when booking. Dirty towels, cockroaches, dirty bathroom/shower, service is awful, pools are full of dirt, etc. You have payed a small fortune for your dream holidays and the hotel turns out to be a disaster. Can you advise what would you do, please? How not to get ripped off? Do you check out immediately the next morning? Do you stay and demand upgrade, do you stay and request a discount at checkout? What would a travel guru do or advise?
reply
Unrelated but: Can you please advise on what to do when you arrive at your 5, All inclusive resort somewhere in the Caribbean and the hotel is FAR FAR from what you have seen on pictures when booking. Dirty towels, cockroaches, dirty bathroom/shower, service is awful, pools are full of dirt, etc. You have payed a small fortune for your dream holidays and the hotel turns out to be a disaster. Can you advise what would you do, please? How not to get ripped off? Do you check out immediately the next morning? Do you stay and demand upgrade, do you stay and request a discount at checkout? What would a travel guru do or advise?
reply
barry
I love your video one thing that I had an experience with near Jaco, I got pulled over by the local police and he wanted 40, 000 cloney's and I didn't even have a license with me or my wallet which was in the hotel then he went down to 25, 000 then 15000 I'm not even sure what the citation was for but he wasn't thrilled that I didn't have my ID or any money on me, and he didn't want to follow me back to the Hotel. But overall they were cool- I'm actually planning on taking my daughter back there in 2022 Barry Nicholas Jax Florida. It's a fabulous country
reply
I love your video one thing that I had an experience with near Jaco, I got pulled over by the local police and he wanted 40, 000 cloney's and I didn't even have a license with me or my wallet which was in the hotel then he went down to 25, 000 then 15000 I'm not even sure what the citation was for but he wasn't thrilled that I didn't have my ID or any money on me, and he didn't want to follow me back to the Hotel. But overall they were cool- I'm actually planning on taking my daughter back there in 2022 Barry Nicholas Jax Florida. It's a fabulous country
reply
Jihan
Hi Mark, I will be going to Costa Rica in the next few months. Do you have an email where people can ask you questions? Or if not, can you provide information on having cell service to use apps like Waze to be able to navigate on the roads? Very anxious about the thought of lack of cell service or inability to use a navigation system while on mountainous roads. Thank you.
reply
Hi Mark, I will be going to Costa Rica in the next few months. Do you have an email where people can ask you questions? Or if not, can you provide information on having cell service to use apps like Waze to be able to navigate on the roads? Very anxious about the thought of lack of cell service or inability to use a navigation system while on mountainous roads. Thank you.
reply
mirka
I've been to Costa Rica 3 times, each time in different area and every time we rented a car my husband was driving. What we learned: NEVER EVER drive after the dusk. All type of living creatures use the roads freely in the dark: ppl riding horses, cattle, once we passed a group of ppl seating on the side of the road observing world passing by, they didn't even move!
reply
I've been to Costa Rica 3 times, each time in different area and every time we rented a car my husband was driving. What we learned: NEVER EVER drive after the dusk. All type of living creatures use the roads freely in the dark: ppl riding horses, cattle, once we passed a group of ppl seating on the side of the road observing world passing by, they didn't even move!
reply
leyenda61
I've put on a lot of weight over the years since my svelt athletic 20's. I stop posting travel pics on social media b/c ppl closest to me just remark about my size and make me uncomfortable & embarrassed, rather than send well wishes about my familiy's travels. Anyone else experience this? How do you deal? Thx
reply
I've put on a lot of weight over the years since my svelt athletic 20's. I stop posting travel pics on social media b/c ppl closest to me just remark about my size and make me uncomfortable & embarrassed, rather than send well wishes about my familiy's travels. Anyone else experience this? How do you deal? Thx
reply
Bill
I agree with everything Mark says here. I am especially glad he mentioned that it's possible to hire a driver. Depending upon your budget, prices for drivers are reasonable in Costa Rica.
I hired a driver for 3 days and was so happy I didn't have to drive. I had a wonderful time.
reply
I agree with everything Mark says here. I am especially glad he mentioned that it's possible to hire a driver. Depending upon your budget, prices for drivers are reasonable in Costa Rica.
I hired a driver for 3 days and was so happy I didn't have to drive. I had a wonderful time.
reply
Jared
Pay the extra for GPS in the rental car. It costs about $6/day and is well worth it, also helps to not be a drain on your phone. That helped immensely. Driving there was so fun, scared the shit out of my wife, but I loved the craziness of it.
reply
Pay the extra for GPS in the rental car. It costs about $6/day and is well worth it, also helps to not be a drain on your phone. That helped immensely. Driving there was so fun, scared the shit out of my wife, but I loved the craziness of it.
reply
Intrud0r
I do not agree on this. Leaving aside some of the truckers on the panamericana, the drivers in Costa Rica are pretty easy going, no driving up tight, sometimes they even let you in and if you do it, they often give a thumbs up.
reply
I do not agree on this. Leaving aside some of the truckers on the panamericana, the drivers in Costa Rica are pretty easy going, no driving up tight, sometimes they even let you in and if you do it, they often give a thumbs up.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
5:58