Fly or drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio?
I'm traveling in mid-May and flights seem to be a little scarce I'm guessing since it's the green season so I only have one flight to make it to my hotel that afternoon but I could probably make it at the same time by driving as well. Do the regional flights ever get delayed or canceled altogether because of rain? Should I just drive instead? Well my flight doesn't arrive in SJO until noon so that only leaves one flight out to Quepos for us on Sansa at 3pm which technically I could drive and get there at the same time. So just debating which is the lesser evil :)
Costa Rica - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I have not flown, but did drive.... people I know who flew said it was a quick flight over jungle, and interesting sightseeing The drive was a multi-hour ordeal, even in a four-wheel drive. Do-able, as long as you have good nerves. I think the best part was the bridge we went over with a sign that said "no se bane" and a picture of a crocodile....sure enough, down on the mud flats, there they were lounging around, maybe waiting for a sceptical tourist for dinner
2 :
By fly to MA, you mean Quepos, right? There is no landing strip in MA. The flight is about 1/2 an hour. It's bumpy but pretty fun. There are rarely delays due to rain. They will fly through it unless it gets really nasty, but it rarely does. It's usually a light to medium rain. Which flights are scarce? To CR or within CR? Nature Air has 2 flights SJ-Quepos daily, 9am and 11am. If you book now, you can get fares as low as $35 each way (plus tax). www.natureair.com Sansa has 5 flights daily to Quepos, starting at 7am until 3pm. They charge $50 each way. www.flysansa.com Driving is not horrendous any more with the new highway, much quicker than before. It will take you about 3+/- hours, if you take the new highway (which sometimes closes for days at a time if there's a lot of rain and there's landslides). Another option would be to spend the first night in San Jose and take off early the next morning. The rain doesn't start till mid-day. The mornings are usually nice. No issues driving or flying. --EDIT-- I would fly. But not till the next morning, personally. But unlike most, I like San Jose. I am not scared, disgusted, or grossed out by it. I know a few places to go have fun so it works for me. If you're getting in at noon, you might as well drive since you'll wait 2+ hours for Sansa anyway. The whole point of flying (for me) is to save time, but if you are gonna wait 2 hours, you might as well get on the road. Stop at a roadside place to eat, some great little places. BUT LOCK THE CAR AND DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING VALUEABLE IN PLAIN SIGHT (EVEN IF ONLY GOING IN FOR A MINUTE).
3 :
in may we have rainy season so is not a good idea to take a flight,though it takes like 30 minutes from SJ to MA,i recommend you to drive so you can see the country,its tired to drive all the way down to MA but its worth it. you also need experience on bumpy roads and you can't trust the GPS all the time
4 :
I'd suggest the drive. Its not everyday that you are in Costa Rica so why not enjoy the scenery and company you are with? Think....ROAD TRIP! Pura vida.
5 :
Manuel Antonio may be Costa Rica’s best-known tourist destination, but it is also about three and a half hours away by car from the international airport in San Jose. There are several choices for getting from one point to the other, and regardless of what method you prefer, you are sure to enjoy a unique travel experience. There is no doubt that Manuel Antonio is a great vacation spot that offers an impressive variety of activities for people of all ages and inclinations. With careful planning, you can solve many problems and truly enjoy your visit. For the most part, you’ll avoid the crowds if you plan your trip from April through November, rather than during the peak months. If that isn’t possible, at least remember that families and young people from San Jose flock to the beach on weekends. By air Since it only involves a 20-minute flight that leaves frequently from the airport, this is the quickest way to reach San Antonio. It is also the favorite method of travel for high-end tourists who plan on staying at the resort’s four-star hotels and visiting its luxurious spas. Some travelers tend to become anxious since the planes are quite small, and the amount of luggage they can store may also be limited. Those who choose this option will land in Quepos, which is serviced by Grupo Taca and Sansa Airlines, and go onto Manuel Antonio by cab from there. By Bus Any visitor who has a strong desire to experience the country’s culture will find that taking the bus is the best choice for them. The fares are very reasonable, and the express bus, which leaves from the Coca Cola terminal, will also get you there in three and a half hours. You won’t need a reservation, the bus leaves three times daily, and you will enjoy the both ride and the scenery. By Car If you are the adventuresome type and like to set out on your own, you should probably rent a car in San Jose. As a rule, driving in Costa Rica is not a problem, but you will notice at once that the roads aren’t as clearly marked as they are in the United States and other countries. Because the road to Quepos is bumpy and wildlife from the rainforest crosses the road, you will want a car with four-wheel drive. The ride is very picturesque, and you can visit rainforest “lookouts� and small restaurants along the way. Leaving the airport and getting on to Highway1 can be tricky. Once you do, you will be heading west and exit at the sign that reads “to Alajuela.� First, you will looping back toward the airport, and when the road splits, take the exit for San Ramon, which is on the left. Leave Highway 1 at the Atenas sign, continue until you reach Orotina and exit when you get to the Jaco sign. (There will be no more turns until you arrive in Manuel Antonio.) By Private Transportation While this may be the most expensive way to travel in Costa Rica, it will also give you peace of mind because you won’t be concerned about getting directions, damaging the car, road conditions, or break-ins, as you will if you rent a car. While the cars might not be too fancy, this is essentially the equivalent to a limo or chauffeur service.
