INSIGHTCOSTARICA |
CAR RENTAL |
AIR |
INTERBUS |
PUBLIC BUS |
1. CONVENIENCE:
Convenient pickup and
delivery to your hotel.
We will meet you at the breakfast table. |
Some rental companies pickup and deliver to your
hotel, a few good ones will bring your car to the breakfast table, for others you may need taxi |
Needs taxi to and from hotel (add $5 to $20).
Two local options are SANSA (near hotel) and Nature Air (30 to 40 mins). |
This end you need a taxi (about $5 to the Rio Segundo
location) sometimes needs taxi at destination (add $5 to $15) |
Needs taxi to and from hotel (add $2 to $25). Not recommended
if you have a short vacation - especially if you have to transfer through San Jose. |
2. FLEXIBILITY:
Stops anywhere you like en
route, unlimited destinations, take a guided tour en route, 15 passenger vans.
We can reroute or make a new tour as needed. |
Stops anywhere you like en route, unlimited
destinations, up to 5 passengers usually. Be aware most 7 passenger rental vehicles
are really 5 seaters with 2 seats where your luggage should be. You can reroute
as needed. |
Stops nowhere (hopefully), limited air strips. Avoids our bumpy
roads. |
Bathroom stops, goes to most tourist end stops, does not
stop at national parks, shops etc. |
Stops to pickup everything that waves a hand, available
everywhere. Difficult to make connections quickly when you need to be somewhere today or before dark. |
3. LOCAL INFO:
Driver is also your cultural guide
and has been there. Learn about Costa Rican history, flora and fauna
and make digressions en route to our "special spots". |
Your mother-in-law is also your cultural guide or
get a better guide book to see what Type A tourists miss as they rush
headlong to their destination. |
Your pilot is too busy checking guages. |
The Interbus drivers are very good. |
Please don't bother your bus driver |
4. VALUE:
Cost less than air or interbus
for 4 or more to many destinations. e.g. $160/4 pax to Manuel Antonio. Same price for 2 people or 10 people. |
$45 to $100 a day including mandatory basic insurance
(cannot be declined on 4WD). You'll need a second vehicle or van for 6 or more persons. |
By air (depends on season) $71/person or e.g. $284/4 pax
to Manuel Antonio |
By Interbus $25 to $38/person e.g. $152/4 pax to Manuel Antonio) |
Very inexpensive $5/person
or e.g. $20/4 pax
to Manuel Antonio) |
5. NOODLING:
Take your time and see
the sights with your own
English speaking guide on board e.g. M. Antonio - 3 to 6 hours if you turn the transfer into a tour |
Same time but no on board guide, 3 to 4 hours |
Fast and usually less bumpy, 45 minutes plus 1 hour or so waiting. Set schedules once or twice a day. |
3 to 4 hours plus pickup time - set schedules once or twice a day |
4 to 5 hours |
6. WEIGHT LIMITS:
Nearly unlimited baggage in large van, surf boards etc |
Limited by trunk size. |
25 pound weight limit for all small planes in Costa Rica. |
Generally unlimited |
Generally unlimited |
7. FACILITIES:
Air conditioned, CD/DVD,
free water/soft drinks cooler, spotlessly clean,
late model, your own security for your bags |
Air conditioned, CD, spotless, late model,
need to be careful about parking with baggage |
Air conditioned, usually spotless, no security concerns, weight limit |
Air conditioned, usually spotless, late model, your own security |
Can be hot & muggy, sometimes older vehicle,
baggage security can be a concern for some (keep an eye on it at all times), no seat belts |
8. NAVIGATION:
Never gets lost. |
Gets lost but navi is optional at $10+ a day. |
Can't get lost. |
Never gets lost. |
Never gets lost. |
