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Never taken the new highway. Been several years since I went to Jaco and previously took the road that runs through Atenas.

How do I get to the new highway? Is it past the airport and easy to find?

Thx.

Depends on where you depart SJ, no spur direct to it from the airport road and a little complicated from there, never did it that way but I've seen posts on this board about it. Something like getting off at the Firestone exit and then ya da ya da ya da.

But, if you are leaving from downtown or thereabouts, easy. On the far end of Sabana is the road to Escazu, take that (I think it's route 27), that becomes the Autopista. Here's a video I found the first time I took it, piece of cake and wow what a difference, to Quepos in about 2.75 and only occasionally a back-up behing a heavy truck--there's a few single to double lane stretches but planned out pretty well (uphill/downhill). Bring alot of change, there's four tolls, each different amount, some $1 plus, some not, and I think the one at the far west end is now open for biz. Lots of traffic cops and alot more it seems like after you get off it and head south toward Jaco on the old road that you'll recognize (Rt 34?). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d229qXJwuL0.

Easier to the airport on the way back. I know you were planning the mountain route but that construction near Cartago might deter you. If so, get off at the Garrita exit, take a left at the stop sign, go around the curve which makes you feel like you are going back toward Jaco but you're not, about 7 miles or so you'll run into the airport road (Rt 1?) take a right, about 5-6 miles and there you'll be. If you need to fuel up, there's a gas station in Garrita but always really full in my 8 trips that way, so hit that one a ways north of Jaco before you get on the autopista.

Decided not to take the mountain road because of the recent reports but to take the coastal route through Jaco--Quepos etc. Will be leaving from Paseo Colon since I'm picking up my SUV rental from Budget.

That's where I always depart, buy the fuel thing from Budget, but to make it work for you financially, and they will tell you this, bring it back empty, on fumes if you can, it'll save you that last minute pain in the ass gas stop.

When you pull out of their garage, it is a one way side street going the wrong way. I risk it, it's only a half block to where you need to turn, rather than getting on Paseo Colon and trying to figure how to get back going the other way. So, take a right illegally out of their garage, go the half block to the stop sign, take a right, go a few stop signs/lights down (1/2 mile) to the next busy avenue (you'll recognize it and you can't go any further anyway), take a left onto that, start getting over to the right lane, a few blocks down you'll recognize the road running along Sabana park to Escazu and away you go.

Budget doesn't penalize you for dropping it off at their airport location if you are inclined to leave CR then. They have an off site location a mile away from the airport and they'll shuttle you, a little confusing the first time. They have a little directions map for that which is OK, but pm me and I'll add my two cents. Whatever you do, don't bring it back needing gas which is why I said buy their gas promotion, if you bring it back needing gas, they'll charge you $20 a litre or similar. Fought with them for a year over that, had to get Budget USA involved, and CR eventually lowered it alot but still got gouged.

The first time I rented a car in CR was from budget at the airport. As you know the price on the internet is not the price you pay when you get to the location because of required insurance they make you take. Since then I have used a different rental company without issue that is half or at times 1/3 as much as budget at the airport. Here is a link to the website. I know another individual who also used FastCR without issue. Good luck.


http://www.fastcr.com/

I will definitely check out Florida John's suggestion. I just got a reservation (my edit: from Budget) for mid Jan for 1 week for $157 with the liability insurance, granted only for a little 4 dr shit box, but auto w/ air, and I am only going to Quepos.

Here's a good site explaining CR car insurance, the only required one being liability--covers the other car and driver/passengers (but not you, your passengers, or your car). The other coverages are not required but if money is not an issue, I'd get them. In any event, they put a $2500 hold on your CC.
http://costa-rica-guide.com/CarRentalInsurance.html

I've never had a problem with Budget forcing the other coverages on me, just had to tell them no, sign off, and have only been charged the internet price which includes the required liability insurance. Probably not the smartest thing I do because I am running naked for every other accidental damage, ding, scratch, vandalism, theft, whatever. Sooner or later my luck is going to run out. 13 years ago when I was a rental newbie, National tried jacking me $150 for a cracked front amber directional lens. Not sure I did it or if it was there before, but they had me. Quick thinking and $25 to the inspector got me out of that.

Words to the newer guys: First, never rent if you are only going to be in SJ, only if you are going for a road trip, and if that destination is a resort or a small town that you can walk or has cabs, like Jaco, and you don't plan on driving around much, don't rent. I go to Quepos which is more spread out and I go back and forth from Quepos to the beach at Manuel Antonio at least 4 times a day, plus to my house 8 km out a few times a day, to this bar to that one and here and there, from morning till bed time, so it makes sense for me. I have secure parking so that helps. But, remain super-vigilant.

Second, when they take you for the walk around at the rental pick-up, make sure he notes on the inspection carbon you sign every little ding, finger nail scratch, blemish, missing lighter-button-decal-floor mat, bent rim, grease mark, smear, fabric hole, functional radio/cd, carpet crud, etc., inside and out, and photograph everything, and get the guy in one of the photo's if you can. Take your time and get everything no matter how minor, even if it's noted on the carbon. Sign your name on the carbon "con fotos" in case you bring it back to a diff location or get a different guy on return. That'll get him thinking. They look for bull shit damage. They almost all have the removable radio control panel. Use that feature. Also, when returning, don't bring it back with the inside trashed, they (at least Budget) are charging for clean-up now, but no charge for and I always bring it back as dusty on the outside as I can. Guess why.

Great Advice. I've rented cars from numerous agencies in CR over the years and have had a few issues when returning the car. Bottom Line...don't take any bullshit when you return the car. Tipping the inspector usually gets you a "quickie inspection".

Its a great road; I heard about them building it 15 years ago and wondered about its existence - they did a very good job and it save you time as well as a trip through the mountains that I always considered dangerous as well as PITA.

That said......and i know its under the heading things "Muy Tico" - you spend all this time and money on a road - why the Phuck don't you put a sign on the road from the airport to downtown leading to it - why keep it a secret - this never occoured to anyone a sign just might be good idea.......

I love Costa Rica and am most certainly not one of the guys that think everything in this country is phucked up, etc - but this is something that always bothered me - because unless they put up a sign since I was there in Oct, there is no way you would know where the new road starts or how to get there - Ok, rant over (but I'm right about this!)

Agreed, but from the directions I read on this board if you are coming from the airport trying to connect to it, you'd need about 10 signs, seemed kind of zig-zag complicated. Or else just go all the way to Sabanna, take a right toward Avis rent a car and toward Princess Marina restaurant, and connect to Rt 27 there, another unnecessary pain in the ass. Still can't figure why they didn't spur it directly.

Perhaps this is the way they keep the road from having too much traffic.

The spur is still under construction. It will go from just west of the airport off the Pan-American directly to the new Jaco highway. It looks like it's close to being done so I'd estimate only another 5 years or so to open it...

There is a way from the airport (Firestone exit) to the new highway. Goes through Santa Anna on the same road as Valley del Sol golf course. However, it can be tricky if you've never been that way before.

On renting cars, I'd never recommend it. One speeding ticket, one accident and you are looking at a huge price tag not to mention being kept in the country until that is resolved... Much better to just hire ME and let me worry about all that!

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Wow! 5 years increible! Hire Puravida whenever it makes sense, good advice. Keeping you in CR for an accident or a speeder?

I agree totally. Hell I live here and don't own a car and won't drive. If I need long -haul transport, I'll call Puravida and ask him to take me. For short haul, buses and my legs work fine, and a taxi or two a week sometimes (but I hate the taxi driver games, so I avoid taxis unless I have no choice).

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

Actually, once you get out of the city driving isn't that bad. Just watch speed very closely. I don't drive anymore since moving to city, car is still sitting in Jaco and will sell after the first of year. Buses are very easy to use for travel. Once in a while when I want a bit more comfort, I go with Greyline. Have old connections so can get good rates usually if I have other people going with me and need to get a van. Driving ain't fun.

Today's Inside CR article:

Interamericana Sur Fully Re-Opened

The Interamericana Sur (Ruta 2) in the area of Casamata de Cartago is finally opened after weeks of closures due to the sinking of the roadway.

The closure was total, affecting all traffic to and from the the Central Valley and Perez Zeledon (San Isidro de General) and the southern zone.

As of yesterday Buses and heavy trucks were able to use the road that had been restricted for the last few weeks to only light passenger vehicles.

The area of the Interamericana was affected by the October rains and finally gave way - creating a large sink hole - in November, forcing the closure.