www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Gents, I will be returning to Guanacaste in June and am well falimial with the area from Liberia down to Samara. But, I have some interest in visiting Montezuma because I heard that it is much like Tamarindo was before it got over developed.

I will have a car (not 4X4) and was wondering what the drive time would be from Tamarindo to Montezuma. And are the roads worse than in nothern Guanacaste? (I can handle most roads if I go slow enough.)Also, if you care to recommend a decent hotel in Montezuma in the $75 per night range or less I'd like to hear it.

Thanks.

EV

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

There are 2 options how you can drive to Montezuma from Tamarindo, along the coast or further inland. The route along the coast takes longer and includes some river crossings. The other route should take around 5 hours, you can get driving directions from this site: http://www.yourtravelmap.com/costarica/travelmap/

The road along the coast is in worth conditions than the road further inland.

ElV,

That sounds like a fun itinerary. If you are planning to head back to SJ from Montezuma, you may want to consider the Puntarenas ferry at Paquera: http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/general/boat.html .

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

It has been a year since I was last in Mongtezuma but the roads would be considered typical for CR.

Once out of Samara you can expect the roads to be typical.

If the Rio Oro is running high I would expect the drive time to be closer to 8 hours due to detours.

By the way the surf isnt too bad down in that area. Stop by Punta Islita if you can. One of my favorite CR places

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Patriot: Ice Road Trucking through the Bearing Sea to recovery

I appreciate the replies. But, after some consideration I think that on this trip I'll stay at beaches between the Liberia area and Samara mainly because I don't want a long drive from Montezuma to Liberia on my return. I'll probably take a drive up to Rincon del Valle and Hacienda Guachepelin one day. I'll consider a half day fishing charter if the fish are biting. Lastly, the restaurants and nightlife in Tamagringo is decent. Samara is on the list because I have not seen it yet. I like the green season in Guanacaste. It is greener than usual and the afternoon showers keep the dust down.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

If you are not already doing so rent a car for the drive. If you are here some other ideas:

There are 2 possibilities after being in Montezuma,
1) There is or used to be an airstrip in Tambor bay. The flight to San Jose is about 45 minutes and then an other 60 minutes to Liberia.
2) From Montezuma take the ferry back to Puntarenas. If it is a nice day you can relax on the upper deck. And then drive back to Liberia.

One other which may not be acceptable and that is to change your flight. Instead of Liberia fly out of San Jose. It's only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Puntarenas to San Jose; unless you get stuck behind an 18 wheeler.

Of course these ideas are based on being able to return the car at some place other than where you picked it up.

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Patriot: Ice Road Trucking through the Bearing Sea to recovery

I will have a car and have rented many times in CR. I have also waited for 16 hours behind 18 wheelers on the way back to SJO on a Sunday in the rain. Sucks!

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.