www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Is it possible to arrange a taxi or driver to take from Manuel Antonio to SJO airport to make a 7am flight. I understand you would have to leave between 12-1am the morning of the flight, but is it safe to drive that late in night all the way from MA to SJO and how much would it cost?

I don't see why it wouldn't be safe, at any hour. CR is not like Colombia where you can't travel by ground transportation. As far as cost, whatever you negotiate, $75??? No idea. Jaco is $60-80, and MA is a bit farther I think. If you use a taxi in the next few days, ask the driver if he'd be willing to take you. If you arrange it one-on-one with a driver you'll get a better deal than calling a taxi service IMO.

There is also a thread of dependable drivers, maybe call a few: https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8340

My suggestion would be to come into SJ the afternoon before, get a room somewhere, and enjoy SJ for the evening, then take a cab to the airport at 5am. I'm suggesting this for 2 reasons. SJ has a much better "nightlife" and also too many things can happen on your long drive from MA which can make you miss your flight: a flat tire, car breaks down, an accident on the road creates a traffic jam, a mudslide, aliens, etc.

I'd have to agree with Orange on that one... It really would suck (ok, not so much) to get stuck in CR because you missed your flight...

On the other hand, I've often thought that would be a great excuse to extend my trip indefinitely...

I drove a sizeable amount during my last trip including once at night. I’ll never drive at night again in CR. Taking a blind turn and getting hit with high beams from the oncoming vehicle is no fun. That being said, a local driver that knows the roads with good eyesight should have no problem but why take the chance?

Outstanding advice. It once took me 12 hours to get back to SJO from MA. Their was a wreck on a bridge just after Orotina and traffic was rerouted. Bad, bad, bad. Good thing I didn't leave until the next morning.

dapanz1

Not at night--that stretch of 1.5 hs or so when you are going thru the mountains is not for me--especially now in the rainy season--fog? You betcha. Made that trip once at night with a tica and I'd never ever do that again.

Take the Sansa flight at 3 or 4 pm for $40 and mess around in SJ till bedtime, leave hotel at 5 and you'll be fine.

If u are really stuck and have to do it that way, start making connections as soon as possible--ain't gonna be too many ticos in Quepos that want to start working at midnight and then drive back, and I'd be nervous as hell wondering if he was going to show up.

I'd talk to the guy that runs Lynch Travel in Quepos. Middle aged guy from Italy, been there forever, knows everbody who may fit the bill for you.I'd be glad to pay more for somebody reliable w/ a decent ride.

And I'll guarantee you one thing: that you will never be as happy as you will be when you finally reach the other side and start seeing the street lights in the valley.