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My buddy and I have a rental car when we land as we're going to a few different beaches to surf and fish but would like to hit ZB right after we land. How sketchy would it be to drive into San Jose(first time)? We obviously wouldn't leave our luggage in the car but don't want to start the tip getting robbed or having the car stolen. We're gonna hit San Jose for a couple days on the back end of the trip but don't want to wait that long for some action. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.

What time of day do you arrive? During the day would be better, and that's what you sound like you are doing. If you are delayed via flight and you haven't been to San Jose before, after dark, you'll have more trouble finding your way around.

I know that you can parallel park close, on the street just northeast of the entrance to ZB. You can drive into San Jose. I think I would compare it to driving in Manhattan or San Fran with worse road conditions. Of course, print out the map.

Caution: Streets are NOT CLEARLY MARKED with street signs. Many one way streets. Lots of potholes. Be patient, you'll probably get lost downtown. You might get lucky and find Zona Blue.

Do you speak any spanish? Well, probably would still have hard time getting directions from somebody. Employ street smarts when you are driving downtown.

That's my dos colones.

RHM

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR LUGGAGE in a car anytime day or night unless you or some one is watching it. They will steal it in a matter of seconds.
Think with the big head not the little Head.

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enjoy life

Last year, my buddy and I had a rental we used to get around town and to/from Jaco:

First, let me re-iterate what the guys have suggested. Never leave anything of value in the car in plain sight. We were on our way back from Jaco and stopped at a roadside soda (small deli-type restaurant) for a something to drink. We had 2 surf boards, all our luggage, and some other stuff in plain sight inside. We were inside for less than a minute, literally. As we are walking out a young tourist couple (European) tells us that while we were inside for 45 seconds, a guy pulled up next to our car, got out, and checked to see if the doors were open. Mofo bus have been quick cause we didn't even see him pull up or drive away. Luckily, we locked the doors or we'd be without everything (clothes, money, passports, surfboards). Basically we'd be in deep shit. Be careful leaving anything in the car. If somebody breaks a window or jimmies the door to get in, you pay for that damage . The rental insurance in CR is a bit different than here.

Second, driving in SJ is pretty crazy. I drive to work in Manhattan every day and even I was a little scared. Not of the cars, but of the reckless people WALKING. They either have a death wish or simply have no fear. But they will walk right out in front of a moving car. BE CAREFUL. We didn't want to hit anybody. The sidewalks are really narrow, so many people walk in the street, and the sides of most street have rain gutters. Be careful of them when driving and parking. If you get stuck in one of those, you ain't gettin out!

Also, like the others have suggested, it's pretty hard to know where you are most of the time. Most (90%) of the street in SJ are not marked. PRINT OUT THE DIFFERENT MAPS ON HERE (ALL OF THEM). Each one has its advantages. We used them all since we couldn't find a good street map anywhere. All we had was the highway map we got at the rental place.

Savydav,
I've driven all over Guanacaste, Alajuela and Puntarenas provinces, mostly country driving and through the mountain areas. I've gotten pulled over several times by the policia, sometimes paying them off, sometimes taking the ticket. I've had many "near miss" situations with other people or vehicles...I've had flat tires.....One time,I had a "Blow-Out" doing around 80 kph.

Besides the roads being in bad condition, I've never had any type of "real" problem driving around. But..................I have no desire, whatsoever, to drive in San Jose. It's only my opinion, but if it were me (when you get to SJO) I'd park the rental car in a secure lot, and taxi to wherever you want to go. If you leave anything of value in your car, expect it to be gone when you get back to the car.

Leave the city driving to the tico cab drivers. They're much better at it! YMMV....
Mikey-B

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I appreciate all your input. It sounds like the best plan would be to take a taxi straight to ZB from the airport as we land around 2pm and then have the taxi take us back to the airport to get our rental car before heading to the beach. It may cost us a bit more but probably save us a bunch of hassle. I hope to meet some of you as we'll be in town around Super Bowl!

I think you'll be happy with this decision. After driving around SJO in a taxi, and seeing how crazy it is to drive there, (when it's all said and done), I think you and your friend will be glad you decided to get your rental car afterwards!

See ya Superbowl weekend!

Mikey-B.

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Im surfer too i would get the car head to Hermosa get a room lock up all the valubles n stuff then hit the beatle bar in Jaco. You can show up in San Jose earlier at the end of your trip go get a room with your rental car then turn it in a few days early and save some money.

Anyway whatever you decide to do in SJ i usally just find a cab tell him to take me wherever i want to go and follow him with the rental car. I usally only have to do this once becuase after you get a room in SJ it is much safer and easier and faster just cabbing it.

Hermosa beach has killer beachbreak waves right in front of the hotels and is a good spot to explore other areas from there are reefbreaks and point breaks all along the coast. Dont even bother trying to surf in Jaco, Hermosa is always better.

Surfdog

Driving is not that bad is Sj, but the preceding post are right. The streets are not well marked which is the down side but its fun non the less. I'm from Ny and its not like driveing in Manhatten at all. The streets are narrow and the Ticos can't drive to save their lives. Try getting in and out early in the morning and if your staying in Sj then just leave the car and take a cab.

Taxi!!! TaXi!!! Taxi!!!!

ABSOLUTELY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!