Patrick Brunelle

Driving in Costa Rica

By Patrick Brunelle ⋅ March 11, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

If you have ever talked to someone who has been to Costa Rica they have certainly spoken to you about the driving conditions of the country. Although few countries can rival the majestic views you are bound to see while driving in Costa Rica, few also have such bad road conditions. Thankfully the government has recently made fixing the roads a priority and improvements on bridges and roads have drastically improved in the last few years.

What makes driving around Costa Rica even more complicated is the fact that the country does not name their streets. So as you can imagine, finding a place that is 300 meters south of the National Bank in Barva of Heredia can prove to be quite the adventure.

My advice for those who decide to drive themselves around the country: Be as patient as you should be safe. As long as you do not mind making a wrong turn or having to ask for directions often, you should not encounter any problems. Of course, you should also avoid making any passes in any area that could in fact be dangerous. Costa Rica is fully of mountain roads that are anything but wide. At times larger vehicles even need to pass into your lane in order to make a turn, so be careful.

So why drive at all? For the freedom and the special moments that happen in between destinations. Some of my best memories have been on these wonderful roads. My favorite drive is along the roads less travelled on the Pacific Coast. I strongly recommned it. As for roads to avoid, the only one that comes to mind is the road into Monteverde. Those 30 kms that take three hours to cross are just not worth it. Much easier to just that a boat across Arenal lake and back.