Driving Costa Rica?

Question

Do I need to rent a 4 WD to travel to Arenal or off the beaten path or is 2 WD safe? Anyone know?

Answer 1

Have any of these people actually lived in Costa Rica?  If you are planning to go off the beaten path, you will definitely need a 4x4.  This is the rainy season in Costa Rica.  If you are in the cities, you are sure to encounter potholes seldom seen in the US, unless you have had to deal with New York City sized potholes.  If you go out of the city, you will encounter roads in fair to bad condition due to the rains.  If you go off the beaten path, you will encounter gravel roads which will require a 4x4 vehicle in order to get through.  Anyone who has made the drive from Rancho Redondo in Goicoechea to Llano Grande in Cartago knows what I am talking about.  If you have made the drive from Playa Naranjo to Paquera you know what I am talking about.  Anyone who has made the drive to Osa Peninsula past Golfito to areas like Madrigal and Agua Buena, which is really off the beaten track, knows what I am talking about.

Happy 4x4 wheeling!!!

Answer 2

In most areas 2wd is fine....Most the roads around Arenal are fine for 2wd vehicles.......I've lived here for 3 years and have been all over the country and only needed 4wd twice......With all that said....When off the main highways the roads are in bad shape.....

Answer 3

Using a 2WD car is mostly fine in Costa Rica. Being a citizen here, but lived in the US for 9 years and the rest here ( about 20 of them ) I can say it would be just fine. The roads to main attractions such as Arenal are well maintained and should be in top notch conditions. But Of course the one or two holes on the street from meter to meter , you know here and there. The roads in the urban areas and rural areas are pretty bad, as the MOPT don't really keep a check on them as much as in the USA ,but a little costa rican style dodging does the trick ( After almost 4 years of not visiting here and my first time driving here  It worked for me! ). A 4WD would be more useful for something like rain forest adventures or things like that. Have fun!

Answer 4

First, if you need a 4 wheel drive car it will be because you will need the clearance they provide--not the extra traction.  In general a 2 wheel drive car will be just fine-- if you drive carefully and slowly and avoid the potholes.  

You can do Arenal and La Fortuna in a 2 wheel drive vehicle with no problems and can get to the major beach areas as well.

There are exceptions however,  2 wheel drive vehicles are too low for many of the "gravel" (lastre) roads of Costa Rica.  If you are going to be travelling in the Nicoya Pennisula, or to Monteverde you could easily lose an oil pan on a rock if you have a 2 wd vehicle OR you will have to drive so slowly that you will increase your travel time significantly.  Many car rentals still do not permit 2WD rentals to Monteverde or places like Malpais.

Answer 5

A  2WD is fine, some people think that going to Costa Rica is like going into this huge jungle where you need a 4 WD  I don't know why people tend to think like that, just go and see for your self

Answer 6

Driving is Costa Rica can be dangerous especially is you are not accustom to it. A 4-wheel dive gives you more control of the vehicle, traction and clearance whether you  plan to go off the beaten path or on any  paved road. Costa Rica is in the tropics, and it is very common for suddenly downpours and even the best roads become muddy streams. Don't take the chance, get yourself a good strong vehicle that can handle any condition.