Hello,
I haven't posted much but I thought I'd share our recent experience in Costa Rica (the good and bad).
Our travel took place from December 6-15th.
We landed at the Liberia airport where our Hertz shuttle picked us up. When signing out for our rental car, we were told that we required a 4x4 as our trip plans included Monteverde. Well this was news to us. I had reserved a 4x2 thinking that with the rainy season over,we wouldn't need the 4x4. So, going on what they said we paid for the upgrade to 4x4. this ended up being an extra $400 upgrade!!! So the trip has not started on a good tone.
We got in the rental and drove to Arenal. When we arrived at Erupciones Inn, we were told that our rooms had not been reserved as the booking company, Discovery Travel World, had not paid the hotel. yes, I had sent in my credit card authorization form to Discovery Travel world in advance of my departure. Luckily, the manager was very nice and had rooms available. She was encredibly helpful and we had enjoyed our stay here very much. The inn was close to town, had Volcano view rooms (although when we were there it was clouded over everyday :( ..of course).
It lightly rained for most of the 3 days we were in Arenal, but that didn't stop us from doing all kinds of activities. We used Gringo Pete to book our activities. he's located in La fortuna and had the cheapest deals in town. We did white water rafting, rapelling, and ATV'ing. My brother and sister in law also did caving which they said was loads of fun but DIRTY. Speaking of DIRTY, try ATV's in the rain and having a husband who has to hit every puddle he could. Besides a sore butt, I have to say I had a lot of fun with the ATV. you have to do it in the rain!! Oh and the hot springs! A must. I so enjoyed it, especially after a cold wet activity like repelling and ATV'ing.
Our next stop was Monteverde. Of course, for our long drive down, it was a clear sunny day. This was the section of the trip I was most interested in. Remember, Hertz telling me this is where I would need to kick in the 4x4. Well, I don't even know where that 4x4 button is located because I NEVER had to use it! This is the part where a few not so nice choice words are spoken, I'm of course leaving those out.
The roads were winding, rocky, narrow but fine to drive. Just don't be doing 100km's/hr. Take it slow and you'll be fine.
We stayed at Hotel Rainbow Valley in Monteverde. This is on the outskirts of Monteverde. We had a car so it didn't matter. Only took us 5mins to get to town. the rooms were basic with a lovely view of the cloud forest. Oh and they were cheap! Well worth the value. No breakfast though. Which is fine. My brother and sister in law had the suite upstairs which included a small kitchenette so we just used their fridge and little stove and sink. of course the weather didn't really co-operate here either.
In Monteverde we did the tour of the cloud forest and zip lining through Sky Trek. It was so amazing to be flying through the clouds with the forest underneath you! loved it!
Our next leg of the trip was Manuel Antonio. Again, on our drive down it was lovely weather. I quite enjoyed it whilst sitting in a car. Let me tell you, holy smokes the hills are steep. We booked our little villa on WWW.VRBO.COM the listing # was 91438. Lovely view of the shoreline. hear howler monkeys at night and in the morning. That was cool.
here we did a tour of the mangrove (nice, hot sunny day) and this is where I got to see my first white faced monkey! yes after 7 days in Costa Rica I finally got to see one! This tour was interesting. learned a lot. If you're looking for an easy day, do this tour. Another couple we met kayaked thru the mangrove but I'm not so sure I'd do this. I got somewhat eaten by misquitos. that couple came back covered in bites!!
At night we hit the local sports bar and chilled. Oh yeah, from our villa its' a short walk to this breakfast restaurant that serves AMAZING Expresso Shakes. What do you ask is in one? Chocolate chip ice-cream, expresso, and milk!! Yummy!!! i need to try and replicate that here at home.
Our second day in manuel anotonio was supposed to be a beach day. Of course it was overcast and very lightly rained in the morning. We did a hike thru the national reserve. Wasn't anything spectacular. We didn't get a tour guide for this as we did that in Monteverde. That one was well worth the guide.
our second last day in Costa Rica was spent driving to Liberia. Nice drive. Easy highway, can go over 60km's/hr drive. Oh, if you wonder what the square boxes are with the hear in the centre and a halo on top, those markers are where people have passed on due to a car accident. Oh and those warnings of tourists not to drive at night, it's only because of the many drunk drivers on the road.
Our last day there we had to return the car rental. Was I fuming. There was no need for the 4x4 and instead of a $250 bill I got a $650 US invoice. I'm figting this but of course I signed papers for the upgrade so they are saying I was ok with this. What do you expect visitors to do when they just arrive in your country. If I didn't sign for the upgrade, was I expected to walk to Arenal.
In the 10yrs my husband and I have been travelling and renting cars in different countries, NEVER, has this happened. It has always been what we were quoted. I feel like I have been taken for one of their tourist scams. We will NEVER, EVER, use Hertz again.
if anyone has had a similar experience with them and has been successfull in getting their bill reduced, please, I would appreciate any input.
Overall, I enjoyed Costa Rica, but unfortunately, everytime I think of it, I will think of my experience with Discovery Travel World and Hertz. Never again with them.
This trip report is a little long, but I hope you got something out of it.
Best regards.
