We have been Jaco. Looking at Dominical or Uvita. They look to be south of MA. Not sure how how long the drive would be. We plan on renting a car. Playa hermosa looks to be too much surf for a beginner. Santa Teresa looks intriguing but seems to be not too easy to get to for the amount of time we want to spend in another location.

Arenas del Mar is beautiful, and often recommended here.

As to your plans for transport, the CR Forum has posted a transport link tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g291982-c109576/Costa-… with some suggested shuttles and private drivers, in case you want to start your vehicle rental in MA.

If the rental is a definite, I recommend Tricolor in SJ, just outside the airport http://www.tricolorcarrental.com/ as my family always has great service from them. Do visit Quepos (next door to MA) and visit Cafe Milagro for super coffee and banana bread (they have a MA spot as well, I prefer the Quepos location, it's quieter). Others will chime in regarding your more southerly plans.

Have a great holiday.

Dominical and Uvita great options...about 45 minutes from Paquita...incredible great road..really nice ride...

I stayed overnight last night in Arenas del Mar with some friends...it is a lovely place... the manager Fabian Palma is a great host...as all his crew...Thank you Arenas de Mar!!

Great burgers at Marlin´s by public beach,,,and Aqua Azul at the top of the hill!

For rent a cars...Adobe...National...Avis...Hertz......Toyota ...Alamo...try to avoid mom and pop rent a cars...often own by expats that only God know who they may be and reccomend by others expats...of course they make a commision!

Around UVITA check Tiki Villas they offer some great units...great ocean view...nnice pool...and Thomas and family great people great host!

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roadadivsor

Thanks for the suggestions. We have done a lot of research today since we leave in a few days and have made little plans. Thinking about heading to Uvita for the first 3 days, then spend 2 in MA, then head back to San Jose where we hope to spend the last day whitewater rafting before heading home.

We have considered renting a car the entire time but not sure. We could hire a driver to Uvita then rent and go to MA on our own but not sure where to rent in Uvita and would we be able to return the car in MA or San Jose if we did so??

Any of the "name brand" rental agencies will let you rent one place, and drop the next. Usually there is an extra charge. Budget, National are 2 that do.

Have a great trip.

Mapache and Adobe are good local companies. I am an expat, but have no idea how to even set up a commission, nor do I want to. It is sad that I have to say that. I too was a tourist at one point and somehow now have become generalized as a commission hungry expat simply because I share my opinion. I am still trying to figure out when this transition occurred or if it was always that way masked by a smile.

Uvita/Domincal is a great area for surfing and only a quick 30 minute drive South of Manuel Antonio. If you go about 45 mins North, I love the vibe at Playa Hermosa, they just held the CR National Surf finals there last weekend. Then of course there are so many other options as you continue North. If renting a car, I always recommend the larger chains, as they have better backup for you should there be any issue with your car. However, I have had many clients that use smaller agencies (expat or not) and have had excellent results, so no need to get "snarky" or suspicious, however those are harder to pick up in one place and drop off in another. FYI, I am an expat and do not get ANY commission for recommending any of these. Enjoy!