Driving; how are the road conditions and the accessibility?

The quality of the roads varies enormously in Costa Rica. In and around San José the quality is reasonable. When you plan to drive towards one of the coasts or to one of the remote places of Costa Rica, be prepared for poor road conditions.

Some advice;

It is sensible to rent a 4-wheel drive car if you plan to drive outside the Central Valley. The unpaved roads can be muddy during the rainy season.

Drive calmly and make sure to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you.

Make sure that you are in the neighborhood of your destination when the sun comes down. Roads are often poorly lit.

Make sure you are well prepared before you take off to a place which is not very touristy. The signs for these places are often missing.

Costa Rica is a relatively small country, but it does have many mountains. Therefore, small distances often make for a long trip.