This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 11:44 am and is filed under costa rica rental. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Costa Rica Travel and Vacation
Visitor Information
Is it worth it to get a gps system while driving in Costa Rica?
We are looking into getting a GPS rental with our rental car. Do you think it is necessary
GPS may be "somewhat" accurate in position, but not in direction if you know what I mean. You should be Okay if you are traveling on the main highways.
Driving in CR is a experience by itself. Due to neverending changing roads, narrow streets and man-made conditions (like changing road signs) it is not uncommon for the GPS to tell you to turn right, and the next thing you know you are heading the wrong way down a one-way street. Or it tells you, you are on a road/trail, where in fact you are standing in the middle of a stream. Road conditions change what seems like daily, moreso when it rains. The recent earthquake made many detours that are and will not be programmed in the GPS.
And there are many country roads that are a must to take to get to point A to B that are also not programmed in the GPS.
Keep to the main roads and you should not have problems and yes it is worth it because it give you a sense of security, and tells you about where you are if you do get lost.
3 Responses to “Is it worth it to get a gps system while driving in Costa Rica?”
Leave a Reply
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:30 pm
GPS may be "somewhat" accurate in position, but not in direction if you know what I mean. You should be Okay if you are traveling on the main highways.
Driving in CR is a experience by itself. Due to neverending changing roads, narrow streets and man-made conditions (like changing road signs) it is not uncommon for the GPS to tell you to turn right, and the next thing you know you are heading the wrong way down a one-way street. Or it tells you, you are on a road/trail, where in fact you are standing in the middle of a stream. Road conditions change what seems like daily, moreso when it rains. The recent earthquake made many detours that are and will not be programmed in the GPS.
And there are many country roads that are a must to take to get to point A to B that are also not programmed in the GPS.
Keep to the main roads and you should not have problems and yes it is worth it because it give you a sense of security, and tells you about where you are if you do get lost.
References :
Tico Times Directory – Transportation
http://www.ticotimes.com/costa-rica-transportation/
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I would say no, it’s not necessary. Getting everywhere here is very easy, and if for some reason you happen to get a little lost you can just pull over and ask a local person, anyone you ask will gladly help you and give you the directions. What i would advice is get a map like the ones they give you in the car rentals so you can use that as a reference, but other than that you shouldn’t need anything.
Hope that helps
References :
Local
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:39 pm
No. I would bot rely on a GPS here. You are better off with a recent road map. Main roads are easy to follow and directions are not that bad to come by.
You’ll also run into plenty of other driving tourists in your travels that can assist when needed.
References :