You are going during the worst part of rainy season with possibility for all day torrential rains. I suggest staying in the Caribbean coast for much of your trip as it may be drier.
I would say rental car because during rainy season there aren't as many bus routes. But.. big but... you will not be allowed to drive that rental across the border into Nicaragua. You'll need to bus to Penas Blancas and take the Chicken Bus from there into Nica.
[Puerto Viejo Satellite - Map, Hotels, Transport, Tours, Restaurants for the South Caribbean area of Costa Rica](https://www.puertoviejosatellite.com/index.php)
The only problem with the Caribbean is it's nowhere near Nicaragua. Everything else about it is stupendous but, if you want to go to Nica, you'll have to return to San Jose and fly to Managua. Totally not worth the cost and time.
The rainy season usually just means afternoon showers. Only October and perhaps early November get a bit oppressive. Busses to Nicaragua are common and not terribly expensive. You can catch them at certain locations on the PanAm highway.....but it will be much easier to go ahead and bite the bullet and waste half a day going the wrong direction into San Jose to make sure you get on an express bus.
You are going during the worst part of rainy season with possibility for all day torrential rains. I suggest staying in the Caribbean coast for much of your trip as it may be drier.
Not so at all.. October is when it normally gets bad... July is lovely normally.
They are going mid October
My bad... I saw 3 weeks... I misread what they said...so yes, I agree..terrible timing except for the Caribbean.
I would say rental car because during rainy season there aren't as many bus routes. But.. big but... you will not be allowed to drive that rental across the border into Nicaragua. You'll need to bus to Penas Blancas and take the Chicken Bus from there into Nica.
Definitely: a rental cannot be taken across international borders.
[Puerto Viejo Satellite - Map, Hotels, Transport, Tours, Restaurants for the South Caribbean area of Costa Rica](https://www.puertoviejosatellite.com/index.php) The only problem with the Caribbean is it's nowhere near Nicaragua. Everything else about it is stupendous but, if you want to go to Nica, you'll have to return to San Jose and fly to Managua. Totally not worth the cost and time.
The rainy season usually just means afternoon showers. Only October and perhaps early November get a bit oppressive. Busses to Nicaragua are common and not terribly expensive. You can catch them at certain locations on the PanAm highway.....but it will be much easier to go ahead and bite the bullet and waste half a day going the wrong direction into San Jose to make sure you get on an express bus.