An article from Central American Vacation discusses the best ways to move from place to place in Costa Rica.First time travelers going on their own without tour guides and communication skill are advised to get a car on their own. The only problem is renting car here is quite cost ineffective.
The best way to get from point to point is through buses, its cheaper and would give you an opportunity to experience the country in a different way
Link: The Best Way to Travel Around Costa Rica (transportatio