Under normal conditions you drive it probably in about 4-5 hours. However if you rent a car make sure GPS is included. The road from San Jose to the Tree House is paved all the way. At night it will probably takes a little more. However, I really not recommend you to drive after dark in Costa Rica. People sit on the sites of the roads, there are pot holes every where and signs are very poor. I really recommend you to do the drive from san jose to the tree house by day time.Or use our private transportation. The driver will pick you up from the airport or your hotel and drive you all the way down to the tree house. Taxis’s are very cheap locally and it is not really a must to have your own vehicle while being at the tree house. Most people always realize it was not necessary to have a rent a car. Unless you decide to travel trough the country and want to be independend, I do recommend you to use the private transportation.