Info
Sometimes preparing for a trip can leave you exhausted. You can spend half your holiday recovering from the work of preparing for the trip itself. We've put together a few items that we hope will help. Please email us if you have any questions or if we can be of any assistance.
- Getting here
- Maps Of Costa Rica
- International Flights
- Local Flights
- Layovers
- Driving
- Buses
- San Jose
- Weather
- What To Pack
- Passports,tickets,money,etc.
- Kids
- Health, Safety, and Travel Documents
Getting Here
We are easy to reach and not as far as you might think. You can take any international flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. (a non-stop flight from New York City is only 4 hours and 20 minutes) A 45-minute local flight into Puerto Jimenez leaves you less than 20 minutes from our lodge. We are able to arrange your local flight and transportation to the lodge for you.
International Flights
Most major US carriers go to Costa Rica as does Lacsa/Taca, the airline of Costa Rica. There are some non-stop flights, which we prefer when traveling. It is best to travel early in the morning when there will be less chance of being delayed. To avoid an overnight stay in San Jose, schedule your international flight to arrive before 12 noon. Schedule your departure after 12 noon to catch a local flight the same day. You will need at least 2 hours to clear customs/immigration and change airports to catch your local flight. The last local flight is at about 2 pm.
Local Flights
Email or call us before you finalize your international flights. The local flights have two regular schedules (high & low seasons) and you can generally skip an overnight stay in San Jose by taking an earlier international flight. The local flights require reservations and book quickly. The cost is about $170 round trip. We'll be happy to make your reservations and arrange a taxi (about $10) to pick you up at the local airport to take you directly to our door.
Links to local schedules can be found below, but booking through our office is best - as we'll monitor your flight and be sure that it hasn't changed last minute! (Does happen!)
You must check in 45 minutes before departure for these flights.
You are allowed 25 pounds of luggage per person and additional luggage will cost 45 cents per pound. Also items more than 7 feet long may be a problem.
For schedules see:
Layovers
If you are going to stay in San Jose we have included a section with some maps. We can help you with places to spend the night. There are several options from international chains close to the center of the city to a bed and breakfast set within a lush coffee plantation or a homey place overlooking a beautiful golf course. Either way, you will be 30 minutes or less from the airport. Just e-mail or call us. The government fixes taxi fares to the city of San Jose.
If you have some time between flights you can go to Alejuela a small town 10 minutes and a $2 cab ride from the main airport. It's a great place to have a bite or take a walk and souvenirs are available at better prices than the airport.
Driving
There is a lot to see in Costa Rica and having a car can be great. We highly recommend getting a 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. We also recommend NOT driving at night. The roads are often rough, there are narrow bridges and in most places directional signs are spotty.
The road from San Jose is pretty good - but there are no lights and it can be hard to find our lodge at night. Leave early - it will be a full day's drive of over 8 hours, possibly longer in the green season. Please allow yourself more than enough time as it gets dark by 6pm. Contact us for detailed instructions and map.
Buses
The bus ride is over some rough roads and there is no air conditioning. We have had some great experiences traveling on local buses throughout Central America but be advised, this is a long trip. Contact Transportes Blanco once you are in San Jose at 257-4121. There are no reservations. There is one daily bus that leaves about 11am and arrives in Puerto Jimenez at about 9 pm, cost is about $8 per person. Call to confirm the bus schedule when you arrive to San Jose. Let us know and we'll arrange to have you picked up at the bus station in town and driven out to the lodge.
San Jose
San Jose is like most major cities and the cautions that go along with them. Our recommendation is to use common sense and just take care in unfamiliar neighborhoods. The city has much to offer and can be a very pleasant addition to your trip if you have the time. If you are staying overnight in San Jose on your way to or from our lodge, we are happy to recommend hotels in the city or as an alternative, hotels that are just outside the city. They can be convenient and quieter, set amongst coffee groves and other bucolic settings. Taxis are plentiful and an inexpensive way to get around.
Click on one of the links below to view a map of the area.
Weather
The average high temperature ranges between 80-95 degrees during the day and the low temperature is 65-70 during the night. While our average rainfall is over 200 inches per year, it generally happens at night and the mornings and afternoons are clear even in the rainy season. We find the rain here to be one of the most beautiful aspects of the area. Because of the open living areas, the rain is often an impressive experience.
The sun is very strong even at 10am. So, to make sure you can enjoy all of your holiday, be cautious. Sunblock is a must, and not just for fair skin types. We find the best time to enjoy the beach is before 10am (particularly at sunrise) and after 3pm (particularly at sunset). This is when the light and water are at their most beautiful and, while still quite strong, the sun is a little kinder.
What To Pack
Clothing:
- Light shirts & shorts
- Light sweater/fleece for nights
- Light pants, long skirt (sarong) for nights & a pair of pants if you plan on horseback riding.
- Bathing suit or two
- Light weight hiking shoes
- Sandals/water shoes & flip flops
- Raincoat or shell
Accessories:
- Sunglasses
- Hat for the sun
- Sunscreen - a must
- Bug spray
- Day pack for adventures
- Camera, film
- Flashlight, extra batteries - another must, one for each person minimum
- Medications/prescriptions, medical info, etc.
Passport, tickets, money, etc.
Traveler's cheques can be cashed at the bank here in Puerto Jimenez for 1% charge. Cash advances on Visa are available at the bank as well. Note, bank ATM's are available in San Jose only - there are none in Puerto Jimenez. US money is accepted readily at most locations.
We provide towels for the beach in addition to bath towels & linens.
Kids
We are on the edge of the jungle, but there are plenty of safe adventures and learning available here for kids of all ages. The beach is smooth sand perfect for play and we have a shaded beach area for relaxing with your children. Kid sized boogie boards are available for your use. The property is great place to safely introduce the kids to all sorts of tropical plants and wildlife. We have white faced monkeys and tree frogs all the time and right now we have hawks nesting as well. From boat rides to see the dolphins to surf lessons for a bit bigger kids (and their parents), there are a wide variety of tropical kid-friendly options for families who want to get a taste of adventures together.
Health, Safety, and Travel Documents
Here are a list of resources available to find out more information about Costa Rica. We find it to be a safe and friendly country. But, we're not the experts - so we've included some links to help in your search for information regarding entrance documents, tourism resources and health concerns. Please feel free to email us if you would like additional information or if we can assist in any way.
The Embassy of Costa Rica lists entrance requirements for citizens of all countries on their website at:
United States citizens no longer need visas to enter or exit Costa Rica. You are permitted a 90 day stay with valid passport and return plane ticket. See the official 'Consular Information Sheet' from the US Department of State at:
travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html
Regarding vaccinations: At this time, the WHO (World Health Organization) lists no vaccination requirements for travelers to Costa Rica. See their updated recommendations for vaccinations at:
www.who.int/ith/countries/cri/en/
More general information about Costa Rica is also available from the US government at:
