Costa Rica Travel

Costa Rica Travel Tips

Bring medications, a copy of your passport (keep your original in a safe place), and your essential items. Quality surfboards are available for rent at Buena Vista Villas if you wish to avoid the expense and hassles of bringing your own. Many basic items are available here, but the cost more than in the USA.

Upon arrival exchange some dollars into colones, Costa Rica’s currency. US dollars are often accepted, but it’s better to use colones as small businesses and vendors may not accept dollars, and you never know what exchange rate you’re going to receive. Costa Rican banks offer the best exchange rate. Traveler’s checks and ATM’s are another option.Travelers checks are accepted at many super markets, pharmacies (farmacias) and can be cashed at local banks. The fee is usually very reasonable for cashing travelers checks but can vary depending on where you cash them. You’ll usually do better to cash a lump sum every few days at a bank. Bank costs for exchanging travelers checks are around 1%, sometimes with an additional flat fee of $US 1 to 5 per transaction. Banks are typically open from 9:00am until 4:00pm but try to visit in late morning to avoid before and after work and lunchtime rushes that can cause long lines. Your passport is required. Sometimes copies are accepted. You’ll get the best rates by withdrawing cash in colones with your ATM card. Most towns have ATMs. Credit cards are also accepted at many hotels and stores, but you will get the best prices if you pay cash.

Remember… NEVER leave anything of value in your car or unattended on the beach. Rental cars are easy targets. Check into your hotel or vacation rental and unload your things before heading to the beach. Keep a copy of your passport with you, but leave the original in a secure location. If you bring anything to the beach, don’t leave it unattended.

When leaving Costa Rica there is a $28 departure tax at the airport (cash or credit). Pay for this BEFORE you get in line to check into your flight, as proof will be required by the airline at check in. It is also a good idea to verify the cost of a taxi ride with your driver before leaving. You do not need to tip taxi drivers in Costa Rica.

Air Travel

Air Travel

Fly internationally to either San Jose (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports.

Both Sansa and Nature Air fly directly from San Jose to Nosara (NOB). This is the easiest way to get to Nosara, if you can time a connecting flight in San Jose and travel light. There is a 30 lb bag limit and surfboards must be less than 7’. Sansa flies from San Jose International Airport (SJO). Try to give yourself at least an hour between connections on the way to Nosara, and two hours on the way home. Nature Air flies out of the Pavas Airport, which is a 1/2 hour, $15 cab ride from San Jose International. To be safe, you’ll want two hours connection time to get here with Nature Air, and three to get home. Nature Air now offers flights to and from Liberia International Airport (LIR). This is a short flight, and may be a cheaper option than a rental car or shuttle van. Liberia Airport is smaller than San Jose Airport, and easier to get in and out of. There is currently only one flight a day to Nosara from Liberia, but this is a great option if you can make the times work with your international flight schedule. Schedules change often, so check their websites for the most current schedules and prices at Sansa Regional / (506)2-257-9414 or Nature Air / (506)2-220-3054.

Flying in to Nosara Airport
There are several regularly scheduled, daily flights into Nosara from San Jose. The flight takes about a half hour. Check with both Sansa Airlines and Nature Air for up to date schedules and fares. We can arrange a rental car to meet you at the airport, or a shuttle to deliver you to the hotel after you arrive.

Ground Transportation

Ground Transportation

Shuttles
Shuttles can be arranged to deliver you to Nosara from the Liberia airport, the San Jose Airport, your Costa Rican hotel or neighboring beaches. Shuttle prices are generally for an entire van, no matter the number of passengers. Vans usually seat at least 6 to 8 passengers, so if you’ve got a larger group it can be a very affordable option. Ask us for pricing, availability and we’ will make your reservations. Rates can fluctuate due to season, fuel prices and demand.

You can get just about anywhere in Costa Rica by bus. Be aware that prices may be cheap, but bus travel can be long and uncomfortable. Sometimes all seats are taken, and one must stand up for the duration of the trip! If you check luggage, be sure to watch carefully that it does not leave the bus with someone else.

The express bus from the San Jose, Alfaro “Coca Cola,” terminal to Nosara leaves daily at 6am. Travel time is about 6 hours. The cost is $9. Tel. 2222-2666. The express bus from Nosara to San Jose leaves at 12:30pm. Daily busses from Nicoya to Nosara run at 5:00am, 10:00am and 2:00pm. Travel time is about 2.5 hours. Daily buses from Nosara to Nicoya run at 6:00am, 12:15pm and 3:00pm.

Rental Cars
Buena Vista Villas will be happy to arrange your rental car, tours and any other needs. Rental cars are available at the San Jose and Liberia airports, as well as here in Nosara. It’s best to rent from a company with an office in Nosara, in case you have any problems. The rates are higher than in the USA due to import fees and vehicle deterioration due to poor road conditions. If you plan to do much exploring outside of Guiones or Pelada, a rental car is recommended. During rainy season you might want four wheel drive.

Driving Directions

Driving Directions

Download printable driving directions, 60kb.

Always wear your seat belt, don’t speed, and drive carefully. Traffic fines can be excessive.

Roads in Costa Rica can be poorly marked and maintained. Drivers can sometimes be aggressive and careless, often passing at blind curves and intersections. Driving at night is strongly discouraged.

In the summer months, it often rains in the afternoons and early evenings, so it’s best to travel in the early mornings.

The trip into Nosara, Costa Rica can be quite beautiful, but anticipate the possibility of difficult driving conditions and rough roads.

The town of Nosara, Costa Rica, is a few more kilometers further inland from the Beaches of Nosara. If you continue on through some twists and turns, about another 5 km, you will come to Nosara Centro, the business district, where you will find grocery stores, medical care, city services and shopping.

The Original Driving Route from San Jose to Nosara (about 5 to 6 hours)

Puente de Amistad

1. Driving from San Jose to Nosara, you will take the main Interamerican Highway (Carretera Interamericana) north out of San Jose past the large international Juan Santamaria airport. This highway travels north and west toward Punterenas and the Guanacaste Province.
2. Continue past the exit for Punteranas, north towards Liberia.
3. In about an hour you will reach an intersection which will intersect the road which leads to the “Puenta de Armistad” bridge which crosses the Tempisque River. There will be signs for Nosara and Liberia, a gas station and restaurant. Turn left.
4. Follow this road for about an hour, across the bridge to the intersection for Nicoya/Liberia. Turn right, and continue north to Nicoya. Note: Just past the left turn to Nicoya there’s a “Maxi Bodega”, similar to a Walmart, which is a good place to stock up on food and supplies.
5. Drive straight through Nicoya and follow the signs for Nosara/Garza/Samara. After about 20 minutes you will reach “Caimital” where there’s a “T” in the road with a stop sign. Turn right.
6. In about 30 minutes, there will be a Samara gas station on your left. Gas up if you need to, otherwise we have a full service station in Nosara, about 45 minutes away. Just past the gas station, across from the “ferreteria” (hardware store), the road continues left to Samara with a gravel road forking off to the right and signs for Nosara. Turn right on this unpaved road.
7. Go slow, as this rough road winds through the countryside, passing through many small villages where there are a lot of people and animals. Go slow and enjoy the scenery! The people along the way are very friendly, so if you aren’t positive that you are still on the main road, you can stop and ask a local where Nosara is in Spanish: “¿Dondé es Nosara?”. Most people will at least be able to point in the right direction.
8. In about 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at another “T” in Barco Quebrada. There will be a lot of signs and billboards for Nosara in front of you here. Turn right.
9. In about 20 minutes you’ll pass the the beautiful bay and fishing village of Garza. Most sport fishing boats are based here. Afterward, you’ll soon pass “Dos Lorenas” supermarket. There’s a school (please go slow).
10. Continue a couple minutes more and you pass through Playa Guiones, with “Café de Paris” on the left and “Coconut Harry’s Surf Shop” on the right.
11. Keep driving past Guiones area for about 5 minutes. You will pass “Hotel L’AquaViva” on the left. Continue through this “S” curve. On the right side, just before a steep hill, you will see a small road and sign for “Buena Vista Villas”. Turn right and follow this beautiful jungle road uphill for about 3 to 4 minutes and you will see a sign on the right for Buena Vista’s parking lot. Park the car, kick off your shoes, enjoy the awesome breezes and views, because you’re here!

The New Driving Route from San Jose to Nosara (about 4 hours)

Google Map: San Jose to Nosara

There is a new superhighway toll road in Costa Rica, called “Autopistos del Sol”, which can save about an hour of drive time and the aggravation of slow moving vehicles in the mountain passes on the the original highway. The only downside, depending on your arrival time into the airport, can be encountering rush hour San Jose, which could make this route’s value debatable.

1. Depart the San Jose airport towards San Jose, headed for “Escazu”. You will pass through the center of San Jose, and make a right at the corner of “Sabana Park”.
2. Continue to follow the signs for Escazu, and take the 2nd Escazu exit, which enters the Autopista del Sol, bound for Puntarenas. There will be several tolls, and in about an hour you’ll be in Puntarenas.
3. From there, head towards Liberia / Nicoya, and turn at the intersection for Puenta de Amistad bridge which crosses the Tempisque River. There will be signs for Nosara and Liberia, a gas station and restaurant. Turn left.
4. Follow this road for about an hour, across the bridge to the intersection for Nicoya/Liberia. Turn right, and continue north to Nicoya. Note: Just past the left turn to Nicoya there’s a “Maxi Bodega”, similar to a Walmart, which is a good place to stock up on food and supplies.
5. Drive straight through Nicoya and follow the signs for Nosara/Garza/Samara. After about 20 minutes you will reach “Caimital” where there’s a “T” in the road with a stop sign. Turn right.
6. In about 30 minutes, there will be a Samara gas station on your left. Gas up if you need to, otherwise we have a full service station in Nosara, about 45 minutes away. Just past the gas station, across from the “ferreteria” (hardware store), the road continues left to Samara with a gravel road forking off to the right and signs for Nosara. Turn right on this unpaved road.
7. Go slow, as this rough road winds through the countryside, passing through many small villages where there are a lot of people and animals. Go slow and enjoy the scenery! The people along the way are very friendly, so if you aren’t positive that you are still on the main road, you can stop and ask a local where Nosara is in Spanish: “¿Dondé es Nosara?”. Most people will at least be able to point in the right direction.
8. In about 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at another “T” in Barco Quebrada. There will be a lot of signs and billboards for Nosara in front of you here. Turn right.
9. In about 20 minutes you’ll pass the the beautiful bay and fishing village of Garza. Most sport fishing boats are based here. Afterward, you’ll soon pass “Dos Lorenas” supermarket. There’s a school (please go slow).
10. Continue a couple minutes more and you pass through Playa Guiones, with “Café de Paris” on the left and “Coconut Harry’s Surf Shop” on the right.
11. Keep driving past Guiones area for about 5 minutes. You will pass “Hotel L’AquaViva” on the left. Continue through this “S” curve. On the right side, just before a steep hill, you will see a small road and sign for “Buena Vista Villas”. Turn right and follow this beautiful jungle road uphill for about 3 to 4 minutes and you will see a sign on the right for Buena Vista’s parking lot. Park the car, kick off your shoes, enjoy the awesome breezes and views, because you’re here!

Directions from Liberia’s Airport (Daniel Oduber) to Nosara (about 3 Hours)

Google Map: Liberia to Nosara

1. Depart Liberia Airport and turn right. Follow this road south for about 1 1/2 hours (50 km) to the Nicoya exit, on the right. Note: Just past the left turn to Nicoya there’s a “Maxi Bodega”, similar to a Walmart, which is a good place to stock up on food and supplies.
2. Drive straight through Nicoya and follow the signs for Nosara/Garza/Samara. After about 20 minutes you will reach “Caimital” where there’s a “T” in the road with a stop sign. Turn right.
3. In about 30 minutes, there will be a Samara gas station on your left. Gas up if you need to, otherwise we have a full service station in Nosara, about 45 minutes away. Just past the gas station, across from the “ferreteria” (hardware store), the road continues left to Samara with a gravel road forking off to the right and signs for Nosara. Turn right on this unpaved road.
4. Go slow, as this rough road winds through the countryside, passing through many small villages where there are a lot of people and animals. Go slow and enjoy the scenery! The people along the way are very friendly, so if you aren’t positive that you are still on the main road, you can stop and ask a local where Nosara is in Spanish: “¿Dondé es Nosara?”. Most people will at least be able to point in the right direction.
5. In about 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at another “T” in Barco Quebrada. There will be a lot of signs and billboards for Nosara in front of you here. Turn right.
6. In about 20 minutes you’ll pass the the beautiful bay and fishing village of Garza. Most sport fishing boats are based here. Afterward, you’ll soon pass “Dos Lorenas” supermarket. There’s a school (please go slow).
7. Continue a couple minutes more and you pass through Playa Guiones, with “Café de Paris” on the left and “Coconut Harry’s Surf Shop” on the right.
8. Keep driving past Guiones area for about 5 minutes. You will pass “Hotel L’AquaViva” on the left. Continue through this “S” curve. On the right side, just before a steep hill, you will see a small road and sign for “Buena Vista Villas”. Turn right and follow this beautiful jungle road uphill for about 3 to 4 minutes and you will see a sign on the right for Buena Vista’s parking lot. Park the car, kick off your shoes, enjoy the awesome breezes and views, because you’re here!

Google Map

Use this map plan your Costa Rica experience!

Buena Vista Villas on Google Maps