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| Wall Mural in Samara Costa Rica |
If you want to drive in Costa Rica rest assured that it is no different than travel in the United States. Even in more rural areas the majority of the roads are paved. You need to understand just like in the US if you are in more rural areas the travel time is greater than if you are on the interstate. My best recommendation is to go to the bookstore and buy the waterproof travel map for Costa Rica.
Why waterproof? I have no idea, but it is the best map I have found. Good news is that it really lasts well for multiple trips to Costa Rica. I guess if you decide to take it swimming with you or stand under a waterfall with it the map will survive?
I have never rented a gps. The car rental places will attempt to upsell you on this item. If you can read a map and read the town roadsigns you do not need a gps unless you are going to go off road or well within the country on gravel roads and still I have never needed a gps. Interestingly, you can always tell where you are if you pay attention as you cross the bridges over rivers as all of these are on this map!
As to a cell phone. I usually travel with one there. We usually rent a vehicle and I like the ability to be able to call them if needed and the more I go down there the more we have someone that we might call. You can rent a phone from the car rental agency, but if you bring an unlocked cell phone you should be able to get a prepaid chip from anywhere you see a KOLBI sign or ICE. You will need your id and passport for this. This is a much cheaper option than renting the full phone from the rental agency. One of the best reasons to have a phone is that I think most of us have gotten used to carrying a phone and we use it for our alarm and watch replacement. If you bring your phone make sure to put on airplane mode so you don't incur additional charges. If you use your home cell in CR you can really rack up the charges even for internet.
I am not familiar with any other providers other than Tmobile. T mobile has an international plan that I can add on when I leave and take off when come home. It is about $20.00 per month so only 10 per two weeks and covers all of my email on the go. If you do this it is important to turn the phone off unless you are checking your mail or you will get incoming calls which can add onto your bill. The problem is that this feature only works with blackberry so I have to change my phone to a blackberry before I leave. Just call your provider to see what options you might have and you will be on the go in CR. You will have a signal most places unless you are really off the road.
By Bus: You can ride the bus from SJO or LIR. I have not done this because it is a long trip because of the frequent stops. Amazingly, CR has quite a public transportation system. It can take 6 hours by bus from SJO and about 3 from LIR.
By Taxi: You can take the Taxi from either airport. I have taken a taxi from LIR to Samara. We paid $120.00 USD for the two of us and the driver stopped in Nicoya for us to go to the grocery store. Was pleasant and very quick drive.
By Air: You can fly into Nosara. It is a 45 minute drive from Nosara to Samara so not worth the cost of the flight to me.
By Car: It is a four hour drive from SJO and 90 minutes from LIR.
To expand the discussion of arrival by car I offer these insights.
SJO to Samara: Out of the airport follow the signs toward Alejuela or Arenal. You should be heading a westwardly direction. You will follow the road through Alejuela to the coast. Do not turn toward Arenal once you are on the main road. About 20 minutes from the airport you will see a restaurant that has a windmill. This is a good place to eat. We have eaten there.
The biggest problem with the road to Samara is the portion from SJO down to the coastal highway. It is hilly and there are many trucks and buses. It is a pretty drive. Once you come down the hill you will watch for the turn at Esparza to start your drive to the north. Once you turn North you will drive about the same distance you have already driven, but you will make a bit better time because the road is straighter although still plenty of traffic
Coming in to Las Juntas you will turn Left toward Nicoya. On the corner is a large restaurant that has a gigantic steer (cow) at the restaurant. I have not eaten here, but I think this is also a good place to eat because of its location and size. Tres Hermanos is the name of the restaurant.
Once on this road your next landmark will be the Friendship Bridge. This bridge goes over the Golfo de Nicoya. You may be tempted to take the ferry in Puntarenas. I have been told NO by more than one local. By our US roads it would look soooo much closer, but after your cross the water you will be driving on all gravel roads. Trust me gravel roads in CR means much more travel time.
Once over the bridge you will drive probably 15 minutes or so and you will turn right toward Nicoya. As you get closer to Nicoya you see a construction like business on your right. You are very close to the turn here. When you see a stop light (flashing) you will turn left toward Nicoya.
FROM NICOYA:
My suggestion is that you go straight through the light just about 50 feet is a big grocery story called Maxi Pali. Surprisingly, this is owned by WalMart. They take credit cards including American Express. There are grocery stores in Samara, but this is a much larger store and you will be about ready to stop at this point and walk around etc. FACEBOOK TO MAXI PALI NICOYA: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maxi-Pali-Nicoya/390196431003124
We have bought just about anything here with no problem with milk, produce, meats, lunchmeat, etc. If you want to purchase bottled water you can here although the water in CR is safe to drink. Just past this store on the right is a place to eat.
Once out of the store just go the way you came and vere right before the light toward Nicoya. The main road through town becomes congested and one way. On the right just before the other grocery store in town is a WONDERFUL BAKERY!
Once through Nicoya you just follow this main road to Samara. Some points along the way. You will go through a town where the road T's and you will turn Right. At the corner is a store that sells blow up pool toys. Don't worry you will see it. Just past here on the right is a soccer field (they call football) and a woman who sells tamales. We have bought these and eaten them. I liked them, but my daughter didn't.
As you proceed the road will get a bit hilly. This is a beautiful valley and up on the left is a nice restaurant called LaRoca. LaRoca has good food and a beautiful jungle view. In the wet season to the right down the hill you can observe a waterfall.
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| Breakfast at LaRoca |
Past La Roca you will continue toward Samara and pass a gas station on your left. Continue toward Samara and you will come to a stop sign. On the Right is a bakery and pharmacy. To come to Veneto you turn left and you will see the condos up on the hill to your left. To go to the beach just go straight at the stop sign and don't turn. Samara info center is on your right if you go straight next door to the laundry.
FROM LIBERIA:
From the airport you turn Right. If you want to go left toward Liberia you can, but I have not found much shopping there. However about a mile on the right (if you turn left) is a really neat place to eat. Make sure and order coffee there. If you decide to turn right we like to go to Ocatal and eat at Father Roosters. You just follow the signs if you want to go there off the road to Coco Beach. It is about 20 minutes off the main road to Nicoya.
If you decide to go on to Nicoya just follow the signs. When you are coming closer to Nicoya you will see some blue signs for artisans and then on the right you will see a hotel with a horse on the sign. You will pass a large Ferreteria (hardware store on your Right-two to be exact) and you will see the light coming up. The grocery store is before the turn on your left.
From here Just follow the directions above from Nicoya.
SAMARA:
You will love Samara! Read through these blog posts and if you have any questions do not hesitate to email us at costaricatravelguru@gmail.com. Also, if you are looking for a place to stay check out our VRBO listing on the right. Hope to see you there;)
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| Samara Beach At Night |
PURA VIDA!
Thanks for this! My husband and I are renting a car to drive from Liberia to Samara. This is very informative- going to have to bookmark it for when we get closer to leaving in March.
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