As in most countries, the most populous city is the nation's capital. About half the Ticos live there and in the surrounding central valley. For information about exploring the capital city, click on San José.

Following are samples of what you will find in our e-book (Portable Data File) and paperback. Click on the "Order Now" button above or below any page to obtain your guide.

Alajuela/Juan Santamaría International Airport (Province of Alajuela -- Central Valley)

Alajuela is a good place to stay if you want to visit Zoo Ave, Poás Volcano, or other attractions in the area. Also, because of its proximity to the international airport, it is a good idea to stay in a hotel here at arrival and the night before your departure from Costa Rica. Take:

A Station Wagon Alajuela (SWA) route 200 bus from A2/C12-C14 leaving every 5 minutes from 4:00 am until midnight and after midnight every 30 minutes from A2/ C2-C4. Buses return on the same schedule. Tel: (San José) 2222-7532 or 2222-4650, (Alajuela) 2442-3226.

Or, a Tuasa route 200 bus, 200 MB microbus, or 200BS minibus leaving from A4/C12-C14 every 5 minutes from 4:30 am until 10:45 pm. Buses return from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Tel: (San José) 2222-5325, (Alajuela) 2442-6900.

Tips:

 Some buses may not stop at the airport. Ask the driver. Baggage space is very limited; if you have many bags, take a taxi.

Buses do not enter the airport arrivals area, they stop at a parada on the service road off the highway. Buses to San José, Alajuela, and Heredia stop there.

 Buses from Atenas to San José stop at the airport but buses returning from San José to Atenas do not stop at the airport.

 The information telephone number at the airport is 2441-0744. In Alajuela, call information on 2443-2942 or call airport traffic on 2443-2682.

  For flights within Costa Rica call Sansa, which operates from Juan Santamaría Airport, reservations: 2221-9414; or call Travelair, which operates from Tobías Bolaños Airport in Pavas, on 2220-3054 or 2232-7883. Buses to Pavas at the parada on Avenida 1 outside Coca Cola connect San José with Bolaños Airport.

Lodging:

  Pura Vida Hotel , Tel: 2430-2929, www.puravidahotel.com.

  Hotel Villa Real, C1/A3, Tel: 2441-4856.

  Hotels in San José.        


             

Liberia (Province of Guanacaste -- Northwestern Region)

Liberia is a convenient place to stay for visiting the beaches of Guanacaste, the Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, Palo Verde, and Rincón de la Vieja National Parks, and the Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve. Pulmitan buses, routes 500 and 500SD, leave San José from the terminal at C24/A5-A7 hourly from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm and stop in Bagaces. The 8:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm buses travel to Liberia and continue to Coco beach. Buses return from the main bus station at C10-C12/A7 in Liberia hourly at 4:00 am though 7:00 am every two hours from 10:00 am through 8:00 pm. A bus returns from Playas del Coco at 8:00 am and stops in Liberia . Travel time 4 hours. Tel: (San José) 2222-1650 / 2256-9552, ( Liberia ) 2666-0158 / 2666-3781.

Tips: 

Many International flights now arrive at Liberia Airport, a convenient destination if you are visiting the north Pacific beaches.

You can fly here from San José on Sansa, Tel: 2221-9414.

Lodging:

  La Ronda, Tel:  2666-0417.

  Hotel La Siesta, Tel: 2666-0678.

  Hotel Guanacaste, Tel: 2666-2287, Fax: 666-0085.

  Hotel Daysita, Tel: 2666-0197, Fax: 2666-6927.

      
           

San Isidro de El General/ Chirripó National Park (Province of San José -- South Central Region)

This busy, prosperous, fast-growing town is the gateway to Chirripó National Park. Call 2735-5036 for reservations. To travel to the park entrance, take the bus from the main station to San Gerardo de Rivas at 5:00 am or 2:00 pm, returning at 7:00 am or 4:00 pm. San Isidro is also the hub for buses traveling to southern Costa Rica. To get here, take: