Driving directions
The international airport is located on the Pan-American
Highway (highway #1) near Alajuela, just a few km west
of the capital, San Jose. As you leave the airport, take
the Pan-American highway (highway #1) (which is a 4
lane freeway in the vicinity of the airport) westward in the
direction of Atenas for about 7 km (all distances in Costa
Rica are given in kilometers; 1 mile = 1.6 km). You will
need to exit via an off-ramp at the intersection with high-
way #3, which is indicated by various signs that will show
any of these destinations: Atenas (a town), Orotina (a
town), Quepos (a town), Manuel Antonio (a National Park),
Marriott Hotel, or Jaco itself. At the intersection with high-
way #3, take a left turn, going west on highway #3.
This beautiful, winding (and hilly) drive will take you first through the town of Atenas,
then on to Orotina. From Orotina, stay on highway #3 and continue to follow directions
to Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Jaco or Mariott Hotel until you are approx-
imately 5 beyond Orotina. There follow the signs at an interchange onto highway #34
that will take you south to Jaco. On the way to Jaco, you will pass Carrara National Park
and cross the river Tarcoles (with a good crocodile-viewing bridge).
As the highway reaches the Jaco area, take the first entrance into Jaco and drive to the
city center. Go through the center until you see on the left a small shopping center
(painted with reddish color) with a fountain in front of it. Shortly thereafter there is an intersection where you should turn left. At this intersection, you will see an ice cream
store called "POPS" (so if you ever get lost in Jaco—not likely—just ask for directions
to "POPS"). Turn left and continue for about 300 m (3 blocks) until you see the sign
Villa Nasua on the left. Welcome!
Transportation to Jaco
You have several options for getting from the airport or San Jose area to Jaco-
a distance of about 100 km. (Note: Please contact the Nasua office at (506)
2-643-3449 or (506) 2-643-3169, if you will be arriving after 7:00 p.m.)
By rental car:
Be sure to rent your car from a well-known company. And if your
credit card doesn't already cover car insurance, it’s best to purchase comprehen-
sive insurance from the rental car agency (but note that most agencies will not
sell this insurance unless you rent the car for a minimum of a week). The best
map for driving in Costa Rica is National Geographic Adventure Map – Costa
Rica, #3100. This map may be available through Amazon.com, or
snowleopard.biz (800-685-5548).
By taxi:
A taxi ride ranges from $110 - $130 (1-4 persons-additional persons pay about
$12 each). Taxis are readily available at the airport or in most locations through-
out the San Jose metropolitan area.
By bus:
The bus fare is approximately $3, but you need to purchase the bus tickets at the
depot well in advance of departure. (Note that credit cards not accepted.) Depending
on the arrival time of your flight, you can take a taxi directly to the bus depot (which
is known as “Terminal Coca Cola,” because it’s adjacent to the local soft drink bottl-
ing plant), but it is still advisable to call ahead and make sure the routes are operat-
ing normally and that seats are still available. Call Transportes Morales S.A. at (506)
2-223-1109. (The country code, 506, is not necessary unless dialing internationally.)
The bus route to Jaco is #655, “Jaco Beach And Carara Biological Station (Express Bus
From San José.” (Bus routes are generally referred to by origin/destination rather than
route numbers.) This bus departs daily from Terminal Coca Cola at 7:30, 10:30 and
15:30. The return bus departs from Jaco at 5:00, 7:30, 11:00, 15:00. If you have
oversize luggage (surfboard, bicycle, diving gear, a crate of papayas etc.) there may
be an excess baggage fee, and it is a good idea to arrive early—and to tip the porter/conductor well.
What to expect/bring
Clothing is a simple matter—it’s a tropical beach paradise. Costa Rica's climate is
renowned, with mild tropical conditions prevailing year-round; extremes and pro-
longed periods of gray are practically nonexistent. Temperature varies mainly ac-
cording to elevation: the higher the cooler. The rainy season lasts from May through
November, the dry warmth visits from December to April. (But Costa Rica's rain falls
mainly on the Caribbean coast, giving the Pacific a much more arid climate.)
Language:
The most widely spoken language in Costa Rica is Spanish (97% of the population),
although there are other native languages used mostly within the indigenous reserves.
However, many businesses in and around San Jose, and most resorts throughout the
country have employees who also speak English.
The international airport is located on the Pan-American
Highway (highway #1) near Alajuela, just a few km west
of the capital, San Jose. As you leave the airport, take
the Pan-American highway (highway #1) (which is a 4
lane freeway in the vicinity of the airport) westward in the
direction of Atenas for about 7 km (all distances in Costa
Rica are given in kilometers; 1 mile = 1.6 km). You will
need to exit via an off-ramp at the intersection with high-
way #3, which is indicated by various signs that will show
any of these destinations: Atenas (a town), Orotina (a
town), Quepos (a town), Manuel Antonio (a National Park),
Marriott Hotel, or Jaco itself. At the intersection with high-
way #3, take a left turn, going west on highway #3.
This beautiful, winding (and hilly) drive will take you first through the town of Atenas,
then on to Orotina. From Orotina, stay on highway #3 and continue to follow directions
to Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Jaco or Mariott Hotel until you are approx-
imately 5 beyond Orotina. There follow the signs at an interchange onto highway #34
that will take you south to Jaco. On the way to Jaco, you will pass Carrara National Park
and cross the river Tarcoles (with a good crocodile-viewing bridge).
As the highway reaches the Jaco area, take the first entrance into Jaco and drive to the
city center. Go through the center until you see on the left a small shopping center
(painted with reddish color) with a fountain in front of it. Shortly thereafter there is an intersection where you should turn left. At this intersection, you will see an ice cream
store called "POPS" (so if you ever get lost in Jaco—not likely—just ask for directions
to "POPS"). Turn left and continue for about 300 m (3 blocks) until you see the sign
Villa Nasua on the left. Welcome!
Transportation to Jaco
You have several options for getting from the airport or San Jose area to Jaco-
a distance of about 100 km. (Note: Please contact the Nasua office at (506)
2-643-3449 or (506) 2-643-3169, if you will be arriving after 7:00 p.m.)
By rental car:
Be sure to rent your car from a well-known company. And if your
credit card doesn't already cover car insurance, it’s best to purchase comprehen-
sive insurance from the rental car agency (but note that most agencies will not
sell this insurance unless you rent the car for a minimum of a week). The best
map for driving in Costa Rica is National Geographic Adventure Map – Costa
Rica, #3100. This map may be available through Amazon.com, or
snowleopard.biz (800-685-5548).
By taxi:
A taxi ride ranges from $110 - $130 (1-4 persons-additional persons pay about
$12 each). Taxis are readily available at the airport or in most locations through-
out the San Jose metropolitan area.
By bus:
The bus fare is approximately $3, but you need to purchase the bus tickets at the
depot well in advance of departure. (Note that credit cards not accepted.) Depending
on the arrival time of your flight, you can take a taxi directly to the bus depot (which
is known as “Terminal Coca Cola,” because it’s adjacent to the local soft drink bottl-
ing plant), but it is still advisable to call ahead and make sure the routes are operat-
ing normally and that seats are still available. Call Transportes Morales S.A. at (506)
2-223-1109. (The country code, 506, is not necessary unless dialing internationally.)
The bus route to Jaco is #655, “Jaco Beach And Carara Biological Station (Express Bus
From San José.” (Bus routes are generally referred to by origin/destination rather than
route numbers.) This bus departs daily from Terminal Coca Cola at 7:30, 10:30 and
15:30. The return bus departs from Jaco at 5:00, 7:30, 11:00, 15:00. If you have
oversize luggage (surfboard, bicycle, diving gear, a crate of papayas etc.) there may
be an excess baggage fee, and it is a good idea to arrive early—and to tip the porter/conductor well.
What to expect/bring
Clothing is a simple matter—it’s a tropical beach paradise. Costa Rica's climate is
renowned, with mild tropical conditions prevailing year-round; extremes and pro-
longed periods of gray are practically nonexistent. Temperature varies mainly ac-
cording to elevation: the higher the cooler. The rainy season lasts from May through
November, the dry warmth visits from December to April. (But Costa Rica's rain falls
mainly on the Caribbean coast, giving the Pacific a much more arid climate.)
Language:
The most widely spoken language in Costa Rica is Spanish (97% of the population),
although there are other native languages used mostly within the indigenous reserves.
However, many businesses in and around San Jose, and most resorts throughout the
country have employees who also speak English.
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