Getting Here:
Option 1: Rent a car- driving directions are below. Recommended
Option 2: Public Bus-buses leave from Downtown San Jose to Cuidad Quasada to Monterrey (Least expensive takes 5 hours) Public Bus Schedule
Option 3: Tourist Bus-let us know and we can get the current information to you. (Scheduled times usually 2x/day about $30 per person) Interbus
Option 4: Private Taxi transport (about $130 for a group of 8 or less - one way from the airport in San Jose)
Option 5: By Airplane: Nature Air or Sansa has flights to Fortuna/El Tanque and we can arrange for a taxi pick up.
Driving Directions from the Airport:
Option 1: San Jose-Grecia-Sarchi-Naranjo-Zarcero-Ciudad Quesada-Florencia-Mulle-Tanque-Monterrey(Light Blue Route)
Take the Pan-American Highway #1 north from the Airport and continue for about 20 kilometers until you see the sign to Grecia. Turn right and continue to Grecia downtown. Once you reach downtown you will see a red church on your left. Drive to the back of the red church by turning left and at the next corner turn left again (so you will be at the other side of the church) here you will see and follow the signs to Sarchi. Once in Sarchi continue the road to Naranjo. As you arrive in Naranjo follow the signs to Zarcero and Ciudad Quesada. Once in Ciudad Quesada follow the signs to Tanque and La Fortuna. At the one intersection in El Tanque there is a large hardware store called Colono, turn right towards Monterrey. Allow 4 hours on a perfect driving day with no stops.
Option 2: The Green Route through San Ramon--Tigra--Chacagua--Fortuna--El Tanque--Monterrey.
This route has less truck traffic and is faster. Head towards San Ramon on HWY 1. Travel through San Ramon city following the volcano signs. Stop along the way and try some of the freshly made cheese made in the surrounding villages. Allow 3 hours-with no stops on a perfect driving day.
Exploring En Route Option 1:
Grecia: This community was founded in 1838 it's most interesting structure is the church. The church is made of iron, and was prefabricated in Belgium in the 1890's, shipped to Costa Rica and then transported to Grecia from Alajuela by oxcart.
Sarchi: This town is spreads though the rolling hills, notice coffee growing on the hills as you drive through this area. Sarchi is known for furniture craftmanship, but it is most famous for its fancy brightly painted oxcarts.
Zarcero: The central park in this town looks like it was designed by Dr. Seuss. Evangelisto Blanco, a local landscape artist carefully shaped cypress topiaries in fanciful shapes. The artwork in the church was done by late local artist Misael Solis.
Ciudad Quesada/San Carlos: This large city is the center of activity for the Zona Norte (Northern Zone). It is the only town, that we know of, in the Zona Norte with any US type fast food chains. A Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken can be found in this busy town.
Link for Costa Rica Driving Directions and Maps: http://www.costaricamap-online.com/php/map11/map1102.php
Tips (Keep in mind the Journey is part of the Adventure!)
When driving in Costa Rica, there are few road signs, the best advice is to always know which town you are headed to next, and follow the signs to that town and if you get lost people are eager to help you find your way. Just say"Donde (where) Monterrey (place which ever town in the sentence is the next town on your route)?" And if you have a map in your hand pointing all the better.
Most roads do not have a number. When asking for directions, you will be told how to get to the next town along your route. If a road does have a number most Costa Ricans will not know it.
A good map, a compass and a current Costa Rica guidebook will make your travel more interesting and enjoyable.
Do not plan to drive at night. It is dark by 6pm all year round.
Road conditions change quickly-and can contain surprising hazards-cattle, VW sized pot holes, disabled vehicles and washouts. Please be careful and drive defensively at all times.
Plan for extra time, to stop and explore.
On paved roads you can figure it will take about 3 hours to travel 100 miles.
Even if a road is on a map, it may not be passable by car, but only by horse or tractor. It is better to ask a local before considering a 'shortcut' along the route.
Most bridges are only one lane, be prepared to yield to oncoming traffic. The Spanish word for yield is 'ceda' and the yield signs are upside down triangles.
Give way to oncoming Semi-trucks and buses.
Assign one person in your party to be the road hazard watcher and navigator. It is very difficult to drive and navigate.
Do not leave expensive electronics out in the open in your car, even if it is locked. Take your backpack with your camera and any other valuable items with you, do not leave them in the car.
Local restaurants are called 'Sodas' they are simple little cafes with typical Costa Rican foods.
Road Signs in Spanish Be sure to learn Danger, Caution, Curves, Right, Left, Road, Bridge, Stop, Yeild, One Way and Slow.
In addition to the information on the link above, keep in mind most bridges are narrow and only one lane. Be careful and watch for the yeild sign. The sign you will see is: (an orange diamond) Puente Angosto (narrow bridge) and take note of.........Adalante ( something is up ahead).
Directions from El Tanque:
In Tanque at the main intersection there is a grocery store on one corner and a large hardware store on one corner called Colono.
Head towards Monterrey (Right if coming from Ciudad Quasada, Left if coming from Fortuna).
Drive about 20 minutes to Monterrey (aka: Santa Domingo).
The road splits into a 'Y' at Monterrey, keep to the left to go into town. (The other branch of the 'Y' leading to the right heads towards San Rafael de Guatuso) (aka: Guatuso).
Drive through Monterrey past the round rodeo building on the right, past the Bank of Costa Rica.
The road comes to a 'T', with a restaurant on the left corner and a small grocery store on the right.
Turn left onto the gravel road.
Follow the gravel road for about 15 minutes (3 km), we are 500 meters South-headed towards the volcano-of the Super Kike-small grocery store. When you see the Super Kike keep to the left. Our logo is painted on the store.
Look for our entrance sign and red barn on the right side of the road on top of the last hill, before the road heads down to the Rio Arenal.
If you have any trouble, just ask someone, everyone knows us. Our cell phone number is 333-6863.
We are located in the mountains above Fortuna. It is a 30-40 minute drive to get to Fortuna from Leaves and Lizards.
Directions from Fortuna:
Head out of town-away from the volcano. Be careful watch for oneway streets. You will be heading Souteast towards El Tanque.
