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Villas Hermosas Mal País, Costa Rica

HOW TO GET HERE

Costa Rica Map

There are two international airports in Costa Rica: San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR). To get to Villas Hermosas from either International Airport, you can travel by road or small plane. If you have a choice in your international airport, we find flying into San Jose offers more options and better roads to get to our area.

By Plane:

There are two major airlines to choose from -

  • Sansa Airlines
    + (506) 2290-4100
    www.flysansa.com
  • Nature Air
    Toll Free USA/Canada (800)235-9272
    Reservations +(506) 2299-6000
    www.natureair.com
  • Or you can fly by private charter plane for $575 (one way). You dictate the schedule.
    Paradise Air
    +(506) 2231-0938 / (506) 2296-3600 / (506) 8332-9067
    www.flywithparadise.com

You will fly from San Jose or Liberia into Tambor (30 minute flight). From there we can arrange a cab for $50 to bring you the rest of the way (45 minutes), or you can hire one of the many cab drivers usually waiting at the airport. Alternatively you can rent a car in Tambor:


Be sure to leave enough time between your International and your local flight. You may have to spend a night in San Jose or Liberia. We recommend the following hotels:


San Jose
Liberia

By Rental Car:

If you are going to drive yourself, we recommend renting a car with four-wheel drive, especially in the green season. The roads in Costa Rica can be challenging. Also be prepared for an amazing lack of signage to help you along the way!


From San Jose:

There are now two ways to drive to the ferry terminal in Puntarenas. The new toll Caldera Highway was completed in Jan/10. This is about an hour faster than the old route via the Interamericana Highway and will cost you about $4 in tolls along the way..


NEW WAY: Once you leave the airport, follow the road straight, towards San Jose. If you are renting a car, ask them to direct you towards San Jose and Escazu when you leave the lot. Follow the signs to San Jose and Escazu for about 15 minutes. You will eventually pass a Nissan dealership and the large LaSabana Park on your right hand side. Soon after you will get to the traffic-light intersection with a McDonalds on the far left corner and a Universal store on the right; you will take a right hand turn there. This is the new Autopista del Sol Caldera Highway (Highway #27). Stay on this highway, following signs for Caldera and Puntarenas. You will want to take the ferry to Paquera. As ferry times are constantly changing, it is always a good idea to call ahead at 2661-2084 to obtain the most up-to-date ferry times, or ask us to do so close to your travel date. The “Tambor I” is the smaller 30-car ferry and the “Tambor II” is the larger 170-car ferry. If possible, aim for the Tambor II. Not only is it bigger, but much more comfortable. After the 1-hour scenic ferry ride, you arrive in Paquera. From there you will drive west through Tambor and Cobano, then follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right. Drive through Santa Teresa, into Playa Hermosa (approximately 6kms. from the crossroads) until you come to “Villas Hermosas”. Turn left. This is about a four-hour trip, not including any wait for the ferry.


OLD WAY: You will drive northwest along the Interamericana Highway, about two hours until you come to the port town of Puntarenas. You will want to take the ferry to Paquera. As ferry times are constantly changing, it is always a good idea to call ahead at 2661-2084 to obtain the most up-to-date ferry times, or ask us to do so close to your travel date. The “Tambor I” is the smaller 30-car ferry and the “Tambor II” is the larger 170-car ferry. If possible, aim for the Tambor II. Not only is it bigger, but much more comfortable. After the 1-hour scenic ferry ride, you arrive in Paquera. From there you will drive west through Tambor and Cobano, then follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right. Drive through Santa Teresa, into Playa Hermosa (approximately 6kms. from the crossroads) until you come to “Villas Hermosas”. Turn left. This is about a five-hour trip, not including any wait for the ferry.


From Liberia:

You will drive south towards Guardia, then continue to Santa Cruz, Nicoya, towards Carmona, Jicaral, Lepanto, then Playa Naranjo. You will continue along the same road through Paquera, Tambor, then Cobano. Follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right. Drive through Santa Teresa, into Playa Hermosa (approximately 6kms. from the crossroads) until you come to “Villas Hermosas”. Turn left. This is about a five-hour trip.

Alternatively, you can travel the same route through Santa Cruz, Nicoya, and towards Carmona, but in Jicaral head south using the back road to Cobano. From Cobano follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right. Drive through Santa Teresa, into Playa Hermosa (approximately 6kms. from the crossroads) until you come to “Villas Hermosas”. Turn left. This can be slightly less than a five-hour trip.


To help you visualize these long car trips, please check out www.maptak.com/cr/gua/pro-gu.html and http://www.maptak.com/cr/pun/pro-pun.html for great detailed maps.

By Shuttle:

If you would like transport arranged for you by ground, please ask and we will be happy to arrange a shuttle van. These air-conditioned and comfortable tourist mini-buses will pick you up from your hotel in San Jose, and transport you directly to Villas Hermosas for a cost of $45/person for a public shuttle (leaves at a set time twice daily in the high season, once daily in the green season). A private shuttle that leaves whenever you want (dependent on ferry sailings) is $220/trip, up to 4 passengers. There is also a $200 private shuttle option that drops you off at the ferry with your bags, and another van picks you up on the other side of the water. For shuttles from Liberia, please ask for details.