Longitude & Latitude:
83° W 17' 23" - 8° N 23' 49" - 558' above sea
level
Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica:
Go
through customs and outside to get a taxi to hotel. There is
a lot of theft in San Jose so always watch your bags.
We usually stay at the Hampton Inn if we’re just passing through. It’s about $ 80 a night. To make reservations: (800) 426-7866
In C.R. the number is (506) 443-0043
The best place to stay is the Marriott Hotel. It’s about $150.
For reservations call: (800) 228-9290
In C.R. (506) 298-0000
(When you look out over the pool at night you can see the Southern Cross.)
There’s also a great mid-range place called the Aranjuez. About 30 bucks.
(506) 256-1825
Check the weather in San Jose:
http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/ca/CostaRica/AlajuelaCSAL.html
Fly to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula:
For reservations we usually call or e-mail Isabel at Osa Tropical.
(506) 735-5062 e-mail: osatropi@racsa.co.cr
Sansa Airlines: http://www.flysansa.com/
Travel Air: http://www.travelair-costarica.com/
You can also charter a plane for the trip down to the Osa.
Call Alvaro: (506) 735-5112
Check the weather on the Osa:
http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/ca/CostaRica/GolfitoCSGO.html
From Airport in Puerto Jimenez, take a taxi to our farm.
( a one hour ride on a dirt road )
We are the first driveway on the left past the Lapa Rios hotel.
Take a bus to Puerto Jimenez:
Refer to Lonely Planet / Costa Rica
Drive to the Osa Peninsula:
Rent a car and head south through San Ysidro General. Then continue on the Pan-American down to the turn-off in Chacarita, Turn right onto the Osa and head to Puerto Jimenez.
Books & Maps:
http://www.globecorner.com/
http://www.ravenmaps.com
http://www.laparios.com/lapmap.htm
Driving to Costa Rica:
We drove down through Brownsville Texas through Vera Cruz.
The main thing is you have to plan on spending a long time at each border. Be prepared to spend a day at each one if it’s anytime around the holidays, and if it's less you'll be ahead of schedule. It takes a lot of time and patience at each border and if you plan on being there a while it can eliminate a lot of frustration. However I have also heard people say the borders were no problem.
The other thing is Visas. If you have time it will be worthwhile to get them before you depart. You need them for every country. So maybe just call the closest consulate. If you'd rather do it at each individual border that's possible. But sometimes you have to spend more time.
Never drive at night, too many cars on the road without lights!
As far as places to stay on the drive down... always try to get a place with a guarded lot and try to get a room to where you can see the car. Thieves will steal everything if they get the chance.
As far as hotels go there is one place that is absolutely perfect. Maybe even make a reservation when you get close.
Hotel Villa Espanola in Guatemala City 2a. Calle 7-51 Zona 9
5 Phone # : 365417 - 365611 - 318503 - 323381 - 323362
