Getting to Finca Bellavista

Southern Zone International Airport advances!*
Government chooses land for airport in Southern Zone*
The Costa Rican Government recently announced that the country's newest airport will be built 5 kilometers south of the town of Palmar Sur in the Sierpe Valley.  The airport will boast a runway that will accommodate even the largest A-380 Airbus.  Being only 30 miles from Finca Bellavista, once the airport is completed residents will be able fly direct from the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America and be at their rainforest sanctuary in a half hour.

Until the new Southern Zone International Airport is completed, there are several other options to get to Finca Bellavista… Most international flights arrive at San José's Juan Santa Maria international airport.  There are good connections to US and Canadian cities and several Latin and South American countries.  Travel options after arriving at the international airport are domestic air transfers, rental cars, public buses or private taxis.

By Air
Travel Air or Nature Air flies daily from Tobias Bolanos airport in Pavas, west of San Jose to Palmar and Golfito.  Luggage allowance is limited to a total of 25 pounds per person.  Excess baggage is allowed (for a fee) BUT is subject to space or weight capacity.

Sansa airlines offers daily flights from Juan Santa Maria International airport in San Jose to Palmar and Golfito and has a limited luggage allowance of carry-on and checked baggage to a maximum of 25 pounds per person.  Excess baggage is allowed at an extra charge BUT is subject to space or weight capacity and there is an additional charge per pound after 25.  A total of 2 surf boards (max. size 6’8”) are allowed per flight.  If you want to ship your board, check it in early.  One way ticket price $72 US.

Taxis are readily available in Palmar and Golfito for the last 30 minutes to Finca Bellavista.

 

Palmar by Bus
Bus travel is cheap and very good with very comfortable and clean seats, on par with tour buses in the United States.  The Tracopa-Alfaro bus company leaves from the main Coca-Cola depot in San Jose- about a 20 minute walk east from the city center.  The official address is Calle 16 Avenida 1-3.

Buses depart from San Jose to Palmar seven times daily.  The one-way ticket price is around $5 US, but be prepared for a 5-6 hour drive.

Interbus and other chauffered van lines offer a non-stop, affordable alternative to long bus routes with multiple stops.  One way ticket prices from San Jose to Finca Bellavista are between $40-50 US. 

 

Renting a Car & Tips for Driving
Renting a car and driving in Costa Rica allows total freedom of movement.  You can cover a lot of ground without delay, and you can stop and sightsee wherever you want.  Plan your route before you take it, then stop and ask if you need directions.  Costa Ricans do not like to say "I don't know" and sincerely want to be helpful.  You may need to ask more than one person and get a consensus.

Remember to never leave valuables in your car.  It is best to carry them with you.

When you get your rental car, the representative will have you check the car for nicks, dents, and adequate tires.  Exaggerate this procedure.  Also, be sure to fill the car before you return it, or be prepared to pay very high per gallon prices for what the gas tank may be lacking.

It is best not to speed, and the speed limit signs are in kilometers.  If you are pulled over by the police, they will want to see your rental papers and your passport.  Be polite, but never let them keep either of these documents.  Also, do not pay the police for the ticket.  You pay the ticket to the rental car company when you turn in the car.  Paying the police creates corruption.

There is about 29,000 kilometers of highway in Costa Rica but only about 14% of it is paved.  Even the paved roads have monstrous potholes, usually unmarked.  This is why we recommend 4 X 4 vehicles to most areas, including the short (somewhat steep in places) gravel road up to Finca Bellavista.  Even Manuel Antonio and Monteverde (as popular as they are) have terrible roads to get there.  But, look at it this way, if the roads were great, the place would be too crowded.  Fortunately, the section of the PanAmerican Highway to Finca Bellavista (from Dominical to the Panama border) is the newest portion of highway in the country and has no potholes! Also, the stretch of highway between Palmar and the finca is in the process of getting repaved and upgraded!

By Boat
Finca Bellavista is an easy half-hour drive north from the southern port town of Golfito, the main Pacific port.  Those arriving by boat will find Golfito to accommodate all of their cruising needs. 

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