Finca Bellavista is located in the mountainous South Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica. Perched overlooking the Golfo Dulce and nurtured by the Bellavista and Piedras Blancas rivers, the location of this unique enclave is unmatched in its magnificence and pulses with life. The greater region, referred to as the Southern Zone, is a bountiful area that boasts numerous outdoor adventure and eco-tourism opportunities and is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world. Often times referred to as the country’s ‘last frontier’, the rugged and picturesque landscape of the area, with its laid-back lifestyle and friendly vibe, is quite different than other parts of Costa Rica and provides a welcome retreat from the pace of life elsewhere in the world.
The mountains, valleys, rivers and trees that comprise ‘the finca’ almost seem custom-built for a community of this kind. Treehouses, ziplines, waterfalls, and rainforest combine to make the quintessential Costa Rica experience and provide a magical backdrop for this off-grid locale. And, while the Finca Bellavista community might feel far removed from the outside world, we are only 3 kilometers from the paved InterAmericana Highway (which stretches from Mexico to Panama) and provides easy access to modern amenities in neighboring towns and cities like Rio Claro, Palmar Norte, Golfito and Ciudad Neilly.
We prefer not to give direct directions or our exact address at Finca Bellavista due to the unique nature of our project. We do not have the resources to handle drop-in or unscheduled visitors, so we ask that your party please contact us by email prior to making any plans to visit (this information can be found on the Contact page and exact directions will be sent.) Click here for additional pointers on planning a visit to Finca Bellavista.
GETTING TO FINCA BELLAVISTA
By Air
The Costa Rican government has announced plans to phase in an international airport near town of Palmar Sur (30 minutes driving distance) within the next 5 years. Once the airport is complete, Finca Bellavista residents and guests will be able fly direct from the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America and be at their rainforest sanctuary within a half hour! In the meantime, owners and visitors of Finca Bellavista can fly to a handful of regional airports within a half hour’s drive to Finca Bellavista once they arrive to San Jose’s Juan Santa Maria International Airport. Sansa Airlines and Nature Air are the two regional air carriers that fly into Palmar and Golfito. We recommend flying into Golfito, as there are more daily flight options and services for tourists.
As an FYI for your planning purposes, you should budget 5 hours to drive to Finca Bellavista from the international airport in San Jose, and 8 hours from international airport in Liberia. These timeframes are estimated, and are completely dependent upon the state of the roads and your party's navigational capabilities.
Taxis are readily available in Palmar and Golfito for the last 30 minutes to Finca Bellavista. (A 4x4 is recommended on the road from the InterAmericana to the finca.) A taxi should not cost more than $50 from the Palmar or Golfito areas to Finca Bellavista. Negotiate the price before you get in the taxi! Ensure that the taxi driver has read the Spanish directions on our pointers sheet (sent upon making a reservation) and fully understands where they are taking you.
Shared shuttle
Interbus is a great option for shuttle service. They go to and from most places in Costa Rica, and provides travelers with an option that is cheaper than a personal taxi or car rental.
Bus
Bus travel is cheap and very good with very comfortable and clean seats, on par with tour buses in the United States. For a regional bus schedule, please check this website... it is the most useful and complete schedule of busses in Costa Rica that we have access to, and will likely be the only one you will be able to find on the internet! For travelers to Finca Bellavista, a bus en route towards points south of here (Paso Canoas, Golfito, Ciudad Neilly, Rio Claro) will take you past the small towns of Chacarita and Piedras Blancas, where you can likely negotiate a stop. You can then arrange for a taxi to Finca Bellavista. OR, you can take a bus to Palmar Norte, and negotiate for a taxi to Finca Bellavista.
Renting a Car & Tips for Driving
Renting a car and driving in Costa Rica allows total freedom of movement, though it is pricier here than in other countries. 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 or passports 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 to the required level 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 (or a copy of it). 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.
Road conditions vary greatly depending on the location of the route and the season. Always check conditions before you decide your route. Our suggested driving route from San Jose to Finca Bellavista is the new Caldera Toll Road, which takes drivers from San Jose to the Jaco area. From there, take the newly paved Costanera through Palmar and on down to Finca Bellavista. For another beautiful mountain route, consider taking the road over Cerro de los Muertes, through San Isidro el General, through Buenos Aires, Palmar, then south on the InterAmericana.
By Boat
Finca Bellavista is an easy half-hour drive north from the southern port town of Golfito, the main south Pacific port in Costa Rica. Those arriving by boat will find Golfito is well equipped to accommodate most of their cruising needs. The 'fast ferry' from Golfito to Puerto Jimenez leaves Golfito at 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and is $5 one way. The same ferry leaves Puerto Jimenez going to Golfito at 8:45 a.m. or 4:20 p.m.
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