www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Costa Rica By Bus

I am going to use the bus system when I come back to CR in Nov. and I found this web site that looks to have up to date info and many helpful tips on bus traveling

http://www.costaricabybus.com/index.html

Info on bus fare seems up to date as of March 05.

“These are given in Costa Rican colones and are subject to change. The fares cited are current with the latest increases approved by the Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) and published in the official goverment document La Gaceta, Number 58, March 23, 2005. Additional increases are under study, but they should not appreciably increase the cost of travel by bus.”

Sample of info on going to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

I found this very interesting in this report
“Not all buses go into town. Some drop you off at an intersection ("La Cruce") two miles from town”:(

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/ Playa Cocles (Province of Limón -- Caribbean Coast)

Puerto Viejo is a small fishing village. It offers excellent surfing (famous for the the "Salsa Brava" right-break wave), very good surfing at Playa Cocles, 2 km east of town, and a mixed Afro-Caribbean/Tico/Bribri culture. There is a strong Jamaican "Rasta" influence and a large international community. To get here, take:

An Auto Transportes Mepe regular service bus to Sixaola, route 750, leaving at 6:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm from the Gran Terminal del Caribe on C Central/A15-A17. Get off at Puerto Viejo; ¢3,565. Travel time is 4 hours direct. Buses return at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 4:00 pm. Tel: (San José) 257-8129, (Limón) 758-1572, (Sixaola) 754-2097.

Or, take a bus to Limón, then a Transportes Mepe bus, route 725, from Radio Casino in Limón, one block north of the market, via Cahuita, leaving at 5:00 am, 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 6:00 pm; duration 1-1/2 hours, ¢770. Buses return at 6:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:30 pm. Tel: (San José) 257-8129, (Limón) 758-3522, (Sixaola) 754-2097.

Tips:
Do not confuse this town with Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí.

Bus schedules to Puerto Viejo change frequently because of poor road conditions. Call Transportes Mepe, (see above) in Puerto Viejo to verify bus schedules before you travel. Pick up a copy of their Puerto Viejo Information and Services Guide at the ticket window.

Coopana buses from C2/A5-A7 run continuously to the Gran Terminal del Caribe and return to C2/A3-A5; ¢105.

Not all buses go into town. Some drop you off at an intersection ("La Cruce") two miles from town. Check when you buy the ticket or ask the driver. Public phones are located next to the La Cruce Health Clinic.

You can change money at the Manuel Leon general store.

Lodging:

Puerto Viejo Hotel, in the center of town.

Cabinas El Tesoro, Tel: 750-0128.

Hotel Casa Blanca, Tel: 750-0001.

La Isla Inn, Tel/Fax: 750-0109.

You can camp at Salsa Brava on the edge of town.

PS I have no association with the writer of the book he is selling, just think info will be of help to fellow mongers in CR

Anouther helpful tool is a little brochure called ''Hop A Bus" pulished by the national tourist service .It is a one page brochure that gives current times shcedules and a map for the bus station locations.You have to ask for it as they don't usually have it out.Sometimes they have it at the airport tour desk and always do at the National tourist office next to the Gold Museum.rbc100

Bus schedule is availabe on CR official site VisitCostaRica.com, click the Bus itinerary link. The bus schedule (.pdf file) lists many destinations including Limón, Quepos (Manuel Antonio), Fortuna (Volcán Arenal), Puntarenas, Liberia, Tamarindo, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala?! . From SJ I rode the bus to:

Jaco, one-way bus ticket 1355 colones (US$2.63).
Volcán Poás 2470 colones roundtrip. Park entrance US$7.
Volcán Irazú 3100 colones roundtrip. Park entrance US$7.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens 590 colones one-way, take Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí bus via Heredia & Varablanca. Park entrance US$25.
SJO airport 340 colones.

Great way to see the country for only a few dollars. Or if you prefer guided tours there are several such as Expediciones Tropicales.

Great link Z. Buses in Costa Rica are great way to travel and so cheap. Also very efficent.rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

Agree, just be low key and be careful and watchful of your stuff. In the past year I have used buses in and out of SJO and let me tell you , those petty crimes aren't only targeted towards gringos. Travel safe and keep your eyes open.

YO Flaboy:

Shit, you haven't lived until you take the bus from Florida to CR. What a ride. I'm stil working out the transfers for the Superbowl party. lol

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.