www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey, I've read that the bus to San Jose outside the airport doesn't go to the Coca Cola terminal in San Jose. If that's true, do you have the opportunity to purchase additional bus tickets at the terminal that it does take you to? I'm arriving around 11:30am next Wednesday and I'm traveling to La Fortuna on Thursday. If I could buy the ticket on Wednesday and get that out of the way before heading for the hotel / gulch, I'd be happy.

If not, I guess I'd just take a taxi from terminal X to the Coca Cola terminal?

The red TUASA bus from the airport goes to the TUASA terminal (last stop) on Avenida 2, between Calle 12 and Calle 14. The COCA COLA terminal, serving many bus companies is about 2 blocks north and 1 block west of the TUASA terminal. That's just a short, safe walk at the time that you'll be there, but there are many taxis on the street if you have to haul a lot of stuff.

Use GOOGLE MAPS for San Jose, Costa Rica, and zoom in to Ave 2 and Calle 12-14. You'll see the Coca Cola Terminal where I said it is, nearby.

The Tuasa bus from the airport requires colones ( about $1 worth). No tickets for that route.

I don't know about a ticket for your next bus. Maybe another Brother can tell you. My GUESS is that you can buy that ticket in advance at Coca Cola or use cash for that ride, too.

RAC

Web site TRAVELCOSTARICANOW.COM shows that the bus to La Fortuna leaves from SJ at Avenida 7 and Calle 12 several times in the morning and costs $4. That's not where the Coca Cola terminal is. But it's nearby.

Be sure that you get on the right bus.

RAC

Good post; good info - and the airport bus a great option from SJO to SJ

Bus's in CR are good for the most part - a/c, no chickens, or goats aboard, etc - but finding where exactly to find them is - or can be - the challange.

As you correctly point out, b/c San Jose does not have a central bus terminal, you need to find out exactly where your bus will be - again, correctly, while the "Coca Cola" is perhaps the best known terminal because of its location near the Mercado Central, and its name - not every bus to points unknown leaves from there - so you need to check where it leaves from, the web sites are a great resource.

Just another one of those "muy tico" things

Here's a map of SJO bus terminals and where those buses go: http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/inde ... &task=view
Contact info from ICT--know before you click that it's a PDF: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... CSDguma90g

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Can u buy a ticket at any terminal, or do you have to buy from the specific terminal from which the bus departs?

Never mind, I checked out that travelcostaricanow.com site listed above. A lot of good info there, including the fact that:
LA FORTUNA: $4; 6:15 a.m., 8:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; 4 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 12 and Avenida 7. 2255-0567.

For most bus stations in San Jose, you can simply ask a taxi driver to go to the "estation de bus a La Fortuna/Arenal" or whatever destination you want, using LaFortuna/Arenal for an example. The taxista will take you to it no problem although having the address written out is always a good backup. Keep in mind, the company that runs to La Fortuna is NOT TicaBus. If you ask to go to the TicaBus station, you won't be at the right place.

Buying a ticket is no problem. There will be a standard 'caja' where people are in line to buy a ticket from someone behind some glass and walled in. Just say 'uno a La Fortuna' and they will tell you the cost. Give 'em some money, you get your ticket and change. If the bus station has more than one departure city, there will be large signs indicating an area for your destination (directo doesn't have stops...sorta) with a bunch of chairs which is the line to board the next bus. Sit down in line and when everyone else gets up to board, follow along. Sometimes the bus driver will take your ticket (plastic card) as you enter the bus and sometimes after boarding, he comes by and collects them. Keep an eye on your bags...

On arrival you will be on the south side of La Fortuna with some more budget hotels nearby but most nicer ones a taxi ride away. There is a grocery store right next to the bus station if you want to stock up on stuff for your hotel room and taxis are easily available and will take you to any hotel you name...again, written down is best. The bus ride will be around 3-4 hours depending on the road and traffic. It won't be fast but there will be ample opportunity for photos out the windows of the bus...unless it is raining and the windows all fog up OR the bus is inside cloud the majority of the trip which is a good possibility this time of year.

Keep in mind, these directions are more for longer journeys outside San Jose and the suburbs. Most city buses have no station, only stops and you pay the driver as you board. The final destination where they basically turn around on a loop is listed in the windows along with significant stops it may make.

Hope that helps and great to hear you are taking time to get and and see the country...something I always suggest! You will enjoy the Arenal area with a ton of things to do. If you haven't, check out http://arenal.net for a bunch of great suggestions on things to do, see and places to stay. And as a caveat, I have nothing to do with that site just find it a useful reference...

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

This Board continues to have the best info for the Practical Traveler and this Thread shows why.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

That's the "what", how about the "why". They offer what this Argentine bus line offers? http://www.flechabus.com.ar/novedades_servicios.htm

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Great tread, I am going to Jaco, and With this info I think I can make it it from the airport to Coca Cola then The beach.

..San Jose to Jaco....................................... Jaco to San Jose
Departs Coca Cola Bus Station San Jose.................. Departs Pizza Hut in Jaco
6:00am........................................................................ 5:00am
7:00am........................................................................ 7:00am
9:00am .........................................................................9:00am
11:00am....................................................................... 11:00am
1:00pm.......................................................................... 1:00pm
3:00pm............................................................................ 3:00pm
5:00pm............................................................................ 5:00pm
7:00pm........................................................................... xxxxxxxx
*Bus leaves exactly as scheduled do not be late
*Approx travel time each way is 2 hour 45 mins (old route)
*Express buses usually leave directly from the station in Jaco and DO NOT travel through town for pickups
*Do not depend on bus if your flight leaves within 3 hours of schedule bus arrival – traffic varies greatly
Telephone SJO: 2-223-1109 Jaco: 2-643-3135
Purchase tickets:
In SJO: At Coca Cola Bus Station ask “dónde está la taquilla Jaco” it is located in the same area where the buses wait
In Jaco: Behind Pizza Hut you can buy tickets. If you are leaving early in the morning buy your tickets the day before or if you depart on a Sunday or a holiday buy them a few days ahead of time, they sell out quickly.

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Jaco is called little USA by all ticos

After action report - ran into a jack ass taxi driver trying to get to San Carlos Terminal from HLH. As you know, the terminal is about 12 blocks west of HLH down Ave 9 to Calle 12. This guy started to drive all over downtown, seemingly looking for traffic jams for about 20 min and then told me the fare was 30,000 colones. Out of his mind. I told I'd wait for him to call the polica over to discuss. Eventually he gave up and told me to get out (about two blocks away from where I needed to be). I ended up having to run the last two blocks in order to be last person to make on the bus.

On my return trip, I simply walked back from San Carlos terminal to Amistad (trying different hotels this trip). Took less time than the last taxi trip.

Just an unwelcome reminder to keep an eye out for this crap.

Sorry to hear about your taxi driver Travelmutt. Definitely an unwelcome reminder to all this is common here and thank you for sharing. Did like the taxi driver's refusal to wait as it does say good things about how police interact with tourist in downtown San Jose now. If you don't see them reset the meter (should show 570 or so...don't remember the exact start fare) ask that they 'apende la maria por favor' and watch as they reset it. Any problems, ask to get out. If you don't see a meter, I'd advise you to find a different cab or at the least agree in advance to a destination/price.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...