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**Last updated on January 28th, 2010.**
Getting There
The best way to begin your journey is to fly into SJO airport in San Jose. Considering the lack of road signs, rivers magically appearing where roads should be and the vast array of options from there, getting to Montezuma can be a bit complicated. Our recommendation is to allow us to arrange your transportation for you. Approximate cost will be $12-$220 depending on your time of arrival and the amount of people traveling with you.
If you don't plan to take a commuter flight, we strongly encourage, and will be happy to help you to arrange, the "Easiest" option.
Easiest
By Shuttle
Without Accommodations
Shuttle Pack
Includes shuttle from the international airport (SJO) to Hotel El Tucan in Alajuela (where the international airport is located), lodging, breakfast and shuttle to La Escuela Del Sol the next morning:
**Important Note** Your flight must arrive before 4:00 pm on Sunday to charter an afternoon shuttle. For the shuttle pack, you may arrive at any time on Saturday. The Hotel will pay your cab fare from the airport once you arrive.
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If you would prefer to go it alone, approximate cost will be $12-$100. Here are some other ways to find us from San Jose:
Fastest
By Air
There are two companies which offer a 30 minute flight from San Jose to the Tambor Airport. Sansa Air leaves directly from SJO (San Jose International Airport) and Nature Air departs from a small air strip nearby (30 min. drive to Pavas from SJO) and requires an additional shuttle or taxi. Flights can be booked through http://www.flysansa.com/ or http://www.natureair.com/ (airline websites are most compatible with Internet Explorer) and cost approximately $22-$99 plus tax and an additional charge of $1/lb. for luggage weighing more than 27 lbs. From Tambor, you can take a taxi which will take approximately 35 minutes to the school and cost between $35-$45. If you would like us to arrange your pickup in Tambor, a driver will meet you at the airport for the lower price of $35.
Cheapest
By Bus
There is daily, direct service between San Jose and Montezuma through Transporte Rodriguez ((506) 2642-0740; (506) 2642-0219). The trip takes approximately 5.5 hours, including a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera.
You must first take a bus ($1) or official (red or orange) taxi ($22) from the airport to the “Coca Cola” bus station. From there, you will take the bus headed for Cobano, Mal Pais, Santa Teresa and Montezuma.
You will be making a stop in Puntarenas to hop on the ferry. After enjoying the views of the Gulf of Nicoya from the upper deck, your bus will meet you on the other side to bring you to Montezuma. Stay on your toes because you will have to change buses in Cobano for the last 30 minutes of the journey.
The bus and ferry cost approximately $12 combined. Buses depart at 6:00 am and 2:00 pm. Make sure to call ahead for any schedule changes (happens often). Reservations are not available, so arrive early for tickets.
Most Adventurous
By Car
If you are renting a car in San Jose, the car rental company will normally provide you with an adequate map (be sure to ask if they haven’t!). You want to take the Panamerican Highway #1 towards Puntarenas. Along the way, you will be following signs for Palmares, San Ramon, Esparza and Puntarenas respectively. Once in Puntarenas, follow signs for the Paquera Ferry. Kick back and enjoy the views for an hour and a half until you reach the ferry dock. After you return to your car, you will follow signs for Tambor and then Cobano. Turn left at Cobano and follow signs to Montezuma. The whole trip should take approximately 5-6 hours.
**Note on driving in Costa Rica**
You will encounter many unpaved and quite bumpy roads along the way. In addition, there may be a difference in road quality between the dry season (Nov-Apr), the green season (May-Aug, Nov) and the rainy season (Sept-Oct). The major difference may be the emergence of (surprise!) a river crossing the road. Depending on the previous rainfall, it may be difficult to cross such rivers. You’ll want to check river depth before attempting to cross. Any higher than your knees is questionable (actually, for those so inclined, the height of your engine's in-take valve is your cutoff point. Water in your engine may kill your car!!). Use your common sense. Therefore, during the green and rainy seasons especially, we recommend that you drive nothing short of a 4x4.
Your Final Destination
Once In Montezuma
Look for our sign next to the river which leads to the Montezuma waterfalls at the southern end of town. Our address is:
500 metros al Sur del centro Montezuma
Contitguo el puente
And To Get Home...
By Air
Commuter flights run from Tambor Airport (requires a 30 minute, $30 taxi from Montezuma which we can arrange for you) and take approximately 25 minutes. Check http://www.flysansa.com/ or http://www.natureair.com/ for available flights. Sansa flies to SJO International Airport whereas Nature Air flies to an airstrip 30 minutes from SJO and offers shuttle service to the international airport for an additional $35. A taxi will bring you there for closer to $15.
By Bus
Buses leave Montezuma each day at 6:30 am and 2:30 pm. The trip is approximately 6 hours.
By Shuttle
The same rates apply as above. Shuttles leave Montezuma at 7:00 am and 3:00 pm (afternoon shuttle runs until Apr 30th only) and arrive around 1-2 pm and 9-10 pm (depending on traffic and road conditions). The shuttle pack is also available to stay the night in Alajuela.
By Boat and Shuttle Package
Shave off 2.5 hours from the trip by taking this transfer package. A boat will take you from Montezuma to Herradura where a shuttle will be waiting to take you to San Jose. Boats leave at 10:30 am and arrive around 2:30 pm at SJO International Airport. It costs approximately $160 for 1 or 2 people and $70/person for 3 or more people. You may also take the boat and find a bus from Jaco to San Jose to save money. Speed boat costs $35. Buses cost around $10. Schedules vary but buses depart as frequently as every 2 hours.
By Car
Follow signs out of Montezuma towards Cobano, Tambor and Paquera. Take the ferry to Puntarenas and continue driving towards San Jose. Be very careful to follow signs because one mis-step and you'll end up in Liberia (wrong airport)!
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