**Last updated on May 27th, 2010.**

Getting There 

The best way to begin your journey is to fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), located in Alajuela, approximately 30 min. driving from San Jose, Costa Rica. 

Considering the lack of road signs and the vast array of options from there, getting to Montezuma can be a bit complicated.  Our recommendation is to allow us to help you to arrange your incoming trip.  Approximate cost will be $15-$230 depending on your time of arrival and the amount of people traveling with you. 

For booking your flights to Costa Rica, please consider that our programs begin on Sundays with accommodations after 2 pm (check in) and end with check out on Saturday before noon.  Classes are held Monday through Friday.

Unless you're planning to take a commuter flight, we strongly encourage, and will be happy to help you to arrange, the "Easiest" option.

By Shuttle

Without Accommodations

• Dec 16th-May 31st: 6:00 am and 2:00 pm from SJO Airport (5:30 am and 1:30 pm from San Jose; 5:45 am and 1:45 pm from Alajuela) - $45
• June 1st-Dec 15th: 8:00 am from SJO Airport (7:30 am from SJ; 7:45 am from Alajuela) - $45
• All year: Chartered afternoon shuttle from SJO Airport or San Jose - $230 ($190 if willing to change vans at ferry dock) for the first 4 people plus $10 extra per additional person. 
  

**Important Note**  Your flight must arrive before 4:00 pm to schedule a chartered shuttle for the same day. 

Shuttle Pack

A good option for flights arriving on Saturday afternoon/evening.  Includes shuttle from the international airport (SJO) to a hotel in Alajuela (where the international airport is located), lodging, breakfast and shuttle to La Escuela Del Sol the next morning:

• One person - $80
• Two people - $65 per person
• Three people  - $60 per person

For the shuttle pack, you may arrive at any time in the evening and you will depart the following morning by van.  The hotel will pay your cab fare from the airport once you arrive. 

By Air 

There are two companies which offer a 30 minute flight from San Jose or Alajuela to the Tambor Airport (TMU), which is a 25 kms./30 mins. drive from Montezuma. 

Sansa Air leaves directly from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), the one that you will arrive to from your home country.  Nature Air departs from a small air strip nearby, Aeropuerto Tobias Bolanos (30 min. drive from SJO) and requires an additional shuttle or taxi (approx. $25).  For info and availability, please check http://www.flysansa.com/ or http://www.natureair.com/

Flights cost $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 we know and trust will meet you at the airport for the lower price of $35. 

By Bus

There is daily, direct service between San Jose and Montezuma through Transportes Rodriguez ((506) 2642-0740; (506) 2642-0219).  The trip takes approximately 6 hours, including a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera. The cost is approximately $12.

To take this bus, you must first take a public bus ($1) or official (red or orange color) taxi (approx. $25) 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 20 minutes of the journey.

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.

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!). 

New Highway:

The new highway opened in February 2010 and has a few advantages.  It shaves about 30 minutes off of the trip in exchange for about $8 in tolls.  Be sure to ask your rental car agency for directions to the new highway if you choose this option.

Scenic Route:

To see the beautiful countryside, you'll 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 (schedules at http://www.navieratambor.com).  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).  During the green and rainy seasons especially, we recommend that you drive nothing short of a 4x4.  Also note that road signs are often missing or hidden behind fast growing trees or bushes.  Be on your toes if driving.  You may want to splurge on a GPS device to keep you going in the right direction.

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 de Montezuma

Contitguo el puente del Rio Montezuma.

By Air

Commuter flights run from Tambor Airport (requires a 35 minute, $35 taxi from Montezuma which we can arrange for you) and take approximately 30 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 $25.

By Bus 

Buses leave Montezuma each day at 6:30 am and 2:30 pm and make a stop at the international airport (SJO) on the way to San Jose.  The trip is approximately 6 hours.

By Shuttle

The same rates apply as above.  Shuttles leave Montezuma from Dec-Aug at 6:30 am and 2:30 pm and arrive around 1-2 pm and 9-10 pm (depending on traffic and road conditions).  From Sept-Nov, shuttles leave Montezuma at 8:30 am and arrive around 2-3 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)!