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Cost of cab rides in Costa Rica? (1 Viewer)

Hi, Andy - We took a cab from the international airport in Alajuela to the Los Caribenos bus station last December and it cost US$20. The two hour drive to Sarapiqui would seem to cost several times that. We used the very cheap ($3.50 each) but comfortable bus to get to Sarapiqui. From there it would be a $3 taxi ride to La Selva.
If you are avoiding a rental car for whatever reason, another option would be a private shuttle: http://www.costaricagateway.com/
No idea what they would charge...

Steve
 
I just requested a quote for 4 in Feb from the airport to La Selva. $150. Bus sounds great, car rental very practical as well. Don't have any dogs in this arena, just curious as coming down January/February myself to bird and want to know how to get around. Mike
 
I just requested a quote for 4 in Feb from the airport to La Selva. $150. Bus sounds great, car rental very practical as well. Don't have any dogs in this arena, just curious as coming down January/February myself to bird and want to know how to get around. Mike

For that price, its more than worth it to taxi it to the Carribenos bus station from the airport ($20 or so) and get the next ticket for Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (NOT TALAMANCA) As Hamhead (aka Steve) mentioned, the bus is pretty comfortable, cheap, and takes hours at most to get there. You could ask to be let off at the entrance for La Selva and bird the entrance road on the way in or take the bus to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui an a taxi back to the station from there (maybe $5).
 
Andy -
If you use the bus, the Los Caribenos station in San Jose is not just a bare bones box with benches. There are a variety of shops, including multiple places to eat while waiting. Make sure to be in line well before departure time as it seemed to be a popular bus and may fill up, leaving standing room only. Liz and I took the bus out of Sarapiqui back to San Jose and had to stand the entire 90 minute trip.
Once the bus leaves the San Jose terminal, it doesn't stop much until the crossroads at Santa Clara where the choice is to go to Guapiles and the coast or north to Sarapiqui. There is a tienda (convenience store) there and the bus stops to give everyone a break and maybe pick up or exchange passengers. Much of the slow going is from there to Sarapiqui, when the bus stops frequently to discharge or pick up other passengers. Still, it's not that long a ride and if you've never been in the Costa Rican countryside, the scenery is interesting. You might get some stares from the locals, especially children, but they're polite glances of interest not threatening at all. The younger generations are more likely to speak English if you try to strike up a conversation.
Sarapiqui is a small, walkable town with several medium-sized grocery stores, banks, restaurants, etc. You can hear Howler Monkeys and see Macaws as well as many other tropical birds right from main street.
If you don't want to backtrack out of Sarapiqui to La Selva, you will have to convey to the driver that you would like to be dropped off at the La Selva entrance road. They seem to be very accommodating.
 
Andy -
If you use the bus, the Los Caribenos station in San Jose is not just a bare bones box with benches. There are a variety of shops, including multiple places to eat while waiting. Make sure to be in line well before departure time as it seemed to be a popular bus and may fill up, leaving standing room only. Liz and I took the bus out of Sarapiqui back to San Jose and had to stand the entire 90 minute trip.
Once the bus leaves the San Jose terminal, it doesn't stop much until the crossroads at Santa Clara where the choice is to go to Guapiles and the coast or north to Sarapiqui. There is a tienda (convenience store) there and the bus stops to give everyone a break and maybe pick up or exchange passengers. Much of the slow going is from there to Sarapiqui, when the bus stops frequently to discharge or pick up other passengers. Still, it's not that long a ride and if you've never been in the Costa Rican countryside, the scenery is interesting. You might get some stares from the locals, especially children, but they're polite glances of interest not threatening at all. The younger generations are more likely to speak English if you try to strike up a conversation.
Sarapiqui is a small, walkable town with several medium-sized grocery stores, banks, restaurants, etc. You can hear Howler Monkeys and see Macaws as well as many other tropical birds right from main street.
If you don't want to backtrack out of Sarapiqui to La Selva, you will have to convey to the driver that you would like to be dropped off at the La Selva entrance road. They seem to be very accommodating.

Excellent description if puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui and getting there by bus! You might also see Pale-vented Pigeons perched on telephone wires from the bus.
 
Andy -
If you use the bus, the Los Caribenos station in San Jose is not just a bare bones box with benches. There are a variety of shops, including multiple places to eat while waiting. Make sure to be in line well before departure time as it seemed to be a popular bus and may fill up, leaving standing room only. Liz and I took the bus out of Sarapiqui back to San Jose and had to stand the entire 90 minute trip.
Once the bus leaves the San Jose terminal, it doesn't stop much until the crossroads at Santa Clara where the choice is to go to Guapiles and the coast or north to Sarapiqui. There is a tienda (convenience store) there and the bus stops to give everyone a break and maybe pick up or exchange passengers. Much of the slow going is from there to Sarapiqui, when the bus stops frequently to discharge or pick up other passengers. Still, it's not that long a ride and if you've never been in the Costa Rican countryside, the scenery is interesting. You might get some stares from the locals, especially children, but they're polite glances of interest not threatening at all. The younger generations are more likely to speak English if you try to strike up a conversation.
Sarapiqui is a small, walkable town with several medium-sized grocery stores, banks, restaurants, etc. You can hear Howler Monkeys and see Macaws as well as many other tropical birds right from main street.
If you don't want to backtrack out of Sarapiqui to La Selva, you will have to convey to the driver that you would like to be dropped off at the La Selva entrance road. They seem to be very accommodating.

Excellent description of puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui and getting there by bus! You might also see Pale-vented Pigeons perched on telephone wires from the bus.
 
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