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TRANSPORTATION TO FINCA BELLAVISTA: These are our best-known travel tips in and around the country. Finca Bellavista and its associates are NOT RESPONSIBLE for pricing or quality of service from any external service provider. In addition, Finca Bellavista and its associates are NOT RESPONSIBLE for negotiating or communicating with any external service provider unless contracted for such services. TRAVEL SAFETY: While Costa Rica is statistically a much safer place to live and travel than the majority of countries in the world (including the U.S., Canada, and some countries in Europe), all travelers should be vigilant about their personal safety. Petty theft is common, and tourists can be targeted for scams and pickpocketing. Be aware, plan ahead, and keep your passports, credit cards, and cash secure.
James Lozeau
Air travel to/from Costa Rica: - We normally recommend that travelers flying into Costa Rica come into the international airport in San Jose ( Juan Santamaria International Airport). The airport in Liberia is the furthest point from Finca Bellavista in the country. It is near the Nicaraguan border, and we are near the Panamanian border. - If you need a place to stay near the airport, please stay with our friends at ADVENTURE INN or TERRAZAS DE GOLF. Finca Bellavista visitors get 10% discount at both locations, so be sure to mention us! Regional air travel to/from San Jose and FBV: - Visitors of Finca Bellavista can fly to either Golfito or Palmar Sur, and be a ½-hour drive to Finca Bellavista. The two regional carriers are: Sansa Airlines (www.flysansa.com) and Nature Air (www.natureair.com) We recommend flying into Golfito, as the view and experience flying into the airport there is unforgettable. Driving from San Jose: - You should plan at least 5-7 hours to drive to Finca Bellavista from the international airport in San Jose, and at least 8-10 hours from the international airport in Liberia. (Remember to factor in the time involved getting through customs & immigration, renting a car, stopping for fuel, getting lost, etc.) These timeframes are estimated, and are completely dependent upon the state of the roads and your party’s navigational capabilities. Remember that maps of Costa Rica are misleading, and, 99% of the time it takes longer than you imagine to get somewhere. Do not rely entirely upon GPS in Costa Rica... maps and signage are continuously out of date and don’t seem to have any consistency. Remember NEVER leave valuables or passports in your car. Renting A Car: - Renting a car and driving in Costa Rica allows total freedom of movement, though it is pricier here than in other countries. You are at the mercy of the state of the roads, however. - Road conditions vary greatly depending on the location of the route and the season. Always check conditions before you decide your route. Our suggested driving route from San Jose to Finca Bellavista is the new Caldera Toll Road and Coastal route (34), which takes drivers from San Jose through the Jaco area. From there, take the newly paved Costanera through Palmar and south to Finca Bellavista. If you are not in a hurry, consider taking the
road over Cerro de los Muertes, through San Isidro el General, through Buenos Aires, Palmar, then south on the InterAmericana. If you are driving, please use the utmost care to drive slowly and cautiously through the small villages nearby FBV. Our visitors make a lasting impression, and whether you realize it or not, you are driving too fast. Taxis: - Taxis are readily available in Palmar and Golfito for the last 30 minutes to Finca Bellavista. (A 4x4 is required on the gravel 4x4 road from the InterAmericana to FBV.). Negotiate the fare BEFORE you get into the taxi, and ensure that the driver understands the directions to Finca Bellavista (they are in English and Spanish below). We will not arrange taxis for our visitors until they are on-site and able to accept payment responsibility for taxi service OR pre- pay for it. Please click here for a list of taxi driver telephone numbers. By Bus: - Bus travel in Costa Rica can be a great experience, and an easy, affordable way to get around the country. The organization of bus stations, stops, and schedules might be overwhelming at first, and speaking Spanish makes the difference between having a good or bad experience. We recommend that you, or someone in your party, have a conversational level of Spanish prior to embarking on a bus journey through Costa Rica. Arriving/departing from San Jose: - If you are relatively comfortable with Spanish or taking a bus, it will be the most cost-effective way to get to the finca. You will need to go to the TRACOPA BUS STATION (please ensure you are going to Tracopa, and not one of the other bus stations). The bus schedules you will want to look for are southbound busses, for example: San Jose to Paso Canoas, Golfito, Rio Claro, or Ciudad Neilly. All of these busses will travel directly past the entrance to Finca Bellavista and near the small town of Piedras Blancas. You will need to request the Piedras Blancas stop ahead of time or make arrangements with the bus driver to notify you of the stop. - The Tracopa station in Piedras Blancas will have a current list of taxi options to take you the remainder of the way to Finca Bellavista. You will not want to walk up the hill to Finca Bellavista from La Florida, please do not attempt it no matter how good of shape you are in! - If you want to take the guesswork out of planning your bus travel in/around San Jose and to the finca, check into http://costaricabustickets.com
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Costa Rica signage is lacking, so pay attention to the landmarks described below. Also, FBV does not have signs on the main road due to privacy reasons and our inability to accommodate drop-in, unscheduled visitors. From the North (Dominical/Uvita, Palmar, San Isidro): - Head south on the InterAmericana Highway through Palmar and across the gigantic bridge over the Terraba River. Continue heading south (about 30 minutes) through Chacarita, then through the town of Piedras Blancas. You will cross over the Piedras Blancas River, and might see small blue telephone sign on the right-hand side of the road indicating La Florida. You will pass the Rancho Guiri Guiri on your left. About 100 meters after Rancho Guiri Guiri, you will see a blue and gray schoolhouse/community center complex on the corner on the left hand side of the highway. (The logged distance from Palmar to La Florida is roughly 39 kilometers or 24 miles!!!) Turn left on the gravel road right in front of the complex, engage your 4- wheel drive, and head up the road 1.5 miles. You will see the Finca Bellavista sign on the left, where you will also turn left. Please come in through the marked entrance gate next to the river and proceed to parking area. Stop into the pulperia in La Florida next to the soccer field for any last-minute purchases, including the only selection of wines (there are usually two or three but you will have to ask for them from storage). Desde El Norte (Dominical/Uvita, Palmar, San Isidro): - Dirí jase al sur sobre la Carretera Interamericana a través de Palmar y otro lado del puente sobre el río Térraba. Continuar hacia el sur unos 30 minutos, a través de la Chacarita, luego a través de la ciudad de Piedras Blancas. Se cruzará sobre el río Piedras Blancas, y verá un letrero pequeño teléfono azul en el lado derecho de la carretera que indica la Florida. Pasará el Guiri Guiri Rancho a su izquierda. Unos 100 metros después del Rancho, podrás ver una escuela de azul y gris / complejo del centro de la comunidad en la esquina en el lado izquierdo de la carretera. (En totalla distancia es 39 kilometros desde Palmar). Gire a la izquierda a la derecha camino de ripio en frente del complejo, y la cabeza por la carretera cerca de 1,5 millas. Usted verá la señal Finca Bellavista de la izquierda, donde se gira a la izquierda. Por favor, entrar por las puertas al lado del río y el parque en la zona de aparcamiento. From the South (Paso Canoas, Rio Claro, Golfito): - Head north on the InterAmericana Highway from Rio Claro. In 23 kilometers, (after crossing over the Esquinas River and passing the palm oil extraction plant) you might see a small blue telephone sign indicating the village of La Florida on the right-hand side of the road. Just beyond the sign, you will see a blue and gray schoolhouse/community center complex also on the righthand side of the road on the corner. (The logged distance from Rio Claro to this point is roughly 14.2 miles or 23 kilometers!!!) Turn right onto the gravel road next to the complex, engage your 4-wheel drive, and head up the road about 1.5 miles. You will see the Finca Bellavista sign on the left, where you will also turn left. Please come in through the marked entrance gates next to the river and park in the parking area. Stop into the pulperia in La Florida next to the soccer field for any last-minute purchases, including the only selection of wines (there are usually two or three) and the most reasonably priced in the area. You will need to ask for the wine.
please REMEMBER THAT WE CANNOT ACCEPT DROP-IN OR UNSCHEDULED VISITORS
F in c a
B e l l av i s ta
Desde El Sur: - Diríjase hacia el norte sobre la Carretera Interamericana de Río Claro. Después de 23 kiometros, (cruzando el río Esquinas y pasando el aceite de palma planta de extracción) podrás ver una pequeña señal de teléfono azul que indica el pueblo de La Florida en la parte derecha de la carretera. Más allá del signo, podrás ver una escuela de azul y gris / complejo centro de la comunidad también en la parte derecha de la carretera de la esquina. (En total, la distancia es 23 kilometros desde Rio Claro). Girar a la derecha el camino de grava al lado del complejo, y la cabeza por la carretera cerca de 1,5 millas. Usted verá la señal Finca Bellavista de la izquierda, donde se gira a la izquierda. Por favor, entrar por las puertas al lado del río y el parque en la zona de aparcamiento. (FYI, Río Claro tiene varias tiendas de comestibles y es el lugar más conveniente dejar de venir desde el sur para los artículos ... Nuestra tienda favorita de ventanilla única es Super Sur.) * Tracción en las 4 ruedas se necesario en el camino de ripio desde La Florida a la finca, así como para explorar la región mayor de Osa. Los autobuses se detendrán en la Parada en el pueblo de La Florida (de Osa), solo tiene que solicitar la parada! From Puerto Jimenez/Osa Region: - Drive to Chacarita, then turn south on the InterAmericana Highway. Drive through the town of Piedras Blancas. You will cross over the Piedras Blancas River, and might see small blue telephone sign on the right-hand side of the road indicating La Florida. You will pass the Rancho Guiri Guiri on your left. About 100 meters after Rancho Guiri Guiri, you will see a blue and gray schoolhouse/community center complex on the corner on the left hand side of the highway. Turn left on the gravel road right in front of the complex, engage your 4- wheel drive, and head up the road 1.5 miles. You will see the Finca Bellavista sign on the left, where you will also turn left. Please come in through the marked entrance gate next to the river and proceed to parking area.Stop into the pulperia in La Florida next to the soccer field for any last-minute purchases, including the only selection of wines (there are usually two or three but you will have to ask for them from storage). You WILL NOT want to hike up the hill to FINCA BELLAVISTA from La Florida. It is a STEEP, UPHILL, PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY EXHAUSTING 3 kilometer hike. Please DO NOT ATTEMPT this hike no matter how good of shape you are in!
TURN AT LA FLORIDA, THIS IS THE SIGN YOU WILL SEE