TRAVEL
INFORMATION
Traveling in Costa Rica
requires time and patience.
An adaptable attitude will help immensely.
Bus schedules tend to be unreliable and often change.
Also, it is easy to be misled by untruthful taxi drivers.
There are many options for traveling to Rainsong. The best option for
you depends on various factors:
1. Ability to speak Spanish.
2. Travel budget and time factor.
3. Flight arrival time.
4. Number of people traveling together.
The most direct way to reach
Rainsong in Cabuya is to fly into the
Juan SantaMaria International Airport, near Alajuela/San Jose.
then choose one of the travel options below to continue your adventure
to rainsong.
Flying into the International Airport at Liberia might 'look' closer on
the map, but it's very complicated and expensive to get over to
Rainsong from that airport. Below you can find detail on how to do so, but we highly recommend flying to San Jose.
FROM SAN JOSE
There are plenty of nice hotels in nearby Alajuela, 5 minutes from the
International Airport .
We always send our volunteers to stay at Trotamundos, a very cozy
& friendly small hotel owned by a good friend to Rainsong, Alex.
You can make reservations by contacting them
at +506 2430-5832 or emailing info@hosteltrotamundos.com. Free
breakfast and wifi.
We strongly recommend making reservations in advance as Trotamundos is a favorite for backpackers.
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PUBLIC DIRECT SHUTTLE :
SAFE, FAST, COMFORTABLE.
$50 per person (dropoff at Rainsong or any other rainsong lodging
options in Cabuya).
If your flight comes in later than 2pm, (to make the 5pm ferry),
Rainsong can recommend where to stay in nearby Alajuela.
Hotel Trotamundos - tel # - +506 2430-5832 (owner Alex,
speaks English, and is very helpful).
To get to the hotel, you will have to take an official orange taxi from the airport.
DO NOT take one of the independent red taxis waiting outside the airport.
You will risk being driven around for hours and charged for the time. Alajuela is only 5 minutes from the International Airport.
The shuttle will pick you up at your hotel at around 8am (May thru
November)..
In high season there are 2 shuttle services daily.
6 am, and 2pm leaving the Central Valley area.
While staying in San Jose-Alajuela, if time allows, you might like to
visit ZooAve in Alajuela. ZooAve is a very active NGO in rescue and
rehabilitation for Costa Rica's wildlife. Very nice zoo.
DIRECT BUS TO MONTEZUMA - $15 pp,
Then to Cabuya by bus - $2
or taxi - $14
To Rainsong / Cabuya.
The direct bus to Montezuma departs daily from downtown San Jose.
You have to take the morning bus for bus connections thru to Rainsong.
The pm bus puts you into Montezuma late. The bus station is in a risky neighborhood, so watch your stuff at
all times.
WE STRONGLY DISCOURAGE THIS OPTION.
since the bus company no longer allows passengers to board at the
International Airport near Alajuela,
this becomes a very undesirable option, since now you have to take a
taxi to San Jose [$25], and usually overnight to wait for the morning
bus.
STAY IN NEARBY ALAJUELA IF AN OVERNIGHT STAY IS NECESSARY.
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CHEAP BUS OPTION
ONLY FOR THE ADVENTUROUS !
For those adventurous spirits seeking direct cultural immersion and
exchange, [and you’d like to avoid an overnight stay in the city
Alajuela, to wait for the next morning shuttle transfer],
Try this travel option if your flight gets in before noon. Even if your
Spanish is very limited, you’ll find the Ticos are happily very
helpful, in general.
WE STRONGLY URGE YOU NOT TO GO INTO SAN JOSE TO TAKE THE DIRECT BUS TO
MONTEZUMA.
Not only that, the taxi from the airport to the direct bus terminal in
San Jose costs around $25 as well.
At the International Airport, [Alajuela/San Jose], as
you exit the airport terminal, take an orange airport taxi to LA RADIAL, ALAJUELA - the taxi should cost no more than $6.
There is a bus to PUNTARENAS every hour. The buses stop in front of the
little shopping center.
It’s very cheap!
Once in Puntarenas, get a taxi to the ferry landing for Paquera.
There is another ferry that lands at the same place that goes to Playa
Naranjo -Guanacaste.
Lots of people end up on the wrong ferry, so be alert.
The last ferry to Paquera with bus connections thru to Rainsong/Cabuya
leaves Puntarenas at 2:00pm. You can still take a later ferry, then pay
a taxi from Montezuma to Rainsong/Cabuya, for $14.
At the Paquera ferry landing, get on the bus to Montezuma.
In Montezuma....
The last bus to Cabuya leaves Montezuma at 4p. There are usually taxis
at the bus stop in Montezuma,
if you have missed the last bus to Cabuya, then just get a taxi. After
dark, a taxi to Cabuya should cost around $14.
Clarify the price before getting into the taxi.
Rainsong has taxi friends who give the Rainsong volunteers a fair fee.
If you are having problems locating a taxi, call Rainsong, 8884 8444,
we will send a taxi to bring you to Cabuya.
Be clear about your destination in Cabuya.
HAPPY TRAILS!!!
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If a stay-over in Puntarenas is
unavoidable………..
HOTEL HELEN, one & 1/2 blocks north of the san
jose bus station (away from the oceanside), just before the traffic
light.
$8 per person - dorm room, includes fan, tv, (shared bath)
$20 -private room (double) - fan, tv, private bathroom.
tel # 2661 2159 Olivier - owner (limited english spoken).
NO RESERVATIONS NECESSARY, DROP-INS WELCOME !
HOTEL CAYUGA in Puntarenas - Don Mario - owner, Fatima - administrator
phone # 2661 0244 (no english spoken)
for a few dollars more, you can stay at this nicer hotel with great
security and a bar / restaurant .
simple single room - $15 U.S. /// double - $20, includes private bath
& air conditioning.
deluxe suite - $40 U.S. for 2 guests - includes small fridge, AC, cable
TV, private bath.
reservations aren't really necessary, especially during offseason.
if you miss the ferry, this is the place to go to.
For a 3 star hotel option, stay at LAS BRISAS two blocks from
the ferry landing, 2661- 4040 - owner, Tony speaks English. Free
breakfast buffet, wifi, swimming pool, A/C, Cable TV, hot water.
Reservations necessary. info@lasbrisashotelcr.com.
www.lasbrisashotelcr.com.
WE STRONGLY URGE YOU
NOT TO GO OUT AT NIGHT IN PUNTARENAS !!!
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If you are traveling alone, try to join up with others going the same
way.
We hope these suggestions make your trip more enjoyable and less
stressful. Please mention that you are a Rainsong volunteer at the
hotels and when calling for a Taxi Service.
Rainsong´s favorite taxi drivers:
Doniceo - tel # 8367 5368 private shuttle and tour service
Noñyo - Cobano and beyond- tel # 8899 4918
Evelio - Cobano and beyond - tel # 8818 3895, 8892 6066
all the above taxis have full insurance and permits.
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