Ultimate Guide to Caribbean Travel: Transportation from San Jose to Puerto Viejo

Exploring the Caribbean: Traveling San Jose to Puerto Viejo

Embarking on a journey from San Jose to Puerto Viejo involves making a few key decisions before you travel, beginning with choosing the ideal mode of transportation, followed by selecting the right location you want to explore from, and booking the most comfortable accommodations for your personal needs.

Let’s dive into these vital aspects to enhance your Caribbean adventure. Our focus is on how to get to Puerto Viejo, a vibrant and picturesque town surrounded by charming beach communities.

1. Options for Traveling to the Caribbean

For those heading from San Jose, there are numerous transportation options available, each catering to different preferences and needs. These choices include:

• Private Transfer or Shared Shuttle: For those valuing comfort and convenience, private transfers and shared shuttles with air conditioning and WiFi are readily available. These options offer a smooth and hassle-free journey, allowing you to savor the scenic route to the Caribbean. Expect this trip to take a minimum of four hours. Pack snacks and water in case traffic causes a delay.

• Save Time and Fly: Take an exciting journey through the sky on a flight with a national airline. Sansa Airline will take you from their personal airport next to the San Jose International airport (SJO) terminal, directly to Limon (LIM). This airborne choice provides a time-saving travel alternative, taking approximately 45 minutes and offers a unique aerial perspective of the Costa Rican landscape. Once you touch down, another 45 minute taxi or shuttle ride awaits to usher you to the radiant shores of Puerto Viejo. It’s best to prearrange your ground transportation from the Limon airport to your destination on the Caribbean coast.

• Start Your Adventure Early with a Thrilling Rafting Journey: Experience world-class rafting as a pit stop along your way to the Caribbean Coast. A shuttle with your guides will collect you from San Jose, Arenal, or Puerto Viejo in the morning and drive you to the start of your whitewater adventure. You’ll embark on an unforgettable river ride, followed by lunch and onward travel to your final destination.

• Drive a Rental Car for Flexibility: For the daring traveler who wants independence, renting a car is an option. You control your pace and can stop at your leisure, taking in viewpoints. Make note that ongoing construction and road traffic due to a highway widening project makes this drive challenging, especially at night. You won’t find signs or well marked roads during this trip. We suggest if you choose this option, drive during the daylight hours. There are plenty of rental car choices throughout Costa Rica. Adobe and Alamo are well known and reputable companies, with insurance, that you may be familiar with.

2. Choosing the Perfect Location in Costa Rica's Caribbean

When considering where to stay in the Costa Rica Caribbean, the initial decision typically revolves around choosing between the towns of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita to set as your exploration point. To help you make an informed choice, refer to our blog outlining the distinctions between these two options.

If you're inclined towards Puerto Viejo, it's wise to also explore options in the nearby beach communities to understand their unique offerings. Despite Puerto Viejo’s compact size, spanning only 3 to 4 blocks, the area is teeming with an impressive selection of hotels, hostels, eateries, bars, and shops. Opting for accommodation here, in the town center, ensures easy access to the vibrant pulse of the town.

Meanwhile, keep in mind that neighboring beach communities like Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo are undergoing rapid development and offer even more choices for a comfortable stay. These areas provide serene alternatives with splendid beachfront opportunities, yet only a few minutes drive from Puerto Viejo, which is perfect for those seeking a quieter environment, with nature all around, but still close to the action.

3. Securing the Perfect Accommodations:

Your options are plentiful. From luxury to rustic, you’ll find what your looking for. We suggest using Booking.com to search for hotels and using Airbnb to search for more personalized and quaint options.

When booking accommodation in the Caribbean, it's important to gather all necessary information to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Here are some questions you might consider asking your hotel or host before making a reservation:

• Is the listing part of a shared property, or will I have the entire place to myself?

• How far is the property from popular attractions, beaches, restaurants, and other points of interest?

• Are there public transportation options nearby?

• What amenities are included? (e.g., Wi-Fi, air conditioning, kitchen facilities)

• Is there hot water available?

• What is the check-in and check-out process?

• Is there parking available, and is it secure?

• What’s the noise level at night?

Asking these questions can ensure that your accommodation in the Caribbean is comfortable and hassle-free.

By thoughtfully evaluating these essential aspects and planning ahead, your journey to the Caribbean, can become more enjoyable and effortless, enabling you to completely immerse yourself in the tropical jungle experience of a lifetime.