Location Services Guide - Finca Bellavista

GETTING HERETRANSPORTATION TO FINCA BELLAVISTA:These are our best-known travel tips in and around the country. Wetry to keep these as updated as possible. Please review these priorto making your travel plans to FBV. Your desired travel plans andout suggested itineraries will depend largely on your budget andtimeframe within the country. Many maps are deceiving, and traveltimes usually take much more time and effort than in developedcountries.Air travel to/from Costa Rica:We normally recommend that travellers flying into Costa Ricacome into the international airport in San Jose (Juan SantamariaInternational Airport). The airport in Liberia is the furthest pointfrom Finca Bellavista (geographically speaking) in the country. It isnear the Nicaraguan border, and we are near the Panamanian border.Regional air travel to/from San Jose and FBV:Visitors of Finca Bellavista can fly to a handful of regional airportswithin a half hour’s drive to Finca Bellavista once they arrive to SanJose’s Juan Santa Maria International Airport. The two regionalcarriers are:Sansa Airlines (www.flysansa.com)and Nature Air (www.natureair.com)Palmar Norte and Golfito are two regional airports within a halfhour’sdrive of the finca. We recommend flying into Golfito, as theview and experience flying into the airport is unforgettable. Thereare also more daily flight options and services for tourists.Driving:You should budget at least 5-7 hours to drive to Finca Bellavistafrom the international airport in San Jose, and at least 8 hours fromthe international airport in Liberia. (Remember the time involvedin getting through customs & immigration, getting a rental car, etc.)These timeframes are estimated, and are completely dependent uponthe state of the roads and your party’s navigational capabilities.Remember that maps of Costa Rica are misleading, and, 99% of thetime it takes longer than you imagine to get somewhere. Plan yourroute before you take it, then stop and ask if you need directions.You will likely get lost no matter how good your navigationalcapabilities, and you should factor this into your driving times. Donot rely on GPS or navigational aids in Costa Rica... to date, we havenot heard a good ending to any of these stories! Remember NEVERto leave valuables or passports in your car. It is best to carry themwith you or leave them in a safe.Renting A Car:-Renting a car and driving in Costa Rica allows total freedom ofmovement, though it is pricier here than in other countries. You cancover a lot of ground without delay, and you can stop and sightseewherever you want. You are at the mercy of the state of the roads,however.-When you get your rental car, the representative will have youcheck the car for nicks, dents, and adequate tires. Exaggerate thisprocedure. Also, be sure to fill the car to the required fuel level beforeyou return it, or be prepared to pay very high per gallon prices forwhat the gas tank may be lacking. It is best not to speed, and thespeed limit signs are in kilometers. If you are pulled over by thepolice, they will want to see your rental papers and your passport(or a copy of it). Be polite, but never let them keep either of thesedocuments. Also, do not pay the police for the ticket. You pay theticket to the rental car company when you turn in the car. Payingthe police creates corruption.-Road conditions vary greatly depending on the location of the routeand the season. Always check conditions before you decide yourroute. Our suggested driving route from San Jose to Finca Bellavistais the new Caldera Toll Road and Coastal route, which takes driversfrom San Jose through the Jaco area. From there, take the newlypaved Costanera through Palmar and on down to Finca Bellavista.For another beautiful mountain route, consider taking the road overCerro de los Muertes, through San Isidro el General, through BuenosAires, Palmar, then south on the InterAmericana.If you are driving, please use the utmost care to driveslowly and cautiously through the small villages nearbyFBV. Automobiles are still a rarity around us, and ourvisitors make a lasting impression. We receive all of thecomplaints for drivers abusing the area roads, so pleasetake this into consideration.-We use Solid Car Rental. Their number is 506- 2775 3333 or theirwebsite is www.solidcarrental.com. They have a branch in Golfito,and can arrange pick-ups, drop-offs, and one-way rentals. Even tothe finca!Taxis:-Taxis are readily available in Palmar and Golfito for the last 30minutes to Finca Bellavista. (A 4x4 is currently required on thegravel 4x4 road from the InterAmericana to FBV.). Negotiate thefare BEFORE you get into the taxi, and ensure that the driverunderstands the directions to Finca Bellavista (they are in Englishand Spanish below). A fare from Golfito should be around $50,depending on the size of your party and vehicle, and about $60-$70from Palmar. From Paso Canoas, it should be around $60. We willnot arrange taxis for our visitors until they are on-site and able toaccept payment responsibility for taxi service OR pre- pay for it. Weapologize for any inconvenience this may cause your party. You cancall the Central office at 2789-8989. Be sure to request a 4x4 taxi.By Bus:-Bus travel is cheap and very good with very comfortable and cleanseats, on par with tour buses in the United States. For a regionalbus schedule, please check http://thebusschedule.com/EN/cr/. Thisis the most useful and complete schedule of busses in Costa Rica thatwe have access to, and will likely be the only one you will be able tofind on the Internet!-Bus travel in Costa Rica can be a great experience, and an easy,affordable way to get around the country. The organization of busstations, stops, and schedules might be overwhelming at first, andspeaking Spanish can certainly make the difference between having