Los Chiles Getting there & around

Getting there & away

You can charter a plane to a nearby landing strip (the US government did it routinely in the 1980s), though there is currently no regular passenger service.

Drivers usually get here via Hwy 35 from Muelle, about 70 smooth, straight kilometers where huge trucks completely disregard the posted 40km/h signs, except when confronted with those awkward sugar cane–hauling contraptions lurching along at 20km/h. Skid marks do break up the monotony of endless sugar cane plantations. More scenic, if a little harder on your chassis, is the decent dirt road running for 50km to Upala, through Caño Negro, passable for normal cars throughout the dry season.

Note that you can’t drive across the border at the Los Chiles checkpoint without special permission, which is rarely granted in San José.

All buses arrive and leave from the stop on the main street across from the park. Time tables are flexible, so play it safe and inquire locally.

Ciudad Quesada US$3; two hours; depart 12 times daily from 5am to 7:15pm.

San José US$5; five hours; depart 5:30am & 3:30pm.

Upala via Caño Negro US$2.50; 2½ hours; depart 5am & 2pm.

Regular boat transport is only limited to quick shuttles across the Nicaraguan border (US$7) and various day trips throughout the region.

For most of the year, boats can be arranged to travel to Caño Negro, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Barra del Colorado and Tortuguero (US$250 to US$300) and just about everywhere else in northeastern Costa Rica that has a dock.