If I am arriving in San Jose at 1:50 what are the odds of me being able to catch a bus at Calle Central that leaves at 4:00? We should be travelling light, might be able to carry-on all of our luggage. thanks for the advice.
Anyone stay at the Coco Loco Lodge in P.V.?
schwalm
1
costaricaguide
You should be able to hop in a cab well before 3:00 (especially if you don't have to wait for baggage which puts you at the front of the customs line) and I'd say from there it's better than 3:1 odds in favor. Traffic will be the issue. It's only about a 20 minute drive if you're doing it at 2:30 a.m., unfortunately you'll be doing it at 2:30 p.m. It's still likely it'll take less than an hour. What day of the week?
Stayed at Coco Loco about ten years ago when it was brand new and loved it. It's still under the original ownership and though we haven't returned we've sent several of our friends there all to good reviews.
2
schwalm
I will be arriving on Monday. So if I can get out of the airport by 3:00 pm I shouldn't have a problem getting there by 4:00. Thanks for the help, I guess we'll stay at Coco Loco as well, I'll let you know how it was!
3
ticotim
Just so your on the right page, your headed to Pt Viejo, on the Caribe side?
If so, the last bus leaves at 3:30 PM I thought? Its also the Caribe terminal, not Coca Cola.
Also, take a taxi, its $15 from SJO to downtown, and they will take you right to the bus, saving time, and getting a seat. Otherwise, you do not want to be stuck on a bus in San Jose traffic...gridlock...then running 9 blocks to the Caribe Terminal.
It will be close, Immigration is about 15-30 minutes, if no other planes are arriving ahead of you, then a taxi to Downtown is 20-30 minutes....so it will be darn close....
4
schwalm
The bus schedule that I am looking at says it leaves at 16:00, (its on the visitcostarica.com web page) that extra half hour is what I am banking on.......
Should I (or can I ) buy bus tickets beforehand to make sure we can get a seat?
5
jogi
Schwalm, e-mail wherever you're staying in PV to verify the 4pm bus time...
You'll probably make it, but if you can get away with not making a reservation for your first night, worst comes to worst if you miss the bus is that you hunker down for the evening in San Jose, have a nice dinner, and then jump on the 6am bus in the morning. Not the end of the world. When you get into your cab, be sure to mention to the driver that you have a 4pm bus to Puerto Viejo (and then either buckle up or hang on).
Pro tip
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