New Years Eve in CR

There will be plenty of places to hang out (Discos) in various areas of San Jose, but most people have left for the beaches, as its a big holiday for locals. San Jose on the surface will be very quiet overall. Most travelers avoid the big city and get out.

The beaches is where to be at, but you need to keep in mind that the locals are headed there too and buses to beaches will be full, standing room only. Locals camp on beaches over NYE, where ever they please.

The closest beach with a good party scene, especially if you are a male, is Playa Jaco, is under 3 hours west from SJO, this is a rather raunchy nightlife, since prostitution is legal, and its more like a bachelor party 24/7 7 days a week. The town itself is nothing special other than the fact it has great surfing.

The next closest area will be Quepos/Manual Antonio, about 3.5 hours from SJO, this area is popular with honeymooners/couples and families and has a vibrant gay nightlife on weekends in the clubs/lounges.

Otherwise, you need to head to the popular beach/surf towns, which will be jamming with a good time for all, like Playa Tamarindo, Samara/Nosora, or Mal Pais/Montezuma, all 6 hours from SJ.

On the caribe coast you have Pt Viejo, 5 hours from SJ. This may be your best bet too as it has buses every 2 hours, where as the bus options to the other beaches tend to be very limited after 1PM, as it gets dark at 6PM.

So, you can rent a car oneway, and drop it, or get a Interbus shuttle to almost all these beaches, though some depart before 1PM as well. Tamarindo you can fly to...Sansa Air or Nature Air, just a 40 minute flight...

The other places which will have something going on, due to so many travelers ready to celebrate, would be La Fortuna-Arenal, 3 hours from SJO.

Just keep in mind most the bus stations are downtown San Jose, so you need to bus 45 minutes from SJO into downtown, or taxi for $30. Some buses going west, stop in Alajuela, which is where SJO is located, and a $5 taxi ride from airport, or $1 bus ride, to La Radial bus stop, or, some you can flag down on the road to, but they may be full.

You best bet maybe to find someone on your plane renting a car and ask and headed to a beach, and ask them for aloft, especially surfers with boards in baggage claim, or they hire a van/driver and have plenty to room. Or, look at the beach hotel shuttle drivers picking up guest, and ask driver if you can get a lift, usually about $50 (same as a shuttle) and they may just pocket the money on the down low.

Most hotel shuttles are head to either Jaco area or Quepos/MA...as the Pacific beaches most fly into Liberia (LIR) as its much short drive to beaches than SJO.

Hope that helps...

http://nicoyapeninsula.com/nicoyasouth.php

https://www.puertoviejosatellite.com

If you are going to be on the beach you need to get your accommodation booked quick! You don't say how long your journey is into CR which somewhat dictates how much further you are going to want to travel that day (the airport is in the Central Valley- its a long journey to beaches on either side plus big premiums on NYE to get there). The nearest beach with a lot going on is Jaco (actually its Puntarenas but that will be fully booked out with locals) which you can shuttle to in a couple of hours thanks to the Ruta Del Sol toll road. Book somewhere to stay now!
As above, San Jose is fairly quiet although there are always things going on plus fireworks and a friendly atmosphere amongst the Josefinas.....

right now I'm planning on staying in Puerto Viejo at Rocking J's - my flight lands around 1pm (1300) what do you think is the best way to get from the airport to PV at that time?

You'll need a shuttle and you'll need to get it booked. Contact Rocking J's to see IF they have any space and get them to recommend a shuttle...

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.