Casa Roja Planning
and Arrival Guide

Hotel Shuttle

Local airport hotels provide shuttles that can be found to the right when you exit the airport terminal. The closest hotels (Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express) use the same shuttle van that runs 24-hours a day at 15-minute intervals. As you exit the airport, the shuttle pick-up area for all hotels is just a few steps to the right. There is no sign designating a pick-up location, so expect to be a little unsure; just wait a few minutes and you’ll notice various shuttle vans stopping to drop-off/pick-up passengers. Here you will see Deli Malinche, a good place to grab a little food or drink, although don’t expect much. According to the internet it opens at 5 a.m. (but we have seen it open after 7 a.m.) and closes at 10 p.m.

With rental fee, insurance, and taxes, expect to pay prices similar to those in your home country. When you get a quote from a rental car company, make sure it includes full insurance, and be wary if the price is too good to be true. Some companies will quote tourists ridiculously low prices, only to inform them of the government-required insurance at the time of rental, which can double or triple the final cost of the rental.

If you are going to rent a car and drive anywhere in Costa Rica, save Google Maps data for offline use (plan ahead and do so while connected to the internet). Most roads around Costa Rica are easy to navigate, but you will appreciate Google Maps when navigating from and to the airport or when needing to travel into or through San José. Do not leave anything in parked rental cars (including the faceplate of the car stereo!), especially in resort towns such as Jacó (perhaps the worst town for petty theft in Costa Rica), Quepos/Manuel Antonio, or Dominical. Some popular destinations have parking attendants that provide some level of security, and you should opt for these when available. Police may also ticket and remove the license plates of (allegedly) illegally parked vehicles. Police will remove the plates, only the rental car agency can retrieve them, and it’s a lengthy process. The rental car agency will bring you a replacement car, but it can get expensive.

Whether after a late night arrival in Costa Rica or before an early morning departure as you return home, sometimes it’s convenient to stay at one of the hotels near the airport. The Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express are next to each other, 5 minutes from the airport by shuttle. There’s nothing special about these two hotels other than convenience, and the only restaurants in walking distance are Denny’s, RostiPollo, and Casino Fiesta. Both hotels use the same shuttle van that runs 24-hours a day at 15-minute intervals. Conveniently, there is a rental car building directly across the street from these hotels, including offices for Solid Rent A Car, ACE Rent A Car, Vamos Rent A Car, Toyota Rent A Car, and Thrifty Car Rental.

Additional, perhaps better, hotel options are available a little further from the airport. The Double Tree by Hilton Cariari San José is 10 minutes from the airport and has a hint of Costa Rican feel, whereas others have an airport-hotel chain feel. For a reasonable price, they have nicer rooms, a much better pool, and a shopping center with a cool little market (Fresh Market), a sushi restaurant, a pizza place, a few other restaurants and a pharmacy within walking distance (all of these can be viewed on Google Maps). The hotel offers a free shuttle; however, it only departs from the hotel on the hour starting at 4:00 am until 10:00 pm, and departs from the airport every hour starting at 4:30 am until 10:30 pm. If you don’t want to wait at the airport for the shuttle, you can take a taxi for a small fee. The more upscale Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda Belen is also in the general area (it has a spa). The Marriott has a free shuttle, but you have to call their shuttle service to arrange pick up.

Clothing and Sun Protection

Breathable fabrics are lighter, take up less space in your luggage and can be worn more than once, helping you to pack light. Focus on practical, effective clothes that will keep you dry and comfortable. Modern breathable fabrics are highly recommended over cotton. We have laundry facilities on site and will wash clothes for you as needed.

Although everyone has a different level of tolerance to sun exposure, generally, the more protected you are against the sun, the better you will feel. A breathable long-sleeved shirt is invaluable, especially if you are fair-skinned. Both guide-style expedition shirts and the newer oceanwear style are appropriate, and both are popular with locals. If you are going snorkeling or will spend a lot of time swimming, consider a surfer-style shirt (rash guard) to protect you while in the water. Although seldom stylish, broad brim hats help protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun.

Sunglasses are a necessity, even in the rainy season. Sunglasses with polarized lenses offer the best protection. A leash to keep from losing them is also a good idea.

Sunscreen and insect repellent are provided, so you don’t need to pack any. However, feel free to bring your own if you have brand preferences. You may also need them on other parts of your trip. Be aware that customs officials in Costa Rica can be strict with liquids, and we have seen liquids confiscated from both checked and carry-on luggage. Sunscreen and repellent can also be bought in stores everywhere in Costa Rica, but both are ridiculously expensive. We have had good luck getting the wet-wipe style bug repellent and sunscreen through customs (such as Repel 94100 Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes). Buy bulk packs rather than individually wrapped towelettes.

Money

Dollars are accepted everywhere and can be withdrawn from ATMs. Everyone prefers dollars, but change will usually be given in the local currency, Costa Rican Colones. ATMs are available in Jacó, Quepos, Dominical, and Palmar Norte. There is no ATM in Sierpe or Drake Bay. Maximum withdrawal per transaction and/or day is around 200 USD at most ATMs. Please consider that ATMs are unreliable. You can bring large bills (50s and 100s in USD) for tips and tours, and 10s and 20s for shopping at local stores. Most places accept credit cards in Costa Rica, but you can’t pay for shuttles, Corcovado, or Caño Island tours with a credit card.

The tourism industry in Costa Rica is tip-based, so please factor tips into your planning. You’ll find that there is a pretty high level of professionalism among the people that work in the tourism industry, and of course only tip if you feel you received excellent service. This includes Argenis and Graciela at Casa Roja. They are permanent staff and are well paid, but they work extremely hard 24/7 to accommodate guests. We find that most guest are enthusiastic about their experience and appreciate the opportunity reward them.

Personal items

We provide a variety of sizes of insulated reusable water bottles, but consider bringing your favorite one from home for use throughout your trip. We do not use bottled water. Our tap water is sourced from two streams in the pristine jungle behind Casa Roja, triple filtered and UV treated prior to reaching the house. Tap water is drinkable at Casa Roja and throughout the country.

A flashlight is an essential item at the boca. Whereas a water bottle is a critical item during the day, a flashlight is at night. It will help you locate animals on night hikes with Argenis, and a flashlight small enough to carry in your pocket is suitable. A small number of flashlights are available for you to use at Casa Roja.

Bring medications and other essential personal items. We have a well-stocked medical cabinet to address minor aches and pains, but please bring medications and personal items you consider essential.

Cannabis in Costa Rica. Cannabis is illegal in Costa Rica, although popular opinion is in favor of legalization, and there is movement in that direction. Police often turn a blind eye to cannabis possession and use, especially in tourist areas, but they are also known to apply laws indiscriminately, so don’t chance it. Purchasing cannabis in beach towns leaves you vulnerable to arrest and in contact with people that will rip you off at best, harm you at worst

Checkpoints along highways are common, especially in southern Costa Rica where they watch for electronics and personal goods brought in tax-free from Panama. At these checkpoints it is legal for the police to search vehicles and they sometimes do. We’ve never seen them stop and search tourist shuttles. If you are a medicinal cannabis patient in your country, please contact us prior to your trip for additional information.

We have wireless internet and a bluetooth speaker, but no TV or radio. We doubt you’ll want to spend much time in front of a screen, but if you think you might want that option, make sure you download movies and TV shows on your personal devices before you leave your home country. Some streaming services prevent downloading and can restrict access in foreign countries, so be aware and check with your preferred service before you leave. We have a variety of extra cables and chargers, but try to remember all the items you need to charge and otherwise keep your electronic devices operating. Keep in mind we are off the grid, and recharging can take longer than you are used to at home.

We have a variety of Costa Rican wildlife books available at the house for you to use. These include field identification guides for mammals, insects, birds, etc., as well as books on natural history, geology, and environment. Argenis is an expert guide who will spot and identify wildlife with you throughout your stay.

We also have binoculars, a spotting scope, and a telescope. If you are a serious birder and have favorite binoculars, please bring them. If you’re an average wildlife viewer, we have you covered with a variety of options. We also have a telescope for star gazing at night, generally best in the dry season during the new moon phase. The best star gazing is at mountain rainforest lodges, since the air is thinner with less ocean water vapor in the air.

We expect that activities at and around Casa Roja will keep you plenty busy during your stay, and most things can be arranged on a day-to-day basis. However, if you are considering visits to Corcovado National Park or diving trips to Caño Island, we urge you to plan these activities ahead of time due to visitation limits and preparation logistics.

Corcovado and Caño Island Tours

We can arrange tours to Corcovado and Caño Island for our guests. A private full day tour including boat, captain, first mate, ecoguide, park permits, and lunch usually runs about $700 USD. Caño Island tours include snorkeling equipment and SCUBA tours can be arranged as well. Tour prices can vary slightly depending on time of year, number of people, etc. Please be flexible and understand that we do not add fees to the tours, and we try to get the best rates we can for our guests.

Access to Corcovado National park is possible at two locations from Casa Roja by boat, San Pedrillo and Sirena. Guests looking to visit the park during their stay often struggle with choosing their entry points. San Pedrillo Ranger station is the more northerly entrance point to the park, a much shorter boat ride from Casa Roja (about 45 – 60 minutes) and the area of the park we recommend for day trips. Less travel time means more time in the park.

At San Pedrillo, the main habitat is primary rainforest, with old growth trees, waterfalls and pristine beaches, and odds are that there will be less tourists on any given day than at Sirena. You’ll have the same chances of spotting wildlife at San Pedrillo as at Sirena during day trips, though you might be more likely to see a Puma here. Tapir sightings tend to be a little more common at Sirena, where the park headquarters are located, about a two-hour boat ride south along the coast from the boca. Overnight stays at the station’s bunkhouses are possible and maximize your chances to spot some of the less common species. Much of the forest in this area is second-growth, meaning it was previously logged but has regrown since the area was granted protected status in 1975.

Please note that all visitors to the park must be accompanied by a certified guide, and the number of daily visitors allowed in the park is limited. We can help you arrange tours with local guides, but please be sure to let us know well ahead of your trip – up to 30 days or more in advance, especially if you intend to stay in the park overnight. Tour operator and guide are usually paid in cash at the end of the day, typically in USD (Euros, checks, and credit cards are not accepted). If you are uncomfortable carrying a significant amount of cash, we can add the tour costs to your
invoice.

Jacó

About two hours south of San José, Jacó is the first beach town you pass on your trip south to Casa Roja. Due to its proximity to San José, Jacó is Costa Rica’s most popular beach town and frequently a venue for surfing competitions and other international events. Various tours and activities originate here, and a number of larger stores provide access to goods that are difficult to obtain in smaller towns and rural areas (international brands, pharmaceutical products, etc.). Jacó boasts a lively nightlife with a wide assortment of bars, restaurants and clubs, but as a result also attracts some “seedy” characters, narcotics, and prostitution. It’s far from a typical Costa Rican town, and could perhaps be considered the Costa Rican equivalent of Cabo San Lucas or Cancun in Mexico. We tend to shy away during the high season, as the main road is choked with tourists, and the nighttime party crowd is significant. Jacó is most enjoyable over the summer (May – October), when Costa Ricans are as prevalent as foreign tourists.

ATMs – The easiest ATM to find is at the south entrance to Jacó Walk. A maximum of $300 USD can be withdrawn, more than most other ATMs in Costa Rica. Additional ATMs can be found at various banks, including Banco Nacional, Banco Popular and Banco de Costa Rica, all located along the main street that parallels the beach (Avenida Pastor Diaz).

Koko’s Gastro Pub and Flamboyant Apartotel – This is our secret, so please don’t tell anyone. This is the best place to stay in Jacó and it’s almost exclusively locals enjoying a family weekend at the beach. Expect a lot of kids and families using the pool all day. But it’s right on the beach and quiet at night, located on a small side street in the heart of town. Perhaps best of all, they recently opened a restaurant that has great food. Make sure you try the plantain poppers, ceviche, fish tacos, and don’t even think about missing Tuna Thursday!

Grafitti Restro Café and Wine Bar – Grafitti is a relaxing, upscale (for Jacó, you can still wear shorts) restaurant located at the rear of the Jacó Walk, on the left-hand side, that has indoor and outdoor seating. Grafitti has great atmosphere, food, and service, not to mention the best wine selection in Jacó, which makes it a great choice for a nice dinner. You can also order beer from Puddle Fish which is next door. The walk also has a cigar shop, localmade bikini shop, RadioShack, optometrists, and a plastic-free store. There is an ATM at the south end of the Jacó Walk, and clean restrooms are available at the back of the walk, behind Grafitti restaurant, that can be handy when you are out-and-about in Jacó during the day.

The Beer House – This is a must visit for serious beer enthusiasts. A small tap room tucked away in a quiet corner off the main street, The Beer House offers 10 taps with Costa Rican brews you won’t find anywhere else south of San José. It has a cozy environment with an expat feel and music. Open only in the evening, sometimes closed during the slow season or when they go on vacation.

Pachi’s Pan Café – Coffee to go can be hard to find in Costa Rican towns, especially at 6 am! That’s why we like Pachi’s on the main street in Jacó, for early morning coffee, pastries, and bread. Open 6 am to 10 pm daily.

Frequently highlighted in travel publications as a must-see in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is a popular destination for tourists visiting southern Costa Rica. Although the park is beautiful, it is heavily visited during the high season, and the area can suffer from traffic congestion along the narrow road leading from Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park, where the road dead-ends. This small national park is easily accessible, but often crowded. The surrounding area attracts petty theft and tourist scams, and much of the wildlife has grown emboldened by illegal feeding and careless visitors. That said, the area is lively with lots of hotels, restaurants, and activities for kids, so it is popular with families and can be a fun place to visit. If you stay in the area, it’s best to have a car, or at least be prepared to use taxis, as places to eat and things to do are spread out along the road leading from Quepos to the park. Despite – or perhaps because of – being highlighted in most travel guides on Costa Rica, we typically advise against traveling to the Quepos area solely to visit Manuel Antonio, particularly during the high season (December through April).

Burrito Hub – On the right-hand side as you pass through Uvita, the Burrito Hub is hard to miss. The owners are Washington expats with great stories to tell, and terrific food using only fresh, organic ingredients. Even their tortillas are made fresh daily, and the Gringo Tacos might be the best tacos anywhere! They also serve Whale Tail beer, which is locally brewed in Uvita. If you are on your way to Sierpe and just can’t wait any longer to eat, this is your stop.