Casa Roja is remotely located about 250 km (150 miles) south of San Jose, Costa Rica, in the Northern Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas Province. The casa is situated on an outcrop overlooking the point where the mouth of the Sierpe River meets the Pacific Ocean at the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetlands, and is close to wildlife refuges, ecological preserves, and Corcovado National Park. In the Osa Peninsula, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and hundreds of different tours are all within a short distance of Casa Roja. We provide all the gear and arrange guides to allow our guests to pack lightly and focus on the scenery, rather than logistics. The house is only accessible by boat from the town of Sierpe. Our nature guide will pick you up on the day of arrival and transport you 45 minutes downstream to the ocean and Casa Roja.
Getting here is half the adventure
Getting to Casa Roja
Getting to Casa Roja via Sierpe
The small town of Sierpe, about 30 km (18 miles) upriver to the east of Casa Roja, is the main entry point for those coming from the north/east of Costa Rica. You will need to arrive in Sierpe by 3:30 pm in order to travel by boat to Casa Roja the same day – we will meet you in Sierpe to take you downstream by private boat. If you have a later arrival time, Sierpe has several lodging options and restaurants, or you can spend the night in another town along the coast, such as Jacó or Dominical, and travel to Casa Roja the next day. There are several ways to get to Sierpe:
By Private Shuttle
The easiest way to get to Sierpe is to have our private shuttle driver pick you up at the airport and drive you to Sierpe, stopping to see a few Costa Rican beach towns along the way. The trip from San Jose to Sierpe takes about five hours. Shuttles can be arranged to transport you part way one day (such as to Jaco or Dominical), then pick you up to finish your trip the following day. Similar transport services are available on arrival and departure.
By Shared Shuttle Van
Several companies, including Easy Ride, Super Shuttle, Grayline, and Interbus, are available for booking a shared ride to Sierpe from San Jose, and can be cheaper than a private shuttle for small groups. Pickup is available from Juan Santamaria International Airport. Booking is usually required at least 48 hours in advance.
By Rental Car
Although we don’t recommend that first-time travelers to Costa Rica rent a car and drive to Sierpe, it is possible. Several companies offer one-way rental service, so you can pick up a car at the San Jose airport and drive directly to Sierpe, where the rental car company will pick it up, generally for about a $30 fee. This allows you the freedom to travel from San Jose to Sierpe over a day or two, stopping for a night in Jacó or Dominical, for example. The same rental car companies will provide you a car in Sierpe that you can drop off in San Jose on you return. If you decide to rent a car on your vacation, be sure to read our post on Costa Rican rental car tips.
By Air
Sansa Airlines has flights once a day to/from the airport in San Jose (Juan Santamaría International Airport, SJO) to Palmar Sur, 13 km to the north of Sierpe. These are small planes, and it may be a bumpy flight during the rainy season. We will have a car waiting for you at the airport to take you to the boat dock in Sierpe, where you will meet your guide for the week.
Getting to Casa Roja via Drake Bay
Although it’s possible for guests to arrive in Drake Bay and be transported by boat over the ocean to Casa Roja, we do not recommend this. The ocean and boca waves can be unpredictable, resulting in delays getting to the house. Let us know your travel requirements and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
River Boat Tips
Casa Roja provides boat arrival and departure transport for guests. In the rainy season, you may get wet on the boat ride. Bring a sense of adventure and don’t worry if you don’t have a poncho or rain jacket, we will provide one for you. Rain is common most afternoons during the rainy season, but you’ll find that it’s no big deal, and tropical thunderstorms can be an incredible experience. Also, arriving at Casa Roja requires a water landing on the beach, so be prepared to get your feet wet. Lightweight footwear such as flip-flops, Tevas, clogs, etc. are fine for around the house and beach (we provide tall rubber boots for jungle hikes).
As you prepare for your adventure, try to pack light. Less really is more when it comes to travel. See our available equipment and recommendations about what to bring.