We’re happy to Help!

Most of our guests fly into San Jose International Airport (SJO).

From there we can arrange for a private driver to pick you up at the airport (the driver waits immediately outside the airport with a sign with your name on it) and will bring you to your Caribbean Dream Stay. If you wish to stop along the way for a meal, a pit stop, or to do some shopping, the driver will happily accommodate at no additional charge. Recommended!

Or you can rent a car. There are a number of car rental places in Costa Rica. They also have branches in Puerto Viejo, so if you prefer the private driver to get you here, you can arrange to pick up your car in Puerto Viejo.

Sansa Air has flights from SJO Airport to Limon Airport, which is an hour away from our properties. The flight is a scenic 45 minutes over the cloud forest and rivers to a landing strip by the sea where your private van or rental car awaits.

Shared shuttles are a good way to go for a smaller group, though you are limited by their pickup and drop off locations. Caribe Shuttle and My Pink Bus are popular options. Larger groups will find the private driver more economical and flexible.

Mepe has public buses running daily to Puerto Viejo. From the airport you can take a taxi to the bus depot. Be advised there is no restroom on the bus, and it only stops once, in Limon, which is in the last hour of the 4+ hour trip (longer than most options due to the many stops to let people off along they way).

Bikes are the best! You can rent a beach cruiser from Mambo right behind our neighborhood grocery store (El Duende Gourmet/ The Gourmet Elf). You do need to be a decent bike rider as the side roads are bumpy and there isn’t always a bike lane.

Going out for the dinner? Call a tuk tuk! These red three-wheeler taxis can carry 3 people. There are also lots of taxis and vans on call to sport you to your destination. From Playa Chiquita to Puerto Viejo the typical cost is 4,000 colones which is around $8 USD. Larger groups who need a van will be charged a bit more than that. Tuk Tuks now have an app to book a ride, or you can call a local taxi or an Uber!

As mentioned in the previous FAQ you can rent a car or van, too. And don’t worry, the road up to our properties is almost level so a four-wheel drive isn’t required.

Shorts, tanks, t-shirts, a hat, flip flops or some other type of sandal, runners or hiking shoes are a great idea if you plan on zip-lining or hiking the national parks. Binoculars are an excellent option for getting up close and personal with the monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and myriads of birds. Sunscreen, bug spray and such is available here if you don’t feel like packing it.

The electrical outlets for plugging into are the same as in the US and Canada.

Any time! Each ‘season’ here has it’s advantages. While it is hard to predict the weather (we do live in a rainforest) there are months that are completely dry and months that are wetter (July and November are generally the wettest months). But even when it rains, it typically only rains for an hour or three and then clears up. And when it rains the monkeys sing! Or roar is more accurate!

When checking the daily weather report online be advised, it is rarely accurate. It often says it is raining here, when in fact the sun is out.

If you like lots of bustle, festivities, and more nightlife, come during New Years or Semana Santa. These are the two biggest holidays and boy howdy do the Costa Ricans like to celebrate! Families BBQ and hang on the beach all day, every restaurant is open and offering specials galore. The local percussion parade band sometimes takes to the streets and plays and dances up and down the main drag to everyone’s delight.

But if you want a quiet stay, come right after Semana Santa, or any other time of year. There really is no wrong time to come.

Yes. Exercise a normal amount of caution of course. Just like anywhere there can be minor crimes of opportunity. Don’t leave valuables unattended. Lock your car doors when you go to the beach. Make sure you pay attention to signs, flags, and lifeguards on the beach to avoid swimming where there is an active current. Make sure you know what to do if you find yourself caught in a current. Don’t walk into the deep jungle in flipflops in case you step on a critter.
Otherwise, relax and enjoy the Pura Vida!

US dollars, Colones, and Credit Cards are all good choices! You will generally pay a little less if you pay with the local currency (Colones) which you can withdraw from the 3 ATMs in Puerto Viejo.

Yes. Many restaurants add a 10% gratuity to the bill (there is also a 13% sales tax added). If you wish to tip a little more on top of that, it is always appreciated.

Absolutely! There are many amazing vegetarian restaurants, and others that feature a mouthwatering array of veg/vegan/gluten-free options. If you have allergies, many restaurants can accommodate.

Check out Como en Mi Casa, Casa Rio, Stashus Con Fusion, Gypsea Café, Sol Del Caribe, La Leyenda de l’antico Forno (amazing gluten-free pizza) to name just a couple. There really are so many!

We are from the west coast of Canada and have traveled around a fair bit. When we were looking for somewhere to live we wanted a place that was bike/walking friendly, had good climate without being too hot (I find the Pacific side way too hot), with excellent food, friendly people, a strong local culture and community, high quality of life overall, close to (or directly in) nature, with public beaches (there are no private beaches at all in Costa Rica), and a comfortable standard of living.

Puerto Viejo/Playa Chiquita ticks all the boxes and more. It is a wonderful place to visit, and a fabulous place to live. Just check out Costa Rica’s happiness index standing! And Blue Zone cred! We’re livin’ the Pura Vida!!