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Planes, Buses and Automobiles…What’s the best way to get here?

The following is a break down of transportation options to help you plan your perfect vacation.
 Let us guide you in the right direction by helping you with your reservations.

TAXI SERVICE
Taxis are the way to go when traveling in groups of 3 or more, or with a lot of luggage and/or boards. From San Jose the drive is 5-6 hours and costs $220. From Liberia the drive is 2 ½ - 3 hours and costs $110.

DRIVING
Car Rental is very convenient and affordable in Costa Rica. We have several car companies here in Playa Guiones if you would like to return your car at any point during your vacation. Although everything on the beach is within walking distance it is nice to have a car to see the sights. We highly recommend a 4WD even in the dry season (Jan thru April) because the last hour of your trip is on a bumpy dirt road. During the Green Season (May thru Dec) a 4WD is mandatory.

From San Jose: Playa Guiones is approximately 4-6 hours depending on traffic in the mountains. When leaving the airport, follow signs to San Ramon which will put you on the main highway. Do not take the turn to Alejuela…which sneaks up on you quite fast. Stay on the main highway following signs to Nicoya/Liberia. After reaching the bottom of the mountain you’ll be traveling at ocean level for about 1.5 hours until you see a Shell gas station on your left. This is your turn off of the Pan American Highway towards Nicoya. Follow this road about ½ hour over the bridge which connects you to the Guanacaste Penninsula. About 20 minutes later you’ll see a small sign that says Nicoya to the right. DO NOT TAKE THIS ROAD. Stay on the main road which veers to the left a bit until the road comes to a “T.” Here you will turn right to Nicoya. Travel 15-20 minutes more until you come to a flashing light. Turn left to Nicoya.

From Liberia: Playa Guiones is a 2 ½ to 3 hour drive from the Liberia Airport. When leaving the airport, turn right and head south following the signs to Nicoya. In about an hours drive you will come to a flashing light. This is your right turn to Nicoya.

From Nicoya: We are 1 ½ to 2 hours from Nicoya. The signs to Nosara are very good. Just drive straight thru the town of Nicoya and you'll spend about an hour on a beautiful paved road thru the mountains. Then you'll see your first gas station on the left which is before the signs to Samara and Nosara. Make sure to fill up here. Right after the gas station there will be a dirt road on the right with signs to Nosara. Take this road about 30-40 minutes or so following signs to Nosara. We are actually on the beach called Playa Guiones which is 5 km south of Nosara. About 10 minutes past the fishing village of Garza (the first time you'll see the ocean) you'll approach Guiones.  Playa Guiones has 3 beach roads that intersect the main road. We are on the 3rd road. The 1st turn off has Cafe De Paris and Coconut Harry's Surf Shop on the corner. The 2nd one sneaks up with Hotel Restaurant Giardino Tropical on the corner (you'll see a KayaSol sign here but it's easier to go to the next one) And then the 3rd turn off to the beach has a condo development on the corner with swimming pool on the left and you'll see another sign for KayaSol. Turn left here and we're on the right hand sign after the mini super market.

FLYING
We have 2 local airplanes that offer breathtaking flights from the major airports of Liberia and San Jose: Nature Air and Sansa. There are several flights per day to Nosara from both Liberia and San Jose. The cost varies slightly depending on what time of year however averages between $100 to $125 one-way per person. Travel time from Liberia is 20 minutes and from San Jose only 45 minutes. There is a 30LB limit for baggage and a small fee for surfboards.

LOCAL BUS
Our most affordable and adventurous option is the local bus service. You can catch a “direct” bus from the coca-cola station downtown San Jose (which is 20 minutes east of the airport)…or anywhere bus stop along the highway to Nosara. Be aware that if you catch it along the highway you will probably have to stand the duration of the trip. There are also several more trips throughout the day that change buses in Nicoya. The cost of a ticket is only $7-$8 however you will most likely have to stay the night in a hotel or hostel depending on what time you arrive.
From Liberia you also will have to change busses in Nicoya. Contact us directly for a more up to date bus schedule.