Routes & Roads

When travelling from San José to the Caribbean, the most common route is via Ruta 32. This route will take you right through Braulio Carrillo National Park, with amazing views over the vast tropical forest of the park. This part of the route however is vulnerable to heavy rains in the area, causing roadblocks due to landslides. A northern alternative route is the 126 to Ruta 4 to Sarapiqui reconnecting with ruta 32 near Guapiles. A southern alternative is Ruta 2 to Cartago followed-up by ruta 10 via Paraíso and Turrialba to reconnect with Ruta 32 near Siquirres. Read more about Ruta 32 nd how to prepare for the drive.

To get to Tortuguero National Park you have to drive (or go by bus) to La Pavona (point B on the map) here you can leave your car at a guarded car parking and continue per boat to the town of Tortuguero.

When travelling from San José to La Fortuna, route 702 via San Ramón is best recommended, unless you want to visit Volcan Poas on the way. Note that from La Fortuna the 142 north of Laguna de Arenal is very curvy but with a nice scenic view of the lake. 

If you want to add Rio Celeste to your itinerary (or wish to avoid the curved 142 north of Laguna de Arenal) you take Ruta 4 from La Fortuna to Volcan Tenorio National Park. If you decide to continue your route from there to Guanacaste, from Rio Celeste you take Ruta 6 until you connect with Ruta 1 to continue your journey either west to Liberia (point C on the map) to Coco or Tamarindo or south to Monteverde (point F on the map) depending on your itinerary.

Note that point C on the map is the international airport of Liberia, from which you might start or end your journey if you use that airport.

When travelling from La Fortuna (B) to Monteverde (A) the most common way is to take route 142 which follows the lake all the way to Tilaran. Once there, change for route 145 to a small town called El Dos (El Dos de Tilaran) to take the 606 to Santa Elena/Monteverde. Now, a lot of people complain about this route since it is curvy and not in the best condition, but it is the best option. The Town of Nuevo Arenal (F) is a great stop along the lake, with a nice view of the Arenal Volcano in the distance.

When travelling between the hotspots La Fortuna (point B on the map) and Bijagua for Rio Celeste (point D on the map) the most common way is to get to route 4 via San Rafael de Gautuso (E) to Upala (C) and once there change to route 6 to Bijagua. These are main roads and the best option. However, you might want to turn left on a secondary road called 'C. La Paz' once you are in San Rafael (the blue line between point E and D on the map). This road leads directly to Bijagua and the entrance to the Rio Celeste hiking trail, and many hotels are on this road. Once you are near the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel and the hiking trail entrance, you will cross a bridge over Rio Celeste. This place is also known as the Rio Celeste Free Pool, since you are able to witness and enter Rio Celeste at this point. The third and most difficult option to get from La Fortuna to Bijagua or vise versa is to follow route 142 along the lake passing the town of Nuevo Arenal (F)  and at the end change to route 927 to connect with route 6 to get to Bijagua. Route 927 is scenic, but curvy and not in the best condition. 

To Nicoya Peninsula via Puente de la Amistad (point B) which is recommended when you are traveling to Samara (or Nosara and Ostional). From Juan Santamaria International Airport, get to ruta 27, passing through Orotina, heading for Puntarenas. At El Roble go straight onto ruta 23 and after a short while left onto ruta 1. In Limonal take ruta 18 until you pass Puente La Amistad. There is a parking on the peninsula side, where you can make a stop and enjoy the view over the Tempisque river.

To Samara after Puente de la Amistad: Follow Ruta 18 until you pass Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya. Turn right onto ruta 21 and almost directly onto ruta 158 to Mansión. In Mansión take ruta 157 to Nicoya. Right before entering Nicoya change to ruta 150 that will take you all the way to Samara.

To Montezuma and Santa Teresa after Puente de la Amistad: Following ruta 18 until you pass Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya, turn left onto ruta 21, passing through Paquera all the way until you reach Cobano, in Cobano at the large intersection with Banco Nacional turn left on ruta 624 to get to Montezuma, for Santa Teresa go straight and turn left after you’ve passed through Los Mangos, follow the road to Carmen and Santa Teresa.  

If you are heading for Montezuma or Santa Teresa, it is recommended to take the ferry at Puntarenas (point B) to preferably Paquera (point D) or Playa Naranjo (point C). You can buy ferry tickets at the dock, but it is better to make a reservation a few days before you want to travel. For the ferry to and from Paquera visit the Naviera Tambor website. For the ferry to and from Playa Naranjo visit the Coonatramar website. 

To the ferries at Puntarenas to Montezuma and Santa Teresa: From Juan Santamaria International Airport, get to Ruta 27, passing through Orotina, heading for Puntarenas. At El Roble turn left on Ruta 17 to Puntarenas. At Puntarenas take the ferry preferably to Paquera. After arrival at Paquera follow the road all the way until you reach Cobano, in Cobano at the large intersection with Banco Nacional turn left on ruta 624 to get to Montezuma or for Santa Teresa go straight ahead and turn left after you’ve passed through Los Mangos, follow the road to Carmen and Santa Teresa.  

When travelling the Central and South Pacific, there is one main road that will take you to almost every point of interest along the coast all the way up to Sierpe. Coming from the direction of Juan Santamaria International Airport, you take Ruta 27 until you have passed Orotina, changing to Ruta 34. This coastal road will take you over Tarcoles bridge to Jaco, passing Quepos and Manuel Antonio to Dominical and Uvita until you reach Palmar Norte where Ruta 34 ends up in Ruta 2. 

For Sierpe you need to exit Ruta 2 almost right after Palmar Norte at Palmar Sur. At Sierpe you can take the boat to Drake Bay if you don't want to travel all the way to Drake Bay by car.

For Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay you continue on Ruta 2 until you reach Chacarita where you will have to continue on the 245. When you are heading for Drake Bay, make sure you fill up your tank at Chacarita! Aproximately 5 minutes after you have passed Rincón you will reach a t-section. Left will take you over a bridge over the Rio Rincón to Puerto Jimenez. Right will take you on the road to Rancho Quemado. It is important that at the t-section at point H on the map, you turn left! This road named 'Paso por Rio' will take you over a bridge to Drake Bay. Following the road to the right at point H will get you Drake Bay too, but you have to make a river crossing in order to do so.

From the South Pacific, Sierpe, Uvita, Dominical to the South Caribbean, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, or vice versa there is no quick route that connects the two shores due to the central mountain range and the fact that you have to go around Parque Internacional La Amistad and Parque Nacional Tapanti in the middle. You don’t need to go all the way via San Jose, though, there is a much nicer route.  

Viewed from the Pacific side, from Dominical take Ruta 243. In San Isidro de El General take Ruta 2 to Cartago. This part of the route will take you past Cerro de la Muerte with great scenic views of the central mountain range. In Cartago take Ruta 10 via Turrialba to Siquirres. At Siquierres take Ruta 32 to Puerto Limon and then Ruta 36 towards Cahuita and Puerto Viejo.

Similar to the route via San Jose, it is not recommended to make this journey in one go, because it is too long (estimated 10 to 12 hours), but no worries. Halfway through the route you will arrive in the Cartago, Orosi, Turrialba area where there are many points of interest. You will not regret staying a night or two in the Orosi valley and visit Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu, Parque Nacional Volcan Turrialba, Parque Nacional Tapanti, Ujarras and Monumento Nacional Guayabo. You will find these places in the map on the Highlights page.