We've created this guide with the basic info you'll need for your stay.
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WiFi Password
Networks available: Capital Hostel
Password: PuraVida
Where to eat nearby
If you don't want to go out, a great option is using Uber Eats, PedidosYa or Rappi - the main food delivery apps. They have lots of options.
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Places within walking distance:
- Fast food: Subway, Domino's Pizza, KFC, Starbucks, Taco Bell, McDonald's
- Rinconcito Cusqueño (Peruvian. 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM).
- Tico Sabor (Local food,"soda". 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- Chasky Food (Local food, "soda". 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Blacktap Sabana (Grill, steak & Bbq. 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
- O'Libano (Lebanese. 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Chubbs (Sports Bar, appetizers. 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Mac's (Sports Bar, Tex-Mex. 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM)
- La Parrillita de Pepe (Colombian, latin. 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM).
- Pho Yummy - (Vietnamese. 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Moro Street Food (Tacos, bowls, burgers. 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM).
- Dulce Pecado - (Local food, "soda", coffee. 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM)
- Soda Gloriana - (Local food, "soda". 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- Spoon (Local food, pastries and desserts). 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM).
- Soda Tapia (Local food. 6:00 AM to midnight)
- Good Life Protein Bar - (Smoothies, healthy, vegetarian. 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
- La Fabbrica (Wood-oven pizzas and italian food. 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- Republica Casa Cervecera (Gastropub. 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM)
- Huaraches (Mexican. 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- La Tacopedia (Mexican. 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM)
- Franco. (Brunch, coffee, organic, healthy and local produce). 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Mocapan. (Brunch, coffee, pastries). 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Pops (Ice cream and desserts. 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
Where to buy stuff
There's a grocery store/convenience store called AMPM. They also sell prepared meals, fruits and vegetables. You can also find an ATM here.
They're open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
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If you're looking for a bigger supermarket you can go to Mas X Menos or Supermercado Avenida 10. Those are about 20-25 minutes walking distance, or a 4 - 5 minute ride with Uber or taxi.
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If you're looking for high quality produce, organic, or better gourmet options you can check Automercado, it's about 5 - 7 min Uber/taxi ride.
SIM Cards
We have pre-loaded Claro SIM cards that come activated with any of the following plans of your choice. You can get them at the front desk.
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- 15 days: 3 GB + 700 MB extra for social media, 200 min Claro phone calls, 45 min International phone calls (US, Canada, Central America), 200 SMS local numbers, Unlimited WhatsApp. Price: $15 USD
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- 30 days: 5 GB + 700 MB extra for social media, 200 min Claro phone calls, 85 min international phone calls (USA, Canada, Central America), 300 SMS to local numbers and Unlimited WhatsApp. Price: $30 USD
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Also, in San José downtown you'll find official stores for all three phone carriers: Kolbi, Claro and Movistar.
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Where to print documents
If you need to print documents or take out photocopies, you can go to Sabana Copias.
They're open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Sundays.
What to visit in San José downtown
Get to San Jose Downtown easily taking the "Sabana-Estadio" local bus here. You can get off here at the last stop, it's right in front of the National Theater.
- Parque Morazan/Parque España
- Contemporary Art & Design Museum
- Parque Nacional/Biblioteca Nacional
- Barrio Escalante neighborhood
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There's also a San José Free Walking Tour which we highly recommend doing.
It takes about 3 hours, it's free (tip based), and you get tons of awesome recommendations walking with locals. Booking is required, you can find all the details here:
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or this other company:
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https://linktr.ee/sanjosecitystriders
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Bus Schedules
It's recommended to be at the bus station at least 45 minutes before depature. Bus schedules constantly change due to passenger demand and seasons. We try to keep this information up to date but there could be last minute changes.
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Jacó - 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 18:00 - Terminal Atlantico Norte
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You can purchase your ticket here
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La Fortuna - 8:40 AM - Terminal Atlantico Norte.
This is the only direct bus, but you can also get to La Fortuna through Ciudad Quesada. Buses to Quesada leave every hour from this same terminal, and in Quesada you can take a connection to La Fortuna from the same terminal you arrive at.
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Puerto Viejo/Cahuita/Manzanillo/Sixaola border - 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 - Terminal MEPE
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Manuel Antonio - 6:00, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30, 18:00 - Terminal Tracopa
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Santa Teresa/Montezuma/Malpais - 6:00 AM - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste
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You can purchase your ticket here. (destination will say Cobano, this is correct, it's the nearest town)
**Make sure to double check on the link above if the afternoon bus is running on your selected date, usually on low season the afternoon bus does not run daily.
***If you miss the direct bus: you can also make it to Santa Teresa by taking the bus to Puntarenas (leaves from Terminal Empresarios Unidos, every hour). In Puntarenas take the Ferry to Paquera (check Ferry schedules here). In Paquera take the bus to Santa Teresa/Montezuma/Cobano.
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Tamarindo - 8:30, 11:30, 15:30 - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
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Monteverde - 6:30 and 14:30 - Terminal Atlantico Norte.
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You can purchase your ticket here
**Make sure to check on the link above the specific schedules available for your traveling date, during low season the morning bus doesn't run daily and they keep only the afternoon bus.
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Tortuguero - Take 9:00 AM bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe to Cariari. In Cariari, take the 11:00 AM bus to La Pavona. At La Pavona, take the next boat available.
You can also book a semi-private shuttle to Tortuguero with Exploradores Outdoors by clicking here
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Penas Blancas (Nicaragua border) - 3:00 AM, 4:00 AM, 6:00 AM & 10:00 AM - Terminal del Caribe
You can purchase your ticket here
**Make sure to double check on the link above the specific schedules available for your traveling date, for this route the schedules tend to change from day to day.
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Samara - 12:00 PM (noon) - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
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Nosara- 5:30 AM, 3:00 PM - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
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Drake Bay/Corcovado - Take 8:00 AM bus to Sierpe. In Sierpe take the next boat available to Drake Bay. Terminal Tracopa
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Dominical/Uvita/Bahía Ballena - 6:30, 8:30, 10:15, 11:00, 12:15,13:00. Terminal Tracopa
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Puerto Jimenez - 12:00 PM (noon) - Terminal MEPE
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Liberia - 6:00, 7:15, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00. Terminal Pulmitan
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Playas del Coco/Playa Hermosa Guanacaste - 8:00 AM & 16:00. Terminal Pulmitan
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Nicoya - 6:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM
- Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
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Santa Cruz - 7:00 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
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San Isidro del General, Perez Zeledon - 5:30, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 13:30. Terminal MUSOC
You can purchase your ticket here
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Irazu Volcano - 8:00 AM In front of National Theatre.
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Nicaragua with Ticabus - Check availability and buy your ticket online here
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Nicaragua with NicaExpreso - Check availability and buy your ticket online here
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Nicaragua with CentralLine - Check availability and buy your tickets online here
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Nicaragua with NicaBus - Check availability and buy your ticket online here
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The following website has very useful information regarding other bus routes and connections:
https://centrocoasting.com/costarica/
Need any other route? Let us know!
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*Frequencies on some routes may be subject to changes due to seasonality and demand.
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Shuttles
Shuttles are more expensive than the public buses, but they offer hotel to hotel service, so they pick you up here and drop you off at the place of your choice.
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For the most comfortable experience and top notch service when traveling to Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio and Jaco, we recommend My Pink Bus
They offer extra space, inclining seats, complimentary beverage, pillow, enough luggage space, electrical outlets, and onboard wifi.
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For the shuttles to Santa Teresa or Montezuma, check Transporzuma Shuttles, you can book online on their website here.
**Pick up with this company is not directly at the hostel, nearest pick up point is "MasXMenos (Sabana)".
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For any other route from San José check out Interbus, Ride CR or Caribe Shuttle.
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Dinner & Nightlife
Don't miss out on La California and Barrio Escalante areas and explore the huge variety of restaurants, bars and pubs while walking around the neighborhoods.
- Calle 33
- Wilk
These are some suggestions, but it's best to walk around these areas and decide based on the atmosphere as it might change from day to day.
- Antik -> Night/Dance Club
Where to eat in San José downtown
Looking for a good coffee? Check these places out:
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- Café La Mancha. Located inside a landmark building (edificio Steinvorth), they share this beatiful space with Calle Cimarrona local brewery too.
- Alma de Café. Located inside the National Theater. You can also check out the theater's guided tours.
- Cafeoteca. Located inside Kalú restaurant in Barrio Escalante.
- Franco Restaurante. They have two locations, one in Barrio Escalante and the other one in Nunciatura ( Nunciatura location is very close from us).
- Buena Vida Coffee Roasters. Located close from us in a 5 min Uber ride.
- Mocapan. Located very close to Franco, in Nunciatura, an area very close from us.
- Momo Café. Located close from us, on your way to San José downtown.
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Don't miss out eating at the central market. Also, anything that has "Soda"on their name is usually an indicator of great and cheap local food :)
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*Saturdays only: Visit Feria Verde, an organic farmer's market with laid back atmosphere and great options for breakfast. They are only open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Airport Transfer
We can arrange a safe private taxi for your airport pick up or drop off, the ride is $30 USD (1-4 people).
Laundry Service
We have same day laundry service for $12 USD per load, includes wash & dry.
Leave us a bag with your things and we'll take care of it.
**We cannot wash shoes or backpacks, sorry!
Day Trip Ideas
An alternative to the classic one day tours can be some of the following places you can go by yourself.
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We recommend getting there with an Uber, as public transportation is challenging to any of these exact locations.
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Check these options out:
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Hacienda La Chimba - Hiking trails, coffee tour, zip line
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Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center - Animal rescue and rehabilitation center
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Toucan Rescue Ranch - Animal rescue and rehabilitation center
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Hacienda Alsacia - Starbucks coffee farm and coffe tour
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Cafe Britt - Britt coffee tour
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Irazu Volcano - We recommend buying your ticket in advance here
The main entrance will show you only the volcano's crater area, but if you want some hiking you can also access the "Prusia" entrance of the National Park, it's located about 1 km from the main entrance.
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One Day Tours
We'll be happy to help you booking tours or with any further doubt. You can also check directly the main tour operators we usually work with:
Rafting: Exploradores Outdoors
Tortuguero: Jungle Tom Safaris
Let us know which tour you're interested in and we'll arrange it for you.
