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.
Places within walking distance:
- Rinconcito Cusqueño (Peruvian. 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM).
- Sabana's Place & House Pizza (Local food,"soda", also pizzas. 9:00 AM to 8:00 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)
- La Parrillita de Pepe (Colombian, latin. 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM).
- Sheriff's House Sabana (Grill, steak & Bbq. 12:00 PM - 8:00 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)
- O'Libano (Lebanese. 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Chubbs (Sports Bar, appetizers. 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Soda Gloriana - (Local food, "soda". 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- 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)
- Spoon (Local food, pastries and desserts. 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM).
- Soda Tapia (Local food. 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM)
- Huaraches (Mexican. 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- Pops (Ice cream and desserts. 10:00 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
- Fast food nearby: Subway, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Starbucks, KFC
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.
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.
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.
- 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
- 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: $25 USD
Also, in San José downtown you'll find official stores for all three phone carriers: Kolbi, Claro and Movistar.
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
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:
or this other company:
https://linktr.ee/sanjosecitystriders
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.
Jacó - 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 18:00 - Terminal 7-10
You can purchase your ticket here
La Fortuna - 8:40 AM - Terminal 7-10.
This is the only direct bus, but you can also get to La Fortuna through Ciudad Quesada. Buses to Quesada leave every hour from same Terminal 7-10, and in Quesada you can take a connection to La Fortuna from the same terminal you arrive at.
Puerto Viejo/Cahuita/Manzanillo/Sixaola border - 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 - Terminal MEPE
Manuel Antonio - 6:00, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30, 18:00 - Terminal Tracopa
Santa Teresa/Montezuma/Malpais - 6:00 AM - Terminal 7-10.
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.
Tamarindo - 8:30, 11:30, 15:30 - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
Monteverde - 6:30 and 14:30 - Terminal 7-10.
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.
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
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.
Samara - 12:00 PM (noon) - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
Nosara- 5:30 AM, 3:00 PM - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
Drake Bay/Corcovado - Take 8:00 AM bus to Sierpe. In Sierpe take the next boat available to Drake Bay. Terminal Tracopa
Dominical/Uvita/Bahía Ballena - 6:30, 8:30, 10:15, 11:00, 12:15,13:00. Terminal Tracopa
Puerto Jimenez - 12:00 PM (noon) - Terminal MEPE
Liberia - 6:00, 7:15, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00. Terminal Pulmitan
Playas del Coco/Playa Hermosa Guanacaste - 8:00 AM & 16:00. Terminal Pulmitan
Nicoya - 6:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM
- Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
Santa Cruz - 7:00 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste.
San Isidro del General, Perez Zeledon - 5:30, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30, 13:30. Terminal MUSOC
You can purchase your ticket here
Irazu Volcano - 8:00 AM In front of National Theatre.
Nicaragua with Ticabus - Check availability and buy your ticket online here
Nicaragua with NicaExpreso - Check availability and buy your ticket online here
Nicaragua with CentralLine - Check availability and buy your tickets online here
Nicaragua with NicaBus - Check availability and buy your ticket online here
The following website has very useful information regarding other bus routes and connections:
https://centrocoasting.com/costarica/
Need any other route? Let us know!
*Frequencies on some routes may be subject to changes due to seasonality and demand.
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.
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.
For the shuttles to Santa Teresa or Montezuma, check Transporzuma Shuttles, you can book online on their website here.
For any other route from San José, check out Interbus or Caribe Shuttle
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
- Neon Ice
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:
- 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).
- 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.
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 :)
*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!
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.
