Getting from San Jose to Mal Pais

[FormosanSurfer]

Hey guys, I ended up booking a ticket to Costa Rica again this year. I got a pretty good deal on my ticket (700$US, down 200$ from last year). Anyhow, this year i'll be flying into San Jose instead of Liberia (Liberia was convenient but the airline ticket is 400$ than SJO this year). I arrive at 8pm and I'd like to get to the surf ASAP. I plan on probably heading directly to Mal Pais, since that was my favorite place last year (and I surfed nearly every spot in Guanacaste). Anyway, does anyone know how much a shuttle bus will cost and how long it will take (A schedule wouldn't be bad either).

[jethrodog]

Hey Formosan.
I know that a flight to Tambor is about $78 eachway, plus about $30 taxi from Tambor to MalPais, but it wouldn't leave until the next morning.
A bus ride is about $6 from San Jose to MalPais, but it takes all day. I don't know the schedule off hand, but I can find out for you in the next couple of days. I don't know if a bus leaves at night, but if it does that would be your cheapest and quickest way.

[FormosanSurfer]

Hey Formosan.
I know that a flight to Tambor is about $78 eachway, plus about $30 taxi from Tambor to MalPais, but it wouldn't leave until the next morning.
A bus ride is about $6 from San Jose to MalPais, but it takes all day. I don't know the schedule off hand, but I can find out for you in the next couple of days. I don't know if a bus leaves at night, but if it does that would be your cheapest and quickest way.

Thanks man.

[jethrodog]

Totally forgot to check the bus schedules. I have some time here today, I will get on it and let you know.

[jethrodog]

Okay.
Bus from San Jose to MalPais: Between 6am and 7pm, every 40 minutes
Takes 2.5 hrs to Puntarenas ferry, 1.5 hrs on ferry, 1.5 hrs on bus to MalPais
Leaves from the Coca Cola station

I would say to add a couple hours onto that in case the bus doesn't meet the ferry on time and you have to wait.

Alternatively you can take a taxi to Puntarenas for approx. $80, then the ferry for $1, then a taxi from Paquera to MalPais for approx. $75. But you would still get stuck at the ferry at night as it only runs during the day.

My suggestion? Grab a place to stay for the night, jump on either the first bus out or the first flight to Tambor. Flight is quicker but more money. If this is what you decide to do, let me know, I have a list of nice places to stay close to San Jose I can PM or email you.

[jethrodog]

Flight from San Jose to Tambor: leaves at 10:25am or 4:25pm
takes 30 minutes, costs $58 + airport costs, approx. $76 total
Taxi from Tambor to MalPais approx. $30

[Richb]

Hey Jethrodog/Formosan Surfer, how's tricks?

Thanks for both your advice with my last post fellers, this topic's pretty useful for me too. I've got my flights booked now and am flying to Managua in Nicaragua and will work my way down to the Nicoya peninsular, flying back from San Jose (so its good to know how to get buses from to/from San Jose/Mal Pais - sounds like it would take most of the day travelling?). Will probably spend Christmas around Mal Pais - looks and sounds like the ideal spot from what I've read and what you've been saying. I'll maybe try and get over to Jaco or Dominical between christmas and the new year if possible (and there's accommodation!), I read about a boat which ferries you straight over rather than having to follow the coast round - have you ever tried it? If you have any recomendations for places to stay on the Nicoya peninsular I'd love to hear about them.

Oh and jethrodog, how was your trip up to San Juan in Nicaragua?

[jethrodog]

There is a speed boat that takes you from Montezuma, on the peninsula, to Herradura, just 5 kms north of Jaco. Costs $35 per person, plus $10 for each extra bag or surfboard. Ask Kitesurfer, he took it across and I picked him up at Herradura. I think it takes 1.5 hrs or less. Worth the money if you ask me.

Sounds like a great trip. Let me know when you finalize your plans, if you want someone to surf with for a couple days, would be my pleasure.

i never made it to San Juan. Just didn't work out. I had problems taking Jethrodog (the real one ) across the border into Nicaragua. They wouldn't let me take him, and I couldn't leave him at home, and I couldn't find anyone to stay with him. So, I have to wait until I can get a vet to sign off all his papers, and that will take 1 month.

[FormosanSurfer]

Okay.
Bus from San Jose to MalPais: Between 6am and 7pm, every 40 minutes
Takes 2.5 hrs to Puntarenas ferry, 1.5 hrs on ferry, 1.5 hrs on bus to MalPais
Leaves from the Coca Cola station

I would say to add a couple hours onto that in case the bus doesn't meet the ferry on time and you have to wait.

Alternatively you can take a taxi to Puntarenas for approx. $80, then the ferry for $1, then a taxi from Paquera to MalPais for approx. $75. But you would still get stuck at the ferry at night as it only runs during the day.

My suggestion? Grab a place to stay for the night, jump on either the first bus out or the first flight to Tambor. Flight is quicker but more money. If this is what you decide to do, let me know, I have a list of nice places to stay close to San Jose I can PM or email you.

Thanks man, you've been a ton of help. BTW, have you ever made it down to Panama? My mate is trying to get meet him down there in Santa Catalina, but I don't know how long it would take just to get to the Panama border (my prior experiences travelling in CR where mainly on dirt roads driving the coastal section from Tamarindo to Mal Pais).

[jethrodog]

Haven't made it down to Panama yet, but alot of my friends down here have gone there and they all loved it. They say that it takes about 10-12 hours from San Jose. I don't know if it really takes that long, but it definately is a long day. I think it is not that long in the dry season.
I think you can fly there for under $150 bucks.

Okay, I just checked a website from someone who took a bus, the TRACOPA bus from Frontera, which is essentially the Panama border, to San Jose. It took 7 hrs each way and it cost them $20 return each.

http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/200 ... osta-rica/

might be an interesting read for you.