Touring

The Best Rafting and Fishing (or so our guests tell us)

On the Pacuare River
On the Pacuare River
Pacuare river jump
Other ways to spend the day on the jungle river
rios tropicales river rafting lodge costa rica
Your Rios Lodge at the end of a day on the river

RAFTING: WHY YOU ASK?

. . .  is Rios Tropicales our recommendation. Not because we know anything about rafting but because so many of our guests have come back bedraggled and happy, happy after a day on the Pacuare.

And we try not to argue with guests about what they like.  The best months are in the rainy season starting in April but there is rafting all year long in Costa Rica.  What can compare to a jungle raft down a canyon in Costa Rica?  The trips leave near the Pura Vida Hotel early in the morning around 5:30am at the Rosti Pollos restaurant not far from us.  Just let us know and we will pack a breakfast to go.

3 GREAT OPTIONS

  • You can raft as a day trip and Rios Tropicales will bring you back to Alajuela near SJO (Rosti Pollos) at the end of a long day (be prepared).  You will be back by around 6pm.  Stay that night at the Pura Vida. Note: minimum age for the Pacuare is 14 years.

  • Pickup in Alajuela near SJO, stay overnight on the river and come back the next day to Alajuela.  Stay the night at the Pura Vida and head on to your next stop by rentacar or private van.  

  • Pickup in Alajuela, day of rafting on overnight trip staying on the river, then Rios will take you on to your next destination if it is in Arenal/La Fortuna.  No extra cost to drop off in Arenal (min 2 persons).  What a deal!  We can also have rentacars delivered to the La Fortuna area the next morning if you like. You can drop the car back here at the Pura Vida at the end of the trip.  

NEED MORE RIVERS & HOW TO BOOK?

The Pacuare is the most spectacular rafting in the country but if you or your family want to raft elsewhere let us or Rios Tropicales know and they can organize it for you - in particular in the two most visited areas of Costa Rica - Arenal and Manuel Antonio.  You can contact Rios Tropicales directly or ask us to hook you up by emailing the Pura Vida Hotel (click here).  Just let us know the date you want to go (leave here around 5:15am) and if you want a day rafting or an overnight.

WHAT TO BRING ON DAY RAFTING TRIPS

  • Rubber-soled shoes that can get wet (Tevas, tennis shoes, booties or similar).
  • Swimsuit / swim trunks.
  • T-shirt and shorts of a quick-drying material. Long sleeve t-shirts are very useful if you get cold easily on the water or want more sun protection.
  • Water-resistant sunscreen lotion (SPF 15 or higher).
  • Sun hat or bandana.
  • Bug Repellent.
  • Croakies or straps to secure glasses.
  • Change of clothes, including shoes, for after your tour.
  • Towel for changing/showers after the trip.
  • Any prescription medications necessary during your tour.

FISHING: WHY YOU ASK?

 . . . do we recommend Captain Jim?  Well not that we know anything about fishing but people who take his trips come back happy!

Jim says "I am a retired marine biologist and international authority on all the big fish and I love to fish myself.   So, I organize and lead trips about every week using charter boats primarily out of Pez Vela Marina in Quepos as well as offshore in Drake Bay and the Sierpe River (for snook and tarpon).

Offshore we target sailfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi (dorado), wahoo  as well as blue, black and striped marlin. Inshore we target roosterfish, snook, snapper and grouper. Billfishing (sailfish and marlin) off the Ballena coast has been rated No. 1 in the world for the past 3 years.  I try to use only the best boats so we normally do very well. We leave the dock at 7 and return about 4:30. Only the heavy rains of October and November disrupt our fishing out of Quepos (muddy water extends way offshore driving the big fish elsewhere). But Drake Bay and the Sierpe River are fine then (much smaller watershed).

You will likely have the trip of your lifetime, perhaps catching their first sailfish. Help me by starting the search as early as possible."  For more info pleas contact the Pura Vida Hotel.

 

Comparison of Transportation Options in Costa Rica

The table below provides a comparison of the various transportation methods available in Costa Rica. If we can answer any questions about any of these we'd be happy to help:

Private Van with guide/ Pura Vida Hotel

Car Rental

Air 

Interbus (semi private)

Public Bus

CONVENIENCE . . . Pickup and delivery to your hotel. We will meet you at the breakfast table of your hotel, villa or airport of choice.

Some rental companies pickup and deliver to your hotel, some better ones will bring your car to the breakfast table, for others you may need taxi (extra $10)

Needs taxi to and from hotel (add $10) for SANSA, Skyway and Green Airways based at SJO. Aerobell & TAC are based at Pavas 40 minutes and more.  

This end you need a taxi (about $10 to the Rio Segundo location) sometimes needs taxi at destination (add $5 to $20)

Needs taxi to and from hotel (add $2 to $25). Not recommended if you have a short vacation - especially if you have to transfer through San Jose.

FLEXIBILITY . . . Stops anywhere you like en route, unlimited destinations, take a guided tour as you transfer, 15 passenger vans. We can reroute or make a new tour as needed.

Stops anywhere you like en route, unlimited destinations, up to 5 passengers usually. Be aware most 7 passenger rental vehicles are really 5 seater with 2 seats where your luggage should be.

Stops nowhere (hopefully), limited air strips. Avoids our bumpy roads.

Bathroom stops, goes to most tourist end stops, does not stop at national parks, shops and points of interest you may discover.

Stops to pickup everything that waves a hand, available everywhere. Difficult to make connections quickly when you need to be somewhere today or before dark.

LOCAL SCOOP . . . Driver is also your cultural guide and has been there and most importantly speaks English. Learn about Costa Rican history, flora and fauna and make digressions en route to our "special spots".

Your mother-in-law is also your cultural guide - but we do recommend carrying a good map (we like the Toucan map best) and a guide book.

Your pilot is too busy checking gauges.

The Interbus drivers are very good but may not always speak English.

Please don't bother your bus driver.

VALUE . . . Cost less than air or interbus for 4 or more to many destinations. Same price for 2 people or 10 people (except multi day tours) e.g. $185 total to Arenal for 2 to 10 persons.

$45 to $120 a day including mandatory basic insurance (cannot be declined on 4WD). You'll need a second vehicle or van for 6 or more persons.

By air (depends on season) - around $100/person (depends on route)

By Interbus or Anywhere or Gray Line $40 to $50/person

Very inexpensive $5 to $10/person

TAKE YOUR TIME . . . Take your time and see the sights with your own English speaking guide on board e.g. M. Antonio - 3 to 6 hours if you turn the transfer into a tour

Same time but no on board guide and may miss points of interest and sights along the way

Fast and usually less bumpy, 45 minutes plus 1 hour or so waiting. Set schedules once or twice a day.

3 to 6 hours plus pickup time - set schedules once or twice a day

4 hours to a day of travel/wait time

WEIGHT LIMITS . . . Nearly unlimited baggage in car/4WD or in large van, surf boards, etc.

Limited by trunk size.

25 or 35 pound weight limit for  small planes in Costa Rica.

Generally unlimited

Generally unlimited

FACILITIES ON BOARD . . . Air conditioned, wifi hotspot on some vans, free water/soft drinks cooler, spotlessly clean, late model.  And importantly our guide will be your own security for your bags if you want to sight-see en route.

Air conditioned, spotless, late model, need to be careful about parking with baggage (do not leave car unattended with baggage)

Air conditioned, usually spotless, no security concerns, weight limit

Air conditioned, usually spotless, late model, your own security

Can be hot & muggy, baggage security can be a concern for some (keep an eye on it at all times), no seat belts on some

Activities from Alajuela

Can we introduce you to a few things you can do in and around Alajuela or on your way to the next stop?

  • Alajuela - Farmers Market/Plaza Ferias
  • Alajuela - Museum
  • Atenas - Trapiche of Morazan
  • Caribbean Botanical Gardens
  • Doka Coffee Plantation
  • El Toledo Coffee Tour
  • Haciaenda Alsacia Coffee Tour (Starbucks)
  • La Garita - Botanical Orchid Garden
  • La Garita - Rescate Wildlife/Zoo Ave
  • Grecia, Sarchi & Zarcero
  • La Paz Waterfall and the back road to Arenal
  • La Paz Waterfall Gardens
  • Palmichal - Nacientes Palmichal Rural Community
  • Poas - Volcano and Vicinity
  • Poas - Freddo Leche Farm Tour
  • Poas - Las Colinas Zip Line
  • San Ramon - San Luis Hanging Bridges
  • Sarchi - Elsie Keintzler Gardens
  • Sarchi - former Ox Cart Factory
  • Sarchi - Rocking Chair Factory
  • San Jose Day Tour
  • Where to see Sloths in Costa Rica (pretty much everywhere except here)

Alajuela - Farmers Market/Plaza Ferias

We like the Alajuela Farmers Market AKA Plaza Ferias. Most Fridays we will take a trip to this excellent market about 10 minutes from the Pura Vida Hotel. On "some Fridays" join Chef Nhi on a trip to Plaza Ferias in Alajuela - the largest farmers market in Costa Rica. Book ahead as space is limited. We leave the Pura Vida at about 2:30 pm every Friday afternoon (though we are invariably late). There we'll select the freshest tropical fruits & veggies and perhaps some fresh Pacific fish from our favorite fish stand. In season we will show you how to select and taste the best mango, how to find great Papayas, the nispero stand (mmmm!), the passion fruit family and if we are lucky our favorite "mamones chino" – red and yellow varieties. We will visit the 3 generations of the coconut family and the herb dude and a host of other market friends and acquaintances. We will return to the Pura Vida around 5pm.

LOCAL TIP: you do not need us to guide you at the market, but if you want to learn about how we use neo-trpical fruits and veggies this is a couple of hours you do not want to miss.

Alajuela - Museum

We are working on the whole idea of publicizing the renovated museum http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/caminatas_alajuela.asp yet :-)) Better info here http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g309224-d591169-Reviews-Juan_Santamaria_Historical_Museum-Alajuela_Province_of_Alajuela.html.  Recommended.

Atenas - The Trapiche of Morazan

This is a wonderful visit but beware the trapiche does not run everyday.  The owner also has a nice comida typica restaurant out front so if the trapiche is not running you can still visit the oxen, the trapiche and have a good lunch.  If you have a good guide they can sometimes organize it so the trapiche day is your day. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bar-y-Restaurante-Chicharronera-el-Trapiche /157731194430201?ref=stream
If you want to do this email the Pura Vida Hotel and we will see if we can organize the trapiche to be operational on your day.

CBG - on the way to the Caribbean - Caribbean Botanical Garden

A delightful orchid stop on your way to the coast. Take a 2-hour tour with an orchidarium, vanilla garden and more.  More info here  Caribbean Botanical Garden
Make your transfer into a tour.

Doka Coffee Plantation

Doka coffee is just up the hill from the Pura Vida Hotel. Take a pilgrimage to Doka coffee (20 minutes from the hotel by car or taxi). This is the tour of vintage coffee processing using the water separation method for the coffee aficionados. This is certainly the nicest of all the commercial coffee tours and a great education in the product Costa Rica is most famous for.  Doka has 3 tours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon usually just over an hour long each plus some time to sample the coffee and walk the farm.

LOCAL ALTERNATIVE: If you are interested in a family farm trip to understand how a small scale organic coffee farm works in detail - let us know and we can often book you a private tour at El Toledo (see below).

El Toledo Organic Coffee Plantation and tour

This is a somewhat private and up front and personal trip with good friends who really understand coffee. Not too far from the hotel - about 40 minutes or less. Gabriel is famous in the area for telling wonderful stories about his adventures in coffee making. He uses methods that use less water and fully utilize all the coffee by products. If you really want to know about coffee and like non commercial activities, this is for you

Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Plantation (the one that Starbucks built)

This one is the exact opposite to El Toledo. It is an impressive effort by Starbucks to gain a diferent kind of foothold in coffee making and influencing. The place is situated about 1/2 an hour north of the hotel and easy to find on the way to Poas Volcano though very commercial. Starbucks is known to be a fair player in the coffee market and does some interesting things for it's migrant workers. If you want to see both ends of the coffee spectrum see both El Toledo and Alsacia in the same day.

La Garita - Botanical Orchid Garden

http://www.orchidgardencr.com/info.html

La Garita - Rescate Wildlife/formerly ZOO AVE 

Step down San Diego, don't bother Munich, fergetabout it London - your famous Zoos have nothing on the tiny gem of a "rescue" right here near Alajuela. Actually it only looks like a zoo - behind the public area is a large bird rehabilitation area. The Zoo fees help fund this activity so you are contributing to a good cause. A beautiful natural environment, lots of room and all the animals are rehabilitated or saved from something or are breeding to reintroduce in the wild. It is sometimes difficult to determine which animals are residents and which are just visiting. Just a few minutes from the hotel - more animals than you'll see everywhere else in Costa Rica. The Nature Restoration Foundation's work can generally divided into three broad areas - rescue and rehabilitation, captive breeding and release and reintroduction of many Costa Rican animals. Take a break with the animals and birds of Costa Rica - a gem not to be missed! An excellent 1/2 day trip.  Recommended when you have just a few hours to kill.

Grecia, Sarchi & Zarcero (could be a day trip)

The famous topiary garden outside the Zarcero chruch has been photographed by thousands if not millions. One of the great curiosities of Costa Rica - the special work of our own Edward Scissorhands at the Zarcero church. A wonderful photo opportunity not to be missed and a favorite place Ticos go to get married.

Nestled in the countryside of Costa Rica's Alajuela province (30 to 40 minutes from the Pura Vida Hotel), Sarchi is the perfect place to finish off your trip and find those gifts for family and friends. You can also visit the old ox cart factory with the 1923 water wheel but it has now become part of a gift shop and is not so active anymore. This is also the area to pick our traditional wooden and leather rocking chairs - can be shipped as luggage when you return.

Other things you can do this day include the lovely Elsie Kintzler botanical garden - almost unknown to tourists and easily visited about 2km behind the Sarchi church.  I love this garden!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

About 40km up hill from Pura Vida Hotel and makes an excellent day trip when combined with Poas Volcano. With over 3.5 kilometers of walking trails, they recommend a minimum of 1 1/2 hours for the trip. Waterfall Gardens is a primarily a self-guided tour. The facility includes a most excellent butterfly garden (the Blue Morpho in flight is an amazing sight), a hummingbird garden, a snake area, the famous waterfalls, an orchid house and plenty of trails. Usually you will find yourself lost in amusement with the antics of the hummingbirds or perhaps a Jaguar scratching himself and won't want to leave.

LOCAL TIP: If Poas was too cloudy divert your driver over a few kilometers to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. More adventurous? Tell your driver to keep going to Sarapiqui on the road rarely traveled. Some guests rent a boat up there or stop by a chocolate farm we know.

Palmichal - Nacientes Palmichal

Closest rural community tour to Alajuela - about 90 minutes http://www.nacientespalmichal.com/en/ Not all activities are available all the time but sometimes you can visit the dairy farm, the bio digestor, the chicken farm, have breakfast with a local family etc etc

Poas - Volcano & Vicinity

30km up hill from Pura Vida Hotel you will find Poas Volcano. NOTE: you need to book ahead and register at: http://www.sinac.go.cr/ES/ac/accvc/pnvp/Paginas/default.aspx.  If you book a van with us we will register you - we need names and passport numbers of those attending.  No need to pay ahead.  There is an alternate idea that works some of the time - stop about 2km short of the Poas park entrance and ask the Restaurant Quires to see what is next available slot and they will book it for you for a small fee.

Start early, we will make you a breakfast to go. Leaving at 7am usually assures you a clear view. Poas is a strato volcano that soars 2,708 meters above sea level and is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in Costa Rica. Lately some good sulphurous venting can be seen around the sky blue lake in the center. It certainly is the easiest Volcano to get to in Costa Rica and you can see it from your terrace breakfast table most mornings at the Pura Vida Hotel. Extend the trip and make a nice day trip - drop by La Paz Waterfall Gardens (see below) or the Las Colinas canopy tour and have lunch at their fresh trout restaurant - doesn't get much tastier. Finish the day with run over to Doka coffee plantation. OK so you can't do all 4 things in a day - stay another night?

LOCAL TIP: ask at the gate if you can see the crater, if they say no, head for La Paz and come back to Poas in the afternoon.

More local info (in Spanish) can be found here with the local tourism chamber for Poas. Contact by email: Camara of Tourism Poas Volcano or Phone: + (506) 2482-1211 or on the WEB at: Poas Volcano Costa Rica

Poas - Freddo Leche Tour

From the owners of the excellent Fresas Restaurant on the way up to Poas - milk cows, make cheese, strawberry farm visit, trail https://es-es.facebook.com/pages/Freddo-Leche-Tours/297452883726035?sk=info

Poas - Colinas de Poas Zip Line and Trout Restaurant

Zip line, trout restaurant where you can catch your own lunch, trails http://www.colinasdelpoas.com/

San Ramon - Canopy San Luis

Nice trails, butterfly farm, hanging bridges, zip line, delicious rice and chicken restaurant http://www.sanluiscanopytour.com/

Sarchi - Elsie Kientzler Gardens

A little dificult to find up behind the main church in Sarchi (look for the giant ox cart and then head north). Look for the factory gate and a sign - ask to go in and drive back to the gardens hidden behind this industrial front. A nice visit if the botanist can take you around.

Sarchi - The old Ox cart factory/Fabrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro

This beautiful old ox cart factory is now part of a large gift shop just about west of the main church in Sarchi. Guests who read the guide books are confused about this as the photo on the Tripadvisor shows the old factory as it was when the Alfaro brothers crafted ox carts and wheels for maybe a century. This is their facebook page.

Sarchi - Rocking Chair Factory

This is on some people's tours though it is very short tour and worth looking at if you are already shopping in Sarchi - go up to Sarchi from Naranjo.

San Jose Tour

Pura Vida Hotel is conveniently situated a good distance from the capital - about 20 km. Many guests want to delve into the famous gold museum or walk down paseo colon or go visit the mercado central. You can get our English speaking taxi driver and see the sights, the sounds and the, well, whatever you want.

The Gold Museum is world class and the National Museum, the old Bella Vista Fortress, has been completely redone - well worth the visit if, like us, you have an interest in Costa Rican "exceptionalism".  The National Museum was recently revamped and definitely worth a visit.  We also have a brand new Jade Museum.  While in San Jose try not to miss the Namu Gallery for the best collection of indigenous arts in the country.  It is really a shop but you will not find anything like it even in museums here.  San Jose's Mercado Central is impressive and a throw back to the 19th century way of doing "supermarkets".  We have a smaller one in Alajuela.

LOCAL TIP: leave your baggage at the hotel and then the guide can also leave the van and show you more of the underbelly of San Jose.

Where to see sloths in Costa Rica?

The answer is pretty much everywhere but not in the cities :-)). The good folks at Mytanfeet came up with this lovely description in your search for sloths. Click on Mytanfeet.

Isla de Chira - participate in the future of an Island?

May we introduce you to one of the least visited places in the hemisphere?  "Tranquilo, lindo, sencillo y Pura Vida."


Isla de Chira - on your way to Manuel Antonio or Samara?

on Chira Island
An Island Adventure

  • A Day Trip on your way to the Guanacaste beaches?
  • 2 Nights before heading up to Monteverde or Rincon de la Vieja?
  • More?

When asked to describe Chira, the people of the island communities explain how it is tranquilo (calm/peaceful), lindo (beautiful), sencillo (simple), pura vida. The largest island in the Gulf of Nicoya (43 sq km) with six primary communities, one main road, one bus and one truck used for island deliveries. No crime. No police force.

Isla de Chira is named after an indigenous chief or “cacique” and many, many years ago became a safe haven from tribal wars. 

Located only one hour from Puntarenas and twenty minutes from Costo de Pajaros, Isla de Chira or Chira Island is said to have the most intact biodiversity of tropical dry forest flora in Costa Rica.

Not yet influenced by conventional tourism, Isla de Chira is a great example of ecotourism and of a beautiful unexplored Costa Rican community.
How can you get involved? Simply GO THERE!

Challenges of the Chira Islanders

The communities on the island face a number of difficulties while, as a community, they remain committed to a sustainable livelihood. The primary occupations on the island:

  • Fishing
  • Agriculture
  • Tourism and Crafts

on Chira Island
Click here for a live map (locations of lodging & restaurants)

Though the vast majority, over 90%, are fishermen and women. Artisan fishing tours, with line/hook or simple nets, are available for adventurous travelers looking to bring home dinner or just experience a simple life!

A trip here will prove worthwhile, as visitors have the opportunity to participate in an authentic cultural experience, learning about the surrounding wildlife, as well as island history. Isla de Chira offers a unique experience for travelers who want to hear local stories, spend time in nature, and see (and help with) environmental preservation efforts first hand. 

Chira can be reached by regular boats from Puntarenas or Puerto Morena. And, yes, you can stay on Chira for a night or two or longer at an impeccably maintained rustic lodge or with a local family … experiencing something no other visitor to Costa Rica can. 

How can you help? Simply GO THERE!

Your base on Chira - perhaps the Posada Rural La Amistad?

on Chira Island
Amistad Lodge has 2 private cabin rooms and a hostel

The Lodge has six private cabin rooms and a hostel.  With the help of the UN, the Amistad Lodge was built under a program to protect natural resources around the world.  There are about 30 or 40 such projects around Costa Rica - the most well known is Nacientes Palmichal about 90 minutes from San Jose.  At the Amistad lodge you will be welcomed by the women's association of Chira who have organized in an effort to bring tourism to the island.  At the lodge you will find impeccably spotless rooms (including 2 private accommodations sleeping 2 each) and on-site knowledgeable hosts.

In order to book a trip to Isla de Chira, contact the following accommodations. From there, they will help coordinate transportation, meals, and activities during your stay. 

on Chira Island
So cute! The Hotel Las Vegas

on Chira Island
The Restaurant Jireth, do stop by!

on Chira Island
El Camaron Restaurant (click here for lots of photos)

Posada Rural La Amistad

Amistad photos here

Phone: +506 2661-3261

Mobile Phone: +506 8331-5754

Email: laamistad@inchira.com

Other locations you can stay include:

Hotel Las Vegas 

Las Vegas photos here

Phone: +506 2661-1821

Email: quinchochira@gmail.com

Cabinas y Restaurante Jireth 

Jireth photos here

Phone: +506 2661-1195

Email: transportesisamar3@gmail.com

Explore Chira: 

  • By sea through mangrove estuaries, on an artisan fishing tour, or on day trips to nearby islands Isla Yuca, Isla Paloma or most famous, Isla Tortuga. 
  • By bike to spend an afternoon at beautiful Playa Muerto, to travel to Las Artesanas (“The Artisans”) workshop for classes, or past sprawling country farms. 
  • By foot on local trails to see the tropical dry rain forest plant life and to island high points to view breathtaking sunsets over the gulf. 

After a day in the sun, be sure to enjoy a nacional beer and the freshest seafood you could possible have in Costa Rica, caught (or cultivated) that day at Chira Fish or El Camaron restaurants. More than a slogan on a t-shirt, the life here in Chira truly is pura vida!

Do you want to sit on a beach with a Mai Tai or experience the reality of a remote fishing island?

Some ideas but once you get here talk to your hosts about what you'd like to do and see:

on Chira Island
Franklin can take you on an artisanal fishing trip

  • Mangrove and Crocodile Boat Tour
  • Artisan Fishing Tour with ASOPECUPACHI
  • Tour with the Association of Fisherman in Playa Montero
  • Isla de Chira Town Tour
  • Artisan Classes with Las Artesanas
  • Tour to Isla Yuca
  • Tour to Isla Paloma, “a bird sanctuary”
  • Tour to Isla Tortuga
  • Oyster Cultivation Tour with ASOPECUPACHI
  • Bike Rental
  • Island Bike Tour  
  • Local Farm Tour
  • Stand up paddle boarding classes and tours
  • Hike with guide to Isla de Chira Palito water tank
  • Hike to Isla de Chira Palito water tank
  • Visit Playa Muerto
  • Visit Playa Montero

Let your contact know ahead if you do not speak Spanish.  But how can I GET THERE?

The Rural Tourism Association of Costa Rica can help you get there

If you can plan ahead contact ACTUAR - the Association of Rural Tourism for Costa Rica. Contact by email: ACTUAR INFORMATION Or Phone (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm): + (506) 2290-7514 or on the WEB at: ACTUAR Costa Rica

How can you help? Simply GO THERE!

or try it yourself by bus or by rentacar

on Chira Island
the local boat schedule

From San Jose – Puntarenas – Isla de Chira (*easiest route*) – Take the direct bus (or drive) from San Jose to Puntarenas (approximately $5). In Puntarenas, take the public boat (approximately $6) near Mercado Municipal de Puntarenas (Calle 2A/Avenida 5). The public boat that departs from Puntarenas at 12:30 p.m. each day, except Sunday, when it departs at 7 a.m. Once arriving in Isla de Chira, take the public bus (approximately $2) that will be waiting direct to your accommodation.

No idea how to start this rural adventure then contact the Pura Vida Hotel directly and we will assist.  How can you get involved? Simply GO THERE!

on Chira Island
Thanks Tory & Dan!

This web page could not have happened without the efforts of two pioneering volunteers from the Peace Corps now stationed on the island - thank you so much Tory Paez and Dan Edelbeck - email them if you'd like to talk to them directly about their experiences on the Isla de Chira.