Getting to Santa Teresa Beach by Car

[Danny Solano Alvarez]

From San Jose, drive west to the Pacific Coast port town of Puntarenas and take the car ferry to Paquera. Be sure not to take the ferry to Playa Naranjo. Once off the ferry in Paquera, follow the signs for Cobano and Mal Pais, passing through the town of Tambor; watch for road signs as the route is clearly marked. Once in Cobano, drive straight through town and turn left after 1 kilometer, proceeding toward Mal Pais. You will now be driving on a dirt road. After 8 km (30 min), you will arrive at Mal Pais crossroads; turn right and Hotel Tropico Latino is 800 yards on your left, just after a tiny bridge. Total driving time is approximately 3 hours, plus 1 hour on the ferry.