N 90 38′ 853″
W 85 10′ 257″
Below is the driving guide. Please note that there are two main routes. The first is via the new toll road & the second is the old highway. Take the first option whenever possible !
1. Driving Guide from Santa Maria International Airport in San Jose Costa Rica to Mariposa Vacation Homes, Santa Teresa Costa Rica via NEW TOLL ROAD :
– Exit the airport turning right onto the main Highway towards San Jose
– Continue approximately 11.4 km
– Stay in the right lane; on your left you will see DENNY’s & BEST WESTERN
– Take your first right marked Circumvulacion towards Hatillos
– Continue approximately 1.3 km
– Stay in the right lane
– Turn right toward Escazu Route 27
– You are now on the new toll road to Orotina, Caldera & Puntarenas
– Follow the signs to Puntarenas, Stay alert, just past the Doubltree by Hilton on your left, the turn off to Puntarenas is on your right
– Turn Right on Route 17 to Puntarenas
– Continue to the end of the road @ 12 kms, where you will turn right at the Ferry Tambor sign and get in line for the Ferry to PAQUERA
– Wait for a uniformed agent to issue you a ticket voucher. Once you have your ticket voucher you may proceed to the ticket counter to purchase your ticket & those of any passengers traveling with you
– From Paquera Follow the main road and signs to Cobano
– Continue straight through the main intersection in Cobano 14 km towards Mal Pais
– Turn Right, at the very bottom of the hill you will come to your first 4 way intersection, towards 2 story Blue Commercial Building
– Continue 3 km to the town of Santa Teresa
– Once out of the town center (Burger Rancho-on left & Pizza Tomate-on right), continue another 1.2 km where you will see Super La Hacienda on your right.
– 50 m past Super La Hacienda on the left hand side you will see our sign “Mariposa Vacation Homes” and a wooden Gate. Welcome !
– Please use the entry code provided in your Confirmation Letter to access th esafe for the keys to the property
– The information Guides for the houses are on the coffee table and our manager Juan Araya will come by to check-you in
– Enjoy your stay !
2. Driving Guide from San Jose to Santa Teresa (using the Berndtson & Berndtson map of Costa Rica) Via Puntarenas Ferry (6-8 hours): IF you are coming from Tambor, just follow the directions below from Tambor below.
Exit the International airport staying in the right lane. You will loop around to the west going in the opposite direction than downtown San Jose. Stay on the main road, the CI 1, Pan American Hwy, past San Ramon and Esparza. Drive past the town of Esparza. There is a sign on the main highway that reads “Puntarenas RT 23” (approx 66 miles according to the B&B MAP of Costa Rica, exit to the right and follow the signs to downtown Puntarenas, via Rt 17. Follow the signs to the ferry at the far end of town. Wait in your car until a uniformed Tambor employee issues you a paper coupon. Once you have the coupon you may go to the ticket office and buy your ticket to Paquera. Once you exit the ferry in Paquera continue straight, passing thru the towns of Tambor and Cobano (approx 1 hour). Leaving Cobano the asphalt turns to dirt over a small bridge for 14 kms until you reach the intersection for Mal Pais/Santa Teresa. Turn right at the main intersection in Mal Pais, with a 2 story blue commercial building on the corner, on your right. Continue approximately 3 km. As soon as you pass the Supermarket” La Hacienda” on the right side, slow down and look to your left. In about 50 yards you will see a green chain-link fence, and a wooden gate with a “Mariposa Beach Homes” sign on the left hand side.
* PLEASE NOTE I have not measured the distances marked in parenthesis myself, & can not vouch for their accuracy, so please stay alert & look for signs, stop & ask at a gas station or business if you are not sure.
Once you arrive: Please find a your keys inside of the enrty safe in the black metal box below the sign. The entry instructions/ safe code were provided in your Confirmation Letter. Please make yourself at home. Our manager will come by before 4pm or after 7am the next day to check you in.
Via Tempisque bridge (6-8 hours):
Exit the International airport staying in the right lane. You will loop around to the west going in the opposite direction than downtown San Jose. Stay on the main road, the CI 1, Pan American Hwy, towards Liberia, until you see a sign for the Tempisque bridge (approx 98 miles from the airport according to the B&B MAP of Costa Rica. Turn left & cross the bridge. Continue 15 km. At the “T” intersection turn left towards Jicaral, Playa Naranja & Paquera (approx 64 km). Once you reach the dead end in Paquera , turn left towards Cobano. continue straight, passing thru the towns of Tambor and Cobano (29km). Leaving Cobano the asphalt turns to dirt over a small bridge for 14 kms until you reach the intersection for Mal Pais/Santa Teresa. Turn right at the main intersection in mal Pais, with a 2 story blue commercial building on the corner, on your right. Continue approximately 3 km. As soon as you pass the Supermarket” La Hacienda” on the right side, slow down and look to your left. In about 100 yards you will see a green chain-link fence, and a wooden gate with “CASAS PURA VIDA” in tiled letters on the left hand side. Welcome.
* PLEASE NOTE I have not measured the distances marked in parenthesis myself, & can not vouch for their accuracy, so please stay alert & look for signs, stop & ask at a gas station or business if you are not sure.
Once you arrive: Please find a your keys inside of the enrty safe in the black metal box below the sign. The entry instructions/ safe code were provided in your Confirmation Letter. Please make yourself at home. Our manager will come by before 4pm or after 7am the next day to check you in.
*Important Note: Costa Rican driving conditions require patience, and staying alert! Unmarked obstacles and hazards do exist and the trip will probably take longer than you expect. It is always best to get an early start and avoid driving after 6 pm, as it is night.
Thank you. Pura Vida!
