Directions From San Jose Airport (SJO)

Directions From San Jose Airport (SJO)
Leaves and Lizards Official Address:
500 meters south of the super kike (kee-kay)
(Aka: Santo Domingo) Monterrey, San Carlos
Alajuela, Costa Rica
phone:2478-0023 Cell: 8333-6863
IMPORTANT NOTE: Ask at your rental car agency about up to date road conditions.
If you use a GPS, only use it as a secondary system to a good map. Use a map first.
Leaves and Lizards GPS coordinates: N 10.5319’ W 84.6615’
Enter in the GPS: The Springs Resort and Spa, Monterrey, San Carlos
Driving Directions from the SJO Airport:
Exploring En Route:
Grecia: This community was founded in 1838 it's most interesting structure is the church. The church is made of iron, and was prefabricated in Belgium in
the 1890's, shipped to Costa Rica and then transported to Grecia from Alajuela by oxcart.
Sarchi: This town is spreads though the rolling hills, notice coffee growing on the hills as you drive through this area. Sarchi is known for furniture
craftsmanship, but it is most famous for its fancy brightly painted oxcarts.
Zarcero: The central park in this town looks like it was designed by Dr. Seuss. Evangelisto Blanco, a local landscape artist carefully shaped cypress topiaries
in fanciful shapes. The artwork in the church was done by late local artist Misael Solis.
Ciudad Quesada/San Carlos: This large city is the center of activity for the Zona Norte (Northern Zone).
THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE AND FASTEST IS THROUGH SAN RAMON THE RED ROUTE. PLAN ON 3 HOURS FROM THE San Jose
AIRPORT AND 3 HOURS FROM LIBERIA. THAT IS WITH NO STOPS OR UNEXPECTED DELAYS. WE ALWAYS ALLOW 4 HOURS TO
BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. WE NEED 12 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE FOR MEALS. PLEASE PLAN TO GET HERE BEFORE DARK 5:30.
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When driving in Costa Rica, there are few road signs, the best advice is to always know which town you are headed to next, and follow the
signs to that town and if you get lost people are eager to help you find your way. Just say "Donde (where) Monterrey (place which ever town
in the sentence is the next town on your route)?" And if you have a map in your hand pointing all the better. We have been so lost at times
that locals have just led us out to a main road! But, ask 3 people before making a big decision in navigation. Folks will tell you an answer
even if it is wrong, because they don’t want to disappoint you.
Speeding tickets are very expensive, so be careful not to speed or pass on a double yellow line. The police are nice and friendly, so don’t
stress about it if you get pulled over.
Most roads do not have a number. When asking for directions, you will be told how to get to the next town along your route. If a road does
have a number most Costa Ricans will not know it.
A good map, a compass and a current Costa Rica guidebook will make your travel more interesting and enjoyable.
Do not plan to drive at night.
Plan for extra time, to stop and explore.
On paved roads you can figure it will take about 3 hours to travel 100 miles.
Even if a road is on a map, it may not be passable by car, but only by horse or tractor. This is a very important point.
There may be more than one town with the same name.
Most bridges are only one lane, be prepared to yield to oncoming traffic. The Spanish word for yield is 'ceda'.
Give way to oncoming Semi-trucks.
Assign one person in your party to be the road hazard watcher and navigator. It is very difficult to drive and navigate.
Back seat driving is allowed when in Costa Rica ;)
Soda’s are small diners and serve typical foods.
Road conditions change quickly-and contain surprising hazards, cattle, people sitting on the side of the road talking on their cell phones, big
pot holes or washouts.
Keep in mind the Journey is the Adventure and you’ll be fine and have fun. Driving in Costa Rica is sort of like sailing. Get to your
destination by dark and you have had a good day!
Click HERE for road signs in Spanish - be sure to learn - Danger, Caution, Curves, Right, Left, Bridge, Stop, Yield, One Way and Slow!
Do not leave expensive electronics out in the open in your car, even if it is locked. Take your backpack with your camera, passport, money
and any other valuable items with you, do not leave them in the car.
Directions from Liberia Airport
??? Frequently Asked Questions ???
There will be a test! Receive a free beer!
What is the bird’s name? Lorita. She is a Red Lored Parrot. She is 7 years old. Yes, she bites. Yes, she can talk.
What are the dogs names: Golden Retriever is Sam he is 7-10 years old, Beanie is a little brown dog and is 2 years old (2013)
How did you FIND this place? It found us. Friends of our showed us the farm and we just knew it was the place. We bought it the same day.
How long have you been here? We opened in 2007
Where did you come from? Steve grew up in Florida and Alabama and Debbie grew up in Minnesota. We moved here from Sarasota, Florida in
Feb. 2006.
Wow! That is a bumpy road! Yes, it is. It is better in the rainy season, softer. It keeps out the riff raff.
What made you decide to move to Costa Rica? Why not? We could always go back and do what we did before. Mechanic and Nurse. “Life is
either a daring adventure, or it is nothing” – Helen Keller.
Do your kids come to visit often? Once or twice a year.
How often do you go to the States? Once or twice a year.
What do you miss about living in the USA? Nothing.
Where do you go on vacation? Various places, during our slow season. Slow season is May, September and October.
Should I drive after dark? Not to your next location. But, if you drive to Fortuna in the day, you should be able to find your way back after dark. It
can be foggy, watch for people and cattle in the road.
Can I go rafting, ziplining, horseback riding and the hot springs in one day? No. The biggest mistake people make is over planning and trying to
fit 5 days of activities in one or two days. Enjoy the moments of each day; don’t waste those moments worrying about what you are going to do next.
That is the opposite of Pura Vida .
Do I really need a guide? If you can afford a guide, it is best to have a guide. It is the difference between hiking with your eyes open or your eyes
closed. At least hire a guide for your first hike, that way you will be more in tune to your surroundings on subsequent hikes.
Is the cow I’m milking a boy or a girl? Only girl cows give milk. It does not hurt the cow.
I want to spend the day at a hot spring, which one should I go to? See the comparison sheet in your room or with email attachments. Most people
spend 2 hours maximum at any given hot spring, then they are hot. Most people don’t the day around a visit to a hot spring, there too many other
things to do around here. Many guests will opt for the free hot river. The location is on our area map.
I have ants in my cabin; can you take care of that? Don’t leave any food out. It is the tropics. If we used enough chemicals to get rid of the ants
you would also be dead.
Why don’t you have Internet, TV or A/C in the rooms? We are a retreat; in keeping with that atmosphere we opted to minimize the interference
from the outside world. Take some time to read, play board games, talk to each other, take a nap, day dream…reconnect with one another and nature.
Listen, feel, absorb your surroundings see the 360 degree view, not just the view from your ipad. Don’t be insulted…we do the same thing! And need
a reminder once in a while!
Is the water safe to drink? Yes, it comes from a mountain spring.
What is the best way to get there? See our LOCATION tab on our website. 80% of our guests rent a car. If you don’t want to rent a car, we can
provide the transportation.
Are the roads safe to drive on? Yes, they are safe. But, you have to drive differently, take your time. Know that you can only go about 30 miles in a
hour and that’s ok.
Do I need to plan my activities in advance? If you want guide service (for whatever reason), horseback riding, Proyecto Asis, Tico Farm or
Cowboy for a Day we like to know in advance, if possible, so we can plan resources accordingly. Commercial tours can be arranged once you get
here. It is best not to reserve those in advance, it is difficult to cancel and get a refund. People commonly change their minds. Please do not plan your
day down to the 15 minute mark, you will just be frustrated. Allow time to sit on your porch, play in the river and take a nap.
How far are you from the nearest town? Our little town of Monterrey is 3 km away. La Fortuna is 8 km away. Both on a gravel/rock road.
Where is the nearest ATM? In Monterrey.
Do I need to change money? No. Take out some colones from an ATM once you get here. Most places take USD and give change in the local
currency.
How far are you from the nearest off site restaurant? 3km.
What should I wear horseback riding? Long pants and closed toed shoes.