Driving Directions San Jose to Nosara

Driving Directions from San Jose to Nosara

From Juan Santa Maria International Airport, take the Pan American Highway North. The initial signs will indicate San Ramon.

Once on the Pan American Highway, indicated on the signs as Route 1 , do not turn off this road until you make the left hand turn to the Tempisque Bridge,  indicated on the signs as "Puente de la Amistad", after a Shell Gasoline Station. Driving time for this portion of the trip willl be approximately 3 hours.

After crossing the bridge, continue on the main road until this road ends at an intersection with another main road, Highway 21. Turn right towards the town of Nicoya. Turn left at the junction to Nicoya (adjacent to a hillside quarry). This portion of the drive will take approximately 20 minutes.

Drive straight through the town of Nicoya. This will put you on the main road to Samara and Nosara. Continue on this road until you come to a Castrol Gas Station on the left side of the road. It is a good idea to top off your tanks here. This portion of the trip will take approximately 30 minutes.

Immediately after the gas station, you will make a right turn onto an unpaved road. Remain on this road until the road comes to an intersection. Follow the signs to the right and to Garza and Nosara. After passing the beach village of Garza, you will have about 10-15 minutes remaining until you see the Hotel Cafe de Paris on the left side of the road, and the signs for Harbor Reef Lodge, Casa Tucan and Harmony Hotel. Turn left here and proceed toward the beach, past both the Casa Tucan and Harmony Hotel. The road will turn left and the Harbor Reef Lodge will be on the left side about 150 yards from the turn.

Notes:

Remember that the speed limit signs are in kilometers. Flashing headlights from an approaching car usually mean that a police radar unit is up ahead or there is reason to exercise extra caution.

Relax, take your time, enjoy the drive and watch out for potholes. You really will get here in just about the same amount of time.