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Sierpe Getting There

Air

Local carriers, Nature Air and Sansa, fly between San Jose and Palmar Norte airstrip several times a day, with departures and arrivals from many popular tourist locations. $200 round trip.

Bus

Direct Buses: San Jose- Sierpe

Direct buses from San Jose depart from the Tracopa Station (Transportes Costarricenses Panameños) at Plaza Viquez (Calle 5 and Avendia 20) in San Jose: $12 one way; 8:30 a.m. Mon.-Sun.; 7-8 hours; 2221-4214.

Direct buses from Sierpe depart from the Sierpe park in front of "Farmacia Ibarra" in Sierpe: $12 one way; 7:30 a.m. Mon.-Sun.; 7-8 hours; 2788-1311.

Indirect Buses: San Jose - Palmar Norte - Sierpe

Buses from San Jose heading to Ciudad Neily, Golfito or Paso Canoas stop at a town near Sierpe called Palmar Norte. From Palmar Norte, you can take the local bus to Sierpe ($1). All indirect buses that stop at Palmar Norte depart from the Tracopa Station (Transportes Costarricenses Panameños) at Plaza Viquez (Calle 5 and Avendia 20) in San Jose: $12 one way to Palmar Norte; 2221-4214.

Tracopa station serves three bus lines you can take to Palmar Norte (San Jose – Ciudad Neily, San Jose – Paso Canoas and San Jose Golfito) with two routes: the coastal or the high mountains highway.

Buses from San Jose that stop at Palmar Norte via the coastal highway (5-6 hours) leave San Jose Mon.-Sun. at 6:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 7:40 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. Additional service on Fridays only at 10 p.m.

Buses from San Jose that stop at Palmar Norte via the high mountains (6-7 hours - They call it "El Cerro") leave San Jose Mon.-Sun. at 5 a.m., 5:30 a.m.,7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Additional service on Sundays only at 10:20 p.m.

Buses from Palmar Norte in route to San Jose via the high mountains leave Palmar Norte from Tracopa station Mon-Sun. at 5:40 a.m., 6:15 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 10 a.m.,1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.; Additional service on Sundays only at 12:15 p.m.;$12 one way.

Buses from Palmar Norte in route to San Jose via the coastal highway leave Palmar Norte from Tracopa station Mon-Sun. at 6:05 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:50 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 3:01 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Additional service on Sundays at 9:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m. and 3:17 p.m.; $12 one way.

Palmar Norte – Sierpe

Buses from Palmar Norte to Sierpe depart from the Auto Lasa station in front of the Gollo appliance store at 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.; $1; 30 minutes; 2786-7496.

Buses from Sierpe to Palmar Norte depart from the corner of the Sierpe Park near Farmacia Ibarra at 5:30 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; $1; 30 minutes; 2786-7496.

Note: In case you miss the bus to Sierpe you can take a taxi for $14-15 from Palmar Norte to Sierpe.

Car

Travel time between San Jose and Sierpe is roughly four hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Take Route 27 west toward Orotina, the fastest way – for about 30 – 40 minutes. Exit toward Route 34, following signs to Jaco. Expect to pay around $6 in tolls - payable only in Costa Rican currency. Before reaching Jaco, you'll cross the Tarcoles River Bridge where dozens of crocodiles may be spotted from the bridge. From Jaco, continue on Route 34 towards Manuel Antonio/Quepos. Pass Dominical, Uvita and continue until you get to Palmar Norte. Exit toward Route 223 Sierpe and continue for 15 minutes until the end of the road.

Alternatively, from San Isidro del General, you can take the Panamerican Highway south to Buenos Aires. You will pass through sugar cane and pineapple farms. After Buenos Aires, continue south alongside the Terraba River until you reach Palmar Norte. Cross the river bridge and turn right to reach Sierpe.

Sierpe Travel Guide

Sierpe Weather

Current Conditions

82°F (28°C) Cloudy

Humidity: 86%

Wind: 4.97 miles per hour, WNW

15 day weather forecast >

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