DRIVING THE COAST ROAD ROUTE.

From the airport, this route is a faster alternative because you avoid San Jose traffic. The route provides incredible mountain and ocean views. However, it includes an early stretch of narrow and winding mountain roads and ends with a 40-kilometer section of gravel road, punctuated by a number of narrow rural bridges, many without guardrails. This route is recommended only to confident drivers.

From the Airport to Orotina.

Travel northwest on Route 1 for a little over 10 kilometers and then follow the signs for "Route 27", "Jaco" and "Orotina." Soon the road (Route 27) will climb out of the Central Valley. The road is two-laned and filled with twists, turns and switchbacks. There are few opportunities to pass slower traffic. However, the scenery is a series of breathtaking mountain vistas, punctuated by coffee plantations on hills so steep you will wonder how cultivation can occur. This mountainous section continues for about 30 km until you descend into the town of Orotina.

Orotina to Quepos.

Continue your descent, in a southwesterly direction, following signs to "Jaco", "Jaco Beaches" and "Carara Biological Reserve." The narrow mountain roads are behind you as you approach the coast. Drive carefully across a long, narrow bridge over the Rio Tarcoles, because it is often filled with pedestrians trying to catch a glimpse of the American crocodiles that inhabit the river. Continue through the Jaco resort area, keeping the Pacific coast to your right as you travel to the town of Quepos.

Quepos to Dominical.

Passing through the town of Quepos, leave the coast area and travel east, following signs to "Dominical" and "Airport." At the Quepos Airport, the pavement ends and this portion of the coastal road (about 38 kilometers) is gravel surfaced until the intersection with the San Isidro Road, just north of Playa Domical. Considerable caution should be used when crossing over the many bridges in this stretch of road, because they are all more narrow and rickety than any bridge you encounter in the United States. Many do not have any form of guardrails. Just before this stretch ends, you will pass a 24-hour gas station on the right, shortly followed by the intersection of the coast highway and the road to San Isidro de El General. From this point, the coast highway is again paved. Take an odometer reading at this intersection and then continue, crossing the bridge over the Rio Baru, past the road to Dominical and the Plaza Pacifica shopping center.

The San Martin Road. After traveling 8 kilometers from the San Isidro Road/coast highway intersection, you will see a "Villa Escaleras" sign on the right side of the road directing you to turn left and proceed up the San Martin Road for the final 2 kilometers to the Villa. At this point you need to engage your 4-wheel drive (low gear). After approximately 2 kilometers, the San Martin Road reaches a crossroads. Follow the "Villa Escaleras" sign and turn right at the crossroads and continue about ½ a kilometer to the Villa Helena (driveway intersects from right).