From downtown San Jose, the easiest driving route to Dominical is via the mountainous Inter-American Highway south to San Isidro de El General and then west to the Pacific Coast;

From the Juan Santamaria International airport, the coast road route via Jaco and Quepos is a good alternative.

Alternatively, if you wish to avoid a long drive you may consider a Sansa or NatureAir flight from San Jose to Quepos, arranging in advance to be met by a car rental agency at the Quepos Airport.

The route is approximately 170 kilometers and takes about 4 hours. The mountain passes are often rainy and foggy in the afternoons, so it is best to start your journey from San Jose in the morning. San Jose - Cartago. Travel south from San Jose, following the "Route 2" signs toward Cartago. After the toll station (60 colones); follow the sign "Tres Rios-Cartago-Panama" through a multiple highway intersection. As you near the town of Cartago, watch for a modern 24-hour Shell gas station on your right. Keep to the right after you pass the gas station. (If you bear left, you will end up in the city of Cartago and have to backtrack.) Cartago - San Isidro. You will then pass through pastureland dotted with pinewoods and the Centro Industrial-Cartago. After a few miles you begin to climb into the mountains. The climate, flora and fauna are diverse and the views stunning. The highway climbs to an altitude of nearly 12,000 feet, before descending into the town of San Isidro de El General (about 3 hours). As you enter San Isidro de El General, watch for the sign to Dominical. Turn right at the sign and continue through the town. San Isidro de El General - Dominical. The paved road becomes a beautiful rural road that winds up through the coastal mountain range and then down toward the Pacific Ocean and Dominical (about 1 hour). The coast highway. The San Isidro road ends at the Costaneros Sur or coast highway. At that intersection, check the reading on your odometer and turn left (south), onto the coast highway. You will immediately cross a concrete bridge over the Rio Baru, continuing past the side road to Dominical (about .4 kilometers on the right), then the Plaza Pacifica shopping center (on the left). 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 ˝ a kilometer to the Villa Helena driveway. Follow drive down and over the stream and you have arrived. (driveway intersects from right).

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 - 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-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 ˝ a kilometer to the Villa Helena (driveway intersects from right).

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS TO THE VILLA

ON THE ROAD

Gas Stations are scarce in Costa Rica. Check your gas gauge when you pick up your rental car (most do not fill the tank) and be sure that you have a full tank when you leave the San Jose or airport area. In Dominical, the gas station just north of the Coast Road/San Isidro Road intersection is the only station between Dominical and Quepos to the north, San Isidro to the east and Uvita/Ojochal to the south. Pedestrians and Animals use or cross the highways everywhere. Even where the speed limit is 80 kilometers/hour, pedestrians, bus riders, cyclists are to be found on the highways, so caution is urged. The area of the Inter-American Highway where vision is often obscured by mists and fog is called the "Cerro de la Muerta" for the simple reason that many pedestrians who try to cross the highways do not make it. Night Driving on the highway should be avoided for the same reason. Additionally, in the mountains, domestic and wild animals often choose to sleep on the paved highway because it has retained heat from the afternoon sun. This condition is not prevalent along the coast highway, but caution is urged whenever vision is limited. Passing Slower Traffic is a national sport in Costa Rica. Many large trucks and busses, along with an assortment of ancient vehicles (usually pickup trucks) travel the highways at speeds well below the posted limit, especially in the mountains. The mountain roads and highways provide very limited opportunity for passing and caution should be used. Exercise caution in your own passing strategy and be constantly aware of local drivers, most of whom are averse to following slow-moving traffic. This applies to cars, trucks and busses. Defensive driving is a must.

PROVISIONING

If you plan a lot of cooking during your stay at the Villa, stock up with provisions before you reach Dominical.

San Jose

Selection and quality are highest in San Jose, specifically lettuces, baby vegetables, non-seasonal and exotic fruits, whole grain breads, higher quality meats, and imported liquors and wines. If you stay overnight in the capital, ask your hotel for the most convenient super market on the way out of town. If you leave directly from the airport, the car rental agency may be your best bet for directions.

San Isidro de El General

You can find plenty of basic items, meats and vegetables in San Isidro. As you travel through San Isidro toward Dominical, watch for the Supermercado Coopeagri on the right. The central vegetable market (in the bus terminal), a pharmacy and two bakeries can be found in the block before the Supermercado. There are a number of stands selling fresh fruit and vegetable on the road between San Isidro and Dominical.

Quepos

There are a number of grocery stores in the town. Coffee lovers should stop at Café Milagro, across from the beach in the northern portion of the town. The coffee is roasted on-site and fresh beans (there is a grinder at the Villa) and ground coffee are available. The staff speaks English and can direct you to nearby supermarkets.

Dominical

The markets in the Plaza Pacifica and in Dominical are more convenience stores than a supermarket, so selection is limited. A fruit stand and panderia (bakery) have just recently opened in town.

We hope these notes are helpful and we look forward to seeing you soon!

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