Driving Directions from San Jose International Airport

Map of Costa Rica

San Jose International Airport Departure – Head North along the Pan American Highway which runs in front of the airport.  You access this by turning right out of the airport parking and then taking the right entrance to the freeway indicating Orotina or Puntarenas.  About 5-10 minutes down the freeway you will see a sign for Jaco just before an overpass (watch for white tanks immediately on your left labeled RECOPE).  Follow this road until you pass the 'Fiesta del Maiz' restaurant on the your left (look for a large rotating cube).  Half a kilometer down past the restaurant take a left at the soccer field.  The road curves for about 2 to 3 km; take an immediate left right before an overpass and drive uphill parallel to the freeway for about 100 meters (freeway on the right).  Enter the freeway to your right to head southwest to Orotina.  There will be two toll booths from this point on, so you will need about $3ish in local currency to cover the costs.  Continue to follow the signs to Orotina; bypass Orotina and continue to Jaco.

Highway Cloverleaf – Follow signs to Quepos / Manuel Antonio / Jaco. Exit right until you pass under the bridge. You are now on the Costanera Highway. 

Crocodile Bridge – A long two-lane bridge is called 'Crocodile bridge'. Stop BEFORE the bridge at the Crocodile Bridge restaurant, lock your car, and walk to the center. You're guaranteed to see some huge (15 foot long) crocodiles below you! 

Pacific Ocean – After passing the Nativa Resort at the right you reach Steve and Lisa's Restaurant. It's the first place where you can touch the Pacific Ocean. You can eat here but from here it's only 10 minutes to the Plaza Herradura Shopping Mall which has several restaurants.
Plaza Herradura Shopping Mall and Restaurants – After passing Punta Leona at the right you reach the Los Suenos Marriott Hotel exit in Herradura at the right-hand side   At the corner you find the Plaza Herradura Shopping Mall with Auto Mercado supermarket and several restaurants.

KEEP STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY, DO NOT TAKE ANY OF THE EXITS INTO DOWNTOWN JACO 

Jaco – After the Los Suenos exit in Herradura, you reach the second and last traffic light on this trip. It's there for the Jaco school crosswalk so unless there are children in school, it'll be green. 

End of Jaco – After driving thru the outskirts of Jaco the road follows a wide uphill curve to the right. Here you find a viewing point overlooking Jaco and Jaco Bay. Once you pass this point the road turns to the left and Jaco is gone!
From here it will be twenty minutes to Esterillos. 

Playa Hermosa – You will see Playa Hermosa 5 minutes after you leave Jaco on your right hand side. It’s a small surf town with small hotels and eatery’s. 

Esterillos – Esterillos is broken up into three towns, in order from North to South (traveling from Jaco to Esterillos). Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Central & Esterillos Este. You will be taking the first entrance into Esterillos Oeste on your right just past the Cabo Caletas project. You will see signs for the Las Olas development. You’ll travel roughly 1 km into town where you will see a restaurant and a small super market (Super Sol) on your right. Take a right just past the Super Sol. Stay on the paved road for 1/2 km which winds to La Sirena Hotel on your left. From there you will go 100 meters and turn right up a dirt hill (Calle Canada) which bends to the right as you reach the top. You will see a sign for Apartamentos Iguanas along with two brick pillars. Turn right down the long driveway and you have reached paradise. Enjoy your stay!