Driving Directions from San Jose International Airport
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Map of Costa Rica

San Jose International Airport Departure – Take the first exit to Alejuela (exit to the right; this road double backs) then stay in left lane to San Ramon; DON'T take the second exit to the right that says Alejuela. Now follow the Panamerican Highway (Costa Rica 1) in the direction of San Ramon / Puntarenas  

Take exit to Atenas / Punta Leona – Exit right then turn left on Highway 3 (going over the Panamerican Highway) You will follow this road for the next 1 hour or so. This starts your drive over the mountains toward Atenas.

Atenas – In the heart of Atenas you find the only one gas station and a supermarket next to it. This is the start of many curves and one way bridges toward San Mateo. 

San Mateo – Before you reach San Mateo, you will see the sign 'Manuel Antonio 111km'
Soon after that sign the road will turn right. Go1 block and turn LEFT. Now you drive between a church (left) and the San Mateo city park (right). You will reach Orotina after 5 km or so. 

Orotina – Here you are around halfway between San Jose and Manuel Antonio, not in distance but in time. In Orotina you will find restaurants, fruit shops, bathrooms and a gas station. 

End of Orotina, exit to the right – 500 meters past the Orotina traffic light is a turn off to the right.
Follow the sign to Quepos / Manuel Antonio / Jaco for 10 km or so. 

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 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!