How to Get Here

Flight directly to Puerto Jimenez: There are two airline companies which service Puerto Jimenez on a daily basis and take approximately 1 hour. Any of your local travel agencies can book these tickets for you when they book your flight into San Jose.

NATURE AIR:


SANSA: Schedule and Details (pdf) - Phone: 506-233-3258 - website

Flight from Puerto Jimenez to Carate: If you find yourself in Puerto Jimenez and would like a quick 10-minute flight to the Lookout Inn, Alfa Romeo Air Taxi, locally owned by Alvaro Ramirez Jimenez , can take up to four people directly to Carate for $175. They can be reached by phone at 506-735-5178 or fax at 506-735-5112. Check his rates and flight locations here

The collectivo is about $9.00pp, leaves in front of bus station twice a day 6am & 1:30pm, everyday including Sundays.

Private Taxi is $70.00 one way (for whole taxi, not pp) These are pickup trucks with tarps & padded seats in the back.

Rent a car and drive to Puerto Jimenez and then on to Carate. There are too many rent-a-car places to mention here; suffice it to say that your local travel agent can book it for you (and they should in the high season December to April) or you can upon your arrival. However, we will recommend one over all others. It's called Solid Car Rental. If you rent from somewhere else be prepared to pay about $65.00 US per day for a small four wheel drive and we highly recommend the little Suzuki Samurai for this journey or any other four wheel drive truck or utility vehicle. Do not rent a four wheel drive car such as an Audi to do this journey. You will regret it.

Driving to Puerto Jimenez: There are two main roads, the first being the Costanera (coast road), and the second is 'Route 2' which winds it's way through the central valley and passes through the mountains that surround it. Both roads meet up in Palmar Norte at Route 2 and from there go south to Chacarita where there is a gas station. Turn right and you are on the "Peninsula de Osa" follow it until you come to Puerto Jimenez and stop for a much needed rest. The entire ride should take you approximately 8 hours.

Driving from Puerto Jimenez to the Lookout Inn: Once in Puerto Jimenez, you can get to the Lookout Inn by continuing south to the gas station and turning right. Follow the road for 1 hour and 45 minutes and you will come to a beautiful stretch of road with the ocean on your left fronted by beautiful almond trees and the jungle on the right. There you will find local signs advising you to the whereabouts of the Inn. Keep your eyes open for the immaculately landscaped gardens. The Inn sits on the side of the hill and all who pass by wonder how it ever got built.