Yes, I do a lot of work, which is fun, when I put together a trip and travel. Similar to my preparation for facilitating a program for a client, the preparation give me more ideas about options. It is easier to adapt on the fly knowing more about what is available.
This morning, I was scheduled to get on one of these boats and I did. It was 5:00 am and dark. I was the first person and only person there. I got on and waited. About 4 minutes before departure, others showed up. Then, we stopped at other docks and added several others.
PAUSE…. for reflection!
This was one segment of travel that was difficult to find information about on the web. I had a similar issue with getting from Sarapiqui to La Pavona and the boat to Tortuguero. More exploration, contacting companies, writing to locals for answers, contacting shuttle companies and clarity emerged.
Sarapiqui was interesting! From La Fortuna, I found a company that would take me all the way to la Pavona to the boat for $65 (plus the tax of course). I thought about that but didn’t want to miss Sarapiqui. I asked them if they could drop me there then pick me up two days later to continue the journey. They said yes, but it would be $65 for each segment! The locals thought that sounded crazy!
I opted to use them to Sarapiqui but decided to explore on my own from there. My hotel was a block form the bus station. I walked over and asked questions. They do have a bus from Sarapiqui to Guapiles where I would need to change buses. The bus from there would take me to la Pavona and the boat to Tortuguero. No, it would not cost me an additional $75. The bus, shared taxi and boat cost me about $15. Bonus: I got an authentic local travel experience seeing the landscape, homes, ranches and people!
Fast forward to this morning, I had the same type of experience putting this together. Shuttle companies replied that yes, the did offer the shuttle from la Pavona. However, I would have to pay for two people or $140ish to do so. Another offered a service for $90 (plus tax). They would do exactly what I did but charge far more than I paid. A driver from San Jose said he would help me for $140 and another company offered to help with a shuttle for $243.
I talked the Niale at my hostel and a couple other people. It sounded fairly straight forward and like an adventure so I decided to do it myself.
Here’s how it unfolded! Our boat left around 5:00 am and reached la Pavona around 6:00 am. Boat cost: $8. Shared taxi’s were waiting. Eventually, we were sorted out and I was put on a taxi. Shared taxi cost: $5.
The driver asked where I was going. The San Jose bus station is in a different location but I didn’t know that. It didn’t matter as he didn’t drop me there.
We arrived at 6:45 am. The bus station where I was dropped was not mine so I had to ask directions and walk about five blocks to reach it. I met a police officer and three friendly and helpful locals on the walk there! The ticked off was not staffed. A group of people gathered and lined up. About 7:20, the agent showed up. I paid $3 for the bus. We left on time.
Contrary to appearance, it was not as cushy as it appeared, had no AC but was uncrowded and a quite pleasant ride. That is before the monkey jumped into the plans. People told me the bus took about 90 minutes up to 2 hours. I anticipated arriving early!
Recent rains had caused landslides. Repairs were being done. It is a two lane road so there was little wiggle room for traffic. We spent a lot of time sitting. Farther on, crews were installing new concrete power poles. More delays. Add to that normal delays like heavy loaded trucks driving 15 miles an hour uphill with no space to pass.
We finally reached San Jose around 11:30. A woman I met in Guapiles heard I was going to Alajuela and asked if I wanted to share a taxi. I said sure! Once in San Jose, we decided to call uber. She called and told me she was going to a village that was before Alajuela but the driver would take me on.
In good conditions, that drive is about 25 minutes. However, in order to take her where she was going required the driver to use busy back streets with lots of traffic and lights. By the time I reached my hotel, I had been in the taxi over an hour! Fortuanately, everyone was pleasant and friendly and I got a private tour of parts of San Jose people rarely see.
I wasn’t pleased with spending the past 7 hours sitting on my butt!
I hadn’t eaten and, god forbid, I hadn’t had any coffee. I was pretty exhausted from being up at 4:00 am. My hotel was nice, a very friendly and helpful owner and very close to the center of Alajuela. I wanted to be close.
Umberto (the owner) suggested I go to a local Soda. When I told him I wanted simple local food, he told me to go to the Central Market and look for Soda Sapita! Off I went! It wasn’t hard to find and it was the busiest place there. The staff was buzzing and cranking out food! Every table was taken. I sat at the counter and asked for suggestions? I had a simple picadillo with rice and veggies and tortillas. Simple and awesome! And, inexpensive. That meal in Monteverde or Tortuguero would have cost $12 or more. Here, it was $6. I love finding local places like this!
This afternoon, I went exploring. I found several bakeries, ice cream places, super markets, coffee shops and a donut shop. I saw in the central square for a while. Then stopped to eat at Soda Nicaraguesa…a Nicaraguan Soda. They are from Ometepe where I was last November. Once again, simple and amazing food!
I walked home in a downpour really happy with the new rain jacket I got after the old one failed so completely.
Now, I’m drying out clothing and stuff before organizing my pack. I have a few hours in the morning before heading to the airport. Then, it’s off to the USA!
Ciao!
Sunrise on the river from Tortuguero!
What a lovely day of discovery! See you soon.