ABOUT US / HOW TO GET TO TRC >
DRIVING DIRECTIONS & BUS SCHEDULE
The TRC property may be accessed through two entrances. The main entrance is located 1.6km (1 mi.) north of downtown La Virgen off a paved road. The second entrance can be accessed via an unpaved road through the community of “La Tirimbina,” 7km (4.4 mi.) from the town of La Virgen.
The Reserve´s main entrance leads to the parking lot, volunteer house, chalet house, restaurant, administrative offices, gift shop, arboretum and garden, and paved path to the forest. The second entrance leads to TRC’s Biological Field Station which contains a classroom, research facilities and housing accommodations, all located in the back of the Reserve property.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO TRC´S MAIN OFFICES:
- From Alajuela (airport area): Go to downtown Alajuela, and take the paved road to Poás Volcano (there are no signs, so you may need to ask someone where this road is). You will pass the Court House, Itiquís and San Isidro. Drive for 18km (11 mi.) until you see the intersection at “Jaulares Restaurant.” Turn right and drive for 3km (1.8 mi). Turn right toward Vara Blanca and drive until you see the gas station (5km/3 mi.). Turn right and drive downhill all the way to downtown La Virgen (50km/31 mi.). Once downtown, drive 1.6km (1 mi.) more. You will see TRC’s sign on the left side of the road. The TRC parking lot and property are on the right.
- From downtown San José: Take the main highway to Limón (you may need to ask where this is), which passes through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Drive for about 1 hour. Turn left at the intersection for Río Frío (look for the sign to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, not Puerto Viejo de Limón). Continue on this road for 30km (18.6 mi.) until you get to the intersection of Puerto Viejo/La Virgen. Turn left toward La Virgen, drive 17km (10½ mi.), and you will see the TRC sign on the right side of the road. The TRC parking lot and property are on the left.
BUS DIRECTIONS TO TRC´S MAIN OFFICES:
Take a taxi from the airport ($10) or from downtown San José ($5) to “Gran Terminal del Caribe” (bus station) in downtown San José. Once there, buy a ticket to PUERTO VIEJO DE SARAPIQUI (not Puerto Viejo de Limón, which is a different city). Choose one of two bus routes:
- Pista Braulio Carrillo (highway): 2 hours; stops in Puerto Viejo where you must buy another bus ticket or pay a taxi ($10) to take you to La Virgen. The bus or taxi will drive for 17km (10½ mi.), and you will see the TRC sign on the right side of the road. TRC’s parking lot and property are on the left.
- Vara Blanca (old road): 3.5 hours; stops directly in front of TRC´s main entrance. You are getting close to TRC when the bus drives through downtown La Virgen (you may need to ask). You will see TRC’s sign on the left side of the road, and the TRC parking lot and property on the right.
BUS SCHEDULE
Route: San José to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Pista |
Vara Blanca |
6:30 AM |
6:30 AM |
7:30 AM |
1:00 PM |
10:00 AM |
5:30 PM |
11:30 AM |
** |
1:30 PM |
** |
2:30 PM |
** |
3:30 PM |
** |
4:30 PM |
** |
5:30 PM |
** |
6:00 PM |
** |
Route: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to San José
Pista |
Vara Blanca |
5:30 AM |
5:30 AM |
7:00 AM |
7:30 AM |
8:00 AM |
11:30 AM |
11:00 AM |
4:30 PM |
1:30 PM |
** |
3:00 PM |
** |
5:30 PM |
** |
