How to get here

How to get Here

The GPS coordinates for Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat are:  10° 26´58.44″ N/84° 3´ 51.50″ W.

By car:

Chilamate, Sarapiqui is about 5km west of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui and 10km east of la Virgen de Sarapiqui. If you are coming from San Jose you can approach the Retreat from either the East or the West.

The Western Route has spectacular views but very steep and winding roads that go from San Jose, through Heredia, Barva, Vara Blanca, past Catarata la Paz (la Paz Waterfall), San Miguel, and then La Virgen. On January 8th 2009 an earthquake severely damaged this route around the Vara Blanca area closing the access completely. Recently the road has been re opened and it is in very good condition but given the curves and the hills it can be a pretty adrenaline filled trip! Chilamate is only about 10km after la Virgen. When you see Adventuras del Sarapqui on your right and la Escuela Chilamate on your left take your next right, and roughly 100 meters before you cross over the Sarapiqui River bridge, on your left you will see signs for our private parking lot. Pull in and you will be attended by a member of our staff. They will help bring the luggage from the parking lot to the reception.

From this point (our parking lot) the entrance to the Retreat is by foot (about 200 mts).  You will walk over the bridge over the Sarapiqui River and then see small a green gate on your right hand side. You can walk in through the gate and follow the rivers edge 150 meters to our reception.

Please feel free to call us at any time if you need any more information or special assistance: 2766-6949, 8842-1171 or 8992-1611.

The Eastern Route is about the same distance but a bit faster and the roads are not as steep and windy and it is still very scenic as it goes through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, on highway 32 heading towards Limon. When you get through the park you will see a crossing where you will want to turn left towards Sarapiqui instead of heading straight towards Limon. Then continue straight, passing through Horquetas and the entrance to La Selva Biological Station until you reach the Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui T-crossing where you can only go left or right. Turn left heading towards Chilamate and la Virgen. When you see the sign for Centro Educativo de Chilamate (Chilamate School) up on your left, turn left (before passing either the school or Adventuras del Sarapiqui), and roughly 100 meters before you cross over the Sarapiqui River bridge, on your left you will see signs for our private parking lot. Pull in and you will be attended by a member of our staff. They will help bring the luggage from the parking lot to the reception.

Again, From this point (our parking lot) the entrance to the Retreat is by foot (about 200 mts).  You will walk over the bridge over the Sarapiqui River and then see small a green gate on your right hand side. You can walk in through the gate and follow the rivers edge 150 meters to our reception.

Please feel free to call us at any time if you need any more information or special assistance: 2766-6949, 8842-1171 or 8992-1611.

If you´re coming from anywhere else in the country please let us know so we can give you detailed directions, call to check on the status of the roads, and suggest the most scenic route.

By bus:
If you are traveling to Chilamate from San Jose, go to Terminal Caribe and take a bus to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Buses leave throughout the day, and it takes about two hours and costs about $6. Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is the very last stop. When you arrive to that bus station, you can take another bus to Chilamate. It takes about ten minutes and costs about $0.75. You need to get off at Chilamate School, cross the road, and walk about 300m down the dirt road, cross the bridge, and enter our small gate on the right of the road. From there you can walk up the path to our reception. Or from the bus station in Puerto Viejo, you can exit the bus station, and take a taxi to Chilamate Rainforest. They will drop you directly at our gate, and it costs $6-8. As always, you can call as you are arriving or if you need extra direction at 2766-6949 or 8992-1611.

Need a hotel in San Jose to get to/from the airport?
The hotel we recommend in San Jose for airport convenience is the Adventure Inn. It is owner operated and part of the same network of owner operated hotels we are a part of, Adventure Hotels of Costa Rica. Mention our hotel, Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat, and receive a 10% discount!