Flying
The Cobano Airport is now open replacing the quaint one that served us for years in Tambor. The 25-minute domestic flight to from either San Jose or Liberia to Cobano is by far the quickest way to Santa Teresa. Our concierge can help to arrange the 25-minute taxi ride from Cobano to Santa Teresa. Domestic flights can be booked through Costa Rican Green Airways or Sansa Airlines and we can help with arranging those too. The domestic terminal at San Jose Mineta International Airport is a short walk from the international terminal and we can explain the details if you have not done it before. Please see the Cobano Airport and the national carrier's websites for more details.
(note the photo is of the charming old Tambor airport runway)
Driving
You will be able to experience some of Costa Rica along the way if you drive yourself. You can always contact our dedicated concierge staff who can assist with any questions you may have. The map below is interactive and can display the various routes from the airports in San José, Liberia, Tambor and Cobano to CasaMAR.
Driving from San José
The journey by car from San José to Santa Teresa will take about five hours and include a ferry crossing and as of 2024 mostly paved roads. However, the beach road to CasaMAR is still dirt and AWD or 4x4 is better and likely required.
Leaving San José you'll probably choose to take the highway 27 toll road to the Naviera Tambor ferry terminal in Puntarenas. Most toll charges are less than 1,000 colones. Most tolls are cash only accepting colones and US dollars but as of 2024 there are new contactless machines that take credit cards.
You will need to buy a ferry ticket and we recommend reserving a place using the link below. Some days can be very busy, and it is possible the ferry will be full. Advanced reservations are taken up to 50% of the ferry capacity. To book a ferry ticket visit http://navieratambor.com, click the red box that says "Compra en linea Quickpay-CR", select "Puntarenas a Paquera" and the date and time and then finally choose "Vehiculo Liviano". Credit cards are accepted.
Passengers will generally need to get out of the car and board the ferry on foot. However, during the pandemic passengers have been allowed to remain in the car to allow more social distancing on board. There are bathrooms on the passenger decks and on the parking deck (near the back).
Leaving the ferry at Paquera, the drive to Santa Teresa is now nicely paved most of the way. Drive through the towns of Tambor and Cóbano. The last 10km is dirt road and can be bumpy. We always recommend a high clearance vehicle like an SUV. Four wheel drive is recommended especially during the green (rainy) season, or if you plan to drive up into the mountains where there are steep rocky accents or river crossings. (note that CasaMAR is located on the beach and is easy to access).
The house is not difficult to find once you arrive into Santa Teresa. As you enter town take a right at the main intersection (El Cruce) to head north on the road through town. Pass Super Ronny's supermarket and then pass Katana restaurant and over a small bridge. Just after Tropico Latino Hotel on the left and Zulu Restaurant on the right, take a left toward the beach at the Banana Beach sign. We are the next to last gate on the left (just before The Beach House gate) with a wooden gated entrance. Banana Beach Restaurant will be across the road on the beach front.
Driving from Liberia
The trip from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia takes about four hours to Santa Teresa taking highway 21 most of the way. Please follow the directions from Paquera above for the details on getting to the house. The map above can be used to see the driving directions.