Arrival Guide — Plant · Harvest · Cook Retreat
This guide gives you everything you need to arrive smoothly and settle into a week of simple living in the rainforest.
1. Travel basics
Fly into: San José — Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
You can arrive the same day or the day before.
If your flight lands before 12:00–1:00 pm, you can catch the afternoon shuttle.
2. Shuttle options (most popular)
These companies pick you up at the airport or your San José hotel and drop you at any hotel in Puerto Viejo.
Caribe Shuttle
5:30 am & 2:00 pm
$60 · 4.5 hours
Interbus
7:30 am & 1:00 pm
$57 · 4.5 hours
Drop-off: Interbus office, Puerto Viejo
15-minute 4×4 taxi to Finca Tierra
These companies pick you up at the airport or your San José hotel and leave you at any hotel in Puerto Viejo.
Uber, taxis & tuk tuks (in Puerto Viejo town)
Puerto Viejo → Finca Tierra
$20
20-minute ride
Taxis:
Sasha +(506) 8430 4986
Carlos Salvatierra +(506) 8622 3026
Tuk tuks:
Ronald +(506) 6110 7510
Alex +(506) 6088 0696
3. Private shuttle (premium option)
Best for late flights or maximum comfort.
$300 · 4.5–5 hours
Direct pickup from airport arrivals
4. Flying to Limón (fastest route)
SJO Airport → Limón Airport → Finca Tierra
SANSA Airlines
40-minute flight
$100–$200 (checked luggage may not be available)
1-hour taxi to Finca Tierra
5. Renting a car
4.5-hour drive from San José to Finca Tierra.
Free parking at the retreat.
We recommend a 4×4 because road conditions vary. Good options:
Toyota RAV4
Suzuki Jimny
Daihatsu Bego
Weekly: $500–$850 with insurance.
Local agencies: Alamo · Enterprise · National
(Located in Puerto Viejo town)
6. Arrival day
Sunday–Saturday schedule
Check-in: Sunday after 2:00 pm
Orientation, settle in, dinner at dusk.
Retreat days: Monday–Friday
Departure: Saturday 11:00 am
7. Afternoon retreat shuttle (included)
Every day after lunch:
→ beach & Puerto Viejo
← return at dusk
Perfect for swimming, cafés, or exploring coastal towns.
No rental car needed.
8. What to pack
Clothing
lightweight shirts
shorts
long thin pants
swimsuit
sleepwear
light sweater or shawl
Shoes
sandals
sneakers
optional garden shoes
Essentials
small flashlight or headlamp
reusable water bottle
sunscreen
natural mosquito repellent
medications
day bag
We provide: towels, linens, soap, shampoo, conditioner, meals, and drinking water.
9. Weather
Warm, humid, green, tropical.
Expect sun with short rains.
Driest months: February–April & September–November.
10. Your cabin
Private bamboo cabin with:
queen bed or two singles
night table
mosquito net
lantern lighting
natural linens
curtains
daily cleaning
11. Bathhouse
4 rain showers
4 toilets
Daily cleaning
Solar-warmed water during daylight hours
12. Electricity & WiFi
Charging station in the main building
Reliable WiFi in the main buildings
No outlets in cabins, lantern-lit
13. Meals
Plant-forward, seasonal, fire-cooked
greens & herbs
cassava, taro, sweet potato
fresh eggs, yogurt, cheese
Beans and grains
farm & ocean fish
tropical fruits
plantains and bananas
coconut dishes
corn tortillas
and more!
14. Optional adventures
With local partners.
Surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, wildlife tours, cacao ceremony, chocolate tours, waterfall hikes, guided nature walks.
Everything is optional and flexible.
15. Local information
ATMs: Located in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Most places accept credit cards.
USD is accepted everywhere.
Typical exchange rate: $1 ≈ ₡500
So ₡1,000 ≈ $2 and ₡10,000 ≈ $20.
SIM cards: If you don’t have international roaming, you can use Airalo or another eSIM provider.
Taxis: Reliable and easy to find.
Pharmacy: Located in Puerto Viejo town.
Hospital clinic: Also in town.
Cafés, dancing, and shopping: Spread throughout Puerto Viejo and along the coastline.
We’re grateful to share this place with you. See you soon in the rainforest.
Ana & Ian