Arrival & Preparation Guide

This guide applies to students attending the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) at Finca Tierra.

Everything you need to know to arrive comfortably at Finca Tierra, with travel tips, arrival timing, what to bring, and what to expect on-site.

Flights & Entry Requirements

Flights

Most students arrive in Costa Rica through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. It’s the country’s main international airport and is well connected to major cities in North America and Europe.

Entry Documents

Entering Costa Rica is generally straightforward. Travelers are typically asked to show a return or onward ticket, so we recommend keeping a copy (digital or printed) with you when you travel.

Visas

For most students traveling from North America or Europe, no visa is required to enter Costa Rica for short stays.
If you’re traveling from another region, requirements may vary slightly. To be safe, we recommend checking the official Costa Rican immigration website before your trip: www.migracion.go.cr

Vaccines

There are no required vaccines for entry into Costa Rica. As a general health precaution for travel and outdoor work, it’s a good idea to be up to date with your tetanus vaccination.

Arrival & Check-In Schedule

To make your arrival easy and relaxed, we recommend arriving in Costa Rica one day before check-in and staying overnight in either San José (near the airport) or Puerto Viejo (closer to the farm). This gives you plenty of time to travel comfortably to the Caribbean coast.

Check-In: Sunday after 2:00 pm (orientation & dinner)
Course Begins: Monday at 8:00 am
Course Ends: Second Saturday
Check-Out: Sunday at 11:00 am, after breakfast

If you stay in San José, you can take a morning shuttle or bus to Puerto Viejo on check-in day.
If you stay in Puerto Viejo, it’s an easy 15–20 minute taxi ride to the farm on Sunday afternoon.

We’ve listed recommended accommodations below to help with your planning.

Getting to Puerto Viejo from San José (SJO Airport)

Most students arrive in Costa Rica through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, the country’s main international airport.

From San José, traveling to Puerto Viejo is straightforward and well-traveled. The journey takes about 4 hours, passing through rainforest-covered mountains before descending to the Caribbean coast.

Because course check-in is Sunday after 2:00 pm, you have two easy options:

  • Arrive Sunday morning and take the 2:00 pm shuttle directly to Puerto Viejo, or

  • Arrive Saturday, stay overnight in San José, and take a morning shuttle on Sunday.

Both options work well, and many students choose whichever feels most comfortable for their travel schedule.

Transportation Options from San José to Puerto Viejo

You have four main ways to reach Puerto Viejo from San José:

1. Shuttle Bus Services (Most Popular Option)

Shuttles are comfortable, air-conditioned, and reliable, making them the easiest choice for most students.

  • Pickup from downtown San José hotels or Denny’s near the airport

  • Drop-off at your hotel in Puerto Viejo

  • If coming directly to the farm, you may ask to be dropped in town at Hotel Maritza (Puerto Viejo), across from the taxi station

  • From there, 4WD taxis are readily available to reach the farm

Caribe Shuttle

  • San José → Puerto Viejo: 5:30 am & 2:00 pm — ~$60

  • Puerto Viejo → San José: 6:00 am & 12:30 pm — ~$60

  • Travel time: ~5 hours

Interbus

  • San José → Puerto Viejo: 7:30 am & 1:00 pm — ~$57

  • Puerto Viejo → San José: 6:00 am & 1:30 pm — ~$57

2. Public Bus (MEPE)

This is the most economical option and is commonly used by locals and travelers.

  • Cost: approximately $10

  • Departs from Terminal MEPE, Barrio México, San José

  • We recommend arriving 30+ minutes early

  • Confirm your destination is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Schedule:

  • San José → Puerto Viejo: 6:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm*, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm

  • Puerto Viejo → San José: 7:30 am*, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 4:00 pm

*Some buses stop near the Olé Caribe intersection, about 3 km from the farm.

3. Rental Car

Renting a car is an option for confident drivers.

  • Roads can be narrow and rural in places

  • A 4WD vehicle is recommended for the final access road to the farm

  • Rental agencies such as Alamo and Adobe have offices in Puerto Viejo

4. Private Taxi

A private taxi offers door-to-door convenience.

  • Cost from SJO to the farm: approximately $150–$300

  • Price should be negotiated at the airport

  • Best suited for those arriving late or traveling in a group

Recommended Accommodations

To make planning easier, here are a few trusted and affordable places where past students have enjoyed staying. You’re welcome to choose any accommodation that suits your budget and travel style.

San José (Near the Airport)

Puerto Viejo

You can find additional options on the Puerto Viejo Satellite Travel Guide.

Directions to Finca Tierra

You can find us easily on Google Maps here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7MpCTZGuTWC229s5

Location: Playa Cócles, Calle Olé Caribe, 2.8 km in, always to the left — Finca Tierra

We recommend taking a taxi from downtown Puerto Viejo, which takes about 15–20 minutes. Taxis are readily available and drivers are familiar with the route.

For those who enjoy walking or biking, the road to the farm is also:

  • Walkable in about 30+ minutes

  • Bikeable in about 15–20 minutes

We send updated taxi recommendations to all participants approximately two weeks before each course.

A small note about the access road

The final 300 meters of the road are rustic and part of the rainforest setting.

  • If you’re driving a 4WD vehicle, you can drive all the way in.

  • If you’re driving a 2WD vehicle, simply park at the upper lot before the descent and walk the remaining distance.

Most students arrive by taxi, which handles this easily.

On-Site Conditions

Weather

Finca Tierra is located in a tropical forest environment, which means warm temperatures and lush surroundings year-round.

Typical temperatures range from 24°C (75°F) at night to 30°C (85°F) during the day.

Our courses are scheduled outside the main rainy season on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, when weather is generally dry, warm, and comfortable for outdoor learning.
As with any tropical environment, brief showers can occasionally occur, but they pass quickly.

What to Bring

To stay comfortable during the course, we recommend bringing:

  • Flashlight or headlamp

  • Rubber boots (helpful for outdoor work and walking paths, especially after occasional rain)

    • (You may request a pair from us for $20, at least 2 weeks before arrival)

  • Tall socks (calf-high or higher)

  • Lightweight work clothes (pants and shirts)

  • Sandals and a bathing suit

  • Sunscreen and bug repellent

  • Umbrella or light rain jacket

  • Gardening gloves

  • Notebook and pen

  • Personal medical supplies

Optional items:

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Musical instrument

  • Small portable speaker

  • Beach towel (we provide shower towels)

Internet & Power

We have reliable electricity and high-speed internet available in the main common area, where guests can charge devices at any time.

Cabins are designed for rest and simplicity and do not have charging outlets. We recommend charging phones, laptops, and other devices in the common area during the day or evening as needed.

If you’d like mobile service while in Costa Rica, you may consider purchasing a SIM card or eSIM. This guide may be helpful: Costa Rica Vibes – Cell Phone Info

Laundry & Transportation

Fresh towels and sheets are provided during your stay. A simple hand-washing station is available on the farm if you need to wash a few items during the week.

For larger loads, we recommend local wash-and-fold laundry services in town, commonly used by students on weekends.

Jungle Laundry in Playa Chiquita offers convenient pickup and drop-off services for washed, dried, and folded laundry.

The farm is located about 1.5 miles from the beach and public transportation. Taxis to Puerto Viejo center typically cost around $12. Many students enjoy walking to the beach and sharing taxis into town.

Refund Policy

  • Final payment is due 2 weeks before the course

  • Tuition is refundable up to 30 days before the course start date

  • The $400 deposit is non-refundable

  • If Finca Tierra cancels the course for any reason, a full refund will be issued

  • We are not responsible for travel reimbursement, and we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance

In rare cases, participants may be asked to leave if their behavior is disruptive or unsafe to the learning environment.

University Credit & Grants

Many past students have successfully received university grants or academic credit for participating in a PDC. These grants often cover course tuition, though not airfare.

We recommend meeting with a professor, academic advisor, study-abroad office, or department chair to explore available funding or credit options and discuss how the course aligns with your academic and professional goals.

One past student shared her experience:

“I received a grant to do a PDC by applying for an experiential learning award at my university. I wrote a proposal explaining how the course supported my academic goals and how I would share what I learned with my community. A letter of recommendation from a professor was also required.”

Academic credit depends on your institution and program. Some students receive up to 4 credit hours as internship, independent study, or study-abroad credit. We’re happy to provide a course syllabus or answer any questions to support your application.

We’re excited to welcome you to Finca Tierra and look forward to sharing this experience with you 🌿