If You’re Driving to Hacienda Baru

From San Jose via Cerro de la Muerte

There are two options from San Jose, the coastal route and the mountain route. For the mountain route take the Inter-American Highway #2 south to San Isidro del General. You will leave San Jose heading east to Cartago, once you get to the entrance to Cartago you want to follow the signs to San Isidro del General or Panama.  This will take you over the Cerro de la Muerte, the highest point on the Pan-American Highway 3200m (10,400 feet). This road is completely paved and in pretty good shape as of April 2010. You do want to be careful though; this road can be very rainy and foggy. It is used by a lot of the trucks headed to Panama. Take a jacket, it gets cold up there. It will take you from 2-3 hours to get to San Isidro depending on traffic and fog. If you want a coffee, something to eat or need a pit stop up on the mountain, a good place to stop is at the most famous greasy spoon in Costa Rica. The place is “Chespiritos” it’s on the left side of the road.

When you reach San Isidro watch for a McDonald's on a corner on the right, turn right there and drive through town. After you are almost entirely through the town the road will veer to the right and continue 37Km on a winding, mountainous road to an intersection where you meet the coastal highway. To the left is the bridge over the Baru River. There is a police check point at the bridge.  At this junction turn right onto the coastal highway heading towards Quepos. Hacienda Barú is 2.5 Km up this road. You will find our entrance immediately after the Gas Station on the left. Look for our sign.  The whole journey takes between 4 and 5 hours.

From San Jose via Jaco & Quepos (the coastal route)

If you are based near the airport in San Jose, it will be shorter for you to take this route.

Take the Pan-American highway heading north toward Guanacaste, about 15-20 minutes past the airport you will come to an exit to the town of Atenas ; there is a restaurant there called Manolos immediately opposite of the stop sign after the exit., and there will be a sign that says “Quepos.” From the stop sign, turn left. This road will take you through the town of Garita. Watch for a restaurant called “Fiesta de Maiz” on the left. About a block past that restaurant you will turn left. There will be a soccer field on the left and a school on your right as you turn.  You will be on a narrow paved road for about five minutes until you reach the new highway. The highway is so new that there aren't any signs yet. Don't go under the highway. Turn left   and drive up the ramp, and get on the highway headed toward Orotina. You will go through two toll stations before you get to Orotina. The first one will cost a little more than a dollar and the second a little less than a dollar. From Orotina you will want to follow the signs to Jaco, Quepos and Dominical. If you want a coffee, something to eat or need a pit stop a good place to stop is at the restaurant El Pelicano. When you get to Quepos, don't go into town. Continue on the coastal highway toward Dominical. A couple of kilometers past the first Quepos exit, you will see a large hospital on your left. The Hacienda Baru turn-off is 32.5 kilometers straight ahead from that point. You will be on a brand new paved highway. When you see a bridge with a sign that says, “Rio Hatillo Viejo,” you are 2.2 kilometers from the Hacienda Baru entrance. Watch for our sign on the right. Turn right at the sign and go 100 meters on a gravel driveway to our reception office. If you get to a gas station you have missed the turn-off and need to go back about 100 meters.

If you are driving to Hacienda Baru from Guanacaste,  Arenal or Monteverde.

You will want to follow the Pan-American Highway to the town of Puntarenas, be careful not to turn right into the town.  Follow the signs to Jaco and Quepos. It should take you approximately one hour to get to Jaco and another hour to get to Quepos. If you want a coffee, something to eat or need a pit stop a good place to stop is at the restaurant El Pelicano. It is located on the main highway south of Jaco on the left hand side. When you get to Quepos, don't go into town. Continue on the coastal highway toward Dominical. A couple of kilometers past the first Quepos exit, you will see a large hospital on your left. The Hacienda Baru turn-off is 32.5 kilometers straight ahead from that point.. You will be on a brand new paved highway. When you see a bridge with a sign that says, “Rio Hatillo Viejo,” you are 2.2 kilometers from the Hacienda Baru entrance. Watch for our sign on the right. Turn right at the sign and go 100 meters on a gravel driveway to our reception office. If you get to a gas station you have missed the turn-off and need to go back about 100 meters.

If you are driving from Quepos

From the town of Quepos you will want to ask for directions to the hospital or the airstrip. From the hospital, the Hacienda Baru turn-off is 32.5 kilometers straight ahead. You will be on a brand new paved highway. When you see a bridge with a sign that says, “Rio Hatillo Viejo,” you are 2.2 kilometers from the Hacienda Baru entrance. Watch for our sign on the right. Turn right at the sign and go 100 meters on a gravel driveway to our reception office. If you get to a gas station you have missed the turn-off and need to go back about 100 meters.

If you are driving from Uvita or the Southern Zone

If you are coming from Uvita or the southern zone you will want to take the coastal highway to Dominical. Don't go into Dominical, rather continue straight ahead to the bridge over the Baru River. Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead toward Quepos. Hacienda Baru is 2.5 Km after Dominical on the road to Quepos. You will find our entrance immediately after the Gas Station on the left.

A Word on Driving in Costa Rica

The key to driving in Costa Rica is to be cautious and aware. Here area few simple rules that will help you navigate safely.

1. When you pick up your rental vehicle, check it over carefully. Make sure the tires are in acceptable condition. Unacceptable tires is one of the most frequent problems that guests who rent cars come up against. Also make sure that the person from the rental car companies notes any bumps, scratches or dings on the car. Make sure that you are 100% clear what sort of insurance you have purchased and that you know what your deductible is. Make sure you have their contact information should you need to get back in touch with them prior to turning in the car.
2. If you get a flat tire soon after parking somewhere, try not to pull over on the side of the road to change the tire. If you can, try to make it to a gas station or to a place where there are other cars and people.
3. Costa Ricans are generally safe and courteous drivers, but a few are extremely bad drivers. Don't be surprised to see people pass on blind curves and to try to pass long lines of cars and then expect you to open up a space for them when a semi is barreling down the road in their direction.
4. If someone is tailgating you, just slow down and move to the right and let them pass.
5. Always put your luggage in the trunk and don’t leave anything of value on the dash board or in the seats. Carry your credit cards, cash and passports on your person at all times when in transit. Once you arrive at Hacienda Baru you can store these valuables in your room safe.
6. NEVER leave your vehicle unattended. There are usually guards at the road side restaurants, pay them to watch your car. No more than 500 colons or $1 are necessary for this service.
7. Costa Rica recently put into effect a new traffic law which stipulates fines as high as $500 for speeding, not wearing your seat belt, and other common offenses. For this reason, it is more important than ever to abide by all traffic laws.