Location and Driving Directions

Lapa Rios is located 12 miles (20 km) south of Puerto Jimenez exactly at Playa Carbonera on the Osa Peninsula.

If you choose to drive in a 2x4 vehicle call the hotel once you get to Puerto Jimenez or even better while you’re on the way there. The personnel of Lapa Rios need to know the approximate time of your arrival in Puerto Jimenez in order to arrange transfer in their vehicle to Lapa Rios. This is why a 4x4 vehicle or one with good ground clearance is highly recommended when traveling to Lapa Rios.

Driving from San Jose to Lapa Rios
By road from San Jose take the Inter American Highway to San Isidro del General (2 to 3.5 hrs). Continue through Buenos Aires (1 to 1.5 hrs) to Palmar Norte (1 to 1.5 hrs). 19 miles (30 km) past Palmar Norte turn right at Chacarita. At Chacarita you will see a service station named 'Corcovado'. The right turn to Puerto Jimenez is directly after the service station. On this paved road you will drive 28 miles (44 km) to Rincon where the pavement ends. From this point you will need to drive another 20 miles (33 km) that will take you through La Palma and eventually on to Puerto Jimenez (1 to 2 hrs). Once you get to Puerto Jimenez, please check in at the Lapa Rios office. The office is located at the corner of the landing strip and the cemetery. Feel free to ask anyone in town where the Lapa Rios office is. At the office you will be given directions to Lapa Rios (about a 45 minute trip).

An alternative route is to drive from San Isidro del General to Dominical (15 minutes to 1 hour) and follow the coastal road to Palmar Norte. This route is shorter and faster but is not a paved road. Approximate travel time is 7 to 10 hours depending on stops, sightseeing, weather and road conditions.

Driving from Dominical
From Dominical you will drive south along the coastal road to Cortes (1 - 1.5 hrs). You will turn left before actually getting to downtown Cortes and follow the road to Palmar Norte (15 min). At Palmar Norte turn right (south) on the Inter American Highway. Take a right turn at Chacarita 20 miles (33 km) past Palmar Norte. At Chacarita you will see a service station by the name of 'Corcovado'. The right turn to Puerto Jimenez is directly after the service station. On this paved road you will drive 28 miles (44 km) to Rincon where the pavement ends. After the paved road ends you need to travel 20 miles (33 km) through La Palma and eventually on to Puerto Jimenez (1 to 2 hrs).

Driving from San Vito (3 - 4 hrs)
Do not go to Golfito. The ferry to Puerto Jimenez is only for people not cars.

To get to Puerto Jimenez from San Vito follow the road to Ciudad (Villa) Neily. Take the Inter American Highway here back towards San Jose past Rio Claro (approximately 19 miles further) to Chacarita. It may not be on your map as Chacarita but at that location there is a gas station called Corcovado . Take a left turn left there and take the road to Puerto Jimenez.