Directions to Casa Margarita
Pura Jungla eco-community
Paraiso, Guanacaste , Costa Rica
First things first: When you come to Casa Margarita, please check in with our property manager FIRST. Ray and Deyanira will meet you near the entry, and guide you to the casa.
The road to Casa Margarita is paved… except for the last 700 meters. In the green season, you’ll have to cross small rivers in the beach area. We recommend an SUV from Toyota Rentacar near Liberia airport, Economy rentacar in San Jose , Liberia , and Tamarindo, Solid, or 4by4..
From San Jose : The shortest route to Casa Margarita is across the bridge over the Tempisque River , where the ferry used to be (Costa Rican directions always mention some landmark that no longer exists).
The trip will last about 4½ hours. From San Jose airport follow directions towards San Ramon, Puntarenas and Liberia . After about 120 km (73 miles) on the way to Liberia, turn left at the Shell gas station, following the signs to “Puente de la amistad de Taiwan” (Friendship Bridge of Taiwan), route 18. (PLEASE NOTE: Costa Rican police are notorious for flagging down and ticketing tourists in rented cars; some officers also try to extort a bribe in lieu of giving a ticket. Some advice. DON’T speed. Make sure you are using seat belts, and keep children under 12 in car seats. Yup, we got ticketed for that one once.)
After crossing the bridge and heading towards Nicoya, turn RIGHT on route 21 and follow signs to Santa Cruz , where you should stop at a gas station to fill up, since there won’t be any other gas stations on the coast. You can also find a supermarket and ATM in Santa Cruz to stock up on cash and food.
Just after exiting Santa Cruz towards Liberia , you will cross a bridge. Immediately past the bridge turn LEFT on the first road following the signs to Playa Junquillal, Paraiso and other beach towns.
After 17 km, you will cross a small bridge come to a junction. At the junction turn LEFT toward 27 de Abril and Junquillal (NOT towards Tamarindo). In just about 500m you will turn RIGHT following signs to Playa Junquillal, Paraiso, Playa Negra, etc.
After about 13 km on this road it will end at the soccer field of Paraiso. Turn RIGHT and go about 700 meters – you’ll see a small dirt road on the right. Look for this sign (which may be gone as of your reading this):
Turn RIGHT down that dirt road. You’ll drive across a small river (dry stream bed in dry season). Continue past the teak trees and past Rio Sequito estates. You’ll come to the wooden gate for Pura Jungla, our community. IF YOU HAVEN’T CALLED the property manager yet, now is a great time to do so. Have them meet you at the gate.
Continue on the road about 300 meters. Right after “Rancho Aurora” turn RIGHT onto the dirt road. Continue about 1km to Casa Margarita, which will be up the hill on the right.
From Liberia
Turn right out of the airport and head down route 21 towards Santa Cruz . You will pass through the towns of Filadelfia and Belen. In about 44 km, as you near Santa Cruz you will see a turnoff on the RIGHT for the beach cities and see signs for Playa Junquillal and Paraiso. If you proceed directly to the beach MAKE SURE you have a full tank of gas; there are NO gas stations on the coast.
This is a great opportunity to fill your gas tank and buy groceries in Santa Cruz . If you’d like to do so continue to the first traffic light and make a right turn into town. There’s an ATM right on that corner. You’ll see a “Supermercado” and a liquor store a few blocks up on the right side. Then turn LEFT back onto route 21, you’ll see a TOTAL gas station on the right. Fill up there as there are no gas stations at the beach.
Continue back towards Liberia – in about 100m you’ll cross a small bridge and return to the turnoff for the beach cities. Turn LEFT on that road.
After 17 km, you will cross a small bridge. At the junction turn LEFT toward 27 de Abril and Junquillal (NOT towards Tamarindo). In just about 500m you will turn RIGHT following signs to Playa Junquillal, Paraiso, Playa Negra, etc.
After about 13 km on this road it will end at the soccer field of Paraiso. Turn RIGHT and go about 700 meters – you’ll see the sign show above.
Turn right down that dirt road. You’ll drive across a small river (dry stream bed in dry season). Continue past the teak trees and past Rio Sequito estates. You’ll come to the gate for Pura Jungla, our community.
Continue on the road about 300 meters. Right after “Rancho Aurora” turn RIGHT onto the dirt road. Continue about 1km to Casa Margarita, which will be up the hill on the right.
Getting around the “neighborhood”
TO Junquillal Beach (restaurants, hotels, swimming beach
Exit Pura Jungla. Cross the riverbed, at end of road turn LEFT. Cross the bridge and stay RIGHT past Paraiso soccer field. Continue across another small bridge, bear right on coast road. In about 2 km you will see Tierra Pacifica on your left. There is a grocery store and a nice restaurant there. Further up the coast road another 2km are several restaurants. Visit Mundo Milo for a great meal, or the Guacamaya for great northern European food.
TO Playa Negra/Los Pargos
Exit Pura Jungla. Cross the riverbed, at end of road turn RIGHT.
Stay on the beach road and follow signs about 2km to Los Pargos/Playa Negra. There are MANY restaurants and hotels to choose from. Surfboard rentals are available at the beach for this amazing surf break.
TO Playa Avellana
Follow directions to Playa Negra, but keep going past Negra. Next beach is Avellana. You will come right up to the ocean – on your left will be a parking lot for Lola’s restaurant. Park and eat there – and visit with Lola, the pig for whom the restaurant is named. You can have a table right on the beach, and the beach is great for swimming & surfing.
To Tamarindo:
At the Paraiso soccer field turn LEFT back on the road towards Santa Cruz . After 13 km where the road ends turn LEFT. Go about 500 km and turn LEFT again on the road to Tamarindo. Follow the signs to Tamarindo
Alternate To Tamarindo:
Although only about 10 miles away as the crow flies, the beach road to Tamarindo is very rough and can take 40 minutes or more. Ask the locals if it’s OK – you’d continue past Playa Avellana, past Hacienda Pinilla (great golf course) and on to Tamarindo.