If You’re Driving to Hacienda Baru

From San Jose via Cerro de la Muerte

The shortest route is to take the Inter-American Highway 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 July 2009. 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 McDonalds on a corner on the right hand side, turn right there and drive through town. Keep heading straight on that same road until you reach a spot where you have to either make a sharp left turn or veer right, here you veer right and follow the road 37Km to the bridge over the Baru River. There is a police check point here. At this junction turn right onto the dirt road heading towards Quepos. Hacienda Barú is 3Km up this road. You will find our entrance immediately after the Gas Station on the left. The whole journey takes between 4 and 5 hours.

From San Jose via Jaco & Quepos

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 20-30 minutes past the airport you will come to an exit to the towns of Atenas & Orotina, there is a restaurant there called Manolos immediately opposite of the stop sign after the exit. After you’ve taken the exit turn left immediately. This road will take you through the town of Atenas to Orotina. From here you will want to follow the signs to Jaco & Quepos. Once you get to Quepos, follow the signs to 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. It is located on the main highway south of Jaco on the left hand side. The 45 Km between Quepos and Dominical is currently a dirt road; the conditions of the road vary depending on the season. If you plan to use this route during the rainy season it’s a good idea to give us a call beforehand to make sure it’s in decent shape. The journey takes around 1½ hours from Quepos. You will find Hacienda Barú´s entrance on the right, 3Km after the village of Hatillo, immediately before the Gas Station. Total Driving time from the North-West side of San Jose 4-5 hours.

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 ocean always heading south. You can also 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. Once you get to Quepos, follow the signs to Dominical or the Quepos airstrip. Once you get to the airstrip just keep following that road heading south. The 45 Km between Quepos and Dominical is currently a dirt road; the conditions of the road vary depending on the season. If you plan to use this route during the rainy season it’s a good idea to give us a call beforehand to make sure it’s in decent shape. The journey takes around 1½ hours. You will find Hacienda Barú´s entrance on the right, 3Km after the village of Hatillo, if you pass a Gas Station on the right you’ve gone too far. If you make it to pavement you’ve gone 3KM past the entrance.

If you are driving from Quepos

From the town of Quepos you will want to ask for directions to the airstrip. From here head straight past the airstrip and just stay on this road. The 45 Km between Quepos and Dominical is currently a gravel road; the conditions of the road vary depending on the season. If you plan to use this route during the rainy season it’s a good idea to give us a call beforehand to make sure it’s in decent shape. The journey takes around 1½ hours. You will find Hacienda Barú´s entrance on the right, 3Km after the village of Hatillo, if you pass the Gas Station, you’ve gone too far. If you make it to pavement you’ve gone 3KM past the entrance.

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 the bridge over the Baru River, from here take a left, Hacienda Baru is 3 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 you help you navigate safely.

1. When you pick up your rental vehicle, check it over carefully. Make sure the tires are in acceptable shape, 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 infamously bad drivers. Expect them to 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. Costa Ricans normally don’t come to a complete stop at stop signs. If you do, keep one eye in your rear view mirror.
6. Always put your luggage in the trunk and don’t leave anything of value on the dash board or in the seats. Carry you 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 rooms safe.
7. NEVER leave you vehicle unattended. There are usually guards at the road side restaurants, pay them to watch your car. No more than 500 colons are necessary for this service.