Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 2766-5590; mains US$3-8; 7:30am-10pm)
A popular local Chinese greasy spoon decorated with Christmas lights and Chinese fans
emblazoned with
caballos
(horses). It's a bit kitsch, but does roast quarter-chicken plates,
fried rice, wonton soup, chow mein and all the noodle dishes. Located 150m east of Hotel
El Bambú.
Restaurante La Casona
RESTAURANT
( 2766-7101;
www.hotelaraambigua.com
;
meals US$8-16; 8am-10pm; )
At the Hotel Ara Ambigua, this place is particularly recommended for its oven-baked
pizza and typical, homemade cuisine served in an open-air
rancho
. The deck offers a
sweet view of the gardens, where birds flutter by as you enjoy your meal.
Information
Banco Popular
( 2766-6815)
Has an ATM and changes money.
Banco de Costa Rica
At the entrance of town; has an ATM.
Cruz Roja
(
administration 2764-2424, emergency 2766-6212)
Provides medical care.
Gecko.Net
(
2766-7007; per hr US$1;
8:30am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sun;
)
Across
from Cruz Roja; has the newest and fastest internet access in town.
Getting There & Around
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí has been a transportation center longer than Costa Rica has been
a country, and it's easily accessed by paved major roads from San José, the Caribbean
coast and other population centers. There is a taxi stop across from the bus terminal, and
drivers will take you to the nearby lodges for US$5 to US$10.
BOAT
The small port has a regular service to the small ranching outpost of Trinidad just across
the Rio San Juan from Nicaragua. The five-hour trip to Trinidad departs at 12:30pm and
returns the following morning at 5am (US$10 per person). There is one guesthouse in
Trinidad where you can stay overnight. You can also arrange transportation anywhere
along the river (seasonal conditions permitting) through independent boat captains. To get
to the dock, make a right from the main road at Banco Nacional and follow it until it ends.
