Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the wide veranda. It also has the only real restaurant in Sábalos (mains US$6 to US$7),
serving an exceptional plate of jumbo river shrimp (US$15) with tasty thick-cut steak
fries.
GUESTHOUSE
$$
Hospedaje y Comedor Kateana
( 2583-3838; Muelle, ½c N; r per person with/without bathroom US$10/8; )
A fine budget
choice with clean, polished-wood rooms, a nice porch and, absolutely essential for veget-
arians in Sábalos, kitchen access. The savvy management will also give you access to the
washing machine to clean that bag of stinking clothes you've been hauling through the
jungle.
Monte Cristo River Lodge
( 2583-0197, 8649-9012;
www.montecristoriverlodge.com
; Muelle, 2km E; r per person incl meals
& activities US$75)
This massive riverside resort started out as a tarpon fishing lodge, and it
still is one of the best fishing outfitters. But this 120-
manzana
property also boasts 60
manzanas
of primary forest with 300-plus cathedral ceibu and almendra trees, two to four
hours of hiking and horseback-riding trails, a stable of free kayaks, a coffee plantation and
a cacao grove.
The rooms are clean, comfortable and perfect for families. It also offers an excellent
deal for day visits: for US$15 per person you get lunch and access to the trails, kayaks and
horseback riding. Snook and tarpon expeditions cost from US$150 per day.
LODGE
$$$
Getting There & Away
Boat services from Boca de Sábalos:
El Castillo
(US$0.55, one hour, 10am, 2pm, 4:30pm and 5:30pm Monday to Saturday,
10am and 2:30pm Sunday; express US$1, 30 minutes, 7:30am and 11am)
San Carlos
(US$3.50, 2½ hours, 6am, 7am, 8am and 3pm Monday to Saturday, 6am and
3pm Sunday; express US$4.75, one hour, 6am and noon)
Getting Around
Public transportation by road to communities surrounding Boca de Sábalos consists of
'taxis' - beat-up old 4WD vehicles that are filled to bursting point and make collective
runs (US$2.50) to local communities. They have no fixed schedule, departing from the
dock when full, usually coinciding with the arrival of river transport to the port.
