Costa Rica, Liberia - Jan 2008
Regina
I took a TransNica $28 bus to cross the border into Costa Rica today. Most of the paperwork was done by the bus conductor: he collected our passports and returned with visas in hand a while later. We proceeded to customs down the road but they did not require inspection of luggage as we saw them doing to other busloads of people.
I got to Liberia at 6 PM.
Tried hotel from Lonely Planet–no rooms. My other choice was no longer in business so the taxista took me to Hotel Liberia–$12 for a private room, the room has bunks and a double bed, right across from front desk so may be loud but is old and clean.
Nice and cool here after people told me it would be hot in Liberia.
I am already freaking at the prices compared to wonderfully cheap Nicaragua–calzone and beer with 10% tip included was $11 USD!! Beer is $2.40. We never paid a dime over a dollar a beer in Nicaragua.
To read more about Regina’s travels visit www.mytripjournal.com
Hi,
Yes it is shocking how expensive CR is-it is cheaper to go to Hawaii (and frankly I much prefer Nic anyhow-although I am selling real estate in both places!). How long did the total bus ride take? How long were you at the border getting thru? We took a tour bus for $210 (yes ridiculous) and he did everything but we were still at border 1 hr even though there were only 2 of us!
Patricia
As I wrote, I was on a $28 USD bus from Granada, Nicaragua to Costa Rica. For that price, I had the option of departing at Liberia (my choice) or Puntarenas (I think) or Sn. Jose, the capital.
I departed Granada at 2 PM and arrived Liberia, CR at 6:20 PM. At the border, I’d estimate we spent under an hour between stop for stamp at Immigration and stop to search luggage (officer opted not to search our bus) at Customs. All in all, a very easy crossing compared to my experiences in Peru and Guatemala.
Please write me at regina@laguna.com.mx if you would like to chat more about real estate in Nica or CR. I am on a look-see trip for 6 mos. to relocate OUT of Mexico after 21 years near Guadalajara.
regina