Job Discussion Forums

sarahg · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego, CA

I am interested in volunteer teaching in Costa Rica this fall. I have two main options currently. Option 1 is a "volunteer vacations" company called uvolunteer.org which is very reasonable for such a company, but still turns a profit somewhere. With the week of required Spanish school included, my bill would be $2200. The other option is a nonprofit NGO I just discovered, which comes recommended by the Thorn Tree forums people and would cost me roughly $1150 for the same length of time ($15/day for room and board, which is cheaper than I live for at college!).

Predictably, though, Uvolunteer offers transport from the San Jose airport to project locations, and the NGO does not. If I went with Uvolunteer, I'd be picked up from the airport by someone from the company, along with the other volunteers arriving that day, and transported to my location. If I go with the NGO, I will have to get there myself.

I am a 21 year old Caucasian female who will be traveling alone. My question is, are there any reliably safe transportation options for me from the airport to the Montezuma area? Would the buses be safe if I might possibly be riding after dark? What are prices like for tourist-oriented buses or taxis, and are there any that I could take that far? Or are there any other airports I could fly into? Will getting myself from San Jose to Montezuma wind up costing so much that I might as well pay for the higher priced trip? I'm sorry if this sounds ignorant -- I know Costa Rica isn't a particularly dangerous country, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily a good idea for a young foreign female with no solo travel experience to travel across the country by herself on a cheap bus at night (hell, I lived in one of the safest parts of the US -- south Orange County, CA -- and was skeeved out by stuff I saw on public transport at night).

Chiller · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Washington

I understand what you're saying about traveling alone as a female, especially after dark.
My suggestion would be to fly into SJ. Arrange in advance for a hotel for the night and have them pick you up a the airport. They will have a sign with your name pressed against the window by the exit. Then you can catch the bus to Montezuma in the daylight from San Jose. The buses are a great way to travel, cheap and air conditioned.
The other airport is Liberia. You could probably do the same thing there but I've never been so I don't know.
Good luck!

jprimm · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

Getting to Montezuma during the day by bus is not a problem or take a private van service like interbus...it will probably cost around 30 bucks. But the public bus is ok during the day plus there is a neat ferry ride. Do not travel in Costa Rica at night male or female!!!! I have been here 2 years...and will not go anywhere of any length at night...it is not worth it, imho...

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

I second the information given above. Good advice, all.

http://www.interbusonline.com/

amstrdm82 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Kansas City, MO

Getting from San Jose to Montezuma is very easy. The public bus leaves from the Coca Cola station at 2:00 (or maybe 2:30?), and then drives for 6 hours onwards to Montezuma. The direct bus will follow you onto the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera. The road then becomes very bumpy and rugged, and soon you'll find yourself in "downtown" Montezuma...the 'bus station' there is literally a gravel parking lot right next to the beach.

jayciro · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Oakland, Ca

Thanks for this info! Great posts!

jayciro · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Oakland, Ca

Sarah H -

How is it so far? Which program did you choose and tell us about your experience!