Costa Ricans have a strange way of getting around. Although you will see the road markings on your maps, locals seldom use these markings to navigate. Asking directions is a part of the culture, as a result road signs are sporatic, most directions are given using landmarks. The directions below are somewhat detailed and include the names of places you need to pass by in or to get to Rafiki. If you are unsure of where you are, ask anyone on the side of the road for one of the the towns mentioned in these directions, people are very friendly, and just saying the name of the place where you are trying to get to will give them enough information to point you in the right direction even if you do not speak spanish.

Getting to the coast from San Jose

From Downtown San Jose, Ezcazu and Santa Ana, you have direct access to the new highway servicing the Pacific coast. The new road is a toll highway, it is a good place to get rid of heavy coins! The total cost f the highway is about 5 dollars, or 2500 colones. The road will take you just past the town of Orotina, Make sure to keep your eyes peeled off to the right hand side for signs leading to Jaco, and perhaps Manuel Antonio. The road you are looking for will come shortly after a toll gate. Once you make the right follow the road to Quepos. (see below to get to Rafiki from here)

Getting to the coast from Alajuela(International Airport)...

From the Airport, look for the road that leads to Atenas, Jaco, Quepos or Manuel Antonio. You will see many signs to different hotels from these locations. There are a few tricky sections. From San Jose, as you come up to the airport, make sure you are in the middle lane, the left lane goes to the airport, and the right lane goes to Alajuela. The next trick comes about 15 minutes later. The main highway goes to San Ramon, you want to go to Atenas. Keep your eyes peeled for signs that point you toward Jaco and Manuel Antonio, you need to turn off to the right, then turn left over the highway and then go straight. You will know you are on the right road if you pass a gas station within the first few minutes on the right side of the road. From here, you have 2 choices.

The first choice; You can link onto the new toll highway but there are not a lot of signs to get you there. After passing the gas station on the right, continue down the road a few more minutes, looking for a soccer field on the left side of the road. Turn left immediately after the soccer field. You will now go about 5 km though a narrow road that looks nothing like a highway. You will come up to the major highway passing overhead. Before going under the highway, turn left and go about 300 meters. You will now come to one of the strangest round abouts in the world. Luckily for you, just make the first available right and you will be on the on ramp for the highway. From here it is about 35-45 minutes to the turn-off for the coastal highway. Look for signs to Jaco nd Quepos off to the right. The sign will come shortly after a toll gate.(see below to get to Rafiki from here)

The second choice; If you are not in much of a hurry, don't turn off at the soccer field. You will now be on the old highway. The road is very curvy and hilly. It is a beuatiful drive through coffee plantations and small villages. Culutrally, this is by far the best option. You will pass the towns of Atenas, then Orotina. After Orotina, you will veer right, there should be signs, again look for the major towns of Jaco and Quepos. You are now out of the mountains, and onto the "new" highway. You will again need to turn right off of this road, shortly after a toll gate.(see below for getting to Rafiki)

Getting to Rafiki From the Coastal Highway

Once you have turned right off of the toll highway, you are now on the Central American Coastal highway.This time the markings are pretty clear, again Quepos, Jaco. Execpt for a few hills it goes fairly smooth all the way to the town of Quepos, along the way you will pass the towns of Jaco and Parrita. Once in Quepos...

 

Getting to Rafiki from Quepos/Manuel Antonio...

If you do not want to go into Quepos, just before you come into the town, you will come to a Y in the road, go left, you will stay on the highway that goes to Dominical, this is the bypass for the Quepos area.(See below for directions from the town of Quepos)You will follow this road until you get to the Savegre River. Along the way you will pass the hospital, airport, then the Naranjo River. The Naranjo has a major bridge. The next major bridge will be the Savegre, about 15 kilometers further south. These are really good land marks, and the hardest ones to miss. After crossing the Savegre Bridge, you should see a sign for Rafiki. You need to turn left here. If you are on the correct road, you will soon see a small sign for Rafiki then come up to a new concrete bridge. Continue up this road until you get to the town of Silencio, following the powerlines. If you get on to the wrong road, do not panic, if it is not the right road, it will end at the river, simply enjoy the scencery and turn around. Once in Silencio, you will see some more signs to Rafiki. Keep going until you get to Santo Domingo. From here the road gets more exciting, you are only 3 kilometers from Rafiki. Pay attention to the corners as the road is a bit narrow, you are now in the heart of the Savegre, do not forget to take pictures and relax, your vaction has now begun. See you at the Lodge!

Getting out of Manuel Antonio on your way to Rafiki...

Quepos is the town associated with Manuel Antonio. In order to get to Manuel Antonio, you will pass through the town of Quepos. If you are in Manuel Antonio, make your way back to Quepos. Once in the town, you will pass the soccer field on the left, and the Catholic church on the right. The road will come to a major intersection. You need to turn right, There is an orange grocery store (PALI )kitty corner across the street, and perhaps a sign that point you towards the hospital. After turning you will go up a small hill, keep going until you reach an intersection where the only way to stay on a paved road is to turn right, make that turn, there is a gas station on your right. You will now pass the hospital and airport, follow the directions above.

Getting to Rafiki From Dominical...

From Dominical, get onto the main road going north. You will over the river then pass the police check point, go straight. You will pass Hacienda Baru, a gas station, the towns of Hatillo, Matapalo, and Portalon. You will see a sign for the Savegre river as you approach it, If you cross the river, you have gone too far! You need to hang a right BEFORE crossing the Savegre River. If you are on the correct road, you will soon see a small sign for Rafiki then come up to a narrow concrete bridge. Continue up this road until you get to the town of Silencio. Follow the main road as it will lead you to the town of Silencio. If you get on to the wrong road, do not panic, if it is not the right road, it will end at the river, simply enjoy the scencery and turn around. Once in Silencio, you will see some more signs to Rafiki. Keep going until you get to Santo Domingo. From here the road gets more exciting, you are only 3 kilometers from Rafiki. Pay attention to the corners as the road is a bit narrow, you are now in the heart of the Savegre, do not forget to take pictures and relax, your vaction has now begun. See you at the Lodge!

If you have questions on how to get to us from anywhere else, let us know!

Personal Contacts
Due to spam problems please e-mail to rafikisafari@gmail.com
for email addresses of contacts at Rafiki

Constant and Ralene Boshoff
Owners

Carlo and Janel Boshoff
Project managers

Lautjie and Mauren Boshoff
Activity Managers

Nel Boshoff
cinematographer