Costa Rican have a strange way og getting around. Asking directions is a part of the culture, as a result road signs are sporatic. 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 Rafiki From San Jose or Alajuela(International Airport)... If you are downtown, find the highway that goes to the 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 it is pretty much striaght yet scenic and mountainous(enjoy the views!) 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, This time the markings are pretty clear, again Quepos, Jaco. You will go undernaeth the highway you were on, and then things get easier. the road you are now traveling on is the Central American Coastal Highway. Ecxept 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 bus stop on the right side of the road, with Rafiki's logo on it. 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 narrow concrete bridge. Continue up this road until you get to the town of Silencio. There is some major road construction on thisw part of the road, there may be strange roads leading off into the plam plantation. Try to follow the main artery 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!

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 Mauel 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. 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. The paved road will veer to the right, but you need to 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 see this sign 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. There is some major road construction on thisw part of the road, there may be strange roads leading off into the plam plantation. Try to follow the main artery 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

Lautjie Boshoff (C.L.)
Project manager

Nel Boshoff
cinematographer

Carlo and Janel Boshoff
Currently manage Bighorn River Lodge in Montana