Be sure to read this entire page for full directions
These directions are to make sure your trip runs smoothly. Please follow the exact directions on this page to ensure your trip. Should you decide to arrive or depart outside of the suggested time frame or to use different directions, we will be unable to assist you, and you are responsible for your own personal travel arrangements. Please be sure to follow these directions so that your trip may run smoothly. And remember to enoy yourself !
Black Women Healing Retreats take place at Sonora in Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica!
Like most countries once you arrive by plane you will travel to your desired destination. From SJO airport, guests will travel to the beautiful and lush forests of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca via shuttle bus. The shuttle bus ride is 4-6 hours.
Arrival Information
Arrival Option 1
(Highly Recommend) Arrive in SJO on Saturday May 4, 2024 at anytime, take a taxi from SJO airport to a hotel of your choice in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Hotel recommendations below. Check into the hotel/lodge for one night. On Sunday May 5, 2024 you will take the 5:30am shuttle bus to bring you from your hotel in Alajuela, Costa Rica to Sonora. Retreat starts at dinner time.
Arrival Option 2
(We highly recommend using Arrival Option 1 above to ensure you arrive on time) Fly into San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) on Sunday May 5, 2024 and arrive in SJO by 10am the latest. Once you arrive in SJO airport, you will take a 5 minute taxi to Denny's by the Airport where the shuttle bus will pick you up to take you to Sonora for the retreat. Retreat starts at dinner time.
{fact: SJO is the name of the Airport, but you are actually landing in Alajuela. This is why lodging is recommended in Alajuela but lodging in San Jose is acceptable as well.}
Please Note: If you do not want to take the shuttle bus, you can take a local national flight through Sansa Air from San Jose (SJO) to Limon (LIO) and then you can catch a taxi at the airport ($60 - $100) from the airport to Sonora Jungle Lodge in Playa Negra. There are taxis waiting at the airport. Sansa Air is located next door from SJO airport where you will arrive when you first enter Costa Rica.
Departure Information
Depart Option 1
(Highly Recommend) Black Women Healing Retreats ends on Sunday May 12, 2024 11:00am. Guest will take the 12:30pm shuttle bus from Sonora and will check into a hotel or lodge in Alajuela Costa Rica for an over night stay on Sunday May 12, 2024. Guest will fly home on Monday May 13, 2024. Be sure your travel arrangements allow you to stay for the entire duration of the retreat. Important: Do not book the 5:30am shuttle. If the 12:30 pm shuttle is full, please use Depart Option 2 below.
Depart Option 2
Black Women Healing Retreats ends on Sunday May 12, 2024 11:00am. Guest will take the bus ( similar to a greyhound bus) to San Jose, Costa Rica. Your bus ticket can be purchased while you are in Costa Rica. The bus is ($10) it is similar to a greyhound bus with air conditioning. Once you arrive in San Jose, Costa you will take a taxi ($5-$40 taxi depending on where your hotel is) to your hotel in Alajuela Costa Rica on Sunday May 12, 2024 . Guest will fly home on Monday May 13, 2024. You will be able to make this arrangement while you are in Costa Rica. Be sure your travel arrangements allow you to stay for the entire duration of the retreat.
Hotel recommendations
*click links*
{fact: SJO is the name of the Airport, but you are actually landing in Alajuela. This is why lodging is recommended in Alajuela, but lodging in San Jose is acceptable as well.}
Shuttle Bus Company
Caribe Shuttle Bus Company
The duration of trip from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, De Talamanca is approximately 4-6 hours on the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus is $55-$60 per person. Book your shuttle bus by clicking here Be sure to book your round trip shuttle before you come to Costa Rica.
Shuttle Flight
You can take a local national flight through Sansa Air from San Jose (SJO) to Limon (LIO) and then you can catch a taxi at the airport ($60 - $100) from the airport to Sonora Jungle Lodge in Playa Negra. There are taxis waiting at the airport that will take you to Sonora Hotel. Sansa Air is located next door from SJO airport where you will arrive when you first enter Costa Rica. If you are taking the shuttle flight, be sure to book your shuttle flight before you come to Costa Rica.
Mepe Bus Option
The bus option in Costa Rica is called MEPE, the national bus line that runs through out Costa Rica. It is similar to a greyhound bus. You can book your Mepe bus while you are in Costa Rica. You would take a taxi from SJO airport or your hotel to the bus station if you take the bus. Taxi's to the bus station can range from $10-$40 depending on the location of your hotel. Buses depart from San Jose daily from the Mepe Bus Station. You can find the bus schedule here You would take the bus from San Jose, Costa Rica to Puerto Viejo, De Talamanca (NOT Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.). The bus is similar to a greyhound bus, it takes about 6 hours, costs approximately $15.00 per person and makes one 20 minute stop for refreshments and bathrooms. Once you arrive in Puerto Viejo De Talamanca ,you can catch a cab to Sonora for $12.00.
Travel Tips
Below are some recommendations for traveling to and from Costa Rica. Please keep these tips in mind:
We are elated to meet you!!
These directions are to make sure your trip runs smoothly. Please follow the exact directions on this page to ensure your trip. Should you decide to arrive or depart outside of the suggested time frame or to use different directions, we will be unable to assist you, and you are responsible for your own personal travel arrangements. Please be sure to follow these directions so that your trip may run smoothly. And remember to enoy yourself !
Black Women Healing Retreats take place at Sonora in Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica!
Like most countries once you arrive by plane you will travel to your desired destination. From SJO airport, guests will travel to the beautiful and lush forests of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca via shuttle bus. The shuttle bus ride is 4-6 hours.
Arrival Information
Arrival Option 1
(Highly Recommend) Arrive in SJO on Saturday May 4, 2024 at anytime, take a taxi from SJO airport to a hotel of your choice in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Hotel recommendations below. Check into the hotel/lodge for one night. On Sunday May 5, 2024 you will take the 5:30am shuttle bus to bring you from your hotel in Alajuela, Costa Rica to Sonora. Retreat starts at dinner time.
Arrival Option 2
(We highly recommend using Arrival Option 1 above to ensure you arrive on time) Fly into San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) on Sunday May 5, 2024 and arrive in SJO by 10am the latest. Once you arrive in SJO airport, you will take a 5 minute taxi to Denny's by the Airport where the shuttle bus will pick you up to take you to Sonora for the retreat. Retreat starts at dinner time.
{fact: SJO is the name of the Airport, but you are actually landing in Alajuela. This is why lodging is recommended in Alajuela but lodging in San Jose is acceptable as well.}
Please Note: If you do not want to take the shuttle bus, you can take a local national flight through Sansa Air from San Jose (SJO) to Limon (LIO) and then you can catch a taxi at the airport ($60 - $100) from the airport to Sonora Jungle Lodge in Playa Negra. There are taxis waiting at the airport. Sansa Air is located next door from SJO airport where you will arrive when you first enter Costa Rica.
Departure Information
Depart Option 1
(Highly Recommend) Black Women Healing Retreats ends on Sunday May 12, 2024 11:00am. Guest will take the 12:30pm shuttle bus from Sonora and will check into a hotel or lodge in Alajuela Costa Rica for an over night stay on Sunday May 12, 2024. Guest will fly home on Monday May 13, 2024. Be sure your travel arrangements allow you to stay for the entire duration of the retreat. Important: Do not book the 5:30am shuttle. If the 12:30 pm shuttle is full, please use Depart Option 2 below.
Depart Option 2
Black Women Healing Retreats ends on Sunday May 12, 2024 11:00am. Guest will take the bus ( similar to a greyhound bus) to San Jose, Costa Rica. Your bus ticket can be purchased while you are in Costa Rica. The bus is ($10) it is similar to a greyhound bus with air conditioning. Once you arrive in San Jose, Costa you will take a taxi ($5-$40 taxi depending on where your hotel is) to your hotel in Alajuela Costa Rica on Sunday May 12, 2024 . Guest will fly home on Monday May 13, 2024. You will be able to make this arrangement while you are in Costa Rica. Be sure your travel arrangements allow you to stay for the entire duration of the retreat.
Hotel recommendations
*click links*
- Berlor Airport Inn.
- Costa Rica Guesthouse
- Holiday Inn Express
- Hampton Inn and Suites.
- Courtyard By Marriott Hotel.
- Adventure Inn Hotel
- Alajuela Backpackers Please note: The shuttle bus does not go to Alajuela Backpackers, so if you stay here you will need to arrange for the shuttle bus to pick you up from Denny's By The Airport. While you're at Alajuela Backpackers you will have the receptionist arrange a taxi to take you from Alajuela Backpackers to Denny's By The Airport. The taxi ride is about 5 minutes.
{fact: SJO is the name of the Airport, but you are actually landing in Alajuela. This is why lodging is recommended in Alajuela, but lodging in San Jose is acceptable as well.}
Shuttle Bus Company
Caribe Shuttle Bus Company
The duration of trip from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, De Talamanca is approximately 4-6 hours on the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus is $55-$60 per person. Book your shuttle bus by clicking here Be sure to book your round trip shuttle before you come to Costa Rica.
Shuttle Flight
You can take a local national flight through Sansa Air from San Jose (SJO) to Limon (LIO) and then you can catch a taxi at the airport ($60 - $100) from the airport to Sonora Jungle Lodge in Playa Negra. There are taxis waiting at the airport that will take you to Sonora Hotel. Sansa Air is located next door from SJO airport where you will arrive when you first enter Costa Rica. If you are taking the shuttle flight, be sure to book your shuttle flight before you come to Costa Rica.
Mepe Bus Option
The bus option in Costa Rica is called MEPE, the national bus line that runs through out Costa Rica. It is similar to a greyhound bus. You can book your Mepe bus while you are in Costa Rica. You would take a taxi from SJO airport or your hotel to the bus station if you take the bus. Taxi's to the bus station can range from $10-$40 depending on the location of your hotel. Buses depart from San Jose daily from the Mepe Bus Station. You can find the bus schedule here You would take the bus from San Jose, Costa Rica to Puerto Viejo, De Talamanca (NOT Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.). The bus is similar to a greyhound bus, it takes about 6 hours, costs approximately $15.00 per person and makes one 20 minute stop for refreshments and bathrooms. Once you arrive in Puerto Viejo De Talamanca ,you can catch a cab to Sonora for $12.00.
Travel Tips
Below are some recommendations for traveling to and from Costa Rica. Please keep these tips in mind:
- You do not need to be vaccinated to enter Costa Rica.
- Even though American dollars are accepted in Costa Rica, it is recommended that participants use colones as it is easier to find businesses and services that use local currency.
- Once you’ve landed, you can purchase a sim card at the airport for your unlocked phone. This new phone card will automatically generate a Costa Rican telephone number. Please budget $7 for this service. (If you are unsure as to whether your phone is unlocked or not, please check with your cell provider before traveling)
- We do not recommend renting a car, rental cars are not allowed within the retreat, if you purchase a rental car we will be unable to assist you with anything that has to do with the rental car.
- Most hotels have a free or inexpensive shuttle from the hotel to the airport to depart Costa Rica.
- Taxis from SJO airport to your hotel can range from $10 - $25, you can arrange your taxi with your hotel before you arrive in Costa Rica (which may be the most expensive option) or you can arrange a taxi at the airport when you land in Costa Rica, or you can take one of the red taxi's in front of the airport. Be sure to always tell the red taxi driver's to run the meter.
- Be sure to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before the time of your flight departure, some airlines do not let you board the plane if you arrive under a certain time.
- Bring a pen on the plane so that you can fill out your forms
- Sometimes flights get delayed and transportation as well, we understand as this is normal while traveling. If you experience any delays, please let us know your new expected arrival time / date. A phone number will be provided to you the day before you arrive in Costa Rica. If you miss the shuttle bus be sure to contact the shuttle bus and us. If you miss the shuttle bus you can take a taxi to the public bus station that goes to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca. Public Bus Directions can be found above.
- DON’T FORGET: After you arrive in Costa Rica and go through customs make sure to change around $150 into Costa Rican Colones at the airport, this way you have money on you.
- The exit fee to leave Costa Rica is currently $28-30. Some airlines include the exit fee in the cost of the flight. Please confirm with your airline and plan accordingly.
We are elated to meet you!!
