Getting to Bluesky Lodge: Liberia & San José to Nicoya, and the 4x4 Climb Up the Mountain

Driving times

Times are for normal traffic and dry roads. For the exact pin, use our location on Google Maps.

Flying in: Liberia or San José?

Liberia (LIR) is the easy choice. It's the closest international airport, and the drive to Nicoya is under two hours on paved roads. San José (SJO) often has more flights and cheaper fares, but the drive is about 4 h 30 min. If you land in San José in the afternoon, consider a night there and drive in daylight.

The last kilometer: our 4x4 road

The lodge sits on a hilltop at 380 m (1,250 ft). That's where the 180° view, the fresh air and the quiet come from. To get there, a private dirt road climbs about 1 km up a very steep slope.

Option 1: drive it yourself (4x4 or AWD only)

If you rented or own a 4x4 or AWD vehicle, you can drive all the way up. We'll be honest: for some guests it's a real adventure. Some get emotional, some get a little scared, and almost everyone makes it and is proud of it. Take it slow, stay in a low gear and don't stop halfway on the steepest part.

We keep the road in the best shape we can. Heavy rain sometimes washes out holes and ruts, but the road is wide enough to drive around them.

Option 2: park at the gate and ride up with us

No 4x4? No problem. There's parking at the lodge gate, right by the public road. Message us when you're close and we'll come down and drive you up in our 4x4, with your luggage.

Why regular cars can't drive up

A regular car can sometimes get up, but its wheels spin on the steep sections. That digs into the road and can damage the car's clutch, tires or underside. To protect both, we don't allow non-4x4 or non-AWD cars on the climb.

Coming by bus

Buses run to Nicoya from Liberia and San José. From Nicoya's bus station it's 10 minutes to our gate by taxi. Tell us your arrival time on WhatsApp and we'll meet you at the gate with the 4x4.

Do I need a car once I'm there?

It helps. Nicoya town is only 10 minutes away for groceries and restaurants, and the beaches of Sámara (45 min) and the Barra Honda caves (30 min) are easy day trips. Many guests spend the day at the beach and come back up for a cool, quiet night above the valley.

Is this place right for you?

Bluesky Lodge is for travelers who like a bit of adventure: a rough road, a farm next door and nature all around, rewarded with one of the best views in Nicoya. If you need a paved driveway and room service, a resort on the coast will suit you better. If the climb sounds fun, you'll love it up here. See also Costa Rica without the crowds.