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[quote=”sueandchris”]Scott:
We just got back from Costa Rica yesterday and had the opportunity to travel on the new (is it called the Pista del Sol?) highway from two different points. All I can say is “WOW”!!! We went from Puriscal (via the back way thru San Pablo) and then on down to Jaco. The whole trip was about 50 minutes. Had lunch at the Taco Bar in Jaco and then blasted back on the highway and got off at the Atenas exit, and then to San Ramon via Palmares (which seemed to us like the fastest way back to San Ramon) and that trip was just at an hour. Very little traffic.
I really agree with you..this highway is a BIG game changer. Reminds me of when the little coastal towns of SoCal were finally connected to LAX by freeways. The new highway experience helped us decide on property in San Ramon, which we bought on Wednesday. We feel that San Ramon is now “close enough” to the beaches for us, but will “stay” San Ramon because it isn’t TOO close to the new highway.
Honestly, being on the highway was sort of an “altered experience”….it was so fundamentally different from all of our other travels in Costa Rica. Whew…..[/quote]
Thx Sue, I gotten mixed reviews (I’ll have to paste an interesting one into the blog) but far more positive. I think I’ll have to take another look at San Ramon although we’re planning to be much closer to the beach.
Bill[quote=”Johnhw2″]When did the toll road open, I thought it was projected for later this year?
Is it now open all the way from Caldera to Escazu now?
Also do you know if the entrance/exit near Atenas is open now too?
Thanks[/quote]
atenas off ramp is open and well marked..
great road…atenas to multiplaza mall is only 15-20 minutes:D:D[quote=”bloucas”][quote=”sueandchris”]Scott:
We just got back from Costa Rica yesterday and had the opportunity to travel on the new (is it called the Pista del Sol?) highway from two different points. All I can say is “WOW”!!! We went from Puriscal (via the back way thru San Pablo) and then on down to Jaco. The whole trip was about 50 minutes. Had lunch at the Taco Bar in Jaco and then blasted back on the highway and got off at the Atenas exit, and then to San Ramon via Palmares (which seemed to us like the fastest way back to San Ramon) and that trip was just at an hour. Very little traffic.
I really agree with you..this highway is a BIG game changer. Reminds me of when the little coastal towns of SoCal were finally connected to LAX by freeways. The new highway experience helped us decide on property in San Ramon, which we bought on Wednesday. We feel that San Ramon is now “close enough” to the beaches for us, but will “stay” San Ramon because it isn’t TOO close to the new highway.
Honestly, being on the highway was sort of an “altered experience”….it was so fundamentally different from all of our other travels in Costa Rica. Whew…..[/quote]
Thx Sue, I gotten mixed reviews (I’ll have to paste an interesting one into the blog) but far more positive. I think I’ll have to take another look at San Ramon although we’re planning to be much closer to the beach.
Bill[/quote]
I’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback (toll road)on this blog but as a counter point I am pasting part of an email (w/o identity)below that I got from a long time resident and business owner in the Jaco area……….here you go…..The president promised to finish the new highway, which he did just a week or so ago, right before the election. In order to do it though they made it only two lanes with no shoulder to pull off on in most places for break downs or accidents. It was supposed to be 4 lanes, two in each direction, which would have made a lot more sense. Most Costa Ricans I have talked to are embarrassed by it. It cost $8 in tolls to go both ways. The Costa Ricans are really upset about that and have protested it because for the average Costa Rican that is almost a half days pay. So the average Costa Rican can not even use it and even though it does cut about 35 minutes off the trip over the mountains, if there is even one break down or an accident as there have been already, people can be stuck for hours. There was a bottle neck the third day it was open because of a big rig break down and the 30 minute trip took 3 hours. This was a highway that was started by this same president 30 years ago. Every president since Arias has skimmed the money for their own pockets every year until finally they indited 3 previous presidents for fraud, extortion, and money laundering. Other than the new highway, this currrent president has not really accomplished anything significant in 4 years. I guess that makes him a typical politician huh.
I think the people who don’t like the new road should continue to drive through the mountains and leave the new road to us who appreciate it.
It would be great if someone posts a link to a new detailed map when one becomes available.
The only maps and information I could find on-line about the new hwy are vague with absolutely no detail.[quote=”ronny”]It would be great if someone posts a link to a new detailed map when one becomes available.
The only maps and information I could find on-line about the new hwy are vague with absolutely no detail.[/quote]
Hi I don’t have a link to offer- but an actual map from Nat. Geographic which shows the proposed highway at map’s printing.
appears to be accurate. NG adventure map 3100
nationalgeographic.com[quote=”moonbanks”][quote=”Johnhw2″]When did the toll road open, I thought it was projected for later this year?
Is it now open all the way from Caldera to Escazu now?
Also do you know if the entrance/exit near Atenas is open now too?
Thanks[/quote]
atenas off ramp is open and well marked..
great road…atenas to multiplaza mall is only 15-20 minutes:D:D[/quote]Do you know the small village called Barroeta, southwest of Atenas a few klicks? Is there an entrance to the new tollroad closer to that location then atenas?
I’m sure I posted a reply after the second response…but it disappeared!
We have used this road twice now going from Escazu to near Liberia.
For those we don’t like ‘windy roads’ you may wish to go the old route as it is definitely not the road your passenger will want to [i]read a book[/i], on.
It has cut our drive by more than an hour and my hubby says, it is much more relaxing trip. Plus we pass the entrance to a favourite [i]vivero.[/i]..:D
I think there will be many [i]sodas[/i] and restaurants on the old road, closing, for lack of clients.Found what looks to be a pretty good map of the new toll road:
http://www.costaricafrog.com/wp-content/files/CostaRicaFrog.com_mapa_san_jose_caldera_pacific_highway_autopista.jpg[quote=”tiffen”]Found what looks to be a pretty good map of the new toll road:
http://www.costaricafrog.com/wp-content/files/CostaRicaFrog.com_mapa_san_jose_caldera_pacific_highway_autopista.jpg%5B/quoteWow thanks, the route is further south than I assumed. I thought it passed North of Atenas but it is well south of Atenas. Must pass very near Barroeta which is west of Atenas and south of route 3.
Great help thanks
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]Okay, so if a person were in downtown Atenas, how would you get onto the new highway?[/quote]
When I was there in August, the access road was a block or two south of the heart of Atenas. That access road takes you directly to the new Highway. You can see the Atenas access or extension from the map in a later reply to this topic. Hope that helps
[quote=”ronny”]With all respect to the above posters and your preferences..isn’t there an extra percentage tagged on by renting cars at the airport?[/quote]
We pre-rented out vehicle from Dean Krieg’s http://www.renta4x4incostarica.com/
They met us at the airport with a Kia 4×4 at no extra charge. Cost $35 per day and cell phone for $10 per day.
Check them out.
Hey everybody, been away for awhile. I took the toll rd in Mar/Apr and it was great. So what’s the latest? I’m coming back for the 3rd time this Sun and now I hear it will be closed for mos? Traveling from the airport to the coast (Jaco and south) is any part of it open or is back to the mtn route????
Bill
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