*Connecting air service from San Jose to 2 local airstrips located in Tamarindo and Nosara is provided by Sansa and Nature Air...
For domestic flights anywhere within Costa Rica, contact:
There is often a luggage limit on domestic flights within Costa Rica, so please check with the airline.
There are two airlines flying to Tamarindo, Santa Cruz and Nosara: Sansa and Travelair. You can take a taxi or a bus from Tamarindo, Santa Cruz, or Nosara to Playa Azul. Also, Empresa Alfaro (tel. 011-506-222-2160).
Buses run every day from San José to Tamarindo and other areas in Guanacaste. The bus ride takes approximately 6 hours and the fare is about $5 one-way
For those seeking the adventure of Costa Rica's roads and countryside may choose to drive from one of the airports. All major car rental outlets are available at both the San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport(SJO) as well as Liberia International Airport(LIR). From whichever direction you drive, the last 30-40 minutes of the road is dirt and is a bit rugged. You may also encounter a few creeks and rivers to cross. It is however a relatively safe adventure if you take it slow. The Costa Ricans known as 'Ticos' are friendly and speak mostly Spanish but are helpful if you need directions or other help. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended just in case since most of the beach roads in Costa Rica are dirt roads and can be subject to weather conditions and effects.
Car Rental Information:
All of the major car rental agencies operate out of Costa Rica and have offices at or close to the major airports. Here are some toll free phone numbers or just click on the link to go to their websites...
Driving Directions from Liberia International Airport(LIR) to the Sanctuary Resort and Spa: (approximately 90 minutes). Leaving the airport, turn right heading toward Santa Cruz (approximately 40 minutes). Just before entering Santa Cruz (before a small bridge) turn right towards Playa Junquillal & Playa Tamarindo. If you accidently go over the bridge, you will see a gas station on your left. Just turn around, go back over the bridge and take your first left to get on the correct road headed towards Playa Junquillal & Playa Tamarindo. Look for directional signs for The Sanctuary Resort every 5-8 kilometers. As soon as the pavement ends, there will be a "Y" in the road. At the "Y" in the road turn left toward Viensiete de Abril and Junquillal. (You are now on the dirt road). Go 500 yards, turn right toward Junquillal & Rio Secco. Remember to keep looking for the Sanctuary Resort signs as well since they should be able to guide you once you are on the dirt road(sometimes you may want to pull over to make sure you don't miss a sign because Costa Ricans tend to clump a lot of signs together and a sign may also be covered up by a tree branch since vegetation can grow so rapidly in Costa Rica. Once you reach Rio Secco, go 1 km. more and look for exit toward Marbella, Ostinal and The Sanctuary Resort. Turn left crossing a small bridge and continue towards Marbella. Just over 4 km. past Marbella is the entrance to The Sanctuary Resort on the right. Have patience since the dirt roads can seem like they take a while!
Driving Directions from San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport(SJO) to the Sanctuary Resort and Spa: (approximately 5 hours). Take the Pan American Highway (1) toward San Ramon. Stay on the highway until Limonal. Upon arrival look for a Shell gas station on the left. Turn left toward Tempisque bridge. Cross the bridge toward Nicoya. When the road ends turn right toward Nicoya & Santa Cruz. Stay on this road until you pass by Santa Cruz on your left. You will also pass a gas station on your right and then go over a small bridge. Turn left immediately after the bridge towards Playa Junquillal & Playa Tamarindo. Look for directional signs for The Sanctuary every 5-8 kilometers. As soon as the pavement ends, there will be a "Y" in the road. At the "Y" in the road turn left toward Viensiete de Abril and Junquillal. (You are now on the dirt road). Go 500 yards, turn right toward Junquillal & Rio Secco. Remember to keep looking for the Sanctuary Resort signs as well since they should be able to guide you once you are on the dirt road(sometimes you may want to pull over to make sure you don't miss a sign because Costa Ricans tend to clump a lot of signs together and a sign may also be covered up by a tree branch since vegetation can grow so rapidly in Costa Rica. Once you reach Rio Secco, go 1 km. more and look for exit toward Marbella, Ostinal and The Sanctuary Resort. Turn left crossing a small bridge and continue towards Marbella. Just over 4 km. past Marbella is the entrance to The Sanctuary Resort on the right. Have patience since the dirt roads can seem like they take a while!
The Sanctuary Resort & Spa, service providers for the beautiful Casa De Linford, want to provide you with the highest level of customer service, so if you are still in need of assistance of any kind, please contact them in Costa Rica at the resort at 682-8111. (from the U.S., dial 011-506-682-8111) or email Linford Vacation Rentals at info@linfordvacationrentals.com for more up-to-date help and information. Linford Vacation Rentals(off-site in the U.S.) can always be reached by phone as well at (760)862-1191(Voice) or send a FAX to (603)917-8177. Be sure to dial "001" first if you are calling from Costa Rica.
Entry Requirements: Passports are required for all persons entering Costa Rica. You will be allowed to drive with your driver's license from your home country.
Casa De Linford is located within the Sanctuary Resort and Spa at Playa Azul approximately 2.5 miles(4 kilometers) South of Marbella. It is just North of Veracruz and San Juanillo. Click to view the map below and scroll down. You will see it labeled "Azul" on the Pacific Coast between Marbella and Veracruz. Azul is the beach between Lagarto and San Juanillo. You can call the Sanctuary Resort's main number at 011-506-682-8111(just dial 682-8111 from within Costa Rica) from 7am-9pm daily for further directions and/or help.
