gordandmichele

Does any have good directions as to how to get on to the new highway from the airport? We'll either be going directly from the car rental at the airport, or from the airport Hampton. Visuals would be nice. Thanks.

hsmithcr

I have driven it a couple of times but it ain't easy! And I really can't begin to give you directions.

If you don't get any response here, check Trip Advisor. One of the posters - roadadvisor - is a professional driver and he has given detailed directions from SJO to the new highway. If you can't find it doing a search, you can always send him a private message. He is very helpful.

costaricaguide

This map http://goo.gl/TfEYa shows the shortest fastest route that we use but as hsmithcr says it's not easy. Just finding the little side street next to the parking roundabout at the airport can be almost impossible, but they have been working quickly to widen this road so by the time you arrive it may be better.

gordandmichele

Thanks. I think I can figure it out. What I can't see is how to get into the airport property if I'm westbound on #1. Doesn't look like there is a ramp to get in. Is there a trick to this?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

To get to the new highway from the airport, you'll take Hwy 1 east, and you're going to go almost all the way into San Jose. You'll pass several factories along the way on right. You'll see see a shopping mall (Real Cariari) on the left, and then several hotels on the right. After several miles from the airport, there's a point where it suddenly starts to look very built up. You'll see the large Hospital Mexico on the right and the Best Western Hotel Irazu and a Denny's restaurant on the left. You're getting close, but don't take that exit right there. Go a little farther and you'll see a monument and fountain dedicated to AyA, the state water utility. That's the exit you want. Follow that four-lane road a couple of miles and watch for the signs to ESCAZU and SANTA ANA. Take that exit, and that's the new highway.

costaricaguide

gordandmichele - there is a ramp and it is signed for the airport it's just not clear on the google map (and the sign is pretty worn and hard to read as well but it's a big over the top of the highway sign). As you enter the airport the parking garage and terminal are on your left and you drive past that _almost_ to the dead end/roundabout where everyone is turning around to get to the parking and departure/arrival areas but you don't turn around, you take the last right turn before the roundabout and you're on the road to roble/ciruellas/hwy 27.

The alternative that Jeff describes is much easier to follow, but you loop all the way back east to the outskirts of San Jose and when traffic is bad it can take a lot longer.

You may hit traffic through Roble but at least it's just 3-4km of 10kph instead of 30-40...then again if you get lost...well sometimes that's half the fun!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I didn't think I was describing an alternative. The map link you provided shows exactly that route outlined in blue.

costaricaguide

It does show the entire length of highway 27 (I was just reusing this map from some directions I gave someone else) but the route I described from the airport to highway 27 does not go on highway 1 east to San Jose (it never goes on hwy 1 at all). It goes straight southwest away from San Jose following route 124 to route 721 and entering highway 27 at the Ciruellas roundabout.

I've added the alternate route (in red) heading into San Jose on hwy 1 and turning after Hospital Mexico, cutting over on 39 (Circunvalacion) and entering 27 at the eastern end then heading back west to Ciruellas and on to the coast.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I guess I'm missing something here. What was blue on the first map is red on the second map. I don't see anything different. Either one, I was trying to describe visually what the OP would encounter on your blue (now red) outlined route.

1bhcrashman

Does anyone know if the Highway is completely open? How about the exit at Atenas? Thanks

incabod

The exit in Atenas has been partially open for about a week I think, some use, but don't know if it is just trucks or not. they protested in the area not long ago for keeping it closed for so long.

costaricaguide

Sorry for the confusion but hopefully both route options are clear now.