Journey from San Jose to Manzanillo, Limon.
Manzanillo is 12.5 km away from Puerto Viejo Limon. If you depart from San Jose you should arrive to the hotel in 4 hours. The view is very enjoyable and once you arrive to the hotel you will be fully convinced that the ride is absolutely worth it.

SHUTTLE BUS
The hotel offers a shuttle bus service for an extra cost from almost any San Jose hotel to Almonds and Corals. Usually the pick ups are made around 7 to 8 AM. There is one quick stop at a restaurant in Guacimo around 10 AM. The next stop is at the hotel at around 12 MD.

PRIVATE TRANSFER
We can also arrange private transfers to Almonds and Corals and pick you up from almost any hotel. Just make sure to let us know with anticipation so that we make the necessary arrangements.

PUBLIC BUS TRANSFER
If you plan to take the public bus, you will have to ask to be taken to the Caribbean terminal in San Jose to purchase your ticket and take a bus to Puerto Viejo. You should call MEPES SA once in Costa Rica to check the departure times of the buses to Puerto Viejo. It is best to arrive 30 minutes before departure to make sure to get a seat. Once you arrive at Puerto Viejo you can take a taxi to Manzanillo, Almonds and Corals Lodge. If you let us know one day prior to your arrival we can have a transfer available to pick you up from Puerto Viejo for an extra cost.

If Driving to Almonds and Corals, Manzanillo Limon On A Rental Car

If you plan to take your rental car just make sure to bring a map of the Costa Rican roads with you. Usually any rental car comes with a map. It shouldn't be difficult to get to Manzanillo as there are signs all the way to let you know where to turn and how far your destination is. There are not many turns to make either; you pretty much drive over the same road all the way. It is strongly recommended that you try to leave San Jose before noon to get to the hotel when there is still sunlight.
The first step will be to get on the San Jose - Guapiles highway, also known as the Braulio Carrillo Highway. This highway offers an amazing natural panoramic scenery as it was constructed right in the middle of the National Park Braulio Carrillo. The road runs over the hillsides of tall mountains with thick walls of cloudy rainforest vegetation surrounding it. The highway passes through the Zurqui tunnel, which is 600 meters long. This tunnel goes right through the core of one of the mountains, making it an outstanding work of engineering.
Along the highway you will find dirt pullouts where you can pull over to admire the view and take some pictures of the stunning mountains.
After passing through the Zurqui highway you will pass through three main rural towns laid on the sides of the road, Guapiles, Guacimo, and Siquirres. Manzanillo is approximately 100 km from Guapiles.
Limon City is the next town after Siquirres. Once you arrive to Limon City you will need to make a right so that you don't go all the way to Puerto Limon. Be aware of the signs that say Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo. You will know you are on the right way once you make that right and see a TEXACO gas station. This is a good place to fill your tank and buy some snacks.
Once you hit the coast the view gets very pleasant. You will have on your left side the port with huge cargo-ships and cruisers; and further down the road on your right side former banana plantations that have grown wild mingling with the local vegetation. Nowadays a lot of the land is used for this purpose, just not as much as in the beginning of the 20th century when most of Limon was covered with banana plantations. The road takes you inland and brings you back to the coast several times so that you can admire the tranquil Caribbean shore.
Later you will pass through the Estrella River and the Estrella Valley. Following you will find the town of Penshurt. This is where the last gas station is at.
Cahuita will be the next town; this is where the Cahuita National Park is. Puerto Viejo will follow. Puerto Viejo is a very picturesque colorful coastal beach town full of quaint beachfront restaurant-bars and local craft stands. The flavor of the Caribbean is absolutely present in this town. Puerto Viejo is also known for its active night life and its calypso and reggae music.
Over the same road, just about 15 minutes away from Puerto Viejo, 2 km before the Manzanillo town after the bridge between two hills you will find the Almonds and Corals sign on the left side of the road signaling the entrance of the hotel. Here you will make a left and keep on going until you see another sign and a big wooden gate on your left. The reception of Almonds and Corals lodge is the first building you will see.
The Manzanillo area, where Almonds and Corals is located, is very much untouched; making it the perfect place for the seekers of the close encounter with nature and its tranquility.

Route:
San Jose - Braulio Carrillo Highway - Guapiles - Guacimo - Siquirres - Limon City - Valle de la Estrella (Estrella Valley) - Penshurt- Cahuita - Puerto Viejo - Manzanillo.

Pronounciation Guide
Manzanillo: man-say-knee-joe
Zurqui: surr-key
Carrillo: ka-ree-joe
Guapiles: wa-peal-es
Guacimo: wa-see-moe
Siquirres: see-key-raise
Limon: lee-mon
Estrella: Es-thre-ja
Puerto Viejo: Poo-heir-toe / bee-ehoe