Manuel Antonio - San Jose, Gran Hotel Costa Rica
From Hotel Mare Nostrum you return to the main street and turn right for Quepos. Once you enter Quepos, the soccer ground will be on your left and there is a church in the right. Keep straight on and then take the first to the left (if you should go straight on you will get to the hospital and further down to the local airport). Further down you take another left turn and then to the right for the main road to San Jose.
The total distance to San Jose is around 180 km. You will pass the villages of Parrita (26 km), Jaco (70 km) and continue to Orotina; however be careful, because at near 100 km after Quepos there is a right turn and later on another one. Keep on following the signs for Orotina and San Jose.
After Orotina you will get to San Mateo and then there starts a long climb towards Central Valley. This narrow winding road has some fine views when you look back. You will get to the little town of Atenas and you continue, always following the signs for San Jose.
After la Garrita you will notice some big oil storage tanks on your right with the name of the Costa Rican refinery on it: Recope. Here you turn right onto the Pan-American highway (there is a small sign pointing to San Jose and the airport).
Some 16 km after the airport you get to San Jose; a big intersection with traffic lights. On the right hand corner on the other side you will see the Sabana Park. Continue for another 100 metres and turn left into a wide avenue, called Paseo Colon (the extension of Central Avenue).
Follow this avenue for some 8 blocks, when it takes a right turn and immediately after a left turn - a matter of following the traffic. By then you are on Second Avenue. Follow this avenue, passing the Cathedral and Central Park on your right. 120 metres further down you see the National Theatre on your left as well as Gran Hotel Costa Rica.
