Location and access

Geographical co-ordinates of the field station: 

83°12'7"W, 8°42'2"N; altitude 77m above sealevel

The field station is close to the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica, 8 km NNW of the town of Golfito in Puntarenas province. It is part of the small community of La Gamba, just 4,5 km off the Pan-American Highway (Panamericana). Golfito has an airfield that is served by several flights a day from the capital, San José.

Access to the La Gamba Field Station

By air (nature air) from San José to Golfito:

This is the quickest way to reach La Gamba. From Golfito, take a taxi to La Gamba and the field station. 

By bus from San José:

Take the TRACOPA bus to Golfito, Río Claro or the village of Villa Briceno (known to locals and bus drivers as "km 37", kilometro treinta y siete). From there, take a taxi to La Gamba and the field station.

by car:

The Pan-American Highway can be reached via a dirt track (passable throughout the year) from Golfito, Río Claro or "km 37". A shorter, more direct route runs from Golfito along a reasonably well-laid road.

Distances and travelling times

By air: San José – Golfito: at least three times a day, 50 minutes, c. US$150.

By bus: San José – Golfito, Río Claro or “km 37” (Villa Briceno): several times a day, 300 km, 7–8 hours, c. US$13.

By car:Golfito – La Gamba Field Station: 8 km, 30 minutes’ drive. Sometimes impassable (chiefly October–December). Golfito – La Gamba Field Station via the Pan-American Highway: c. 1 hour.Río Claro – La Gamba Field Station: 15 km, c. 30 minutes’ drive.Villa Briceno (“km 37”) / Pan-American Highway – field station: 5 km, c. 20 minutes’ drive.La Gamba village – La Gamba Field Station: 2 km, c. 10 minutes’ drive.

 Opening hours

Important: The station is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you plan to arrive outside these times, please let us know when you make your reservation so that someone can meet you on arrival.

Staying in San José

We recommend staying at Hotel Casa León, a comfortable Swiss-run guest house just 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre.

Hotel Casa León (Patrick)
Avenida 6, Calles 13-15
75 mts noreste de la Clinica Drs. Echandi
San José

Tel. 00506 22 21 16 51
email: casa_leon_sa@hotmail.com

Car rental

Andre Fischer
FOCUS TRAVEL COSTARICA

Email: andre@focustravelcostarica.com