COSTA RICA – LIBERIA

FEBRUARY 21-23, 2024

We walked our bags down the end of the dead end street where we had originally got dropped off when we got to San Juan del Sur. As luck would have it, a taxi was dropping someone off just a few houses down. He backed up and I asked him how much to the bus stop. He asked where we were going, We told him to Costa Rica. He offered to drive us for $30 USD. The prospect of another hot chicken bus and knowing we had to switch in Rivas, $30 seemed like a deal for the half hour ride.

The stretch of road to the Costa Rican border was lined with beautiful big trees that formed a canopy over the road.

We could see the twin volcanos on Ometepe. It was a pleasant ride.

He dropped us at the border crossing and I gave him my remaining Nicaraguan money as a tip. It wasn’t much, but he was happy to get it and I was happy to be rid of it.

The exit from Nicaragua was simple enough. We passed through and found a bus headed for Liberia. We got on and went about a few hundred metres where we had to disembark and pass through into Costa Rica. There was a separate line for seniors. It’s a good thing because when we got to the counter we were asked for our exit ticket out of Costa Rica. We didn’t have one, as we were just two nomads on a no-itinerary schedule. We had to go across the street and buy a one way open ticket out of the country. It cost us $63 USD each! And we were limited to that particular bus company. Upon closer inspection later, it was also limited to departures from San Jose or Liberia. Our fast track seniors queue turned into a just-in-time to reboard the bus.

We could see the better standard of living instantly. The houses were nicer. The fences were nicer. There was a lot less garbage along the road. The roads were nicer. The sidewalks were nice – no big gaping holes. The shops were nicer.

When we got to Liberia we were dropped of at a major underpass. People got off, people got on. I guess this is it. We were trying to sort ourselves out as to which way to go and how to catch a taxi. They are usually like wasps buzzing around bus stops, yet there was not one to be seen.

A gentleman came over and asked if we needed help. I showed him my screenshot of the address and he said it was not far and pointed in the direction. We scurried across the freeway and started to walk. Just then a taxi pulled up. We rode the one kilometre instead.

The Paso Real guesthouse was gorgeous! It was a big house with a big living room, dining room and well stocked kitchen – with new pots and pans! After using manky cooking items for weeks, this was a treat.

We only had two nights here to orientate ourselves for Costa Rica. One of the things on our bucket list was to get some local currency. I went to the Banco Nacional. I tried 3 different ATM machines with two different bank cards and was declined every time. Weird. A guard came over to help me. Maybe I was asking for too much. 100,000 colons was the maximum. ($270 CDN) That is what I was requesting. He didn’t know what the problem was either. Pierre had some USD so he converted that with one of the tellers.

The next day I checked my bank accounts and was shocked to see that both banks showed money withdrawn. Oh shit! I went to the bank immediately and spoke to the manager. He said I would have to ask for a reversal from my bank.

I went back to the guesthouse and called both banks. TD bank was quick and easy. They even knew the terminal and transaction numbers and the exact time. No worries. We will take care of it for you. Perfect. (At the time of this writing it has still not been reversed.)

CIBC bank was a whole different story. When I called I was told that the transaction was still pending and not to worry until it actually went through. The next day it went through. I called back and was on hold for FIVE hours! I was shuffled from department to department. At one point I was told that they could not help me because I was taking a cash advance from my Mastercard and they only dealt with Visa. But it is still through CIBC, right? Yes, but not us – let me transfer you. I ended up going in a complete loop. I talked to the same guy 3 separate times. Finally, someone took responsibility and started a claim. I was told it could take over 3 months to sort out. Sigh….. I am out $540 until who knows when.

Needless to say, we did not see a lot of Liberia. We only saw a church.

The church was unique, though. It was bult in 1972. The clock tower is a separate obelisk looking structure. The inside has white support beams that look like shelf brackets.

The A-shaped windows are not covered in glass. They were crossed shaped openings to let the breeze in. It was quite nice.

We also went to Pizza Hut – where we got charged $44 for a large pizza, 2 salads and 2 drinks. We aren’t in cheap Central America anymore Toto….. Not a good first impression of the country.

We caught a nice bus to Bijagua. Even the chicken buses are nicer here, and not much more expensive.