Some Basic Info
Bus schedules are usually different on holidays and are posted on the bus or at the station.
We enjoy 2 bus stations in Grecia these days, the 'old' bus station at the Central Mercado, and the 'new' bus station which is now 4 years old and is located 2 blocks north of Banco Nacional. The new bus station has service to San Jose, Alajuela and Naranjo with stops in Sarchi, while the old bus station services the local Grecia area.
Bus Schedules: Website for Grecia and surrounding barrios and they are posted at the bus station.
We enjoy 2 bus stations in Grecia these days, the 'old' bus station at the Central Mercado, and the 'new' bus station which is now 4 years old and is located 2 blocks north of Banco Nacional. The new bus station has service to San Jose, Alajuela and Naranjo with stops in Sarchi, while the old bus station services the local Grecia area.
Bus Schedules: Website for Grecia and surrounding barrios and they are posted at the bus station.
Bus Schedule for San Jose, serviced by Tuan. Traffic to San Jose is currently very congested (10/2021) due to road construction and at times the weather. Travel times are problematic. Plan accordingly.
Sarchi currently has no bus stations, but virtually all buses stop in front of the soccer field downtown (at or across from the Banco Nacional branch) and/or on one of the corners on the main drag (near Banco Costa Rica or on the corner near the shoe store) adjacent to Sarchi's central park with the colorful, giant Carreta (ox cart).
Red Taxis (Grecia) - The main paradas or stops for red taxis are at the northwest corner of the central Grecia park; the west exit of the new San Jose/Alajuela bus station; the south side of the old bus station (MusManni). Their central dispatch numbers are 2494-0202 or 2494-0220 for Grecia.
Red Taxis (Sarchi) - The main stop for red taxis is along the northwest street adjacent to Sarchi's central park across the one-way street from pizza kitchen. Their central dispatch number is: 2454-4028.
"Pirate" Cabs - While we aren't recommending the independent taxis in Costa Rica, they are everywhere and many folks use them. There are no longer regular 'taxi stands' due to disputes with the companies and the government over tax responsibilities, however there are still a few locations around Grecia where you will find them, including the street outside of PeriMercado heading north (towards Sarchi), and on the same street only 2 blocks south (1/2 block south of the Central Market). Note: they don't use meters (or "Marias" as they are called here) but they do have a set price list and are often, but not always, less expensive than red taxis.
Holidays: Here is a list of the Observed and National Costa Rican Public Holidays celebrated in the land of pura vida. Holidays often mean closed businesses, crowded beaches, parades through the streets and just a great excuse to take the day off. This is a link to holiday information for 2022..
Annual Events: We recently found this great link to a monthly listing of major annual activities and events (no exact dates but very useful info nonetheless) throughout the country: http://costarica.angloinfo.com/information/lifestyle/entertainment/festivals-events/
Another great resource for public holiday info is http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/costa-rica/[on this site you can change the types of holidays, year or country]. Note: While all events have been curtailed due to the pandemic, some things have opened up again with limits.
Note: Government offices close for the Christmas holidays, usually for 2 weeks. Schools are closed from the middle of December until the end of January. The same offices are closed for Semana Santa, the week before Easter Sunday. Depending on where you are, alcohol may or may not be available for purchase from midnight on Ash Wednesday until midnight on Good Friday. Most cantons do not allow the sale of alcohol on the weekend of national elections. Some districts are dry on Independence Day, September 15.
Sarchi currently has no bus stations, but virtually all buses stop in front of the soccer field downtown (at or across from the Banco Nacional branch) and/or on one of the corners on the main drag (near Banco Costa Rica or on the corner near the shoe store) adjacent to Sarchi's central park with the colorful, giant Carreta (ox cart).
Red Taxis (Grecia) - The main paradas or stops for red taxis are at the northwest corner of the central Grecia park; the west exit of the new San Jose/Alajuela bus station; the south side of the old bus station (MusManni). Their central dispatch numbers are 2494-0202 or 2494-0220 for Grecia.
Red Taxis (Sarchi) - The main stop for red taxis is along the northwest street adjacent to Sarchi's central park across the one-way street from pizza kitchen. Their central dispatch number is: 2454-4028.
"Pirate" Cabs - While we aren't recommending the independent taxis in Costa Rica, they are everywhere and many folks use them. There are no longer regular 'taxi stands' due to disputes with the companies and the government over tax responsibilities, however there are still a few locations around Grecia where you will find them, including the street outside of PeriMercado heading north (towards Sarchi), and on the same street only 2 blocks south (1/2 block south of the Central Market). Note: they don't use meters (or "Marias" as they are called here) but they do have a set price list and are often, but not always, less expensive than red taxis.
Where is it? Google Maps does a great job of getting you around the area. Be aware that just because a business is listed on the maps doesn't mean that it's still there! Cross check the web to look for updated info and call first.
Local Emergency Numbers for Grecia and Sarchi: The Fuerza Publica in Grecia hands out a nice brochure once a year during Navidad season. If you didn't get yours, here's a .pdf version for your refrigerator door.
Daily Weather Forecast - Generally speaking for Costa Rica, each day in the summer it's dry, and in the green season it rains for some part of every day. However, you are apt to want a more specific prediction from time to time. Go to Avisos Meteorológicos for a daily weather forecast covering major cities and areas of Costa Rica. A bonus: this site will give you the opportunity to practice your "pronóstico del tiempo" en español.
Holidays: Here is a list of the Observed and National Costa Rican Public Holidays celebrated in the land of pura vida. Holidays often mean closed businesses, crowded beaches, parades through the streets and just a great excuse to take the day off. This is a link to holiday information for 2022..
Annual Events: We recently found this great link to a monthly listing of major annual activities and events (no exact dates but very useful info nonetheless) throughout the country: http://costarica.angloinfo.com/information/lifestyle/entertainment/festivals-events/
Another great resource for public holiday info is http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/costa-rica/[on this site you can change the types of holidays, year or country]. Note: While all events have been curtailed due to the pandemic, some things have opened up again with limits.
Note: Government offices close for the Christmas holidays, usually for 2 weeks. Schools are closed from the middle of December until the end of January. The same offices are closed for Semana Santa, the week before Easter Sunday. Depending on where you are, alcohol may or may not be available for purchase from midnight on Ash Wednesday until midnight on Good Friday. Most cantons do not allow the sale of alcohol on the weekend of national elections. Some districts are dry on Independence Day, September 15.
updated 10/30/2021
US Embassy Information
The U.S. Embassy has launched a new quarterly newsletter
that will continue to keep the U.S. citizen community in Costa Rica informed on
key topics - not just COVID-19 updates.
Que Pasa Grecia will publish these updates as they become available.
If you are registered with the Embassy Step-Program already, you will be receiving this newsletter automatically.
Que Pasa Grecia will publish these updates as they become available.
If you are registered with the Embassy Step-Program already, you will be receiving this newsletter automatically.
Updated August 3, 2022
US Embassy - Quarterly Newsletter
San Jose, Costa Rica Message for U.S. Citizens: U.S. Embassy San Jose Quarterly Newsletter June 2022
VOTING: Did you know you can vote in U.S. elections from anywhere in the world? Celebrate democracy this Fourth of July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2022 U.S. elections! If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, registering to vote and submitting a ballot is fast and easy. For more information, please go to https://cr.usembassy.gov/registering-to-vote/. You can vote from anywhere in two simple steps:
STEP 1: Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at FVAP.gov to register and request your ballot.
WHEN? Send it to your election office by August 1 (or later depending on your state) for the General Election on November 8, 2022
STEP 2: Fill out and send in your ballot when it arrives.
WHEN? By the recommended deadline of October 24, 2022
Remember: You can also send back your FPCA through the U.S. Embassy.
Just follow the instructions provided in this link: https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/voting/
San Jose, Costa Rica Message for U.S. Citizens: U.S. Embassy San Jose Quarterly Newsletter June 2022
VOTING: Did you know you can vote in U.S. elections from anywhere in the world? Celebrate democracy this Fourth of July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2022 U.S. elections! If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, registering to vote and submitting a ballot is fast and easy. For more information, please go to https://cr.usembassy.gov/registering-to-vote/. You can vote from anywhere in two simple steps:
STEP 1: Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at FVAP.gov to register and request your ballot.
WHEN? Send it to your election office by August 1 (or later depending on your state) for the General Election on November 8, 2022
STEP 2: Fill out and send in your ballot when it arrives.
WHEN? By the recommended deadline of October 24, 2022
Remember: You can also send back your FPCA through the U.S. Embassy.
Just follow the instructions provided in this link: https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/voting/
HURRICANE PREPARATION: Hurricane
Season is here, time to prepare! Hurricane Season in the Atlantic
began on June 1 and runs through November 30. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expects the 2022
season to be above average. Here are ways you can prepare:
Enroll in the Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that allows U.S.
citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates
from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Encourage your friends
and family to register as well if they plan to travel outside of the
United States.
Organize a kit of
essential items in a waterproof container including bottled water, any
medications taken regularly, non-perishable food, battery powered radio,
and vital documents, especially passports.
The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and NOAA have additional tips on their websites:
o https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes o
https://www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep
ADULT PASSPORT RENEWALS: Renew your adult passport without traveling to
the Embassy! Be sure to take advantage of the new DS-82 passport
application mail-in program where you can pay the DS-82 passport renewal fee
online and avoid traveling to the Embassy. More information can be found
at https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/.
EXPIRED PASSPORTS: Returning
to the United States with expired U.S. passports – If you are overseas
and your U.S. passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to
use your expired passport to return directly to the United States. Please
see https://cr.usembassy.gov/message-us-citizens-travel-expired-passports/ for
requirements. Do not wait, though…this program expires on June 30, 2022!
CDC CHANGE FOR ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO U.S.: Negative COVID-19 test no longer required to
enter United States – The CDC no longer requires air travelers to show
a negative COVID-19 test result, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19,
prior to boarding a flight to the United States. For more information,
please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy San Jose +506-2519-2000
ACSSANJOSE@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/
State Department - Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Costa Rica Country Specific Information
U.S. Embassy San Jose +506-2519-2000
ACSSANJOSE@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/
State Department - Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Costa Rica Country Specific Information