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:
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:
Local Bus Schedules are posted at the station at the Central Mercado. This link goes to a great site that lists local bus schedules. Click on the map option to see where the starting pick up point is for the line in question.
Bus Schedule for San Jose, serviced by Tuan. Also, this link has top bus routes for our area of Costa Rica. Again, click on the map option to see the route. The Stops option will tell you where the pick ups are.
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. Ask for the price first.
Uber - Very popular, you will need to download the app from Apple Store or Google Play.
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 2024..
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.
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. Ask for the price first.
Uber - Very popular, you will need to download the app from Apple Store or Google Play.
Parking in Grecia - There are a number of parking lots all around town, usually located one street off of the main drag in any direction from the center. Some are 2 blocks away. There is also numbered street parking using a system called Parquimetros. Click here to see a printable PDF list of businesses where you can purchase parking space time. Example, parking near the post office/correos, you can go into Farmacia Alfaro on the nearby corner, tell them the parking spot number you are in along with your plate number and time you want the space. Pay them and you're good to go.
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.
Waze - A great app for Costa Rica, but you can get worn out following their directions, which prioritize not waiting in any location. So you might find yourself making lots of turns in back neighborhoods! Again, download the app from Apple Store or Google Play.
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 2024..
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 28/5/2024
US Embassy Information
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