Rutan Surf Cabinas formerly known as Chucks Cabinas has proudly served the international surf community for years. Now under Californian ownership, sporting a new name and a fresh look and feel, Rutan Surf Cabinas is the best -valued accommodation in town. Don't let the rock-bottom prices fool you- dorms and rooms of varying sizes and shapes feature tile floors, solid mattresses and plenty of decorative flourishes while the same vibes that first put this place as number one on the map are still in heavy supply.
From the Airport: Exit the airport. Once you leave the airport road, you will want to be going in the opposite direction that you just traveled. In order to go in the direction of San Ramon, Jaco, Quepos, etc. go to the first rotunda and go all the way around so that you make a giant U-turn and begin following the signs to San Ramon. Traffic merges from all sides, so be very careful here.
Then:
Once on Route 1 - follow signs to San Ramon, and continue straight ahead for ten to fifteen minutes. After the second time the two lanes of traffic merges into one lane (at each of the bridge crossings), get in the right lane and take the very next exit for Jaco and Quepos / Manuel Antonio. There is also a sign here for Punta Leona and for Atenas (14km). Turn left at the stop sign (there is a brown park sign here for Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio), crossing back over Route 1. Reset your trip odometer here to follow our detailed directions.
The road from here on out is relatively good, but very curvy and steep in some of the mountain passes. Passing should be done with extreme caution, though there are several long straight sections. If there are no lines on the road, assume it is two ways all the time. About 2km or 10 min from where you exited the autopista is the Fiesta del Maiz restaurant serving good Costa Rican style food using corn and corn flours. They have a tall sign, with a triangular tip that rotates around when they are open. There is often a traffic jam here as Sundays are very popular at the Fiesta del Maiz.
The road gets curvy shortly after this and as you descend, the 1st bridge goes over Rio Grande. (It is one of the first and oldest bridges in Costa Rica.) Next up is Atenas — a small town with a gas station and other amenities.
In San Mateo, there is a well-marked left turn as you go around the central park, follow signs for Punta Leona.
Go straight through next town of Orotina. This is a good place to stop for fruits and snacks. There are several markets on the left near the railroad tracks and a gas station with clean restrooms.
After crossing the railroad tracks, take the next exit to the right to Route 27, the sign says Jaco, Quepos, Caldera
Then, take the next right exit to Route 34, follow signs for Jaco / Quepos. This exit has a rotunda and at the base, continue to bear right, following signs for rain forest aerial tram. There is a sign a little ways up for Jaco so you know you are going the correct way.
Next, you will cross over the Tarcoles River Bridge at km #54—Crocodiles! Park either before or after bridge along the road and get out and walk over the bridge to get a great view of many enormous crocodiles. (We are talking 18' long crocs here!) Carara National Park is 10 more minutes up the road on the left.
The first view of the ocean is at km #60 after exiting from Hwy 1. There is a gas station here, too. Pass Punta Leona. Jaco is only 10 more minutes away.
To Jaco:
The first turn off for Jaco is well marked by the Maxi Bodega on the corner. Turn right. Take this straight until it hits Avenue Pastor Diaz, the main road of Jaco. Turn left. Your first right is Calle Anita. Turn right. Take your first left on Cabinas Rutan Road. You are here!
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Description
Location and Contact
Location
• BUS DIRECTIONS:
• Tel. 223-1109
• Terminal Coca-Cola Calle 16/Av 3
• Jacó - San José San José - Jacó
• 5:00 am 7:00 am
• 7:30 am 10:30 am
• 11:00 am 1:00 pm
• 3:00 pm 3:30 pm
• 5:00 pm 6:30 pm
• From the San Jose Airport:
• Get on the Pan-American Highway (Highway 1) going north. Stay in the center lane and follow the sign toward San Ramon. After about 12 kilometers take the exit toward Atenas. This begins your drive through the mountains.
• Around 42 kilometers you'll see a sign that says Jaco. Soon after that sign the road will turn right. (Do not go straight the No Hay Paso sign means it becomes a one-way road with traffic heading toward you.) Follow the turn to the right 1 block and turn left at the blue church.
• At 49 kilometers you'll see a stop light. You're now in Orotina. 200 meters after the stop light on the right is Pollo Le'a Yami. If you're hungry and want some of the best chicken in Costa Rica, stop and eat there.
• 500 meters past the stop light take the turn off on the right. Follow the sign toward Quepos/Manuel Antonio/Jaco.
• Another 7 kilometers further you'll have another turn off. Continue to follow the signs toward Quepos/Manuel Antonio/Jaco.
• When you enter Jaco, turn right onto Maxi Bodega Road (It's is a huge Walmart looking supermarket). If you need anything you forgot, stop there. Follow the road until it ends. Thisputs you at Ave Pastor Diaz. Make a left. The first right you can make is across from Centruy 21/Western Union on the beach side. You will see a large sign on the corner of Calle Anita that says "Rutan Surf Cabinas" (a.k.a. Chuck's); turn right. Drive/walk 25 meters west, you will make a left.
• Welcome, you have arrived!
• Jaco is about 92 kilometers from SJO Airport/1.5 hours
Facilities and Amenities
Family-Friendly Hostel
Party Hostel
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Luggage Storage
Parking
Towels
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Wi-Fi in Rooms
BBQ Grill
Bar
Concierge/Info Desk
Food/Restaurant
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
Airport Pickup
Breakfast
Credit Card Payments
Entirely Non-Smoking
Lockers in Rooms
Wheelchair Accessible
Pet-Friendly
Service Animals
Genders: Males & Females
Max. Age: All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (dorms): All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages
Min. Age without Parent: All Ages
Checkout: 12:00 (12 Noon)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: Unlimited
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: Closed from 12 midnight to 7 am
Size: Small (less than 30 beds)
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