Jennifer Lopez who works part-time at Central Line Bus Co. based in San Jose, sold us bus tickets in Nicaragua knowing full well the bus didn't go anywhere near to our destination.
Well, I haven't heard from the folks at Central Line. I thought for sure they would get in touch, defending their fucked-up position.
Don't know what I'm talking about (or the Jennifer Lopez connection)? The FULL story is here: 'This BUS Co. Tries to Pull a FAST One' Bottom line- We were crossing the border at Penas Blancas (Nicragua and Costa Rica border crossing) and this Jennifer Lopez lookalike just told us shit we wanted to hear knowing full well it wasn't true... all for $28.
Anyway, Central Line, I forgot to give you our email address so we could chat about an apology and FULL refund. Contact us here: TravelCostaRicaNOW@gmail.com Look forward to hearing from you. And if and when you make good, I will post it. Pura Vida!
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Central Line is a bus company based in San Jose, Costa Rica that totally fucked us over when we were crossing the border from Penas Blancas, Nicaragua into Costa Rica.
Central Line offers International daily buses from/to(Managua, Granada) Nicaragua to San Jose Costa Rica.
We think Central Line should educate their employees a little, okay, a LOT, better on where their buses actually GO.
This post is a HEADS UP for anyone traveling from the Penas Blancas border crossing to the La Fortuna area. If this just helps 1 person, I'll be happy. Here's what happened. If you're not familiar with the border crossing you can view the video below and maybe get a sense of it all. *And for the record, understanding or speaking Spanish was not part of the problem, so it wasn't a 'communication' thing.
We had just arrived from Granada, Nicaragua to the Penas Blancas border crossing and as were were starting the process we were met by an attractive, well dressed woman, wearing a crispy, clean uniform, complete with identification badge and I should mention, her make-up was Jennifer Lopez perfect. She asked us if we needed a bus. Now, I've crossed this border about 29,000 times, so I was pretty sure she couldn't help us since there's only 1 bus that goes even close to La Fortuna (El Tanque to be exact, which is only about 5 minutes away from La Fortuna).
But, when we mentioned La Fortuna, she said yes, "Central Line goes right past there." I was skeptical. We asked again, this time she confirmed it with another attractive woman who also appeared to work for Central Line. The tickets were about $14. each. As she explained this was a direct shot, so NO stops and the best part, for me anyway, the bus had a restroom. Not only were we going to save a couple hours but also not get all anxious about when the next pee stop would be (I know a few of you out there can relate to that). As we were paying for the tickets, we asked again to make doubly sure.Jennifer even told us how long it would take and she was right, 3 1/2 hours. I was satisfied. I just thought, 'finally, a bus line realizes La Fortuna should have it's own STOP.'
Central Line charged me $14.00 for this piece of paper so I decided to keep it.
Obviously, you know where this is going. In the end J-lo ended up being full of shit. Miss Lopez telling me the bus stopped close to La Fortuna would be like an airline telling you the flight can get you to Maine from Florida,,, but then conveniently forgetting to mention you would have to get a connection in California because that is where the plane is actually going. WHOOPS! Needless to say, we almost missed our 'regular' bus and believe me, you don't want to be stuck overnight at the border. Think we got our money back? Nope (and we tried). Didn't have time to argue, we had to complete our crossing and if it's busy, it can take awhile, so no REAL time to argue or at least punch these ladies in the throat and run.
Moral of the story. Ask the driver before boarding where in the hell the bus is going, which is exactly how we found out Jennifer Lopez was talking shit.
Dear Central Line, you need to make this RIGHT and if and when you do, I'll post it. Unfortunately, I can't help but doubt you will since this isn't the United States, here it seems the customer is rarely right. Sorry, just going from my experience... but I would LOVE for you to prove me wrong. pura vida.
This video about crossing the border at Penas Blancas was done quite awhile ago but it still accurate. Check it out.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Here's how to travel to Costa Rica and survive crime, theft, murder and overall mayhem. You know, because it's around every corner.
So this dude from Connecticut, Howard Daniels Jr. writes an editorial to A.M.Costa Rica (Your daily English-language news source Monday through Friday'....whatever) and gives his take on why tourism is down in Costa Rica. His reasons, here's the exact quote:
"The reason that North Americans are not going to Costa Rica as much anymore is twofold. #1 crime and #2 tired of dealing with bribe dealing police."
This subject is a pet peeve of mine and I've written about it numerous times. So, I'll let the VIDEOS BELOW do most of the talking. But here's my bottom line: I would say that 98.9% of the BAD things that happen to tourists while in Costa Rica are a direct result of their STUPIDITY when traveling abroad. #2- Their are exceptions but 99% of the time, if you're bribing a police officer, it's because you got caught breaking the law and with some of the fines here, you'll hope the cop is 'corrupt'. However, they have been known to 'shakedown' tourists on occasion as well, but this is more the exception than the rule and don't forget, you do have recourse when a bad cop tries to pull a fast one.
Lastly, only the worst of the worst stories get printed, so perception and drama RULES on the internet. If tourists weren't so STUPID, crime against them wouldn't be so high. Yeah, I said it. *Living here is an entirely different matter.
If you are traveling to Costa Rica, watch all the videos below from beginning to end and I can assure you, your risk factor will be cut to about '0'. I have much more INFO about crime and it's effect on tourism in this blog but don't stop there, visit other sites and get more perspective as well.
Our ORIGINAL video about Theft and Crime in Costa Rica:
Renting a car, you don't want to skip this one:
Perspective on 'corrupt' police officers in Costa Rica:
Perspective on this 'murder' and 'crime' thing in Costa Rica:
Plan on riding the public buses:
Backing up your Travel Documents:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Back from San Jose, Costa Rica after a week of ADVENTURES and video-taping. It appears because of what happened yesterday on our way home, I can't talk about the BUSES in Costa Rica enough. Here's the story, it's worth a read if you're planning a trip to Costa Rica and traveling around by bus.
We went to 'La Parada de San Carlos' (the bus stop in San Jose to get to La Fortuna by way of San Carlos aka Ciudad Quesada). You would need another bus stop if you want to get to La Fortuna via San Ramon- La Parada de San Ramon.
Everything was fine, we got to San Carlos and stopped long enough for a quick bathroom, snack break and we were on our way. A few minutes outside of San Carlos the bus breaks down. Within 30 minutes we were on another bus (not bad considering it's Costa Rica), but since we had to scramble for seats, D'Angelo and myself were situated in the back of the bus, our friend Ed, who went with us to San Jose, was more in the middle of the bus. If we wouldn't have broken down, we would have all been sitting close to each other and things probably would have unfolded much different.
The closer we got to La Fortuna, the more the bus filled up, so people were standing in the aisles. Commotion ensued by our friend Ed. I heard him yell, "I saw you take it!" Apparently a man pickpocketed a wallet from an Israeli man's baggy, cargo-style shorts. The Israeli man's girlfriend was yelling, Ed was in the 'face' of the original perpetrator and another man, was headed to the back door of the bus, followed closely by the Israel man. I heard him say, "You can have the wallet, just give me my credit cards."
Like I mentioned, if we were all sitting together, I DEFINITELY would have been more involved, but this was happening fast and quite frankly, D'Angelo and myself really didn't know 'who' did 'what' to 'who'.
Israeli man followed the guy off the bus. *I should mention, this 2nd perpetrator was BIG for a Tico, wide shoulders, big arms, tattoos, I'm sure you get the picture and Israel man was pretty much the opposite, skinny, tall and probably hadn't been in a fight in his entire life. Israel man and perpetrator 2 were off the bus in front of the back door when I heard Israeli man say something like, "What the fuck man..." and that's when I saw the punch- one HARD punch to be exact and Israeli man went down, he wasn't knocked out, but definitely 'dazed and confused' for about 5 minutes.
So, perpetrator 2 got away and if perpetrator 2 was the 'thug' of the group, this other dude was a complete PUSSY- kinda big, but was pleading and whining and crying telling anyone who would listen he didn't do it- like the little BITCH that he was......... Ed didn't AGREE and neither did the others on the bus who wouldn't let him leave....... and either did the police who arrested him.
*Israeli man was fine after about 15 minutes accept for the nice size cut on his head.
GUYS- it's all about distraction here, KEEP on EYE on your STUFF, in the overhead luggage compartment and what's in your pocket..................... it only takes a SECOND.
Better yet, money belts, money in your socks or fanny packs (way gay but very effective) are much better options than the pocket of a baggy pair of cargo shorts. And the only reason it unfolded like it did, is because Ed saw the guy do it, Israeli man didn't have a CLUE.
Don't be CLUELESS- because when shit like this happens to you and you BLAME Costa Rica- it pisses us OFF (I'm not sayin Israeli man would do this......I'm just sayin.) Be VIGILANT and AWARE at all times and you will cut down your risk factor to almost ZERO.
But really, fanny packs are GAY.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Traveling Costa Rica by bus can be a GREAT option, especially if you're traveling on a budget... and double especially if time isn't of the essence. That said, there's a few things you should know about the bus system here.
Below: VIDEO- 'Riding the buses in Costa Rica' and also the bus schedules to popular destinations in Costa Rica. All buses depart from the San Jose area.
Buses are reliable and pretty much travel anywhere you would want to go in Costa Rica. Reliability would usually only be a problem if their were traffic jams, bad road conditions or maintenance issues and obviously, those things could happen, but again, for the most part, the bus system is reliable. Costa Rica does NOT have 'chicken buses',....just sayin. Some 'Express' buses are nicer and don't stop before reaching their destination (like many of the ones leaving from San Jose to Limon ) but usually you'll be riding the 'local' buses, which tend to be older and seem to stop about every 100 yards or so, making the travel time much longer than it would be by 'car'.
This painted on the back of a bus, "Can you tell Costa Rica is steeped in the Catholic Religion?"
You'll need colones and small change to ride the local buses, don't expect them to take your $20. bill. Some tickets you buy at the ticket booth while others are purchased from the driver as you board the bus. It's good to do your homework in advance so you know what to expect. It's a bit daunting to be carrying backpacks and luggage around a bus station while trying to figure things out.
Some bus stations are more 'user friendly' than others. The bus station in San Carlos (Ciudad Quesada) SUCKS! but others like Limon, San Ramon are nice. Don't forget, there's MANY bus stations in San Jose and the one you'll use will depend on where you're going. For instance, visiting our 'neck of the woods' in La Fortuna, you'll need to tell the taxi driver, "La parada de San Carlos por favor".
Here's our VIDEO about Riding the buses in Costa Rica:
We did this VIDEO a while back about 'Theft on the Buses'. Make sure to CHECK it OUT if you'll be using the bus system in Costa Rica:
The following are bus schedules to popular destinations in Costa Rica. All buses depart from the San Jose area. And go to our page about Getting around Costa Rica, complete with links, bus schedules and booking packages and MORE.
Note: Bus schedules may change and fares are approximate based on the exchange rate and fares at the time of the update. Always contact or pre-visit the bus terminal for most recent schedules and fees. Advance ticket purchases are also recommended.
ALAJUELA (Airport): $0.75; every 10 minutes 4:20 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; after 11:00p.m. buses depart every 30 minutes for the airport; 30 minutes. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 2 and Calles 12/14. 2222-5325. ARENAL VOLCANO / LA FORTUNA: $4; 6:15 a.m., 8:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; 4 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 12 and Avenida 7. 2255-0567.
BRAULIO CARRILLO PARK / GUAPILES: $1.85; every hour 5:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; weekends last departure at 9:00p.m.; 45 minutes; get off at the Quebrada Gonzalez Station or theZurqui Station; wait on highway for return bus. Departs from the intersection of Calle 12 and Avenidas 7/9. 2222-0610.
CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK: $6.75; 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; 4hours. Departs from the Terminal del Caribe, located on Avenida 13 and Calle Central. 2257-8129.
COCO BEACH: $5; 8:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.; 5 hours. Departs from Avenida5 and Calles 10/12. Buses also depart from and return to Liberia daily en route to Coco. 2222-1650. DOMINICAL: 5:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; 7 hours. Departs from Avenidas 1/3 and Calle16 (Coca Cola Station). 2223-5567. Also from San Isidro: $2; 7:00, 9:00a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; 1 hour. Departs from two blocks south of the church. 2771-2550.
FLAMINGO BEACH: $8.25; 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; 6 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 20 and Avenidas 1/3. 2221-7202.
GOLFITO: $12; 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (direct, no stops); 8 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 5 and Calles 14/16. 2222-2666
HEREDIA: $0.60; every 10 minutes 5:00 a.m.-midnight; 25 minutes. Buses depart from the intersection of Calle 1 and Avenidas 7/9 and Calle 4 and Avenidas 5/7. 2233-8392 or 2261-7171.
IRAZU VOLCANO: $2; 8:00 a.m.; 1.5 hours. Buses depart from the intersection of Avenida 2 and Calles 1/3. 2272-0651. JACO BEACH: $2.60; 5:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; 3 hours. Departs from Avenidas 1/3 and Calle 16(Coca Cola Station). 2223-1109.
LANKESTER GARDENS / PARAISO: $0.75; every 5 minutes 4:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; 20 minutes; ask to be dropped of at Lankester Garden Turnoff, then walk seven blocks to entrance. Departs in Cartago from Avenida 1 and Calle 4. 2574-6609.
LIBERIA: $5.75; every hour 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (19:00 departure on Fridays only); 4 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 14 and Avenidas1/3 (Liberia Terminal. 2222-1650.
LIMON: $4.50; every hour 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (direct/nonstop buses depart every :30); 2.5 hours. Buses depart from the intersection of Avenida Central and Calle 3 (Terminal del Caribe). 2222-0610.
MANZANILLO: $8.75; 12:00 p.m.; 4.5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 13 and Calle Central (Terminal del Caribe). 2257-8129. MONTEVEDE / SANTA ELENA: $5; 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; 5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 12 and Avenidas 7/9 (Terminal Atlantico Norte). 2645-5159.
MANUEL ANTONIO / QUEPOS (Direct/Nonstop): $6.50; 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:30p.m.; 4 hours; Departs from Avenidas 1/3 and Calle 16 (Coca Cola Station). 2223-5567. MANUEL ANTONIO / QUEPOS (Indirect): $6.50; 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m.; 5 hours. Departs from Avenidas 1/3 and Calle 16 (Coca Cola Station). 2223-5567.
NICOYA: $5.50; 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.; 6hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 5 and Calles 14/16 (Alfaro Terminal). Buses also depart from and return to Liberia daily en route to Nicoya. 2222-2666.
NOSARA BEACH: $7; 5:30 a.m.; 6 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 5 and Calles 14/16 (Alfaro Terminal). Buses also depart from Nicoya at 4:45a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. ($2; 2 hours). 2222-2666.
PANAMA / HERMOSA BEACHES: $7.50; 3:30 p.m.; 6 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 20 and Avenidas 1/3. Buses also depart from Liberia several times daily. 2221-7202.
POAS VOLCANO: $6.75 (round- trip); 8:30 a.m.; 2.5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida Segunda and Calles 12/14. 2222-5325. PUERTO JIMENEZ DE OSA: $12; 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.; 8 hours. Bus departs from the intersection of Calle 14 and Avenidas 9/11 (Blanco Lobo Station). 2257-4121.
PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA (Caribbean): $7.75; 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and4:00 p.m.; 4.5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenica 13 and Calle Central (Terminal del Caribe). Buses also depart daily from Limon. 2257-8129. PUNTARENAS DIRECT: $3.75; every hour 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; 2.5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 12 and Calle 16. 2222-8231.
SAMARA BEACH: $6.50; 12:00 p.m.; 5.5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida5 and Calles 14/16 (Alfaro Terminal). Buses also depart from and return to Samara daily en route to Nicoya. 2222-2666.
SAN ISIDRO DEL GENERAL: $3.50; every hour 5:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; 3 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 5 and Calles 14/17. 2222-2666.
SARCHI HANDICRAFT: $1.50; 12:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:10 p.m.; 1.5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Calle 18 and Avenidas 5/7. 2258-2004. TAMARINDO BEACH: $8; 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; 6 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 3 and Calles 14/16 (Alfaro Terminal). 2222-2666.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Bottom line- We were crossing the border at Penas Blancas (Nicragua and Costa Rica border crossing) and this Jennifer Lopez lookalike just told us shit we wanted to hear knowing full well it wasn't true... all for $28.
an apology and FULL refund. Contact us here: TravelCostaRicaNOW@gmail.com Look forward to hearing from you. And if and when you make good, I will post it. Pura Vida! 
