Getting There
Río Magnolia is located in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica, 20 km from Dominical, up in the highlands above the Pacific Ocean. We are about 1.5 hours from Manuel Antonio Park, which is to the north and about the same distance to the Osa Peninsula to the south. The Lodge is approximately 11 km, as the crow flies, from the Pacific coast so we experience beautiful ocean views. Several magnificent beaches are located in close proximity to the Río Magnolia. Driving time to Dominical Beach is about 50 minutes. For your safety please take a minute to read our guide to safe travelling.
Rio Magnolia is a beautiful, secluded, natural, off-grid experience. These qualities can only be enjoyed by those who venture off the beaten path.
There are several options for getting to Rio Magnolia:
1) We can pick you up, or arrange pick up at the San Jose Airport or any another airport or hotel in the country. The lodge is about 4 hours from San Jose (Juan Santamaria Airport) or 1.5 hours from the Quepos or Palmar Sur airports.
2) Another option is to drive to the San Cristobal General Store (Alabast. Elizabeth) where our driver lives, park your car there and our driver, Eliecer, can bring you in to the Lodge.
3)A third alternative is to drive in yourself if you have a good 4 wheel drive vehicle and are not afraid of steep hills or bumpy roads. The road in from the highway is only about 5.5 km but takes about a half hour. If you like, Eliecer can lead you in.
4) We can also arrange for you to ride on horseback.
Driving Instructions
Rio Magnolia GPS Coordinates N 9.33855 –W 83.78107
If you are driving, map, the property gate is located 4.5 km off the paved highway that runs between Dominical and San Isidro del General.
When traveling from the Costanera (Coastal) Highway, which is a very good road, turn onto the highway to San Isidro del General. The intersection is just north of the police check point near Dominical. Drive about 14 km up the hill through Platanillio and you will come to Tinemastes where there is a big white church on the right. Continue down the steep hill where you will see the general store “Alabast. Elizabeth” on your left where our driver, Eliecer lives. Continue up the hill past two saw mills on your right. You will come to a sharp curve and on your left where you will see the sign “La Alfombra, where the sky meets the sea”. This is the entrance to La Alfombra. Across the intersection, there is a "Rio Magnolia" sign and there is a large sign with a Tapir. We are in the Biological Corridor of the Tapir. This is a bit of a dangerous intersection, especially if you are climbing the hill and other traffic is descending. If you have any doubts, it is easier to continue about 500 meters further up the hill to Restaurante Mirador Los Chorros, on your left, which overlooks the valley into which you will be traveling... you can turn around and come back to the entrance from there.
Once you have turned off the highway, take your first right after about 200 meters (there is a sign pointing the way to Rio Magnolia). The road winds through the quaint village of La Alfombra. Please drive slowly as the local children often play close to the road. You will cross three rivers and up a very steep hill with concrete tracks (another Rio Magnolia sign at the bottom). This brings you to the Rio Magnolia gate. The lodge is located 1 km in from the gate along a scenic road that passes through the primary forest with magnificent vegetation and a beautiful water fall on Rio Magnolia. Follow the concrete tracks (with a sharp curve to the right) up the hill to the Lodge parking lot.
If you use the Inter-American Highway, it takes you from San Jose up and over Cerro del Muerte (the highest mountain pass in the country, 3400m) before decending into San Isidro del General. This route is very scenic but the highway is steep and windy and it can be difficult to pass slow trucks. As you approach San Isidro you will see a sign pointing to Playa Dominical. You turn right at this sign, pass through town and head west over the mountains toward the Pacific Ocean. The turnoff for the lodge is about 15 km from San Isidro. Shortly after you reach the summit and start the descent towards the ocean, where ocean views are amazing, you will pass by Mirador Los Chorros on your right. About 500 meters ahead, turn right. This is the entrance to La Alfombra.
