Major city · Costa Rica
Sixaola
Pass through Sixaola quickly; only stay overnight if border delay forces it (≈US$20 for a basic room).
Sixaola is a small border town on Costa Rica's Caribbean side. Most travellers cross the bridge to Panama in a few hours. Overnight stays are rare and only needed when the immigration office closes at 17:00 or when cash is needed for the departure tax.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct (check)
- Airport
- LIO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sixaola911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sixaola, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; main risks are late‑afternoon border queues and unreliable ATMs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIO Limón International Airport.
- Getting aroundTown is compact and walkable; taxis available for longer trips.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIO Limón International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sixaola: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is compact and walkable; taxis available for longer trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Playa Gandoca
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Walk or short taxi ride east along the coast
Quiet beach, good for a quick swim.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Bus from Sixaola southward on Route 36
Popular Caribbean beach town; consider for longer stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cabinas Sanchez
Basic rooms, cold water en‑suite, wifi (common area), US$20 per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡5,000–7,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡7,000–10,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡10,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cabinas Sanchez room1 × 1 night × CRC 20 | CRC 20 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CRC 30 | CRC 30 |
| Departure tax (cash)1 × CRC 1 · US$1 (≈₡500) per traveller | CRC 1 |
| ATM cash withdrawal (if needed)1 × CRC 5 · Approximate fee if ATM works | CRC 5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 6 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 62 per person per day, bed included | CRC 62 |
Basic accommodation, includes water
2026 estimate; flights and long‑distance transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at El Escorpion Bar | $5–7 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | $0.80–1 |
| Taxi within town (≈2 km) | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Immigration office closes sharply at 17:00; arrive earlier to avoid overnight stay.Immigration office closes sharply at 5:00 PM; arrive earlier to avoid overnight stay.
- Departure tax must be paid in cash at the border pharmacy; cards not accepted.
- Nearest ATM (≈1 km (0.6 mi) north) often out of service – get cash beforehand.Nearest ATM (≈0.6 mi (1 km) north) often out of service – get cash beforehand.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SixaolaSixaola
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US emergency number 911; nearest US consulate in San José (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Puerto Limón → Sixaola: ≈ CRC 500–800, 1 h 30 min
- Taxi town centre → Cabinas Sanchez: ≈ CRC 1,200 (≈ US$2)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto es el impuesto de salida? — How much is the departure tax?
- ¿Aceptan dólares estadounidenses? — Do you accept US dollars?
- ¿Dónde está el cajero automático? — Where is the ATM?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sixaola. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct (check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- If border office closes, stay at Cabinas Sanchez (US$20).
- Carry enough CRC or USD for departure tax and small purchases.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Sixaola
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sixaola, revision 5106103 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Sixaola
Loading…
Was this useful?