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Back to Sixaola

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Voykit pocket guide · 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.

AlajuelaAtenasBijagua de UpalaBrasilitoBribriCabo MatapaloCahuitaCarateCartagoCurridabatDominicalDrake BayEsterillosFinca SonadorSixaola100 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Costa Rica
Best months
Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct (check)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CRC
Money
Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
Daily spend
Budget ₡5,000–7,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡7,000–10,000 excl. bed · High ₡10,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
Emergency
Police / Ambulance 911
Plugs
Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
Water
Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
Toilets
Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Meal at El Escorpion Bar$5–7
Bottle of water (500 ml)$0.80–1
Taxi within town (≈2 km (1.2 mi))$3–4

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

LIO · Limón International Airport
—

Typical fares

Bus Puerto Limón → Sixaola
≈ CRC 500–800, 1 h 30 min
Taxi town centre → Cabinas Sanchez
≈ CRC 1,200 (≈ US$2)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Town is compact and walkable; taxis available for longer trips.

See and do

Known for

  • border crossing to Panama
  • Rio Sixaola bridge

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Playa GandocaWalk or short taxi ride east along the coast≈15 min
Puerto Viejo de TalamancaBus from Sixaola southward on Route 36≈1 h 30 min

Sleep

Cabinas Sanchez
Basic rooms, cold water en‑suite, wifi (common area), US$20 per night

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
How much is the departure tax?¿Cuánto es el impuesto de salida?
Do you accept US dollars?¿Aceptan dólares estadounidenses?
Where is the ATM?¿Dónde está el cajero automático?

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
  • Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
  • Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
  • Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals

Scams and watch-outs

  • Immigration office closes sharply at 17:00; arrive earlier to avoid overnight stay.
  • Departure tax must be paid in cash at the border pharmacy; cards not accepted.
  • Nearest ATM (≈1 km north) often out of service – get cash beforehand.

Generally safe; main risks are late‑afternoon border queues and unreliable ATMs.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Sixaola yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • border crossing to Panama
  • Rio Sixaola bridge

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Sixaola

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police / Ambulance911

US emergency number 911; nearest US consulate in San José (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/sixaola). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.