Arrival and Information
There are three direct bus services from San Jose to Fortuna , currently leaving La Coca-Cola at 6.15am, 8.40am and 11.30am. You could also take a direct bus from San Jose to San Carlos , where you can change for frequent buses to Fortuna (40km; 1hr). From Tilaran, take either the 8am or the 1.30pm bus (3hr). Buses from San Jose, San Carlos and Tilaran all stop by the soccer field in the middle of the village - it's never hard to orient yourself: the volcano is west. Most hotels will change money for about the same rate as the Banco Nacional opposite the soccer field; apart from a few of the more expensive hotels, this is the only place to change travellers' cheques. There are phones scattered about town, most of which purport to take local and international phonecards, but only one or two of them actually work - they're the ones with the queues. There's Internet access at the Desafio Tours office, across from Rancho La Cascada, and the Aguas Bravas tour agency, on the main road opposite the soccer field, sells La Nacion , the Tico Times and the New York Times - this is also the best place to rent bikes (around US$10/day for sturdy mountain bikes). Taxis line up on the south side of the Parque Central - they rarely (if ever) use their meters, so agree a price before getting in and beware of overcharging. Try to negotiate a lower price than the first one you're quoted, or ask locals what they currently pay.
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