Ciudad Neily Overview

Although this town is a major center for the African palm-oil industry and an important transportation hub, it doesn’t offer many tourist attractions. If you find yourself staying here for more than one night, ask the English-speaking pharmacy owner for directions to the mysterious caves 2km from town.

All buses leave from one main terminal uphill from the center of town. Transgolfo (☎2783 4880) runs to Golfito (1hr.; 12 per day; ¢750.) TRACOPA (☎2783 3227) runs to San José (7-8hr.; 4:30, 5, 8:30, 11:30am, 5pm; ¢5430) and San Isidro (3-4hr.; 7, 10:30am, 1:15, 3:30pm; ¢3205). Transportes Térraba (☎2783 4293; www.terrabasur.com) goes to Palmar via Ciudad Cortés (1hr.; 4:45, 8, 9:15am, 12:30, 4:30, 5:45pm; ¢525); Dominical (5hr.; 6, 11am, 2:30pm; ¢1680) and Puerto Jiménez (4hr.; 7am, 2pm; ¢1685). CEPUL runs buses to San Vito (2hr.; 6, 9, 11am, 3, 5:30pm; ¢745). Local buses run to Zancudo (3hr.; 9:30am, 2:15pm; ¢1000.) Taxis line up on the diagonal street at the southeast corner of the park. Call one to meet you anywhere in town (☎2783 3374).

Orientation And Practical Information

The town’s commercial center lies between the park and the Interamericana Hwy. Facing north, the main drag starts one block to the right of the big gas station. The Banco de Costa Rica, across from the gas station, changes money and traveler’s checks and has two 24hr. ATMs. (☎2783 3535. Open M-F 9am-4pm.) Farther north, the Banco Popular has another ATM and offers the same services as well as free public bathrooms. (☎2783 3300 ext. 9001 or 9002. Open M-F 9am-4:30pm, Sa 8:15am-11:30am. AmEx/MC/V.) The police station is located at the north end of town (☎2783 3150). The Red Cross is across the street from the police station. (☎2783 5205. For emergencies ☎911). The pharmacy Farmacia Santa Lucia, located at the center of town, is well-stocked and has a knowledgeable pharmacist on staff. (☎2783 3666. Open M-Sa 8am-8pm.) The hospital (☎2783 4111) is 2km east of town along the Interamericana Hwy. Public phones are available in the parque central and scattered throughout town. Internet access is available at PC-Doctor near Banco Nacional (☎2783 9020 or 8844 9799. ¢500 per hr. Fax ¢150, photocopies ¢15. Open M-Sa 8am-10pm; MC/V.), or at Computer Systems Fixe, north of the Banco Popular. (☎2783 9022. Open M-Th 8am-5pm, F 8am-8pm. ¢500 per hr.) Local kids play Xbox at Video Juegos LEONICK on parque central. (☎8822 2304. ¢500 per hr. Open M-Sa 4pm-10pm.) The post office is next door to the police. (☎2783 3500. Open M-F 8am-noon and 1-4:30pm, Sa 7:30am-noon.) Postal Code: 8250.

Accommodations

The city is full of affordable places to sleep, most of which are clustered around the gas station and at the northern end of town.

Cabinas El Rancho (☎2783 3060), has rooms at every price level. Turquoise cabinas with tiled floors and baths, as well as optional cable TV and A/C, are spread across a gravel parking lot. Simple singles with fan ¢4500; doubles ¢7000. With TV add ¢2000; with TV and A/C add ¢3500.
Hotel Centro Turístico Neily (☎2783 3031), located in a quiet area at the north end of town, offers simple cabinas as well as more luxurious lodging in the grand yellow hotel with Roman columns across the street. Free Wi-Fi in restaurant. Swimming pool is open on weekends and is free for guests. Prices range from a enormous single in the cabinas with cold bath and ceiling fan for ¢5000 to a triple suite in the more nicely decorated hotel with A/C, TV, ceramic bath, and veranda (¢28,000).
Hotel Elvira (☎2783 3057). Has rooms grouped around a plant-filled courtyard. Guests share a common room with cable TV and either share cement and chicken wire bathroom stalls or enjoy private tiled bathrooms. Small singles with fan and shared cold-water bath ¢4000. Singles and doubles with bath ¢5000/7000.

Food

For groceries, MegaSuper has all the basics at cheap prices. (☎2783-3015. Open daily 7:45am-9pm. AmEx/MC/V.) For a larger selection in a newer building try Supermercado Loaiza. (☎2783 3152. Open M-Sa 6am-9pm.)

Centro Turístico Neily (☎2783 1116). Roman columns and white tile adorn a cozy dining room surround by 4 large TVs. They specialize in Mexican food (burritos ¢2500), but the tico food is filling and cheap as well. Casados ¢1500. Open M 3-10pm, Tu-F 6am-10pm, Sa 8am-4pm, Su 7am-10pm.
Restaurante La Moderna (☎2783 3097). Tico families gather to feast on pizzas (¢1750-3500) and soups (¢1200-3500) in a large wooden dining room with an indoor play-set complete with artificial grass. Open daily 7am-11pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Hotel Andrea’s Restaurant (☎2783 3745). Splurging on breakfast here is a great way to enjoy the ambience without paying for a room. Fruit plates and honey pancakes (¢1400) taste even better on a swanky veranda. Lunch and dinner prices hover around ¢3500. Open daily 6:30am-10:30pm.
El Nuevo Mundo (☎2783 3111). For a break from comida típica, enjoy a sampling of chop suey (¢2850) and other Chinese dishes here. Open daily 11am-11pm.
Heladería Dos Pinos (☎2783 3245). Inspires childhood nostalgia with ice cream flavors like bubble gum and orange cream (cones ¢300, milkshakes and banana splits ¢1500) alongside toys and a play area. Open daily 10am-10pm.