Though dusty, dry, and not very touristed, Siquirres keeps visitors coming as a transportation hub for Puerto Limón, Guápiles, and Parismina. Its sprawling suburbs are filled with markets and banana fields, a testament to the importance of the fruit to the local economy. Formerly, Siquirres was primarily a banana-train city; today, it is filled with more road traffic than railways, but the bananas and the tourists keep coming through.
Siquirres has two bus terminals. The first is much more tourist-oriented. From Gran Terminal Siquirres (☎2768 8732), at the southeast corner of the soccer field, buses leave for Caño Blanco (2hr.; M-F 4am, 1pm; Sa-Su 7:30am, 3:15pm; ¢1000); Guápiles (1hr., 36 per day 4:50am-7:50pm, ¢580) via Guácimo (35min., ¢500); Limón (3hr., 32 per day 5am-8:10pm, ¢800); San José (4hr., 18 per day 5am-7pm, ¢1245). From the bus stop north of the soccer field (☎2768 8172), local buses head out for La Florida (30min., 5 per day, ¢370) and Alegria (20min., 12 per day 5:30am-7:15pm, ¢265). Taxis (☎2768 4141 or 2768 9333) line up along the roads east of the northeast corner of the soccer field and circle around the bus terminal every 10min. or so.
The soccer field is in the center of town, and the circular church is on its west side. The municipal offices are on the south side of the soccer field, and the main bus station is at the southeast corner. Keep in mind that the area around the mercado central, 300m north and 200m east of the northeast corner of the soccer field, is poorly lit at night and should be avoided after dark.
Siquirres is a relatively small town, and because of its proximity to the more-touristed destinations of Guápiles and Limón, most visitors do not stay for the night. The closest accommodation option to the town center is Centro Turistico Pacuare , located about 1km southeast of town. From the main bus station, walk south 500m, turn left at the stop sign, and walk another 500m; the hotel will be on your left. A taxi costs ¢500. Pacuare’s modern facilities include a restaurant/bar with big-screen TV, karaoke at night, pool tables, swimming pool, conference hall, and simple but comfortable rooms with fans, cable TV, and private hot-water baths, and it is popular among tico businessmen and their families. (☎2768 6482. Singles ¢10,000, with A/C ¢13,000; doubles ¢13,000/16,000.)
The Palí supermarket is 100m north and 100m west of the northwest corner of the soccer field. (☎2768 7532. Open M-Sa 8am-7pm, Su 8am-6pm. MC/V.) For a relaxing, tasty meal close to the bus station, head to Soda Lorena , where the friendly family owners serve up filling portions of comida típica in a welcoming dining area with fake flower centerpieces and simple white tablecloths. (☎2768 6334. Casado and drink ¢2000. Open daily 6am-5pm.) Those who don’t mind a little noise to go along with their food will find every hunger satisfied at Panaderia, Reposteria, y Cafeteria La Castellana , which, as the name suggests, houses a baker, confectioner’s shop, and cafe in one large pink building at the northeast end of the park. (☎2768 8703. Hamburgers ¢750. Casados ¢1500. Pastries ¢300-800. Salads ¢1000-2000. Open daily 4:30am-7:30pm.)
Escuela De Agricultura De La Región Tropical Húmeda (Earth). Created in 1990, Escuela de Agricultura de la Región Tropical Húmeda (EARTH) is a private, international, non-profit university that educates students from the Americas, Spain, and Southern Africa in agriculture, environmental conservation, and sustainable management of resources in tropical regions. The university’s on-campus educational farm functions as a lab for hands-on projects, while the commercial farm, which includes forestry, agricultural, and cattle activities, generates profits to support the academic programs. Since its inception, the school has been at the forefront of research and development in environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture, training scientists and farmers around the world how to best manage resources of tropical areas. The university offers tours of its classrooms, labs, and land, but arrangements should be made in advance. (☎2713 0000; www.earth.ac.cr. 5- to 10-person groups preferred. Call in advance to arrange a tour. From Guácimo, take any bus to Siquirres or Pocora (15min., 20 per day 6:30am-6:30pm, ¢180) or from Siquirres, take any bus to Guápiles (30min., 23 per day 4:50am-7:20pm, ¢580) and have the driver let you off at the front entrance to EARTH.)
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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