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4 Best Ways to get from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa

You can get from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa by bus + boat, shared shuttle + boat, private transfer, or rental car.

The cheapest option to travel from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa is by bus + boat, which costs USD 45. The journey takes about 5 hours.

The most popular option is the shared shuttle + ferry, offering convenience at a very affordable price.

The fastest way to travel to Montezuma and Santa Teresa from Jacó is by private transfer or rental car, which takes 5 hours.

Are you planning a trip from Jaco to Montezuma and Santa Teresa? You’re in for a treat.

This is your go-to guide, with firsthand tips and tricks to make your Costa Rican journey seamless and enjoyable. Trust me, with the proper guidance, this stretch can be as memorable as the destinations themselves!

Transportation Options from Jacó to Montezuma & Santa Teresa

The following table outlines all transportation options from Jacó to Montezuma & Santa Teresa:

MethodTimePrice
Bus + Boat from Jacó to Montezuma & Santa Teresa~5 hrs$45+
Jacó to Montezuma & Santa Teresa Shuttle + Boat~ 5 hrs$45+
Private Transfer from Jacó to Montezuma & Santa Teresa5 hrs
Rental Car 5 hrs$60 to 219

How far is Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa?

The distance between Jacó and Montezuma is 30 miles or 48 kilometers. The distance between Jacó and Santa Teresa is 37 miles or 59 kilometers. Here, you can find more information about transportation in Costa Rica.

How to get from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa

1. Taxi Boat from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa

Journey Duration: 2 hours

Getting to Montezuma and Santa Teresa from Jacó does not need to be just another travel between great destinations.

Riding a boat to get to each place is a great way to enjoy a scenic ride and an opportunity to spot different marine animals along the way.

A quick look at Jacó on a map will show you that crossing the waters is the best way to travel from there to Montezuma and Santa Teresa.

The most efficient way is by taking a water taxi, more often called a taxi boat.

To go from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa, head to Playa Herradura and board a standard taxi boat that fits up to 18 passengers. Transport companies also offer to pick you up from your hotel in Jacó.

There is a private taxi boat option, which you can avail of at the same dock. This boat can take up to five passengers and leave anytime before 3:30 PM, whenever you wish. This option costs $850.

When the weather does not permit boats to leave from Playa Herradura, there may be a shift in your departure location. It is also the boatmen’s prerogative to change trip timings when necessary.

The trip from Jacó to Montezuma via taxi boat runs for two hours. Price starts at $45 per passenger.

Children from four to ten years of age get a discounted price of $35, while kids ages three and below ride for free. 

If you are going down to Santa Teresa from Jacó, add $10 to the rates above. It takes two hours to travel by taxi boat from Jacó to Santa Teresa.

A one-way taxi boat ticket gives you up to 22 kilograms of baggage allowance. Surfboards are charged extra. Any land transport you may need to and from the docks can be prearranged with the transport companies.

How To Get From Jacó To Montezuma And Santa Teresa2

2. Ferry from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa

Journey Duration: ~2 hours

If you plan to bring your vehicle or a rented vehicle to Montezuma and Santa Teresa, you can take the ferry departing from Puntarenas.

It arrives at Naranjo or Paquera, but if you travel to Montezuma and Santa Teresa, Paquera is your better option.

From Jacó, you must drive your vehicle to the Puntarenas ferry terminal.

Look for the Naviera Tambor ferry, located about 74 kilometers away from Jacó. It is about an hour’s drive in total. Line up at the car loading area and wait to be served. 

If you are traveling by bus and taking the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, you must get off the bus and let it go through embarkation procedures before you enter the ferry.

Once the ride commences, you can relax and use the amenities available inside the ferry.

Flat-screen TVs, food stalls, air-conditioned areas, and open decks will keep you occupied throughout the trip. 

Once the ferry docks, you must continue your trip by land. The travel time by ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera takes one hour and ten minutes.

A ticket for you and your car will cost about $25. If you are coming by bus, the ferry fare is already included in your ticket.

The ferry ride costs only $1.50 per person without any vehicle involved. 

Jaco To Montezuma
©depositphotos.com

3. Rental Car from Jacó to Montezuma and Santa Teresa

Journey Duration: 5 hours

Driving to Montezuma and Santa Teresa from Jacó might look inconvenient and unnecessary. Still, for those unwilling to take water transport for specific, personal, and valid reasons, ground transport is an option that is highly possible.

Thanks to Puente La Amistad, you can cross the bodies of water separating the province by taking this bridge. This vehicle and pedestrian bridge runs above the Tempisque River in the province of Guanacaste.

From Jacó, take Route 34, passing through Costanera Sur. Pass by the Carara National Park to the Alajuela-Puntarenas provincial border until the road meets Route 27.

Take the ramp to that route until it connects you to Route 23. Merge onto the Inter-American Highway until you reach Paso del Tempisque.

Turn left and take Route 18, crossing Puente La Amistad to the other side. Turn left once you reach Route 21 and continue until Calle Pura Vida.

From here, Route 624 will take you to Montezuma.

It takes five hours to drive from Jacó to Montezuma without crossing by ferry. The total driving distance is 280 kilometers. 

Should you wish to continue your trip to Santa Teresa, find your way to Montezuma-Delicias Road and follow the route until Cobano-Delicias Road.

Turn left at the Doghouse Shortcut Road and continue straight. You will arrive in Santa Teresa in a matter of 45 minutes.

If you plan on renting a car and taking this journey, there are cars for rent with daily costs ranging from $60 to $219.

Cars come with unlimited mileage and must be dropped off at the same pickup location, as there are no options to leave the vehicle either in Montezuma or Santa Teresa. 

Best day tours in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Here, you can find some of the best tours in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is it from Jaco to Montezuma?

It’s approximately 30 miles or 48 kilometers from Jaco to Montezuma, but the journey can take a couple of hours due to the ferry ride and the state of the roads.

Can I drive from Jaco to Montezuma?

Yes, you can drive. The route involves taking the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera and then driving to Montezuma. The roads can be challenging, especially in the rainy season, so a 4×4 vehicle is recommended.

How long does the ferry ride take?

The ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Jaco to Montezuma and Santa Teresa?

The cheapest way to travel from Jaco to Montezuma and Santa Teresa is by bus + boat, with the most affordable tickets priced at only USD 45!

What is the fastest way to travel from Jaco to Montezuma and Santa Teresa?

The fastest way to travel from Jaco to Montezuma and Santa Teresa is by private transfer or rental car, which takes about 5 hours.

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