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How to get from Tamarindo to San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose offers a vibrant culture and some of the country’s best restaurants. Check out our guide for the best options to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose.

Want to know how to spend the best time while in San Jose?

Get some fantastic recommendations while getting a private tour of the city by a local, and find out all about its hidden gems!

Check our guide for the best options to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose, and here you can find more information about getting around in Costa Rica.

How far is San Jose from Tamarindo?

The distance from Tamarindo to San Jose is 160 miles or 258 kilometers.

Transportation Options from Tamarindo to San Jose

The following table outlines all transportation options from Tamarindo to San Jose:

MethodTravel timePrice
Coach Bus from Tamarindo to San Jose5 hoursUSD 27
Shared Shuttle from Tamarindo to San Jose5 hoursUSD 65
Private Transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose5 hours
Taxi from Tamarindo to San Jose5 hours
Rental Car5 hours
Flight2 hours

GuateGo

On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tamarindo to San Jose. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.

Tamarindo To San Jose

Getting to San Jose from Tamarindo

1. Tralapa Coach Bus from Tamarindo to San Jose

Journey Duration: 5 hours

Tralapa offers a daily coach bus from Tamarindo to San Jose. This is the best option when traveling on a budget, as the ticket only costs USD 27.

The bus departs at 07:10 AM from the Pacific Park INN in Tamarindo and arrives at around 12:10 PM at the Tralapa bus terminal in San Jose.

All buses are equipped with air-conditioning, a toilet, and reclinable seats.

How To Get From Tamarindo To San Jose, Costa Rica

2. Interbus Shared Van Shuttle

Journey Duration: 5 hours

Another option is to travel with a shared shuttle to San Jose.

The advantage of a shuttle is that the driver will pick you up at your hotel in Tamarindo and drop you off at your accommodation in San Jose. You don’t have to organize transportation to and from the bus terminal.

Interbus offers a daily shuttle to San Jose at 02:30 PM. The price per person is USD 65.

How To Get From Tamarindo To San Jose, Costa Rica
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3. Private Transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose

Journey Duration: 5 hours

A private transfer may be better if you prefer a bit more comfort and don’t want to be dependent on bus or shared shuttle schedules.

We recommend a private transfer to San Jose, especially for families and groups.

GuateGo

On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tamarindo to San Jose. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.

Going To San José
How-To-Get-From-Tamarindo-To-San-Jose-Costa-Rica

4. Driving with Rental Car

Journey Duration: 5 hours

As the distance between Tamarindo and San Jose is only 160 miles or 258 kilometers, you can also easily travel by rental car.

One significant advantage of traveling by car to San Jose is that you can stop along the way and not depend on bus or flight schedules.

The ride from Tamarindo to San Jose takes around five hours, depending on the traffic.

How To Get From Tamarindo To San Jose, Costa Rica

5. Uber or Taxi

Journey Duration: 5 hours

Another option is to take a taxi from Tamarindo to San Jose. Make sure to negotiate a fixed price before entering the cab!

How-To-Get-From-Tamarindo-To-San-Jose-Costa-Rica

6. Flight from Tamarindo to San José

Journey Duration: 2 hours

Aerobell Airlines offers flights from the small, private airport in Tamarindo to the Tobias Bolanos International Airport in Pavas, San Jose.

Be aware that the airport in Pavas is around 20 kilometers away from the main international airport of San Jose (SJO).

Alternatively, you can fly from Liberia airport to the SJO airport in San Jose. The distance from Tamarindo to Liberia airport is 42 miles or 67 kilometers.

The ride takes around two hours, and you can travel from Tamarindo to Liberia Airport by private transfer, shared shuttle, or bus.

How To Get From Tamarindo To San Jose, Costa Rica

Universal Traveller recommends the following websites to plan & book your trip to Costa Rica

  • Check & book all available transportation options on GuateGo
How To Get From Jaco To San Jose, Costa Rica
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Best day tours in San Jose, Costa Rica

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. 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 San Jose, Costa Rica.

How-To-Get-From-Tamarindo-To-San-Jose-Costa-Rica

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the bus from Tamarindo to San Jose?

It is a 5 hours bus ride from Tamarindo to San Jose. The Tralapa bus departs at 07:10 AM from the Pacific Park INN in Tamarindo and arrives at around 12:10 PM at the Tralapa bus terminal in San Jose.

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