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!
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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:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coach Bus from Tamarindo to San Jose | 5 hours | USD 27 |
| Shared Shuttle from Tamarindo to San Jose | 5 hours | USD 65 |
| Private Transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose | 5 hours | – |
| Taxi from Tamarindo to San Jose | 5 hours | – |
| Rental Car | 5 hours | – |
| Flight | 2 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Universal Traveller recommends the following websites to plan & book your trip to Costa Rica
- Book your car rental through RentalCars
- Check & book all available transportation options on GuateGo
- Search hotels on booking.com and hostelword
- Don’t forget about travel insurance for your trip to Costa Rica!
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.
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.
