Costa Rica

How to get from Jaco to Montezuma

Travel the 185 kilometre (115 miles) distance from Jaco to Montezuma with the best transport options available. We’ll guide you through the duration, cost, and comfort of each option — and show you where to book your tickets.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterReviewed by Maarten - Trip Planning ExpertLast updated: January 15, 2025

Leaving from...

Going to...

Why visit Montezuma?

Montezuma is an untouched gem on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It boasts a vibrant jungle and pristine beaches, inviting nature enthusiasts for a serene escape. Explore Montezuma Falls, a majestic waterfall that’s a hiker’s dream. If you’re in for a more serious hike, you can also visit the nearby Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve.

This picturesque town also offers a laid-back bohemian atmosphere, with beaches for both swimming (Playa Montezuma) and surfing (Playa Grande). At Montezuma town centre, you’ll find a wide range of cafes with international cuisine, yoga classes, and artisan shops.

How to get from Jaco to Montezuma?

The shuttle + taxi boat is the only suitable way for travellers to cross the distance of 185 kilometre (115 miles) from Jaco to Montezuma. The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, and ticket prices start from 28,000 CRC ($57).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Shuttle + Taxi Boat

1h 30m - 2h

From 28,000 CRC ($57)

Book Tickets

Jaco to Montezuma by Shuttle + Taxi Boat

Duration: 1h 30m - 2h

Costs: 28,000 CRC ($57)

Duration: 1h 30m - 2h

Costs: 28,000 CRC ($57)

It’s quite easy to travel from Jaco to Montezuma. You’ll just have to pick a tour company, book your ticket, and then they’ll do the rest for you. Tickets start at 28,000 CRC ($57), and the journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Zuma Tours and Tropical Tours Shuttles are the two operators for this route. It’s best to buy your tickets early for a better chance of getting a seat on your desired date. You can do that online through their respective websites.

Another option to book with Zuma Tours is via BookAway, where one-way and roundtrip tickets are slightly cheaper — but you must book for at least two passengers.

If you’re booking through BookAway, it’s easy to find availability for travel on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. But if you’re travelling on other days, we recommend visiting the official Zuma Tours website.

Your journey starts with a 30-minute shuttle ride from Jaco to Playa Herradura, a port town 10 km north. Here, you will transfer to a boat that will take you to the main beach in Montezuma.

Shuttle + Taxi Boat Schedule

Zuma Tours Jaco

Shuttle

Zuma Tours Montezuma

09:00

1h 30m

10:30

09:00

11:00

Zuma Tours

From 28,000 CRC ($57)

Jaco

Montezuma Beach

09:00

1h 30m

10:30

Tropical Tours Shuttle

31,000 CRC ($62)

Get Your Tickets

Prices above include tax and other fees.

If you’re going back to Jaco after exploring Montezuma, then you can save on costs by availing of a roundtrip ticket with Zuma Tours for 56,000 CRC ($115) when you book through their website. If you’re travelling with at least one other person, BookAway has a cheaper option at 51,000 CRC ($105).

There is only one trip from Jaco to Montezuma per day. But thanks to this, the journey has become faster and easier! Before, you’d have needed to travel north to Puntarenas Port, hop on a slow car ferry to Paquera, and then continue by land to Montezuma — a journey that easily took 3 to 4 hours!

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Jaco to Montezuma. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.

PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!

Frequently Asked Questions about Jaco to Montezuma

What is the distance from Jaco to Montezuma?

The distance from Jaco to Montezuma is 185 kilometre (115 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Jaco to Montezuma?

The fastest way to get from Jaco to Montezuma is by shuttle + taxi boat and takes 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is the cheapest way to get from Jaco to Montezuma?

The cheapest way to get from Jaco to Montezuma is by shuttle + taxi boat with ticket costs starting from 28,000 CRC ($57).

About the author(s)

Ela

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

Maarten

Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.