What to expect when visiting Playas del Coco
Playas del Coco is a tranquil paradise on Costa Rica’s northwest coast. With its golden sandy beach and vibrant nightlife, you can enjoy a good balance of relaxation and entertainment here.
Surrounded by lush greenery, Playas del Coco is perfect for surfing and turtle watching, making it a must-visit destination in Guanacaste. Dive into the clear Pacific waters, catch a mesmerizing sunset, and explore the town’s charming downtown.
3 ways to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco
There are three ways to travel the distance of 150 km (93 miles) from Monteverde to Playas del Coco: by indirect bus (4h), minivan (4h-4h30m) and private transfer (4 hours). The journey takes between 4h - 4h30m and the quickest way is by indirect bus. The lowest priced tickets start from $50 (26,000 CRC) for the minivan.Monteverde to Playas del Coco by Minivan
The minivan is a cost-efficient way to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco. It’s not only direct, it’s also a door-to-door transfer, so you won’t have to worry about anything. A ticket costs around $57 (30,000 CRC) for the 4-hour journey.
There are at least four minivan operators for the Monteverde to Playas del Coco route:
- Tropical Tours Shuttles
- Interbus
- Costa Rica Shuttle
- ShuttleBusCR
The first two companies – Tropical Tours and Interbus – are among the most trusted shuttle lines in the country.
When travelling by minivan, we highly recommend booking online to spare you the hassle of going to their actual offices. You can buy your tickets through their respective company websites, which we have linked in the table below.
Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Playas del Coco
Monteverde to Playas del Coco by Indirect Bus
The bus is an indirect option that may help you save a few bucks if you’re travelling with at least one other person, better if you’re in a group of 3 to 4. As there are no direct buses from Monteverde to Playas del Coco, you’ll have to take an expensive taxi and two buses. Combined rates start from $77 (40,000 CRC) and travel time is around 4 hours.
First things first, if you’re travelling solo, forget about taking the bus. It will be more expensive than a direct minivan.
If you’re with a group of at least 2 people, then you might be able to save a few dollars. But whether it’s worth the hassle of making several transfers is up to you to decide (HINT: We would say no).
As there are no direct buses from Monteverde to Playas del Coco, you’ll first have to take a taxi to Cañas, a city located 65 km northwest of Monteverde. From here, you’ll then have to take two buses to get to Coco Beach.
Are you up for that adventure? Then you can read on for a more detailed guide.
Step 1: Monteverde to Cañas by Taxi
From Monteverde, the best way to get to Cañas is via a 2-hour taxi. This costs about $75 (40,000 CRC). Make sure the driver turns on the metre for the trip!
Ask to be dropped off at Cañas Bus Terminal.
As the taxi is quite expensive, this option is only cost-efficient if you can share the fare with 2 to 3 other people.
Step 2: Cañas to Liberia by Bus
Once at the bus terminal in Cañas, you can easily transfer to a bus bound for Liberia. Buses depart once or twice every hour from 04:30 to 20:30. A ticket costs around $1 (1,000 CRC) and travel time is around an hour.
The final stop is at Liberia Bus Stop.
Step 3: Liberia to Playas del Coco by Bus
Buses operating from Liberia to Playas del Coco do not depart from the main bus terminal. They leave from Pulmitan Bus Stop, which luckily is located just around 200m south. So you’ll just have to go out on the road and walk a bit. You wouldn’t miss the terminal with a green and white heading. Written on it is “Pulmitan de Liberia.”
Buses depart every hour, on the hour, from 06:00 to 20:00. It’s best to board the bus about 10 to 15 minutes before departure time to ensure that you have a good seat. This bus route is quite popular with locals, so buses get full fast.
A bus ticket costs $1.30 (1,000 CRC). You are to get off at Pulmitan Terminal in Playas del Coco, located about 1.5 km south of the main beach.
Monteverde to Playas del Coco by Private Transfer
Are you travelling in a group? Private transfers are a more convenient alternative as you can depart any time you want. It might look expensive, but it can actually be cheaper than a minivan if you split the cost among 4 to 5 passengers. Rates for a private transfer from Monteverde to Playas del Coco start from $175 (92,000 CRC).
You can ask your hotel to help you find a reliable driver or you can already book a ride with one of the trusted operators for the Monteverde to Playas del Coco route. Casa Batsu is a good choice for small groups as it offers a 5-seater minivan.
Travelling in a larger group? Tropical Tours has a shuttle that can accommodate 10 to 15 people. A private ride with them from Monteverde to Playas del Coco costs $230 (120,000 CRC).
You can easily book a private transfer through their respective websites.
Frequently Asked Questions about Monteverde to Playas del Coco
What is the distance from Monteverde to Playas del Coco?
The distance from Monteverde to Playas del Coco is 150 km (93 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco?
The fastest way to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco is by indirect bus and takes 4h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco?
The cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco is by minivan with ticket costs starting from $50 (26,000 CRC).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Monteverde to Playas del Coco. 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!
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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.
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.
