Monteverde to San Jose

How to Get From Monteverde to San Jose

3Options
2h 15mFastest
$8.60From
ElaMaartenWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten · Updated 3 weeks ago

Bus · Minivan · Private Transport

Monteverde's cloud forest and canopy walkways draw travellers up into the mountains, 90 kilometres (56 miles) from the capital, San Jose. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to San Jose, at $8.60 (3,900 CRC). A private transfer takes 2h 15m - 4h.

DISTANCE

Distance from Monteverde to San Jose

Monteverde and San Jose are about 90 km (56 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 146 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 2h 15m and 5h.

~90 km
Straight-line distance
~146 km
Route distance
COMPARE

3 ways to travel from Monteverde to San Jose

There are three ways to travel from Monteverde to San Jose. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 2h 15m–4h and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $8.60 (3,900 CRC).

Bus2 departuresDuration4hPricefrom$93,900 CRC

Monteverde to San Jose by Bus

The bus is the cheapest option to get from Monteverde to San Jose, with tickets costing $8.60 (3,900 CRC). This makes it a popular choice for locals and backpackers.

But here's the catch: buses make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers, so the trip can take 4h or even longer. Plus, buses in Costa Rica are prone to petty thieves!

Still, the price is unbeatable. And if you're on a budget, you will want to be on one of the two daily bus trips to San Jose from Monteverde. Operated by TransMonteverde, these buses leave at 05:30 and 14:30 every day.

Departure and arrival station

Buses depart from the Commercial Centre in Santa Elena, the gateway to Monteverde.

The arrival station is at Terminal Atlantico Norte in San Jose city centre.

Attention: Terminal 7-10 closed in April 2025. Transmonteverde used to arrive at San José’s Terminal 7-10. This was the main hub for buses from Cóbano, Monteverde, San Carlos, Jacó, and even international routes from Nicaragua and El Salvador.

Bus schedule from Monteverde to San Jose

4hTransMonteverdeStandardTransmonteverde Bus TerminalTerminal Atlantico Norte05:3014:30$93,900 CRCTickets
Available atTransmonteverde

Stations

Map of stations
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To

Booking Tip

With only two buses a day, we recommend booking online in advance to secure your seat. You can buy tickets on the Transmonteverde website for $8.60 (3,900 CRC) (plus a booking fee). It’s not always reliable for foreigners, though.

If you're unable to access the Transmonteverde website, BookAway is an alternative option. Ticket prices for the same Transmonteverde bus are more expensive here at $18 (8,000 CRC). That's still much cheaper than a minivan, though!

PRO TIP: Do be mindful of your luggage if you travel by bus! Bigger ones will be stored in the compartment below. Make sure they’re inside before boarding the bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket. As for smaller bags with your valuables, they’re safer in front of you (between your legs) than on the overhead bin.
San Jose
Minivan6 departuresDuration2h 30m+Pricefrom$5525,000 CRC

Monteverde to San Jose by Minivan

The minivan is a convenient way to get from Monteverde to San Jose with rates from $55 (25,000 CRC). All minivan services come with free hotel pickup in Monteverde, so you can skip the hassle and expense of finding your way to a bus station.

The ride usually includes one bathroom stop along the way, and the trip takes around 2h 30m - 5h.

It might seem like minivans take longer than the bus because of all the pickups and drop-offs, but they're actually faster overall because they make fewer stops. They're also safer when it comes to pickpockets.

You can choose from eleven minivan companies operating from Monteverde to San Jose.

IMPORTANT: Most minivans provide hotel drop-off in San Jose, but some companies only stop at certain spots in the city centre. Drop-off at San Jose Airport is also available. Double check your arrival point when buying your ticket. Also, if you’re travelling solo, note that some companies require at least two passengers to make a booking.

Minivan schedule from Monteverde to San Jose

3hJorge’s Taxis and ShuttlesStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose Airport (SJO08:00$5525,000 CRCTickets
3h30mShuttle Services CRStandardMonteverde - Any hotelJuan Santamaria International Airport (SJO08:00$5525,000 CRCTickets
2h45mDescubre MonteverdeStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose Airport (SJO09:00$5625,500 CRCTickets
3hRideCRStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSan Jose Airport (SJO07:0008:00From $5625,500 CRCTickets
2h30mMontetravelStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSan Jose Airport (SJO08:00$6027,500 CRCTickets
Show all 16 companies
4hSuper Shuttle Costa RicaStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose - Any hotel08:0014:00$6127,500 CRCTickets
3hMontetravelStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSan Jose - Hotel List08:00$6529,500 CRCTickets
3hTransportes Varela Monteverde CRStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose - Any hotel08:00$6529,500 CRCTickets
3h30mTropical Tours ShuttleShuttleMonteverdeSan Jose Airport08:0013:00$6529,500 CRCTickets
4h30mInterbusStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSan Jose - Hotel List08:0012:45$6529,500 CRCTickets
5hInterbusStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSan Jose Airport (SJO08:0012:45$6529,500 CRCTickets
4hEasy RideStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose - Hotel List08:0014:00$6630,000 CRCTickets
4hEasy RideStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose Airport (SJO08:0014:00$6630,000 CRCTickets
3h20mDescubre MonteverdeStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose - Any hotel09:00$6630,000 CRCTickets
4hShuttle Services CRStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose - Any hotel08:00$7032,000 CRCTickets
3h30mCosta 24/7ShuttleMonteverde - Any hotelSan Jose Airport (SJO13:00$16575,000 CRCTickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To
San Jose
Private Transport3 departuresDuration2h 15m+Pricefrom$19588,000 CRC

Monteverde to San Jose by Private Transport

A private transfer to San Jose from Monteverde is the fastest option at only around 2h 15m - 4h. That makes it your best choice for a quick and reliable ride when heading to San Jose Airport.

Rates start from $195 (88,000 CRC) for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about $33 (14,600 CRC) per person, cheaper than a shared minivan if you're in a group of 6.

BookAway offers spacious cars with good drivers. And in case you have any complaints, their 24-hour customer service is always ready to assist!

Monteverde
RideCR
Standard Minivan 6 PAX
$195 (88,000 CRC)
$33 (14,600 CRC) per person
RideCR
Standard Minivan 10 PAX
$250 (114,000 CRC)
$25 (11,400 CRC) per person
RideCR
Standard Minivan 18 PAX
$380 (172,000 CRC)
$21 (9,500 CRC) per person
Transportes Varela Monteverde CR
Standard Minivan 5 PAX
$200 (90,000 CRC)
$40 (18,000 CRC) per person
Transportes Varela Monteverde CR
Standard Minivan 5 PAX
$240 (110,000 CRC)
$48 (21,800 CRC) per person
Jorge’s Taxis and Shuttles
Standard Minivan 5 PAX
$200 (90,000 CRC)
$40 (18,000 CRC) per person
Available atBookaway
San Jose

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ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit San Jose?

San Jose is a bustling urban landscape in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Being the capital city, it may not be as pretty as the beach and jungle destinations that the country is known for. But if you are stopping by anyway, might as well explore for a few hours or a day before moving on to your next stop.

You will find plenty of things to do in San Jose. Within the city, you can check out the colonial buildings turned museums at Barrio Amon, try out the famed restaurants at Barrio Escalante, or party the night away in El Pueblo. If you want to venture outside the city limits, the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are highly recommended!

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Monteverde to San Jose, roughly 90 kilometres (56 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $8.60 (3,900 CRC). The quickest trip takes 2h 15m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Monteverde to San Jose?

The distance from Monteverde to San Jose is 90 kilometres (56 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to San Jose?

Journey times from Monteverde to San Jose overlap: bus 4h, minivan 2h 30m - 5h, private transport 2h 15m - 4h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

What is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to San Jose?

The cheapest way to get from Monteverde to San Jose is by bus with ticket costs starting from 3,900 CRC.

About the Authors

Ela
Ela

Senior Travel Writer

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
MaartenReviewer

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

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