What to expect when visiting 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!
3 ways to get from Monteverde to San Jose
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 135 kilometers (84 miles) from Monteverde to San Jose by bus (4 hours), minivan (2 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes) and private Transfer (2 hours to 3 hours 50 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from 6,800 CRC ($13.10) for the bus.Where to stay in San Jose?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in San Jose.
Monteverde to San Jose by Bus
The bus is the cheapest option to get from Monteverde to San Jose, but not exactly the most reliable. While a ticket costs only 6,800 CRC ($13.10), buses make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers so travel time can take 4 hours or longer. Buses in Costa Rica are also prone to petty thieves!
TransMonteverde operates two daily trips from Monteverde to San Jose, leaving at 05:30 and 14:30.
Buses depart from the Commercial Centre in Monteverde town centre.
Bus schedule from Monteverde to San Jose
Bus tickets are around 515 CRC ($1) cheaper when you buy them at the bus terminal. But since there are only two daily trips, it’s safer to book them online beforehand for 3,880 CRC ($7.50). Tickets are available on the Transmonteverde website.
You can also buy tickets through BookAway, but they’re more expensive, starting at 6,800 CRC ($13.10). Another popular booking platform, Guatego, also offers tickets, but prices are even higher at around 7,800 CRC ($15).
Buses park at Terminal 7-10 in San José city centre.
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.
Monteverde to San Jose by Minivan
The minivan is a very convenient way to get from Monteverde to San Jose with rates from 26,000 CRC ($50). Shared minivans offer free hotel pickup and dropoff.
Apart from one bathroom break along the way, there are no other stops between the 2 cities. The journey can be completed in around 2 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.
We recommend taking a minivan for solo travellers or couples who prefer not to spend their travel time on a bus.
You can choose from ten minivan operators in San José city centre. For easy and advanced booking, you can buy your ticket online on BookAway.
Want to travel from Monteverde to San Jose Airport? Check available destinations on BookAway. You can also take Tropical Tours Shuttle. Reservation can be done via their website.
Minivan schedule from Monteverde to San Jose
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
Booking online will save you the hassle of visiting the minivan offices prior to your trip!
Monteverde to San Jose by Private Transfer
We recommend a private transfer for group travellers. It’s the fastest option at only around 2 hours to 3 hours 50 minutes to get to San Jose from Monteverde. If you travel with a group, the costs can be even cheaper than the shared minivan. Rates start from 98,000 CRC ($190) for a 4-seater private transfer.
If you’re heading to San Jose Airport and hoping to catch a flight, a private transfer is your best choice.
Taking a private transfer may look expensive, but not when you’re travelling in a group. Depending on the number of people you travel with, sharing a 4-seater private transfer can be as cheap as 24,000 CRC ($47) per person. Even if you are with just 4 people, it will already be the same price as a shared mini-van.
Also for the private transfer, we like booking our ride through BookAway. They offer spacious cars with good drivers. And in case you have any complaints, their 24-hour customer service is always ready to assist!
Private Transfer options from Monteverde to San Jose
Frequently Asked Questions about Monteverde to San Jose
What is the distance from Monteverde to San Jose?
The distance from Monteverde to San Jose is 135 kilometers (84 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to San Jose?
The fastest way to get from Monteverde to San Jose is by private transfer and takes 2 hours.
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 6,800 CRC ($13.10).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Monteverde to San Jose. 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.
