Monteverde to Santa Teresa

How to Get From Monteverde to Santa Teresa

3Options
3hFastest
$13From
ElaMaartenWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten

Shared Minivan · Bus · Private Transport

Santa Teresa is a low-key surf town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It's reached from Monteverde by winding roads and a ferry across the gulf. The shared minivan gets you from Monteverde to Santa Teresa in 3-7h. The bus is the cheapest at $13 (5,900 CRC), though it strings together several legs and a ferry crossing.

DISTANCE

Distance from Monteverde to Santa Teresa

Monteverde and Santa Teresa are about 83 km (52 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 172 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h and 7h.

~83 km
Straight-line distance
~172 km
Route distance
COMPARE

3 ways to travel from Monteverde to Santa Teresa

There are three ways to travel from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. You can choose between the minivan, bus, and private transport. The journey takes 3h–5h 50m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $13 (5,900 CRC).

Shared Minivan2 departuresDuration3h+Pricefrom$5123,200 CRC

Monteverde to Santa Teresa by Shared Minivan

For a hassle-free journey, taking a minivan from Monteverde to Santa Teresa is a great choice. Tickets start at $51 (23,200 CRC) — more expensive than the bus, but includes free hotel pickup and drop-off.

You won't need to worry about all the transfers or whether you will make it to your connecting bus. Your minivan operator will take care of everything for you.

Travel time by minivan is around 3-7h.

What to expect with the minivan transfer from Monteverde to Santa Teresa

Minivan companies take two different routes from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. Some offer a direct land transfer, while others offer a combined minivan and ferry.

With a direct land transfer, you will either take the same minivan the whole way through or take two minivans with a transfer halfway through the trip. Either way, this journey will be completely overland.

The other option is to take a combined minivan and ferry. For this route, the first part of the journey is a minivan from your hotel in Monteverde to Puntarenas Port. And then, you will take a ferry to Paquera Harbour. Here, you will go back to your minivan for the rest of the journey to Santa Teresa.

Double check your chosen company's route before booking to avoid any surprises on the day of your trip.

Shared Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Santa Teresa

7hTransporzumaStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSanta Teresa Beach - Any hotel06:30$5123,200 CRCTickets
4h25mDescubre MonteverdeStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSanta Teresa - Any hotel06:30$5625,500 CRCTickets
4h30mTransportes Varela Monteverde CRStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSanta Teresa Beach - Any hotel06:30$6027,500 CRCTickets
5hShuttle Services CRStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSanta Teresa - Any hotel06:30$6027,500 CRCTickets
5h30mTropical Tours ShuttleMonteverdeSanta Teresa08:00$6529,500 CRCTickets
Show all 8 companies
4hJorge’s Taxis and ShuttlesStandardMonteverde - Any hotelSanta Teresa Beach - Any hotel06:30$7031,500 CRCTickets
3hMontetravelStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSanta Teresa Beach - Hotel List08:00$7032,000 CRCTickets
5h50mInterbusStandardMonteverde - Hotel ListSanta Teresa Beach - Hotel List08:00$7634,500 CRCTickets

Booking Tip

For most of the minivan operators available on this route, you can book your ride online beforehand through BookAway, which offers excellent customer support. Tropical Tours Shuttle can only be booked through its own website.
Santa Teresa
BusVia Puntarenas · 11 departuresDuration5h 50mPricefrom$135,900 CRC

Monteverde to Santa Teresa by Bus

Are you on a budget? The bus is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. It’s also the least convenient, though, because there are no direct buses for this route. You’ll have to take 3 buses plus a ferry.

With combined rates from $13 (5,900 CRC) and a travel time of at least 5h 50m, it's up to you to decide whether the savings are worth the effort for this route. Also, expect to spend extra time waiting for your connecting buses and ferry.

PRO TIP: Do not ever lose sight of your belongings. Luggage thieves are notorious in bus stations and buses in Costa Rica. Make sure your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment before Boarding the bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket. As for your smaller bags with valuable belongings, it’s better to put them in front of you or between your feet instead of the overhead bin.

Step 1: Bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas

2h$6.70 (3,050 CRC)

First, you’ll travel by bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas, a coastal town that you can find 65 km south.

Transmonteverde operates 4 daily bus trips for this route. A bus ticket costs around $6.70 (3,050 CRC).

Buses depart from Santa Elena, at the Transmonteverde Bus Stop beside Centro Commercial Monteverde. Travel time to Puntarenas takes around 2h.

2hTransmonteverdeTransmonteverde Bus StationPuntarenas Bus Terminal04:2005:3007:4515:00$73,050 CRCTickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Bus tickets are available on Transmonteverde.

Booking Tip

We recommend booking your tickets online at least a day in advance to secure a seat at your preferred time.

You can pre-book your tickets on the Transmonteverde website for $6.70 (3,050 CRC). Buying tickets at the bus station can save you about a dollar, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out — especially in peak season.

Step 2: Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera

1h 30m$2 (890 CRC)

Buses from Monteverde park at Puntarenas Bus Terminal, 2.5 km away from Paquera Tambor Ferry Boarding Station. You can get to the pier via a short taxi ride or a 30-minute walk.

From Puntarenas Port, Naviera Tambor operates at least 10 ferries departing daily for Paquera. Tickets for foot passengers cost $2 (890 CRC) per person when you buy online at Quickpay.cr. You can also buy your tickets at the port.

The ferry ride takes around 1h 30m. Ferries dock at Paquera Port.

1h30mNaviera TamborPaquera Tambor Ferry Boarding StationPaquera Port04:0006:3009:0012:0015:0018:00+2$2890 CRCTickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Ferry tickets are available on Quickpaycr.

Step 3: Bus from Paquera to Cobano

1.5h$3 (1,360 CRC)

Upon arrival at Paquera Port, look around for buses bound for Cobano. They’re usually available and waiting for passengers every time a ferry arrives.

You can buy your ticket on the bus for around $3 (1,360 CRC). Travel time to Cobano Bus Stop is 1.5 hours.

Step 4: Bus from Cobano to Santa Teresa

50m$2 - $3 (910 - 1,360 CRC)

In Cobano, you’ll have to transfer to another bus going 15 km southwest to Santa Teresa. Don't expect much of the terminal here — it's literally a stop along the road. You can ask the locals around the area for the latest bus schedule.

This bus journey takes around 50 minutes and you can get a ticket for $2 (910 CRC).

Paquera
Private Transport4 departuresDuration4h+Pricefrom$275126,000 CRC

Monteverde to Santa Teresa by Private Transport

When travelling in a group, you can save a few dollars if you split the cost of a private transfer — instead of taking a shared minivan.

Rates start from $275 (126,000 CRC) for a 5-seater car from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. Divide the cost and that’s about $55 (25,000 CRC) per person.

Monteverde
Transportes Varela Monteverde CR
Standard Minivan 5 PAX
$275 (126,000 CRC)
$55 (25,000 CRC) per person
Tickets
Shuttle Services CR
Standard Minivan 6 PAX
$335 (154,000 CRC)
$56 (25,500 CRC) per person
Tickets
Suntrails
Standard Minivan 4 PAX
$380 (174,000 CRC)
$96 (43,500 CRC) per person
Tickets
Available atBookawayRidecr
Santa Teresa

Reach out to our Community

No questions yet — be the first to ask about Monteverde to Santa Teresa.

Where to StayWhere we'd stay in Santa Teresa3 places we've picked out, for every budgetLua VillasCuatro Vientos Lodge & Apartments

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Santa Teresa?

Lying on the northwest coast, Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s surfer paradise. This once-quiet fishing village is now a popular tourist destination — thanks to its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, variety of wildlife, and world-class waves.

We love that it is still quite detached from the rest of Costa Rica. The roads leading to it are mostly unpaved, giving Santa Teresa a more natural feel. And despite the unpaved routes, the town offers enough comforts and natural luxury that can keep you happy and entertained for weeks on end. Santa Teresa is a world of its own.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Monteverde to Santa Teresa, roughly 83 kilometres (52 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $13 (5,900 CRC). The quickest trip takes 3h.

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 Santa Teresa?

The distance from Monteverde to Santa Teresa is 83 kilometres (52 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?

Journey times from Monteverde to Santa Teresa overlap: shared minivan 3-7h, bus 5h 50m, private transport 4-5h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

What is the cheapest way to get to Santa Teresa from Monteverde?

The Monteverde to Santa Teresa bus is a cheap way to complete this journey. Rates start from $8.50, but note that there are no direct buses so you will have to make several transfers.

Can I take a ferry from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?

There is no Monteverde-Santa Teresa ferry. But depending on your mode of transport and chosen operator, you may have to take a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera to complete this journey.

What are other attractions near Monteverde?

Another nearby attraction to Monteverde is La Fortuna, the base camp for visiting Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano.

If you're coming from the capital San Jose, we recommend first travelling to La Fortuna before continuing on from La Fortuna to Monteverde. And if you have extra time, you can also consider travelling from Monteverde to Tamarindo before going further south to Santa Teresa.

Is it possible to drive from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?

Yes. The Monteverde Santa Teresa drive takes around 4.5 hours when you travel completely overland. From Monteverde, find Route 1 going to Limonal. Then take Route 18 to Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya. Follow Route 21 to Playa Naranjo, and continue on along the coast to Santa Teresa.

There is also an option to take a car ferry, like you would when travelling from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa. That means driving from Monteverde to Puntarenas, taking a car ferry from here to Paquera, and then driving again to Santa Teresa. But we don't recommend this option because it's slower (over 5 hours) and you'll need to pay at least $24 for the car ferry.

How to get from Santa Teresa to San Jose?

Is Costa Rica's bustling capital your next destination? There are 5 ways to get from Santa Teresa to San Jose: via a 6-hour minivan, 4.5-hour private transfer, 6-hour direct bus, 6-hour indirect bus, and a 2-hour flight. Rates are from $14 to $260.

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.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.

Luggage Safety

Some stops on this route involve luggage storage or transfers. Keep valuables in your carry-on and use a lock on checked bags.

Related Routes in Costa Rica

Monteverde → San JoseJaco → MontezumaTamarindo → San JoseManuel Antonio → San JoseMontezuma → JacoSan Jose → La Fortuna

Related Travel Guides & Articles

Costa Rica Bus and Minivan Guide

Costa Rica Bus and Minivan Guide

Read article
14 best things to do in Tamarindo

14 best things to do in Tamarindo

Read article
The Ultimate Tamarindo Travel Guide

The Ultimate Tamarindo Travel Guide

Read article
12 best things to do in Puerto Viejo

12 best things to do in Puerto Viejo

Read article

Stay Connected

Join our Community

We're a small team of passionate travellers sharing what we've learned on the road. Get our best tips, route updates, and travel stories delivered to your inbox.

Unsubscribe anytime.