What to expect when visiting Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a popular surf town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. What we love about this town are the amazing water activities both on the surface and underwater. It has a diverse marine life, making it perfect not just for surfing but for diving and snorkelling as well.
This once-quiet fishing village is also a common gateway to Las Baulas National Marine Park, which is a nesting territory of the leatherback sea turtles. Offering beaches, adventure, restaurants, bars and shops — there is a long list of things to do in Tamarindo.
4 ways to get from to Tamarindo
There are four ways to travel the distance of 160 km (99 miles) from to Tamarindo: by bus (11h40m), shared minivan (3h-4h30m), private transfer (3 hours) and car rental (4-4.5 hours). The journey takes between 3h - 11h40m and the quickest way is by shared minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from $11.50 (6,000 CRC) for the bus.Where to stay in Tamarindo?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Tamarindo at the bottom of this page.
to Tamarindo by Bus
We don’t recommend taking the bus from Monteverde to Tamarindo unless you’re on a budget. You will need to take 4 buses and travel for around 8 hours (that includes the waiting time for your connecting transfers). But with combined fares from $11.50 (6,000 CRC), the bus is a more budget-friendly option compared to the minivan or taxi.
TIP: Be mindful of your luggage when taking a bus in Costa Rica. Don’t leave your bigger bags until they’re safely inside the compartment below the bus, and make sure to get your luggage ticket! Keep all your valuables in a smaller bag that you can put on your lap. Your bag’s safer where you can see it than on the overhead bin.
Still want to take an indirect bus from Monteverde to Tamarindo? Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Monteverde to Tilaran by Bus
First, you’ll take a bus from Monteverde to Tilaran, a town located 50 km northwest.
Transportes Monteverde Hermanos Soto operates only one trip for this route daily. This bus departs at 07:00 in the morning. Try to be at the bus station at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to make sure you can get a seat.
A bus ticket costs around $4 (2,000 CRC) and travel time takes around 2.5 hours.
Buses depart from Monteverde Bus Terminal and arrive at Tilaran Bus Station.
Step 2: Tilaran to Cañas by Bus
Next, you’ll travel further west to the town of Cañas. Buses depart from the same station you arrive at, which is Tilaran Bus Station.
Reyna del Campo is the sole bus operator for this route. Their buses are available almost every hour from 05:00 to 20:20. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding their blue and white buses at the terminal.
The bus journey from Tilaran to Cañas takes around 40 minutes. Ticket prices start from $1 (1,000 CRC).
Buses park at La Cañera Bus Stop in Cañas.
Step 3: Cañas to Liberia by Bus
From La Cañera Bus Stop, you will once again travel northwest, about 50 km to Liberia.
Reyna del Campo is also the main operator for this route. Their buses are available every hour from 04:30 to 19:00. A ticket costs around $3 (2,000 CRC) for the 1-hour journey.
You can also travel with Tralapa and Colorado de Abangares, although their buses do not depart as frequently as those of Reyna del Campo.
You are to get off the bus at Liberia Bus Terminal.
Step 4: Liberia to Tamarindo by Bus
Finally, from Liberia Bus Terminal, you’ll have to transfer to another bus bound for Tamarindo, located 80 km southwest.
Buses for this route are available every 2-3 hours from 05:00 to 18:10. You can choose from 3 bus operators: Transportes La Pampa, Tralapa, and Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste.
You should arrive in Liberia around noon. This will be a good time to take a lunch break because the next bus will not be departing until 14:10. Make sure to confirm the schedule at the terminal before leaving to get food.
Buses arrive at Tamarindo Bus Stop, which you can find in the town centre, just a few hundred metres from the beach.
The bus trip from Liberia to Tamarindo takes around 1.5 hours. Fares start from $3.50 (2,000 CRC).
to Tamarindo by Car Rental
Driving on your own is another popular option when travelling to Tamarindo from Monteverde. It’s not exactly the fastest or most convenient. You’ll be passing through mostly paved roads, but also some winding hills on the first part of the journey.
But all throughout, you can expect picturesque landscapes from Monteverde to Tamarindo!
Driving directions from Monteverde to Tamarindo
Driving from Monteverde to Tamarindo takes about 3 hours for locals, and 4-4.5 hours for tourists who are not so familiar with the roads.
From Monteverde, head out northwest to Santa Elena and follow the winding roads of Route 620 towards Candelaria. Then head southwest to Route 145 until you reach La Irma. Turn left on the Panamerican Highway and then left to Route 18 across Puente La Amistad.
Transfer to Route 21 once you reach Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya and then Route 160 on Santa Cruz. Finally, turn right on Route 152 and follow the road until you reach Tamarindo.
Where to rent a car in Monteverde
There are not a lot of car rental shops in Monteverde. And even if there were, we don’t recommend renting your car here unless you plan on coming back to Monteverde. Rental prices are significantly more expensive — starting at $115 (60,000 CRC) on the first day — when you’re dropping off the car in another town, like Tamarindo.
Instead, we recommend renting a car in San Jose, that’s if you’re starting your Costa Rican journey in the capital city and ending it there as well. Prices are cheaper when you have the same pick-up and drop-off point, starting at $25 (13,000 CRC) per day.
You can ask your hotel for recommendations on where to rent a car, or you can just find one online.
We normally recommend checking Skyscanner for the best car rental prices (and flights), but occasionally you might find even better prices on Kayak. Both are reliable search engines which make it easy to search for the cheapest car deals and apply relevant filters.
to Tamarindo by Shared Minivan
We recommend taking the minivan from Monteverde to Tamarindo if you’re travelling with one or two people. The minivan is a direct option with fares starting from $49 (26,000 CRC), including free hotel pick-up and drop-off. Travel time is about 3 hours.
The rate of the minivan may look expensive compared to the low-priced bus ride, but it comes with the advantage that you can travel door-to-door from Monteverde to Tamarindo. If you travel by bus, you’ll have to take 4 buses just to complete this supposedly short journey.
Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Tamarindo
Because minivan shuttles pick you up from your hotel, it’s best to book your ticket online beforehand. This way, you won’t have to go to their ticketing office prior to your trip.
You can pre-book your tickets via BookAway, which offers the best rates for minivans operating between Monteverde and Tamarindo.
to Tamarindo by Private Transfer
When you travel in a group, a private ride can be more cost-efficient than a shared minivan. A 5-seater taxi costs $205 (107,000 CRC) from Monteverde to Tamarindo. Split the cost and it’s only $41 (21,000 CRC) per person if you are travelling in a group of 5 people.
You can ask your hotel to arrange a taxi or book a private transfer online. We recommend booking a ride with BookAway because they offer more spacious cars that come with professional drivers.
Our favourite places to stay in Tamarindo
Les Voiles Blanches - Treating Yourself
Tamarindo is full of luxury resorts, and Les Voiles Blanches is one of the top. Hence the hefty price tag. Throughout the paradise hotel, there are a number of beautiful pools, so you’ll be able to find your own private oasis away from the high energy of Tamarindo.
The hotel offers both normal hotel rooms and tent-style rooms. Don’t worry, there’s no slumming it, the rooms are more like luxurious wooden cabins. Every room has its own terrace, but there’s also stunning communal areas to relax in.
- Multiple swimming pools
- Unique style rooms
- Super attentive staff
- Home-made breakfast available
King rooms start from $90 per night
Ten North Tamarindo Beach Hotel - Treating Yourself
If Les Voiles Blanches is too far out of your price range, Ten North is another great option. It has a huge array of room options, ranging from double rooms to two bedroom apartments. The pool is a spectacular highlight of the hotel, but it’s the staff that steal the show. They are incredibly friendly. and just love to help you with anything that they can.
The rooms boast a rustic and bright vibe that feels very homely. You won’t want to spend too much time in your room as there’s so many places around the hotel to chill and relax. All whilst being surrounded by nature.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Incredibly friendly staff
- Beautifully decorated rooms
- Range of room sizes to accommodate everyone
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Tee-K Lodge - Mid Range
If you want to be close to the action of Tamarindo, but not too close, then Tee-K Lodge is a great solution. There’s so much nature and tropical gardens surrounding the hotel that you forget about the outside world. Especially when chilling in their lovely swimming pool!
The owners of the lodge will make your stay unforgettable. Going above and beyond to make sure that you’re happy and have the best time in Tamarindo. It’s so good that it’s not uncommon for guests to keep on extending their stay here.
- Incredible hosts
- Exceptional breakfast included
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beautiful and spacious rooms
Double rooms start from $50-90 per night
Hostel La Botella de Leche - Mid Range
Offering both dorms and private rooms, you can pick the type of accommodation that suits your needs. As it’s classed as a hostel, you’ll find a fully-equipped shared kitchen, plus lots of places to hang out and meet people.
Hostel La Botella de Leche has its own swimming pool, outdoor lounge area, shared living room, library and plenty of hammocks. It’s also in a great location, only minutes from the beach.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Shared living room
- Sociable atmosphere
- Great location
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about to Tamarindo
What is the distance from to Tamarindo?
The distance from to Tamarindo is 160 km (99 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from to Tamarindo?
The fastest way to get from to Tamarindo is by shared minivan and takes 3h-4h30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from to Tamarindo?
The cheapest way to get from to Tamarindo is by bus with ticket costs starting from $11.50 (6,000 CRC).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from to Tamarindo. 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.
