How to Get From Monteverde to Tamarindo

We recommend taking the minivan from Monteverde to Tamarindo if you’re travelling alone or with just one or two people. The minivan is a direct option with fares starting from $55 (24,600 CRC), including free hotel pickup and drop-off. Travel time is about 2h 40m - 4h 30m.

The minivan may seem too expensive compared to the low-cost 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 to complete this supposedly short journey.

You can choose from seven companies operating minivans for this route: Jorge’s Taxis and Shuttles, Transportes Varela Monteverde CR, Shuttle Services CR, Descubre Monteverde, RideCR, Montetravel and Interbus.

On a tight budget? You can consider taking an indirect bus from Monteverde to Tamarindo, but we don't recommend it. You will need to take 4 buses and travel for around 8 hours (when you include the waiting time for your connecting transfers).

But with combined fares from $10 (4,550 CRC), the bus is definitely a more budget-friendly option compared to the minivan or taxi.

Still want to take an indirect bus to Tamarindo from Monteverde? Read on for a step-by-step guide.

PRO 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.

Driving on your own is a popular option when travelling to Tamarindo from Monteverde. You can expect picturesque landscapes throughout the ride.

It’s not exactly the fastest or most convenient, though. You’ll be passing through mostly paved roads, but also some winding hills on the first part of the journey.

IMPORTANT: If you're thinking of driving from Monteverde to Tamarindo, you'll have to rent your car elsewhere. There are no car rental shops in Monteverde.

Driving directions from Monteverde to Tamarindo

Driving from Monteverde to Tamarindo takes about 3 hours for locals, and 4h - 4h 30m 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 again 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 aren’t any car rental agencies in the small town of Monteverde. If you’re planning to drive to Tamarindo, you’ll need to rent a car before you arrive. If you’re already in Monteverde without one, you can have a car delivered from the nearest agency — but it will cost more!

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 pickup and drop-off point, starting at $40 (18,000 CRC) per day.

But if you’re dropping off the car elsewhere in Costa Rica, rental prices are significantly more expensive, starting at $120 (54,000 CRC) on the first day.

You can ask your hotel for car rental recommendations, or simply book one online. We suggest checking Skyscanner for the best car rental deals (and flights), but occasionally you might find even better prices on Kayak.

When travelling in a group, a private ride can be more cost-efficient than a shared minivan.

A 5-seater taxi costs $200 (89,000 CRC) from Monteverde to Tamarindo. Split the cost and that's about $40 (17,800 CRC) per person if you are in a group of 5 people.

We recommend booking a ride with BookAway because they offer more spacious cars that come with professional drivers. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to arrange a taxi or book a private transfer online.