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How to get from Montezuma to San Jose
Not only is San Jose the business capital of Costa Rica, it is also its cultural hub. And while it is often neglected in tourists’ itineraries, we think it’s hiding a few charms that are worth exploring if you’re already in the Central Valley.
In this bustling urban landscape, you will find colonial buildings turned museums at Barrio Amon, famed restaurants at Barrio Escalante, and lots of party pubs in El Pueblo. For some peace and quiet, you can head outside the city limits and visit Poas Volcano or La Paz Waterfall Gardens!
New to San Jose? Our compact San Jose guide shows you the best areas to stay, restaurants you don’t want to miss and many more tips for your visit to San Jose!
4 ways to get from Montezuma to San Jose
There are 4 options when travelling the 170 km from Montezuma to San Jose: a bus for 5.5 hours, a minivan for 5 hours, a private transfer for 4.5 hours, or a flight for 2 hours (including transfers). Fares range from $13.00 (7,000 CRC) to $275.00 (151,000 CRC).
A note: all land transfers from Montezuma to San Jose include a ferry crossing from Paquera to Puntarenas. Fares should already be included in your ticket for the bus, minivan, or private transfer.
Where to stay in San Jose?
Still looking for accommodation? Don’t forget to check out our favourite places to stay in San Jose at the bottom of this page.
Montezuma to San Jose by Bus + Ferry
If you’re looking for the cheapest option, then pick the bus. You can get a ticket for only $13.00 (7,000 CRC) and still be able to enjoy a comfortable ride. Just pack in some patience as it might make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers. The total journey will take around 5.5 hours.
There are two bus trips available daily from Montezuma to San Jose – one departs in the morning at 06:30 and the other in the afternoon at 14:30. Both are operated by Transportes Cobano.
A ticket costs $13.00 (7,000 CRC) when you buy it at the bus stop at Montezuma Beach. That’s okay if you’re travelling on a weekday or if you’re buying them onsite a few days before your trip.
But if travelling on a weekend or during the busy season (December to April), we definitely recommend booking online a few days to a week before. You can do that via La Terminal. Tickets are $3 more expensive, but you’ll be assured of a seat on your desired date!
Bus + Ferry Schedule from Montezuma to San Jose
These buses will take you from Montezuma Beach through the rough but beautiful roads going north to Paquera Port. Here, you are to get off the bus and walk up to the ferry. You can leave your bigger bags inside the bus, but definitely take your valuables!
The ferry will take you across the strait to Puntarenas Port. Once back on land, go back to your bus (make sure to remember which one it is!). It will then take you east to San Jose. If you are heading to the airport, notify the driver so he’ll know where to drop you off.
The bus makes its final stop at Cobano Bus Stop in Paso dela Vaca, San Jose city centre. Total travel time is around 5.5 hours.
PRO TIP: Local travel links, including the bus station in San Jose, can attract thieves, so keep your belongings in sight. Don't board the bus until your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment, and be sure to get your luggage ticket. It's best to keep smaller bags, containing your valuables, in front of you or between your feet, instead of in overhead storage.
Montezuma to San Jose by Minivan + Ferry
For a door-to-door but shared transfer, go for the minivan. With rates from $40.00 (22,000 CRC), you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals. Travel time from Montezuma to San Jose with the minivan is around 5 hours.
The minivan from Montezuma to San Jose will take the same route as the bus: you will travel by land from Montezuma to Paquera, board the ferry to Puntarenas, and then travel by land again to San Jose city centre or San Jose Airport.
The main difference is that the minivans pick you up from your hotel in Montezuma and then drop you off at your destination in San Jose. That takes away the hassle of finding your way to and from the bus terminals, which may also include the use of a taxi.
Ticket prices start at $40.00 (22,000 CRC). Travel time is more or less 5 hours, depending on which minivan you take. Although, Zuma Tours can cut down the travel time to 2.5 hours as it uses a speedboat instead of a slow ferry to cross the strait.
Minivan schedule from Montezuma to San Jose
All of these companies are trusted in the region. If you’re heading to San Jose Airport, go for Tropical Tours which you can book via the Tropical Tours Shuttle website. Otherwise, Montezuma Expeditions and Zuma Tours can be booked online via BookAway.
Montezuma to San Jose by Private Transfer
Would you rather travel with just your own group? Private transfers from Montezuma to San Jose are available from $275.00 (151,000 CRC).
When travelling in a group from Montezuma to San Jose, booking a private transfer can be a good option. It’s slightly more expensive than a shared minivan even when you split the cost, but nothing really beats the comfort of sharing a private ride with friends or family.
Also here though, you will take a ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas.
Combined rates for the private transfer and ferry tickets start from $275.00 (151,000 CRC). That’s already good for 4 people. Are you travelling in a larger group? There’s also a 7-seater minivan that costs $355.00 (195,000 CRC).
Check Private Transfers with BookAway
Montezuma to San Jose by Flight
The flight is the fastest option but there are no direct flights from Montezuma to San Jose. To take a flight, you’ll first have to travel 20 km north to Tambor Airport., which is the nearest airport to Montezuma.
Combined rates, including airport transfer, start from $160.00 (87,000 CRC).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Montezuma to Tambor Airport by Taxi
Tambor Airport is located 20 km north of Montezuma. The fastest way to get there is by taxi or private transfer, which takes around 35 minutes.
Most hotels already offer car services so we recommend asking your hotel first. Fares start from 30,600 CRC ($50). Tropical Tours Shuttle also offers bigger minivans that can fit 10 to 15 people. You can rent one for $55.00 (30,000 CRC).
Looking for a cheaper way to get to Tambor Airport? You can take the bus, but they are not direct. They make a detour in Cobano to pick up and drop off passengers, so travel time can take at least an hour.
Also, bus departures are not that frequent. If you really want to take this option, we suggest timing it well to ensure you arrive at Tambor Airport in time for your flight! Make sure to notify the driver where you’re headed so he can drop you off at the main road in front of the airport. Fares cost around $2.50 (1,000 CRC).
Step 2: Tambor to San Jose by Flight
Sansa Regional operates four flights from Tambor to San Jose daily. The departure times are 07:30, 11:20, 16:35 and 16:40.
Flight time is only 30 minutes and airfares start from $110.00 (59,000 CRC).
Step 3: San Jose Airport to San Jose City Centre by Bus
From San Jose Airport, it’s either a 40-minute bus or a 30-minute taxi to San Jose City Centre.
We recommend taking the bus because they are both cheap and comfortable. You can choose from two companies: TUASA (coloured red and white) and Station Wagon (coloured orange and yellow). You can get them on the main road just outside the airport.
A ticket costs around $1.10 (1,000 CRC) and buses are available every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00. They park at TUASA Terminal in the city centre.
If you don’t mind spending more for the convenience of being dropped at your hotel’s doorstep, then you can take a taxi. You will want to hail them from the main road unless you’re willing to pay an airport surcharge.
Another option is to hail one via the Uber app. Either way, rates start from $25.00 (14,000 CRC).
PRO TIP: There is still a question in terms of the “legality” of Uber in Costa Rica. Although many travellers have had great experiences with it, there have also been rare cases of Uber trips being stopped and passengers being forced to transfer to a taxi. To avoid any inconvenience, it might be better to just take a regular taxi from the airport.
Itinerary from Montezuma to San Jose
Bus
- Montezuma
- 5.5 hours
- San Jose
Flight
- Montezuma
- 35 minutes
- Tambor Airport
- 30 minutes
- San Jose Airport
- 40 minutes
- San Jose City Centre
Our favourite places to stay in San José
Barceló San José – Treating yourself
Barceló Hotel blows most other city hotels out of the water. It has amenities usually only found in resorts, and for extortionate prices. Here you’ll find an outdoor pool, spa, gym, three squash courts and two tennis courts. Plus they offer a free airport shuttle.
If you don’t fancy venturing out of the hotel to get some food, no worries! There are three restaurants and a bar on site offering a variety of different cuisines. The rooms are spacious and clean, providing comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep.
- Outdoor swimming pool and spa
- Tennis courts
- Free airport shuttle
- Three onsite restaurants and a bar
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Isla Verde Hotel – Mid range
Isla Verde Hotel is a real gem within the urban jungle that is San Jose. They have so many extras that you wouldn’t expect for the price – a gym, free shuttle to the airport and a great breakfast every morning.
The hotel is ultra-modern, boasting some beautifully designed rooms and seating areas. All of which are very clean and comfortable. If you don’t feel like venturing too far for food, their onsite restaurant serving Cantonese food is highly reviewed!
- Free airport shuttle
- Delicious breakfast included
- Onsite gym
- Modern and clean rooms
Double rooms between $50-$80 per night
Eco Stay Hostel – Budget friendly
Eco Stay Hostel starts to feel like home after a while, as it has a shared living room, communal kitchen, a lovely garden area, and even barbeque facilities. You can even spend your evenings at the hotel having a friendly competition of snooker or darts.
The friendly hosts add to the welcoming atmosphere. Making sure that your room is clean and comfortable, whilst offering their help in any way that they can. The rooms are basic, but nicely decorated and have everything you could need whilst in San Jose.
- Shared living room
- Communal kitchen
- Good location
- Friendly hosts
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
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About the author(s)
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.
