Montezuma to San Jose in 2-4.5 hours (2026)

Montezuma sits on the far side of the Gulf of Nicoya from San Jose. It's a quiet beach town backed by waterfalls and jungle. Flying via Cobano is the quickest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose, taking 1h 55m. By road, the bus and ferry combination is the cheapest, at $18 (8,100 CRC).

DISTANCE

Distance from Montezuma to San Jose

Montezuma and San Jose are about 113 km (70 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 282 km by road. The quickest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose is by taking the flight via cobano, which takes around 1h 55m.

~113 km

Straight-line distance

~282 km

Route distance

1h 55m

Fastest

Travelling the other way?San Jose to Montezuma→

COMPARE

4 ways to travel from Montezuma to San Jose

There are four ways to travel from Montezuma to San Jose. You can choose between the bus, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 55m–4h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $18 (8,100 CRC).

TransportDurationPrice

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose, then pick the bus. You can get a ticket for only $18 (8,100 CRC) and still be able to enjoy a comfortable ride. Just pack in some patience because the bus might make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers.

Transportes Cobano operates one bus trip daily from Montezuma to San Jose. The advertised travel time is about 4h 30m, but it can take longer depending on the number of stops.

If you’re travelling on a weekend or during the busy season (December to April), it’s best to book your ticket online a few days to a week in advance.

You can also buy tickets directly at the bus stop at Montezuma Beach, which is usually fine for weekday travel or if you purchase a few days in advance. It’s usually a few dollars cheaper — but there’s no guarantee seats will still be available.

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.

Bus + Ferry Schedule from Montezuma to San Jose

4h 30m$18 (8,100 CRC)

4h30mTransportes CobanoStandardEstacion de buses de MontezumaTerminal 7-1012:30From $188,100 CRCTickets

Available atBookaway LaterminalCostaRica

What to expect on the bus + ferry ride:

The bus 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 take your valuables!

The ferry departs around 14:30 and will take you across the strait to Puntarenas Port in about 1.5 hours. Once back on land, return 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 Juan Santamaria International Airport, notify the driver so he’ll know where to drop you off. The bus makes its final stop at TIG Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste, San Jose city centre.

Attention: Terminal 7-10 closed in April 2025. Transportes Cobano used to arrive at San José’s Terminal 7-10. This was the main hub for buses from Cóbano, Monteverde, San Carlos, Jacó, and even international routes to Nicaragua and El Salvador.

San Jose

For a door-to-door but shared transfer, go for the minivan. With rates from $40 (18,200 CRC), you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals.

The minivan to San Jose from Montezuma will take the same route as the bus: you’ll travel by land from Montezuma to Paquera, take the ferry to Puntarenas, and then continue by land 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.

You can choose from five companies operating minivans for this route: Santa Teresa Adventure, Transporzuma, Tropical Tours Shuttle, Interbus and Zuma Tours.

The travel time from Montezuma to San Jose with the minivan varies — it can take 2h 30m - 7h. Zuma Tours is the fastest and most expensive because it can cut the travel time to under 3 hours — it uses a speedboat instead of a slow ferry to cross the strait.

Minivan + Ferry schedule from Montezuma to San Jose

5h30mSanta Teresa AdventureShuttleMontezuma - Any hotelDenny's Alajuela Diner07:00$4018,200 CRCTickets

5h30mSanta Teresa AdventureShuttleMontezuma - Any hotelSan Jose - Any hotel07:0015:45$4821,800 CRCTickets

5h30mTransporzumaStandardMontezuma - Any hotelDenny's Alajuela Diner06:3015:00$5022,800 CRCTickets

5h30mTransporzumaStandardMontezuma - Any hotelSan Jose - Hotel List06:3015:00$5022,800 CRCTickets

5h30mTropical Tours ShuttleShuttleMontezuma - Any hotelSan Jose Airport07:0015:00$6027,500 CRCTickets

Show all 8 companies

6hInterbusStandardMontezuma - Hotel ListSan Jose - Hotel List07:00$7634,500 CRCTickets

6h30mInterbusStandardMontezuma - Hotel ListSan Jose Airport (SJO07:00$7634,500 CRCTickets

2h30mZuma ToursShuttleZuma Tours MontezumaSan Jose - Any hotel08:0008:30From $9945,000 CRCTickets

Available atBookaway Tropicaltourshuttles Zumatours

Booking Tip

For the best chance of securing a minivan seat on your preferred date and time, we recommend booking a few days in advance on BookAway.

San Jose

The flight is the fastest option from Montezuma to San Jose. There are no direct flights, but the nearest airport — Cobano Airport — is just about 5 km away from Montezuma.

Combined rates, including airport transfer, start from $145 (66,000 CRC). Total travel time is about 1h 55m.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Step 1: How to get to Cobano Airport

15m$20 (9,100 CRC)

From Montezuma, the easiest way to get to Cobano Airport is by taxi. Rates start from $20 (9,100 CRC) for a journey that takes 15 minutes.

Step 2: Flight from Cobano to San Jose

40m$125 (56,000 CRC)

Sansa Airlines, Green Airways, and Hahn Air operate several daily flights from Cobano to San Jose.

Airfares start from $125 (56,000 CRC) and flight time is around 40 minutes.

IMPORTANT: Flights from Montezuma depart from Cobano Airport, not Tambor Airport. Double-check the airport when booking your flight.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Bus from San Jose Airport to San Jose City Centre

1h$1.50 (680 CRC)

From San Jose Airport, it’s either a 1-hour bus or a 30-minute taxi to San Jose City centre.

The bus is both cheap and comfortable, but often gets stuck in traffic. 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 bus ticket costs around $1.50 (680 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 off 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 $31 (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.

San JoseCity Centre

If travelling in a group from Montezuma to San Jose, booking a private transfer can be a good option.

Note though, that you only get a private transfer when travelling by land. Like other options, this option includes a public ferry ride from Paquera to Puntarenas.

Private transfers from Montezuma to San Jose are available from $395 (180,000 CRC) for a 4-seater car. Divide the cost and that’s about $99 (45,000 CRC) per person.

Montezuma

Suntrails

Standard Minivan 4 PAX

$395 (180,000 CRC)

$99 (45,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Suntrails

Standard Ferry 4 PAX

$420 (192,000 CRC)

$105 (48,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Costa 24/7

Standard Minivan 7 PAX

$420 (190,000 CRC)

$60 (27,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Coach Costa Rica

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

$440 (200,000 CRC)

$73 (33,500 CRC) per person

Tickets

Available atBookaway

San Jose

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Where to StayWhere we'd stay in San Jose3 places we've picked out, for every budget

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit 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!

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Montezuma to San Jose, roughly 113 kilometres (70 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $18 (8,100 CRC). The quickest trip takes 1h 55m.

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 Montezuma to San Jose?

The distance from Montezuma to San Jose is 113 kilometres (70 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose?

The fastest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose is by flight and takes 1h 55m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose?

The cheapest way to get from Montezuma to San Jose is by bus with ticket costs starting from 8,100 CRC.

About the Authors

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.

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.

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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.

How to Get From Montezuma to San Jose

Distance from Montezuma to San Jose

4 ways to travel from Montezuma to San Jose

Bus + Ferry Schedule from Montezuma to San Jose