Playas Del Coco to Monteverde

How to Get From Playas Del Coco to Monteverde

3Options
3hFastest
$44From
ElaMaartenWritten by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten

Minivan · Bus · Private Transfer

Monteverde's cloud forest reserve sits 101 kilometres (63 miles) inland from Playas del Coco, high in the mountains. A private transfer is the quickest way to get from Playas del Coco to Monteverde, taking 3h. The minivan is the cheapest option at $44 (20,000 CRC).

DISTANCE

Distance from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde

Playas Del Coco and Monteverde are about 101 km (63 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 143 km by road. The quickest way to get from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde is by taking the private transfer, which takes around 3h.

~101 km
Straight-line distance
~143 km
Route distance
3h
Fastest
COMPARE

3 ways to travel from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde

There are three ways to travel from Playas del Coco to Monteverde. You can choose between the minivan, bus, and private transport. The journey takes 3h–3h 30m and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at $44 (20,000 CRC).

Minivan3 departuresDuration3h 15m+Pricefrom$4420,000 CRC

Playas del Coco to Monteverde by Minivan

The minivan shuttle is a direct and convenient way to get from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde. You won’t have to worry about any transfers because you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotels. Ticket prices start from $44 (20,000 CRC) for the journey that takes 3h 15m - 4h.

You can choose from at least three minivan operators: Tropical Tours Shuttles, Transportes Varela Monteverde CR and Interbus.

There are not a lot of companies operating on this route, so buy your tickets online beforehand through BookAway for a better chance of getting a seat.

Minivan schedule from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde

4hTropical Tours ShuttlesPlayas del CocoMonteverde14:00$4420,000 CRCTickets
3h15mTransportes Varela Monteverde CRStandardPlaya del Coco - Any hotelMonteverde - Any hotel13:00$5525,000 CRCTickets
4hInterbusStandardPlaya del Coco - Hotel ListMonteverde - Hotel List09:00$6027,500 CRCTickets
Monteverde
BusVia LiberiaDuration3h 30m+incl. transfersPricefrom$10548,000 CRC

Playas del Coco to Monteverde by Bus

Looking for a cheaper transport option from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde? It’s possible to take an indirect bus — specifically, two buses plus a taxi. Combined fares start from $105 (48,000 CRC) when travelling solo.

Note that unless you’re in a group of at least three people, you won’t save on costs by taking the indirect bus. While the bus rides are cheap, the taxi ride for the last leg of the journey is expensive.

For that reason, we don’t recommend taking a bus for this route. Sure, you might get to save a few bucks, but is it worth the hassle? You can decide for yourself through the step-by-step guide below.

Step 1: Bus from Playas del Coco to Liberia

1h$1.80 (840 CRC)

First, you’ll have to take a bus to Liberia, a transport hub 35 km northeast of Playas del Coco. The bus ride takes around 1 hour and a ticket costs $1.80 (840 CRC).

Pulimitan de Liberia operates on this route, with buses running every 20-30 minutes from 04:30 to 20:00. To secure a seat, it’s best to arrive at the bus station about 15 minutes before departure time.

Buses depart from Pulmitan Bus Stop in Playas del Coco, some 1.3 km south of the main beach. They arrive at Pulmitan Bus Station in Liberia, from where you can also get your connecting ride to Cañas.

Step 2: Bus from Liberia to Cañas

1h$4 (1,820 CRC)

Reina del Campo is the main bus operator from Liberia to Cañas. Its buses depart every 30 minutes to an hour from 04:30 to 21:30. A ticket costs $4 (1,820 CRC).

Travel time is about 1 hour.

Buses park at Cañas Bus Terminal.

Step 3: Taxi from Cañas to Monteverde

1h 30m - 2h $100 (45,500 CRC)

From Cañas, the best way to travel the remaining 65 km southeast to Monteverde is by taxi. This is why we think you won’t get to save much by taking the bus for this route.

A taxi ride from Cañas to Monteverde takes 1h 30m - 2h and costs around $100 (45,500 CRC).

You can still save on costs if you’re in a group of 3 or 4. But if you’re travelling solo or with just one other person, then we highly recommend taking a more convenient and direct shared minivan instead.

Monteverde
Private Transfer2 departuresDuration3hPricefrom$230104,000 CRC

Playas del Coco to Monteverde by Private Transfer

Are you travelling with family or friends? If you’re in a group of 4 to 5 people or even more, then taking a private transfer might be cheaper than a shared minivan when you split the cost.

Rates start from $230 (104,000 CRC) for a 5-seater private transfer from Playas del Coco to Monteverde. Divide the cost and that’s about $46 (20,800 CRC) per person.

You can book a private transport through your hotel or you can book your ride online. Below, we’ve listed some of the best private transfer options to Monteverde from Playas del Coco.

Private Transfer options from Playas del Coco to Monteverde

3h$230 (104,000 CRC)
Transportes Varela Monteverde CR
Standard Minivan 5 PAX
$230 (104,000 CRC)
$46 (20,800 CRC) per person
Tropical Tours Shuttle
Minibus 10 PAX
$230 (104,000 CRC)
$23 (10,400 CRC) per person
Shuttle Services CR
Standard Minivan 6 PAX
$250 (114,000 CRC)
$42 (19,000 CRC) per person
Monteverde

Reach out to our Community

No questions yet — be the first to ask about Playas del Coco to Monteverde.

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Monteverde?

Monteverde is a nature lover’s paradise in the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range. Up in the clouds is where you'll find one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica, Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of the most popular things to do here.

With its lush mountains forever touching the clouds, Monteverde is rich in flora and fauna — 2,500 species of plants, 400 types of birds, and 100 varieties of mammals! This district is green, moist, and beautiful all year round. But if you want to enjoy all the best things to do in Monteverde with a bit of sunshine, visit during the dry season (December to April).

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde, roughly 101 kilometres (63 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $44 (20,000 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 Playas Del Coco to Monteverde?

The distance from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde is 101 kilometres (63 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde?

The fastest way to get from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde is by private transport and takes 3h.

What is the cheapest way to get from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde?

The cheapest way to get from Playas Del Coco to Monteverde is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 20,000 CRC.

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.

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.