How to get from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
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!
What are the 3 ways to travel from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose?
There are 3 ways to travel the 215 kilometre (134 miles) distance from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 6,800 CRC ($14.60).
Where to stay in San Jose?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in San Jose.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose by Bus
With rates from 6,800 CRC ($14.60), the bus is the cheapest option when travelling from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose. It’s a good choice if you’re on a budget and want to travel like a local. Travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.
Autotransportes MEPE and Pleasure Ride is the only bus company operating from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose. It offers 6 daily trips from 03:00 to 16:00, which means you’ll have a lot of choices for when to depart.
The buses make one stop at MEPE Terminal in Limon for a bathroom break about 1 hour into the journey. The break takes around 15 minutes.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from the MEPE Bus Stop in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca city centre, just by the main beach.
The arrival station is at Terminal Atlantico Norte in San Jose city centre.
Bus schedule from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
If you want to confirm the bus schedule in advance, contact Autotransportes MEPE via WhatsApp at +506-7285-2592.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose by Minivan
Shared minivans are a great option for travelling from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose. They’re a convenient alternative to public buses and can even provide door-to-door service. The minivan journey takes about 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes.
Interbus, Best Travel Puerto Viejo and Costa 24/7 are the companies that operate minivans from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose.
Just a heads-up: while hotel pickup is generally reliable, it’s worth double-checking where they’ll drop you off in San Jose. Some companies will take you straight to your hotel, but others may only stop at their terminal in the city centre.
If you’re flying out from Costa Rica’s capital, make sure to book a minivan that goes straight to San Jose Airport.
Minivan schedule from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
We love minivans in Costa Rica for more than just the door-to-door service. They are safer and more comfortable than buses. If you are willing to spend more for these benefits, we recommend choosing a minivan over a bus.
Buy your tickets online so that you won’t have to go to the minivan terminals at all. It’s best to book your tickets through BookAway, which offers excellent customer service 24/7.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose by Private Transport
Travelling in a group? Private transfers can be cheaper than a shared minivan when you split the cost. Rates start from 110,000 CRC ($235) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 37,000 CRC ($79) per person.
Private transfers from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose are hotel-to-hotel rides, but you can also get one that will take you directly to San Jose Airport. Travel time is 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours.
Private Transport options from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
Taxis are also available for this long-distance journey. Fares for a 3 to 4-seater car are a bit cheaper, starting from 93,000 CRC ($200), but we can’t guarantee the reliability of both the car and the driver. If you do choose to take a taxi, agree on the rate before getting on board.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose. 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
What is the distance from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose?
The distance from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose is 215 kilometre (134 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose?
The fastest way to get from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose is by minivan and takes 4 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose?
The cheapest way to get from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose is by bus with ticket costs starting from 6,800 CRC ($14.60).
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.
