What to expect when visiting 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!
3 ways to get from Puerto Viejo to San Jose
There are three ways to travel the distance of 215 km (134 miles) from Puerto Viejo to San Jose: by bus (4h30m), minivan (4h30m-5h) and private transfer (4 hours). The journey takes between 4-5 hours and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from $10 (5,000 CRC) for the bus.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.
Puerto Viejo to San Jose by Bus
With rates from $10 (5,000 CRC), the bus is the cheapest option. The bus is a good choice if you’re on a budget and want to travel like a local. Aside from one bathroom break, buses from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose don’t make extra stops. Travel time is 4.5-5 hours.
Autotransportes MEPE is the only bus company operating from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose.
The good thing is that this bus company offers 6 daily trips from 04:50 to 16:00, which means you’ll have a lot of choices for when to depart.
The buses make one stop at the 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 after around 4.5-5 hours.
Bus schedule from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
Tickets are available at the bus station for $10 (5,000 CRC).
Puerto Viejo to San Jose by Minivan
If you want a door-to-door service, you can book a shared minivan for $51 (27,000 CRC). This saves you the hassle of travelling to and from bus terminals in San Jose and Puerto Viejo. The minivan journey takes 4-5 hours.
Interbus and Caribe Shuttle are two of the companies operating minivans from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose city centre. Caribe Shuttle can also take you directly to San Jose Airport if that’s where you’re heading.
What we love about the minivans aside from the hotel pick-up and drop-off, is that they are safer and more comfortable than taking a bus. If you don’t mind spending more on these perks, we definitely recommend taking a minivan instead of a bus.
Minivan schedule from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose
It’s best to buy your tickets online so that you won’t have to go to the minivan terminals at all. All options on this route are best booked on BookAway, which offers excellent customer service and a really easy user interface.
It’s worth noting that Caribe Shuttle is $2 cheaper when booked on its own website.
Puerto Viejo to San Jose by Private Transfer
Travelling in a group? Private transfers can be cheaper than a shared minivan when you split the cost. Rates start from $195 (102,000 CRC) for a shuttle van that can fit 4 people. Travel time is around 4 hours.
Bigger vehicles are also available for larger groups. There are buses that can accommodate up to 18 people. You can rent one for $505 (263,000 CRC).
Private transfers from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to San Jose are hotel-to-hotel rides, but you can also get one that goes straight to San Jose Airport.
We recommend booking your private ride via BookAway for spacious cars and trusted drivers.
Taxis are also available for this long-distance journey. Fares for a 3 to 4-seater car are a bit cheaper from $200 (105,000 CRC), but we can’t guarantee the reliability of both the car and the driver. If you do choose to take a taxi though, you need to agree on the rate before getting on board!
Our favourite places to stay in San Jose
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 $90 per night
Isla Verde Hotel - Treating Yourself
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 start from $90 per night
Eco Stay Hostel - Mid Range
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 $50-90 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Puerto Viejo to San Jose
What is the distance from Puerto Viejo to San Jose?
The distance from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is 215 km (134 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Puerto Viejo to San Jose?
The fastest way to get from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is by private transfer and takes 4 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Viejo to San Jose?
The cheapest way to get from Puerto Viejo to San Jose is by bus with ticket costs starting from $10 (5,000 CRC).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Puerto Viejo 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!
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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.
