How to get from San Jose to Montezuma
Why visit Montezuma?
Montezuma is an untouched gem on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It boasts a vibrant jungle and pristine beaches, inviting nature enthusiasts for a serene escape. Explore Montezuma Falls, a majestic waterfall that’s a hiker’s dream. If you’re in for a more serious hike, you can also visit the nearby Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve.
This picturesque town also offers a laid-back bohemian atmosphere, with beaches for both swimming (Playa Montezuma) and surfing (Playa Grande). At Montezuma town centre, you’ll find a wide range of cafes with international cuisine, yoga classes, and artisan shops.
What are the 4 ways to travel from San Jose to Montezuma?
There are 4 ways to travel the 170 kilometre (106 miles) distance from San Jose to Montezuma. You can choose between the bus + ferry, minivan + ferry, private transport and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 55 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus + ferry with tickets starting at 9,100 CRC ($19.70).
San Jose to Montezuma by Bus + Ferry
The bus is a nice way to travel like a local from San Jose to Montezuma. With fares from 9,100 CRC ($19.70), it’s the cheapest option and still comfortable enough for the journey that takes 4 hours 30 minutes. The only tiny disadvantage of the bus is that it makes more stops compared to the other options.
Transportes Cobano offers only one daily bus trip from San Jose to Montezuma, so it’s best to buy your ticket online beforehand. Tickets sell out fast, especially if you’re travelling on a weekend or during peak season (December to April).
If you’re okay with risking it, tickets cost about a dollar cheaper when you buy them at the bus terminal on the day of your trip.
Your bus ticket from San Jose to Montezuma also includes the ticket for the ferry crossing to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Departure and arrival station
The bus departs from TIG Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste in San Jose city centre. About 20 minutes into the journey, it makes a short stop at San Jose Airport to pick up passengers. And then, it travels some 100 km west (1.5 hours) to Puntarenas Ferry Port.
Here, you’ll board the ferry to Paquera. You’ll need to get off the bus for this part. Take your valuables with you, but you can leave your larger luggage on board. The ferry departs around 9:00 and reaches Paquera in about 1.5 hours.
Once back on land, re-board the bus for the final 1-hour journey to Montezuma Beach.
Attention: Terminal 7-10 closed in April 2025. Transportes Cobano used to depart from San José’s Terminal 7-10. This was the main hub for buses to Cóbano, Monteverde, San Carlos, Jacó, and even international routes to Nicaragua and El Salvador.
Bus schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
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PRO TIP: Be mindful of your luggage! Bigger ones will be stored on the compartment below. Make sure they’re inside before boarding the bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket from the driver. As for smaller bags, put them where you can see them as much as possible.
San Jose to Montezuma by Minivan + Ferry
Minivans are not as spacious as buses, but they are also comfortable. One advantage is that they include free hotel pickup and drop-off, so you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals.
Minivan rates from San Jose to Montezuma start from 19,000 CRC ($40) — that’s including the ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera.
You can choose from six minivan operators: Santa Teresa Adventure, Transporzuma, Tropical Tours Shuttle, Interbus, Zuma Tours and Costa 24/7.
Minivan schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
Travel time with the minivan and ferry from San Jose to Montezuma is roughly 3h 15m - 6h 45m. If you’re short on time and don’t mind spending a bit more, Zuma Tours offers a combined shuttle and taxi boat service that completes the journey in around 4 hours.
To secure a seat on your preferred date and time, book your minivan online a few days in advance through BookAway. You can also book Tropical Tours Shuttle directly on their website.
San Jose to Montezuma by Flight
There is no direct flight from San Jose to Montezuma. But you can fly to Cobano, which is only 15 minutes away from Montezuma by taxi. Total travel time is around 1 hour 55 minutes and combined fares start from 67,000 CRC ($145).
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 San Jose Airport
First, you’ll have to get to San Jose Airport, which you can find 17 km northwest of the city centre. That’s a 1-hour ride by bus or a 30-minute journey by taxi.
There are 2 bus companies you can choose from: the red and white TUASA and the yellow and orange Station Wagon. They depart from TUASA Terminal every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00. A ticket costs around 695 CRC ($1.50).
Taxis, on the other hand, can be hailed on any main road. Or you can get one through Uber. Rates start from 14,000 CRC ($31) either way.
PRO TIP: Uber is still not 100% welcome in Costa Rica. If you’re planning to use it, we recommend asking advice from your hotel on whether it’s safe to do so. You don’t want to risk getting stopped in the middle of the journey when you’re in a hurry to get to the airport!
Step 2: Flight from San Jose to Cobano
A flight from San Jose to Cobano takes only 40 minutes. Airfares start from 57,000 CRC ($125).
You can choose from three carriers: Sansa Airlines, Green Airways and Hahn Air.
IMPORTANT: Previously, flights going to Montezuma arrived at Tambor Airport. But in 2023, Sansa Airlines (the only operator for this route at that time) moved its airport to Cobano.
Step 3: Taxi from Cobano to Montezuma
From Cobano Airport, a taxi ride to Montezuma takes 15 minutes. That costs around 9,300 CRC ($20). You shouldn’t have a hard time finding a taxi at the airport, but you can also ask your hotel beforehand if they can find one for you.
San Jose to Montezuma by Private Transport
When taking a private transfer to Montezuma from San Jose, you’ll still have to take the ferry. But you’ll enjoy the luxury and comfort of a private ride when travelling by land.
Rates start from 140,000 CRC ($300) for a 4-seater car. This combined private transfer and ferry journey takes around 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes.
Private Transport options from San Jose to Montezuma
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Jose to Montezuma. 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 San Jose to Montezuma
What is the distance from San Jose to Montezuma?
The distance from San Jose to Montezuma is 170 kilometre (106 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma?
The fastest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by flight and takes 1 hour 55 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma?
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by bus + ferry with ticket costs starting from 9,100 CRC ($19.70).
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.
