How to Get From San Jose to Montezuma
Minivan + Ferry · Flight · Private Transport · Bus + Ferry
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 170 kilometre (106 miles) distance from San Jose to Montezuma. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Montezuma as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 4 ways to travel from San Jose to Montezuma?
There are four ways to travel the 170 km distance from San Jose to Montezuma. You can choose between the minivan, flight, private, and bus.
The journey takes between 1h 55m–4h 30m and the quickest way is by flight (1h 55m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 9,100 CRC ($20).
3h 15m - 6h 45m
18,000 CRC ($40)
1h 55m
66,000 CRC ($145)
4h 15m - 5h 20m
137,000 CRC ($300)
4h 30m
9,100 CRC ($20)
Already in Montezuma?
Onward from Montezuma
Once you're in Montezuma, here's where to next — 2 researched onward routes to pick from.
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 18,000 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 + Ferry schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
Ready to book your minivan + ferry?
From 18,000 CRC ($40) · 3h 15m - 6h 45m
Direct operator sites
Booking Tip
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
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 680 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.
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 56,000 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
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
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 137,000 CRC ($300) for a 4-seater car. This combined private transfer and ferry journey takes around 4h 15m - 5h 20m.
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 ($20), it’s the cheapest option and still comfortable enough for the journey that takes 4h 30m. 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 + Ferry schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
Ready to book your bus + ferry?
From 9,100 CRC ($20) · 4h 30m
Direct operator sites
Booking 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.
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
The distance from San Jose to Montezuma is 170 km.
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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.
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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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