How to Get From San Jose to Montezuma

4Options

1h 55mFastest

$20From

Written by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten·

Bus + Ferry · Minivan + Ferry · Flight · Private Transport

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Map showing route from San Jose to Montezuma - 113 km

San Jose → Montezuma113 km

Montezuma is a small bohemian beach town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. You reach it by crossing the gulf on a ferry. Flying is the quickest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma, taking 1h 55m. Overland, the cheapest option is the bus and ferry at $20 (9,100 CRC).

DISTANCE

Distance from San Jose to Montezuma

San Jose and Montezuma are about 113 km (70 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 278 km by road. The quickest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 55m.

~113 km

Straight-line distance

~278 km

Route distance

1h 55m

Fastest

Travelling the other way?Montezuma to San Jose→

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4 ways to travel from San Jose to Montezuma

There are four ways to travel from San Jose to Montezuma. You can choose between the bus, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 55m–4h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $20 (9,100 CRC).

TransportDurationPrice

The bus is a nice way to travel like a local from San Jose to Montezuma. With fares from $20 (9,100 CRC), 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

4h30mTransportes CobanoStandardTIG Transporte Inteligente de GuanacasteEstacion de buses de Montezuma06:00From $209,100 CRCTickets

Available atBookaway LaterminalCostaRica

Booking Tip

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.

Montezuma

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 $40 (18,200 CRC) — 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

5h30mSanta Teresa AdventureShuttleDenny's Alajuela DinerMontezuma - Any hotel05:3014:45$4018,200 CRCTickets

5h30mSanta Teresa AdventureShuttleSan Jose - Any hotelMontezuma - Any hotel05:3014:00$4821,800 CRCTickets

5h30mTransporzumaStandardSan Jose - Hotel ListMontezuma - Any hotel05:3014:00$5022,800 CRCTickets

5h50mTransporzumaStandardDenny's Alajuela DinerMontezuma - Any hotel06:3015:00$5022,800 CRCTickets

6hTropical Tours ShuttleShuttleSan Jose - Any hotelMontezuma06:4514:30$6027,500 CRCTickets

Show all 12 companies

6hInterbusStandardSan Jose - Hotel ListMontezuma - Hotel List07:00$7634,500 CRCTickets

6h30mInterbusStandardSan Jose Airport (SJOMontezuma - Hotel List07:00$7634,500 CRCTickets

5h10mZuma ToursSan Jose AirportZuma Tours Montezuma07:00$8137,000 CRCTickets

5h10mZuma ToursShuttleSan Jose Airport (SJOZuma Tours Montezuma07:00$8639,000 CRCTickets

4hZuma ToursShuttle + Taxi BoatSan Jose - Any hotelZuma Tours Montezuma07:00From $9342,500 CRCTickets

3h15mZuma ToursShuttleSan Jose - Any hotelZuma Tours Montezuma07:00$9945,000 CRCTickets

4h30mCosta 24/7ShuttleSan Jose Airport (SJOMontezuma - Any hotel15:00$390178,000 CRCTickets

Available atBookaway Tropicaltourshuttles Zumatours

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.

Montezuma

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 1h 55m and combined fares start from $145 (66,000 CRC).

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

1h$1.50 (680 CRC)

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 $1.50 (680 CRC).

Taxis, on the other hand, can be hailed on any main road. Or you can get one through Uber. Rates start from $31 (14,000 CRC) 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

40m$125 (56,000 CRC)

A flight from San Jose to Cobano takes only 40 minutes. Airfares start from $125 (56,000 CRC).

You can choose from three carriers: Sansa Airlines, Green Airways and Hahn Air.

IMPORTANT: Flights for Montezuma arrive at Cobano Airport, not Tambor Airport. Double-check the airport when booking your flight.

Check Flights on Skyscanner

Step 3: Taxi from Cobano to Montezuma

15m$20 (9,100 CRC)

From Cobano Airport, a taxi ride to Montezuma takes 15 minutes. That costs around $20 (9,100 CRC). 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.

Montezuma

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 $300 (138,000 CRC) for a 4-seater car. This combined private transfer and ferry journey takes around 4h 15m - 5h 20m.

San Jose

Central Taxi Airport

SUV Car 4 PAX

$300 (138,000 CRC)

$76 (34,500 CRC) per person

Tickets

Suntrails

Standard Minivan 4 PAX

$395 (180,000 CRC)

$99 (45,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Suntrails

Standard Ferry 4 PAX

$420 (192,000 CRC)

$105 (48,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Costa 24/7

Standard Minivan 7 PAX

$420 (190,000 CRC)

$60 (27,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Available atBookaway

Montezuma

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Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from San Jose to Montezuma, roughly 113 kilometres (70 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $20 (9,100 CRC). The quickest trip takes 1h 55m.

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 San Jose to Montezuma?

The distance from San Jose to Montezuma is 113 kilometres (70 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 1h 55m.

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 with ticket costs starting from 9,100 CRC.

About the Authors

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.

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.

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How to Get From San Jose to Montezuma

Distance from San Jose to Montezuma