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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a laid-back Caribbean beach town on Costa Rica's southern coast, around 148 kilometres (92 miles) from San Jose. The bus is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca at $15 (6,800 CRC), and takes 5h. A minivan shuttle costs more but runs door to door and can be faster.
Distance from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
San Jose and Puerto Viejo De Talamanca are about 148 km (92 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 215 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 4h and 5h 30m.
3 ways to travel from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
There are three ways to travel from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 4h–5h and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $15 (6,800 CRC).
Reach out to our Community
1Hi - I'm looking at shuttle options from San Jose to Puerto Viejo (23 march) - and return back to San Jose on 26 March. We need to get to the airport from around 1.30pm on 26 March.
For the 23 march, we are looking to leave after lunchtime
Hi Anand, shared and private minivans from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca are available on BookAway. Caribe Shuttle (bookaway.com) has a 14:00 departure to Puerto Viejo, but it requires a minimum of 3 passengers when booking. With Interbus (bookaway.com), you can book tickets for just 1 or 2 passengers, but it departs at 07:30.
For the return trip, you can take the Interbus minivan (bookaway.com) arriving at San Jose Airport at 12:00. You can go ahead and book these rides in advance.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a charming beach town on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It offers an incredible fusion of culture. You’ll hear locals speaking creole, and find reggae music flowing from bars. All of these alongside traditional Costa Rican sodas and fancy international restaurants popular with expats.
You can feel the sense of community in Puerto Viejo, even if you’re just visiting for a few days. Travellers gather on the beach to play volleyball and new connections are made in the bars and the Saturday market that runs every week.
There are two places called Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. These are Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (to the north) and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (to the southeast). Make sure you are going to the correct Puerto Viejo when booking and boarding your ride!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca, roughly 148 kilometres (92 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $15 (6,800 CRC). The quickest trip takes 4h.
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 Puerto Viejo De Talamanca?
The distance from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca is 148 kilometres (92 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca?
Journey times from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca overlap: bus 5h, minivan 4h - 5h 30m, private transport 4h 15m - 5h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca?
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca is by bus with ticket costs starting from 6,800 CRC.
What to expect when visiting Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
About the Authors
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.
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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