Compare Bus Minivan Taxi To Stay
Important note: Be aware that there are two places called Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. These are Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (north of San Jose) and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (southeast of San Jose). Make sure you are going to the correct Puerto Viejo when booking and boarding your ride!
How to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
The driving distance between San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is 215 km. The road distance is 148 km. Driving time from San Jose to Puerto Viejo takes 4-5 hours and costs $10-$230. The cheapest route is to take the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca bus. Alternatively, you can travel by shared shuttle van or private taxi/car.
Travelling on a budget? The bus is the cheapest option at $10 (6,000 CRC). They are also quite comfortable, you just have to be really careful of your belongings as petty theft is very common. The bus journey from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes around 4.5-5 hours.
For a door-to-door yet shared transfer, you can take a minivan for $51 (30,000 CRC). More expensive, but more convenient and without the hassle of finding a taxi from and to the bus terminals.
For group travellers, we recommend taking a private transfer from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, You can choose from different vehicles depending on how big your group is. Fares start from $230 (133,000 CRC) for a car that can fit 4 people.
New to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca? Our compact Puerto Viejo de Talamanca guide shows you the best areas to stay, restaurants you don’t want to miss and many more tips for your visit to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca!
Where to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
Still looking for accommodation? Don’t forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca at the bottom of this page.
Itinerary from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Bus
- San Jose
- 4.5-5 hours
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Bus
There are 7 daily trips available for the San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca route. They are all operated by the Autotransportes MEPE bus company.
Below are their regular bus schedules, but note that some trips may still not be available due to the recent pandemic.
If you want to confirm their availability beforehand, you can call their San Jose office through this number: +506 2257-8129.
A ticket costs $10 (6,000 CRC) and you can only buy one at their ticket office in Terminal Atlantico Norte, San Jose city centre. They are not available to buy online. There is always a chance of tickets selling out so if you can, drop by the terminal a few days early to buy your ticket.
Total travel time takes around 4.5-5 hours. The buses make one stop at MEPE Terminal in Limon around 3 hours into the journey for food and a bathroom break. They park at the MEPE Bus Stop in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca city centre.
PRO TIP: Local travel links, including the bus station in San Jose, can attract thieves, so keep your belongings in sight. Don't board the bus until your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment, and be sure to get your luggage ticket. It's best to keep smaller bags, containing your valuables, in front of you or between your feet, instead of in overhead storage.
San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Minivan
A minivan is a perfect option if you prefer a ride including pick you up from your hotel in San Jose and drop you off at your destination in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. You can get a shared minivan ride for $51 (30,000 CRC).
What we like about this option is that it saves you the hassle of finding your way to and from bus terminals. They’re also relatively safer, particularly from petty thieves. You can just sit back and relax until you reach your destination.
Travel time with a minivan from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca takes around 4-5 hours. It’s a bit longer than the bus because of the hotel pick-ups and drop-offs.
You can choose from 4 trusted companies: Interbus, Gray Line, Caribe Shuttle, and Tropical Tours Shuttle.
If you’re coming from San Jose Airport, take Caribe as they offer free pick-up from there as well. You can see their schedules below.
Minivan Schedule from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
We recommend booking your tickets on BookAway. This trusted platform offers the cheapest rates for this route, sometimes even cheaper than if you book directly on the minivan’s company website. If you prefer to book with Tropical Tours, you’ll have to book through their own page.
San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Private Transfer
Are you travelling in a group? With a private transfer from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, you might even save on costs compared to taking a shared minivan.
For example, a 7-seater minivan from BookAway costs $249 (144,000 CRC). If you divide that among 7 passengers, then that’s only $35.50 (21,000 CRC) per person.
Prices vary depending on how big a ride you want or how many you are in the group. Rates start from $230 (133,000 CRC) for a 4-seater car.
Book a Private Transfer with BookAway
If you’re looking for a cheaper private transfer, then you can also try renting a taxi. You should be able to get a 4-seater ride for around $200 (116,000 CRC). We recommend asking your hotel for help in finding a trustworthy driver. And remember to agree on the rate before getting on board!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect when visiting Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
Facing the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is our favourite destination on Costa Rica’s eastern coast. Its laidback vibe enchants surfing and yoga enthusiasts alike. Imagine amazing waves, turquoise waters, fine beaches, palm trees, and reggae music in the background!u003cbru003eu003cbru003eBut it’s not just the natural gifts that attract us to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. It’s the people and their beautiful culture. You’ll find a good mix of indigenous people and Afro-Caribbean residents, living in harmony with the many different nationalities that have decided to settle down here.
Our favourite places to stay in Puerto Viejo
Black Bamboo B&B – Treating yourself
If you are looking for a beautifully designed hotel, with a swimming pool, Black Bamboo B&B is the place to book. The whole hotel oozes a tropical vibe due to its rustic bamboo design. The rooms are tranquil escapes, designed to be bright and comfortable.
The owners welcome you like you’re part of their family, and help you to organise anything you need during your stay in Puerto Viejo. It’s also situated in a great location, close to the town and Playa Negra.
- Close to the beach and town
- Beautifully designed
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Shared kitchen
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Colina Secreta – Mid range
Offering both glamping and villas, no matter which option you chose, you’ll be surrounded by comfort and luxury at Colina Secreta. It’s clear that every aspect of the accommodation has been carefully thought about. It’s absolutely stunning and so unique!
The owners are incredibly friendly, and will do anything to make your stay even better. They’ve put so much love and care into their hotel, which you will see in the homemade breakfast every morning.
- Luxury villas and glamping
- Homemade breakfast included
- Beautiful design
- Friendly and helpful hosts
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
Kalunai Hostel – Budget friendly
Whether you’re looking for a dorm bed or a private room, Kalunai is a great choice. All of the rooms are colourful and clean, with some of them having their own kitchen facilities.
This place really has a communal feel due to the number of places to hang out and lots of hammocks. The location is great, not far from lots of restaurants, bars and most importantly, the beach
- Sociable atmosphere
- Great location
- Lots of places to relax
- Bicycles available for rent
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
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.
