How to get from San Jose to Tamarindo
Why visit Tamarindo?
Tamarindo is a popular surf town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. What we love about this town are the amazing water activities both on the surface and underwater. It has a diverse marine life, making it perfect not just for surfing but for diving and snorkelling as well.
This once-quiet fishing village is also a common gateway to Las Baulas National Marine Park, which is a nesting territory of the leatherback sea turtles. Offering beaches, adventure, restaurants, bars and shops — there is a long list of things to do in Tamarindo.
What are the 4 ways to travel from San Jose to Tamarindo?
There are 4 ways to travel the 258 kilometre (160 miles) distance from San Jose to Tamarindo. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transport and flight. The journey takes 2 to 7 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 6,700 CRC ($14.40).
Where to stay in Tamarindo?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Tamarindo.
San Jose to Tamarindo by Bus
Travelling on a budget? The bus is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo. A bus ticket with Transportes Inteligente de Guanacaste (TIG) only costs 6,700 CRC ($14.40).
The advertised travel time is 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours. However, buses make frequent stops along the way, so the journey often takes longer.
TIG operates four daily trips from San Jose to Tamarindo:
- Via Puente de La Amistad: departing at 08:30 and 15:30
- Via Liberia: departing at 11:30 and 16:00
You can reserve tickets directly on the Transportes Inteligente de Guanacaste website or through BookAway, which offers 24/7 customer service.
Empresa Tralapa used to be a low-cost local bus operating on this route, but they seem to have ceased operations. Reviews about Empresa Tralapa were rarely positive, so you are better off booking with TIG anyway.
Important: Be mindful of your luggage, in particular when coming from San José. Don’t leave your bigger bags until they’re safely inside the compartment below the bus, and make sure to get your luggage ticket! We recommend keeping small bags with your valuables, with you in the bus or storing them in the overhead department.
Departure and arrival station
Transporte Inteligente Guanacaste departs from Terminal de Autobuses (TIG) in San Jose city centre. All buses park at Plaza Tamarindo, just a few minutes walk from the beach.
Bus schedule from San Jose to Tamarindo
- 24/7 customer support
PRO TIP: Buses operating on the San Jose to Tamarindo route are notorious for delayed departures. Keep this in mind if you plan to take the bus!
San Jose to Tamarindo by Minivan
Taking a minivan from San Jose to Tamarindo is a good mix of comfort and value. The air-conditioned van ride can take you to Tamarindo in around 4 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours. Tickets start at 27,000 CRC ($59), and that usually includes free hotel (or airport) pickup and drop-off.
With a minivan, you will also sometimes get Wi-Fi onboard (just don’t take our word for it that it will always be working).
Wi-Fi or not, at least you will arrive well-rested in Tamarindo. This option is a lot more comfortable than spending 6-7 hours on a bus that makes frequent stops.
Departure and arrival station
For this route from San Jose to Tamarindo, there are four minivan operators available: Interbus, Super Shuttle Costa Rica, Amigo Transfer and Costa 24/7.
Some companies will pick you up directly from your hotel or from San Jose Airport. Others will require you to go to a specific pickup point. The good news is that all minivans provide convenient hotel drop-off.
Minivan schedule from San Jose to Tamarindo
We recommend booking your minivan ticket online at least a few days before your trip.
San Jose to Tamarindo by Flight
Taking a flight from San Jose is the fastest way to get to Tamarindo, although it’s quite expensive. Also, keep in mind that you’ll need some time to get to and from the airports.
This flight journey, including transfers, takes about 2 hours. Add to that the waiting time at the airport and you won’t save that much time compared to the minivan. Combined fares start from 75,000 CRC ($160).
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
San Jose International Airport (SJO), officially named Juan Santamaria International Airport, is the largest airport in Costa Rica. Located 17 km northwest of San Jose, you can get there in 1 hour by bus or 30 minutes by taxi.
A taxi costs around 14,000 CRC ($31). You can also take an Uber for about the same rate, just note that they are not yet 100% “legal” in Costa Rica.
On the other hand, buses are a cheaper and also reliable way to get to San Jose Airport. There’s one available every 10 minutes at TUASA Terminal, from 04:00 to 23:30.
Two bus companies are operating on this route: Station Wagon (coloured yellow and orange) and TUASA (coloured red and white). You can get a ticket for 700 CRC ($1.50).
PRO TIP: Although many tourists have had great experiences using Uber, there have been rare incidences of cars being stopped in the middle of the journey. We suggest confirming with your hotel if it’s safe to use them before booking a ride.
Step 2: Flight from San Jose to Tamarindo
Sansa Regional and World Ticket operate several daily flights from San Jose to Tamarindo.
Flight time is about 50 minutes. Airfares start from 72,000 CRC ($155).
Step 3: Tamarindo Airport to Tamarindo City Centre by Taxi
From Tamarindo Airport, your only way to get to the city centre is by taxi. That’s a 5 km journey southwest and takes 10 minutes. The taxi ride costs around 2,330 CRC ($5).
San Jose to Tamarindo by Private Transport
When travelling in a group, taking a private shuttle to Tamarindo from San Jose is a convenient option. There’s no need to pick up other passengers. And if you travel in a group of 5 or more, the private minivan will be more cost-effective than a shared minivan.
Rates start from 128,000 CRC ($275) for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 21,000 CRC ($46) per person. For larger groups, you can also book a minivan that can fit up to 18 people.
With private transport, you will be picked up from your accommodation in San Jose or at Juan Santamaria International Airport. After a 4-5 hour drive, you will be dropped off at your hotel in Tamarindo.
Private Transport options from San Jose to Tamarindo
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Jose to Tamarindo. 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 Tamarindo
What is the distance from San Jose to Tamarindo?
The distance from San Jose to Tamarindo is 258 kilometre (160 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo?
The fastest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo is by flight and takes 2 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo?
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo is by bus with ticket costs starting from 6,700 CRC ($14.40).
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.
