%2Cpin-s-a%252B356151(-85.8410207%2C10.2978075)%2Cpin-s-b%252B8B4513(-84.14858246666667%2C9.960430933333333)%2F-84.99480158333333%2C10.129119216666666%2C6%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
San Jose spreads across Costa Rica's Central Valley, ringed by coffee-covered highlands and served by the country's main airport. Flying is the quickest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose, taking 2h. By road, the bus is the cheapest option at $15 (6,700 CRC), covering the roughly 192 kilometres (119 miles) run in 5h 30m - 6h.
Distance from Tamarindo to San Jose
Tamarindo and San Jose are about 192 km (119 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 251 km by road. The quickest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h.
4 ways to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose
There are four ways to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose. You can choose between the bus, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 2h–5h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $15 (6,700 CRC).
Reach out to our Community
No questions yet — be the first to ask about Tamarindo to San Jose.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit San Jose?
San Jose is a bustling urban landscape in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Being the capital city, it may not be as pretty as the beach and jungle destinations that the country is known for. But if you are stopping by anyway, might as well explore for a few hours or a day before moving on to your next stop.
You will find plenty of things to do in San Jose. Within the city, you can check out the colonial buildings turned museums at Barrio Amon, try out the famed restaurants at Barrio Escalante, or party the night away in El Pueblo. If you want to venture outside the city limits, the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are highly recommended!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Tamarindo to San Jose, roughly 192 kilometres (119 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $15 (6,700 CRC). The quickest trip takes 2h.
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 fastest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose?
The fastest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose is by flight and takes 2h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose?
The cheapest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose is by bus with ticket costs starting from 6,700 CRC.
What is the driving distance from Tamarindo to San José?
How long does it take to travel overland from Tamarindo to San José?
Can I fly from Tamarindo to San José?
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.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.
