How to Get From Tamarindo to Santa Teresa
Minivan · Private Transfer · Bus
%2Cpin-s-b%2B8B4513(-84.80252816666666%2C9.742742533333333)%2F-85.32005803333334%2C10.021412166666668%2C7%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 190 kilometre (118 miles) distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Santa Teresa as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa?
There are three ways to travel the 190 km distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa. You can choose between the minivan, private, and bus.
The journey takes between 2h 30m–4h 30m and the quickest way is by bus (2h 30m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 8,000 CRC ($18).
4h 30m - 5h 30m
22,000 CRC ($48)
4h - 4h 10m
124,000 CRC ($275)
9h 20m - 11h 30m
8,000 CRC ($18)
Where to stay in Santa Teresa?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Santa Teresa at the bottom of this page.
Already in Santa Teresa?
Onward from Santa Teresa
Once you're in Santa Teresa, here's where to next — 1 researched onward route to pick from.
Tamarindo to Santa Teresa by Minivan
We recommend taking a minivan from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa. It's so much more convenient than an indirect bus that requires several transfers. And although the minivan is a shared ride, you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. With this door-to-door transport, you won't have to worry about finding your way to/from bus and ferry terminals.
Minivan prices start from 22,000 CRC ($48) and the journey can take 4h 30m - 5h 30m.
Transporzuma and Tropical Tours Shuttle are the two companies offering shared minivans from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa.
Minivan schedule from Santa Teresa by Minivan
Ready to book your minivan?
From 22,000 CRC ($48) · 4h 30m - 5h 30m
Direct operator sites
Booking Tip
Tamarindo to Santa Teresa by Private Transfer
If you’re travelling in a small group, you can consider taking a private transfer. It’s quite expensive, but you can enjoy the comfort of your own private ride for the journey that takes about 4h - 4h 10m.
Rates start from 124,000 CRC ($275) for a vehicle that can fit 4 people. Divide the cost and that’s about 31,000 CRC ($69) per person.
Some of the trusted companies offering private transfers from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa include Santa Teresa Adventure, Miguetours and Suntrails.
Tamarindo to Santa Teresa by Bus
Taking a bus and ferry from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is nowhere near as convenient as the other options. But it’s a cheap alternative for the adventurous at heart.
The unfavourable road conditions between these two towns don’t allow for buses to operate directly. Instead, you’ll have to go all the way to Liberia and Puntarenas by land, hop on a ferry back to the Nicoya Peninsula (Paquera), then travel by land again to Cobano and finally, Santa Teresa.
That's a total of 4 buses and 1 ferry!
With this bus and ferry option, combined fares start from 8,000 CRC ($18). Travel time is about 9h 20m - 11h 30m. If you don't have a lot of time to spare, consider taking a direct minivan instead.
If you’re set on taking the bus, it’s important to leave Tamarindo early. Otherwise, you might not make it to Santa Teresa on the same day.
Because you’ll be taking a lot of buses, we strongly urge you to be mindful of your luggage. Make sure your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment before boarding each bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket. As for your smaller bags, try to put them in front of you (or between your legs) instead of the overhead bin.
Step 1: Bus from Tamarindo to Liberia
From Tamarindo, you’ll travel 80 km northeast to reach Liberia Bus Terminal. Transportes La Pampa offers several bus trips throughout the day, from 04:00 in the morning to 18:30 in the evening.
A ticket costs 2,000 CRC ($4.40) and the travel time is around 1h 30m - 3h.
Buses depart from in front of Plaza Tamarindo.
Step 2: Bus from Liberia to Puntarenas
Upon arrival at the bus station in Liberia, we recommend asking around for the buses bound for Puntarenas. Simply say “Puntarenas” if you can’t speak in Spanish.
They should be available at the same station. But in some cases, you might be pointed to Pulmitan Bus Station just down the block.
The bus journey southeast to Puntarenas takes around 3h - 3h 30m. You can buy a ticket for 3,420 CRC ($7.50).
Buses depart from Liberia almost every hour from 05:00 to 17:00. They arrive at Puntarenas Bus Stop, 2 km east of Puntarenas Port.
Step 3: Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera
From the bus terminal in Puntarenas, you can take a 5-minute taxi ride to Naviera Tambor Ferry Port. That should cost around 2,260 CRC ($5.00).
At the port, take the ferry bound for Paquera, operated by Naviera Tambor. A ticket costs 890 CRC ($2.00) per person for foot passengers when you buy them online via quickpaycr. They're a bit cheaper when you buy tickets at the port.
The ferry ride takes around 2h 30m and docks at Paquera Ferry Landing.
Ready to book your ferry?
Direct operator sites
Step 4: Bus from Paquera to Cobano
Buses are usually available outside the port in Paquera, in time for ferry arrivals. Take one bound for Cobano, 40 km southwest.
From Paquera onwards, expect some rough roads. It’s really scenic though, probably enough to take your mind off the bumpy ride.
You will reach Terminal Buses De Cóbano in 1h 30m. A bus ticket costs 1,360 CRC ($3.00) and you pay directly to the bus driver.
Step 5: Bus from Cobano to Santa Teresa
At the same bus station you arrive in Cobano, you can finally take a bus bound for Santa Teresa.
Also here, you can just buy your ticket from the driver. That should cost around 905 CRC ($2.00). Travel time is 50 minutes.
Our favourite places to stay in Santa Teresa
Here are our favourite places to stay in Santa Teresa for every budget.
Treat YourselfLua Villas
It’s impossible not to feel relax as soon as you step into this tropical oasis. Everywhere you look in Lua Villas, there’s a piece of nature. There’s also a swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, open-air yoga space and even private yoga lessons on offer.
Instead of just a room, here you’ll get villa style accommodation with private kitchens, patios with garden or pool views and plenty of space to make yourself feel at home. The interior is spectacular.
- Swimming pool and jacuzzi
- Yoga deck
- Stunning gardens
- Spacious and beautiful villas
Studio rooms start from $80 per night
Mid-RangeCuatro Vientos Lodge & Apartments
After a day of cycling, snorkelling or surfing in Santa Teresa, you want to return home to a place that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. That’s exactly how Cuatro Vientos Lodge & Apartments makes you feel.
The interior of this place oozes tranquility with it’s use of rustic wood, nuetral colours and open-air design. The hosts are incredibly friendly, and welcome you to make use of the communal cooking facilities and terrace areas.
- Beautiful design
- Great location
- Wonderful hosts
- Barbeque facilities
Double rooms start from $50-80 per night
Salty Enthusiasts Share House & Villas
It’s not easy to find budget-friendly accommodation in Santa Teresa, especially somewhere that’s actually nice to stay in. Salty Enthusiasts sits more in the mid-range catergory, but it’s one of the best affordable places to stay in Santa Teresa, and it’s beautiful.
The hotel feels like a massive treehouse, meant for relaxing and providing comfort. You can opt for either a dorm bed or a private room. Both are super clean, comfortable and thoughtfully designed. It’s a great place to meet other people too. They have lots of communal areas to chill out, and a shared kitchen.
- Close to the beach
- Sociable atmosphere
- Choice of dorm or private room
- Shared kitchen
Double rooms between $15-50 per night
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa. 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
The distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is 190 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Santa Teresa?
Lying on the northwest coast, Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s surfer paradise. This once-quiet fishing village is now a popular tourist destination — thanks to its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, variety of wildlife, and world-class waves.
We love that it is still quite detached from the rest of Costa Rica. The roads leading to it are mostly unpaved, giving Santa Teresa a more natural feel. And despite the unpaved routes, the town offers enough comforts and natural luxury that can keep you happy and entertained for weeks on end. Santa Teresa is a world of its own.
How We Research
Every route on Gecko Routes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally travelled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELLERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travellers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
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.
Luggage Safety
Some stops on this route involve luggage storage or transfers. Keep valuables in your carry-on and use a lock on checked bags.
Reader Comments
2 commentsLeave a Comment