Tamarindo to Santa Teresa in 4-9.5 hours (2026)

Tamarindo and Santa Teresa are two of Costa Rica's best-known surf towns, sitting at opposite ends of the Nicoya coastline. A private transfer is the quickest way to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa, taking 4h - 4h 10m. The bus is the cheapest at $18 (8,000 CRC), but it strings together several buses and a ferry crossing, so it takes 9h 20m - 11h 30m.

DISTANCE

Distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa

Tamarindo and Santa Teresa are about 100 km (62 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 146 km by road. The quickest way to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is by taking the private transfer, which takes around 4h - 4h 10m.

~100 km

Straight-line distance

~146 km

Route distance

Fastest

COMPARE

3 ways to travel from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa

There are three ways to travel from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa. You can choose between the minivan, bus, and private transport. The journey takes 4h–9h 20m and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $18 (8,000 CRC).

TransportDurationPrice

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 $48 (21,800 CRC) 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

4h 30m - 5h 30m$48 (21,800 CRC)

4h30mTransporzumaStandardTamarindo - Hotel ListSanta Teresa Beach - Hotel List14:00From $4821,800 CRCTickets

5hTropical Tours ShuttleTamarindoSanta Teresa09:0015:00$6027,500 CRCTickets

Available atBookaway Tropicaltourshuttles

Booking Tip

Minivan trips from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa are limited so we recommend booking your tickets online at least a day before your trip.

Santa Teresa

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 $18 (8,000 CRC). 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.

PRO TIP: 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

1h 30m - 3h$4.40 (2,000 CRC)

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 $4.40 (2,000 CRC) and the travel time is around 1h 30m - 3h.

Buses depart from in front of Plaza Tamarindo.

Step 2: Bus from Liberia to Puntarenas

3h - 3h 30m$7.50 (3,400 CRC)

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 $7.50 (3,400 CRC).

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

2h 30m$2 (890 CRC)

From the bus terminal in Puntarenas, you can take a 5-minute taxi ride to Naviera Tambor Ferry Port. That should cost around $5 (2,280 CRC).

At the port, take the ferry bound for Paquera, operated by Naviera Tambor. A ticket costs $2 (890 CRC) 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.

2h30mPuntarenas-Paquera FerryPuntarenasPaquera04:0006:3009:0012:0015:0018:00+2$2890 CRCTickets

Ferry tickets are available on Quickpaycr.

Step 4: Bus from Paquera to Cobano

1h 30m$3 (1,360 CRC)

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 $3 (1,360 CRC) and you pay directly to the bus driver.

Step 5: Bus from Cobano to Santa Teresa

50m$2 - $3 (910 - 1,360 CRC)

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 $2 (910 CRC). Travel time is 50 minutes.

Santa Teresa

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 $275 (124,000 CRC) for a vehicle that can fit 4 people. Divide the cost and that’s about $69 (31,000 CRC) per person.

Some of the trusted companies offering private transfers from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa include Santa Teresa Adventure, Miguetours and Suntrails.

Tamarindo

Santa Teresa Adventure

Standard Car 4 PAX

$275 (124,000 CRC)

$69 (31,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Miguetours

Standard Minivan 4 PAX

$340 (154,000 CRC)

$85 (38,500 CRC) per person

Tickets

Suntrails

Standard Minivan 4 PAX

$450 (204,000 CRC)

$110 (51,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Available atBookaway

Santa Teresa

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Where to StayWhere we'd stay in Santa Teresa3 places we've picked out, for every budget

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.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa, roughly 100 kilometres (62 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $18 (8,000 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 Tamarindo to Santa Teresa?

The distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is 100 kilometres (62 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa?

The fastest way to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is by private transport and takes 4h - 4h 10m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa?

The cheapest way to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is by bus with ticket costs starting from 8,000 CRC.

About the Authors

Ela

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.

MaartenReviewer

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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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.

How to Get From Tamarindo to Santa Teresa

Distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa

3 ways to travel from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa