How to get from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa
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.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa?
There are 3 ways to travel the 190 kilometre (118 miles) distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transfer. The journey takes 4 hours to 11 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transfer. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 8,300 CRC ($17.70).
Where to stay in Santa Teresa?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Santa Teresa.
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 23,000 CRC ($48) and the journey can take 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.
Transporzuma and Tropical Tours Shuttle are the two companies offering shared minivans from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa.
Minivan schedule from Santa Teresa by Minivan
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Minivan trips from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa are limited so we recommend booking your tickets online at least a day before your trip.
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 8,300 CRC ($17.70). Travel time is about 9 hours 20 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes. 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
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 ($4.20) 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 ($7.20).
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 2,360 CRC ($5).
At the port, take the ferry bound for Paquera, operated by Naviera Tambor. A ticket costs 890 CRC ($1.90) 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.
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 1,410 CRC ($3) 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 945 CRC ($2) - 1,410 CRC ($3). Travel time is 50 minutes.
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 4 hours to 4 hours 10 minutes.
Rates start from 130,000 CRC ($275) for a vehicle that can fit 4 people. Divide the cost and that’s about 32,000 CRC ($69) per person.
Some of the trusted companies offering private transfers from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa include Santa Teresa Adventure, Miguetours and Suntrails.
Private Transfer options from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa
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 about Tamarindo to Santa Teresa
What is the distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa?
The distance from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa is 190 kilometre (118 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 transfer and takes 4 hours.
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 8,300 CRC ($17.70).
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.
