What to expect when visiting Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a charming beach town on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It offers an incredible fusion of culture. You’ll hear locals speaking creole, and find reggae music flowing from bars. All of these alongside traditional Costa Rican sodas and fancy international restaurants popular with expats.
You can feel the sense of community in Puerto Viejo, even if you’re just visiting for a few days. Travellers gather on the beach to play volleyball and new connections are made in the bars and the Saturday market that runs every week.
PRO TIP: There are two places called Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. These are Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (to the north) and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (to the southeast). Make sure you are going to the correct Puerto Viejo when booking and boarding your ride!
3 ways to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 270 kilometers (168 miles) from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by bus (8 hours 30 minutes), minivan (5 to 6 hours) and private Transfer (4 hours 50 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 4 hours 50 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from €14.70 for the bus.Where to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Bus
The indirect bus is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Combined rates start from only €14.70, about 1/4 the price of a minivan ticket. However, you will have to take 3 buses and the journey takes about 8 hours 30 minutes, excluding the possible waiting time for your connecting buses.
This bus journey also includes a stop in San Jose, even though it’s technically out of the way, because that is the only route available if you want to travel completely by bus.
Step 1: La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada by Bus
It’s worth noting that there is one daily bus that operates straight from La Fortuna to San Jose, but this arrives in the capital at 18:45, which means you won’t make it in time for the last trip going to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
So instead of taking that direct trip, you’ll first have to make your way from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada, a business hub some 45 km southeast. Buses are available for this route every day from 05:10 in the morning to 21:20 in the evening.
It’s best to take a morning trip to ensure that you’ll arrive in Puerto Viejo on the same day.
A ticket costs €2.80 and you can buy them at La Fortuna Bus Station. You might be confused with the schedules because there are two routes going to Ciudad Quesada: one via El Tanque (a bit faster) and another one via Chachagua (more scenic). They both arrive at the same bus station so we advice that you just take whichever’s leaving next.
Travel time to Ciudad Quesada Terminal is about 1 hour.
Step 2: Ciudad Quesada to San Jose by Bus
Buses operating from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose depart from the same terminal you arrive in, so you simply have to look around for the buses bound for the capital. They are available from 04:30 to 18:15.
A ticket costs €2.80 for the journey that takes around 3 hours. Buses park at Terminal 7-10 in San Jose city centre. From here, you’ll have to walk about 500m to another bus station, Terminal Atlantico Norte, where you will find the buses bound for Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Step 3: San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Bus
For the last leg of this bus journey, you’ll have to travel 220 km southeast from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes and a ticket costs €9.20.
Autotransportes MEPE offers several trips daily. Make sure you’re in San Jose before 18:00 to make it to the last trip.
We also recommend taking a bathroom and food break before boarding the bus. The buses make only one restroom stop and that’s at MEPE Terminal in Limon, around 3 hours into the journey
You will be dropped off at MEPE Bus Stop in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca city centre.
For more details, you can also check out our complete guide for travelling from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
PRO TIP: Local travel links, including the bus station in San Jose, can attract thieves, so keep your belongings in sight. Don’t board the bus until your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment, and be sure to get your luggage ticket. It’s best to keep smaller bags, containing your valuables, in front of you or between your feet, instead of in overhead storage.
La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Minivan
The minivan is a tourist favourite for its convenience. Although minivan shuttles are a bit pricey with fares from €70, they are direct transfers that also offer free hotel pick-up and drop-off. With a travel time of 5 to 6 hours, a minivan ride is 2.5 hours faster than the bus.
You can choose from three minivan operators when travelling from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: these are Caribe Shuttle, Interbus and Best Travel Puerto Viejo.
Minivan schedule from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
It’s best to book your ride online for guaranteed seats, and also so you won’t have to visit the minivan offices just to buy a ticket.
La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Private Transfer
If you’re travelling in a group from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, it might be cheaper to just get your own private ride. Rates start from €300 for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about €50 per person — around the same cost or even cheaper than that of a minivan ticket.
We recommend booking your ride via BookAway, which offers different types of vehicles depending on the number of people in your group and your preferred level of luxury.
Private Transfer options from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Frequently Asked Questions about La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
What is the distance from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
The distance from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is 270 kilometers (168 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
The fastest way to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is by private transfer and takes 4 hours 50 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
The cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is by bus with ticket costs starting from €14.70.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. 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!
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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.
