How to get from Monteverde to San Jose

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!

There are 3 ways to travel the 135 kilometers (84 miles) from Monteverde to San Jose. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 2 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 3,890 CRC (€7.20).

The bus is the cheapest option to get from Monteverde to San Jose, with tickets costing 3,890 CRC (€7.20). But here’s the catch: it’s not always the most reliable.

Buses make a lot of stops to pick up and drop off passengers, so the trip can take 4 hours or even longer. Plus, buses in Costa Rica are prone to petty thieves!

TransMonteverde operates two daily trips from Monteverde to San Jose, leaving at 05:30 and 14:30.

Buses depart from the Commercial Centre in Monteverde town centre.

The minivan is a convenient way to get from Monteverde to San Jose with rates from . All minivan services come with free hotel pick-up in Monteverde, so you can skip the hassle and expense of finding your way to a bus station.

The ride usually includes one bathroom stop along the way, and the trip takes around 2 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.

It might seem like minivans take longer than the bus because of all the pick-ups and drop-offs, but they’re actually faster overall. Plus, they’re generally considered a safer option than public buses, where incidents like pickpocketing can sometimes happen.

There are about ten minivan operators in San José city centre.

IMPORTANT: Most minivans provide hotel drop-off in San Jose, but some companies only stop at certain spots in the city centre. It’s worth double-checking the drop-off spot when you book. Also, if you’re travelling solo, note that some companies require at least two passengers to make a booking.

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We recommend a private transfer for group travellers. It’s the fastest option at only around 2 hours to 3 hours 50 minutes to get to San Jose from Monteverde. If you travel with a group, the costs can be even cheaper than the shared minivan. Rates start from for a 4-seater private transfer.

Heading to San Jose Airport to catch a flight? A private transfer is your best choice for a quick and reliable ride.

Taking a private transfer may look expensive, but not when you’re travelling in a group. Depending on the number of people you travel with, sharing a 4-seater private transfer can be as cheap as per person. Even with just 4 people, it’s about the same price as a shared minivan.

We like booking our private ride through BookAway. They offer spacious cars with good drivers. And in case you have any complaints, their 24-hour customer service is always ready to assist!

Private Transport options from Monteverde to San Jose