What to expect when visiting Montezuma
Montezuma is an untouched gem on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It boasts a vibrant jungle and pristine beaches, inviting nature enthusiasts for a serene escape. Explore Montezuma Falls, a majestic waterfall that’s a hiker’s dream. If you’re in for a more serious hike, you can also visit the nearby Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve.
This picturesque town also offers a laid-back bohemian atmosphere, with beaches for both swimming (Playa Montezuma) and surfing (Playa Grande). At Montezuma town centre, you’ll find a wide range of cafes with international cuisine, yoga classes, and artisan shops.
4 ways to get from San Jose to Montezuma
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 170 kilometers (106 miles) from San Jose to Montezuma by bus + ferry (4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes), minivan + ferry (3 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes), private Transfer (4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes) and flight (1 hour 55 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 55 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €13.80 for the bus + ferry.San Jose to Montezuma by Bus + Ferry
The bus is a nice way to travel like a local from San Jose to Montezuma. It’s the cheapest option with fares from €13.80 and still comfortable enough for the 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes journey. The only tiny disadvantage of the bus is that it makes more stops compared to the other options.
Transportes Cobano offers only one daily bus trip from San Jose to Montezuma, so you’ll want to buy your ticket online beforehand via La Terminal. They charge a €3.70 booking fee, but it’s totally worth it if you’re travelling on a weekend or during the busy season (December to April), when tickets sell out fast.
If you’re willing to take a risk, a ticket only costs €13.80 when you purchase it at the bus terminal on the day of your trip. This price includes the tickets for both the bus and the ferry crossing to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Departure and arrival station
The bus departs from the Cobano Bus Stop in Paso de la Vaca at 06:00 in the morning. About 20 minutes into the journey, it makes a short stop at San Jose Airport to pick up passengers. And then, it will travel some 100 km west (1.5 hours) to Puntarenas Ferry Port.
Here, you are to board a ferry bound for Paquera. You’ll have to get off the bus for this. Take your valuables with you, but you can leave your luggage on the bus. The ferry docks in Paquera after about 1.5 hours.
Go back to your bus. It should be another hour bus ride to Montezuma Beach.
PRO TIP: Be mindful of your luggage! Bigger ones will be stored on the compartment below. Make sure they’re inside before boarding the bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket from the driver. As for smaller bags, put them where you can see them as much as possible.
Bus schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
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San Jose to Montezuma by Minivan + Ferry
Minivans are not as spacious as the bus but are also comfortable. They come with the advantage that they already include free hotel pickup and dropoff, so you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals.
Minivan rates start from €45 — that’s including the ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera.
You can choose from six minivan operators from San Jose to Montezuma: Santa Teresa Adventure, Tropical Tours Shuttle (from San Jose city centre), Tropical Tours Shuttle (from San Jose Airport), Transporzuma, Interbus and Zuma Tours.
Minivan Schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
Travel time with the minivan and ferry from San Jose to Montezuma is roughly 6-6.5 hours. But if you’re short on time and don’t mind spending more, you can take Zuma Tours’ combined shuttle and taxi boat, which only takes 4 hours.
To expect a seat at your desired date and time, we highly recommend booking online at least a few days before your trip. Interbus and Zuma Tours are available on BookAway. You can book Tropical Tours Shuttle via their website.
San Jose to Montezuma by Flight
There is no direct flight from San Jose to Montezuma. But you can fly to Cobano, which is only 15 minutes away from Montezuma by taxi. Total travel time is around 1 hour 55 minutes and combined fares start from €155.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: San Jose City Centre to San Jose Airport by Bus
First, you’ll have to get to San Jose Airport, which you can find 17 km northwest of the city centre. That’s a 1-hour ride by bus or a 30-minute journey by taxi.
There are 2 bus companies you can choose from: the red and white TUASA and the yellow and orange Station Wagon. They depart from TUASA Terminal every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00. A ticket costs around €1.40.
Taxis, on the other hand, can be hailed on any main road. Or you can get one through Uber. Rates start from €28 either way.
PRO TIP: Uber is still not 100% welcome in Costa Rica. If you’re planning to use it, we recommend asking advice from your hotel on whether it’s safe to do so. You don’t want to risk getting stopped in the middle of the journey when you’re in a hurry to get to the airport!
Step 2: San Jose to Cobano by Flight
A flight from San Jose to Cobano takes only 40 minutes. Sansa Airlines operates several flights every day — the first flight departs at 06:35 and the last flight leaves at 16:50.
Airfares start from €135. You can book your flight directly with Sansa Airlines.
IMPORTANT: Previously, flights going to Montezuma arrived at Tambor Airport. But in 2023, Sansa Airlines moved its airport to Cobano.
Step 3: Cobano to Montezuma
From Cobano Airport, a taxi ride to Montezuma takes 15 minutes. That costs around €18.30. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding a taxi at the airport, but you can also ask your hotel beforehand if they can already find one for you.
San Jose to Montezuma by Private Transfer
When taking a private transfer to Montezuma from San Jose, you’ll still have to take the ferry. But at least you’ll enjoy the luxury and comfort of a private ride when travelling by land.
Rates start from €275 for a 4-seater car. This combined private transfer and ferry journey takes around 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 20 minutes.
Private Transfer options from San Jose to Montezuma
Frequently Asked Questions about San Jose to Montezuma
What is the distance from San Jose to Montezuma?
The distance from San Jose to Montezuma is 170 kilometers (106 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma?
The fastest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by flight and takes 1 hour 55 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma?
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by bus + ferry with ticket costs starting from €13.80.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Jose to Montezuma. 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.
