How To Get From San Jose Costa Rica to Tamarindo – Best Ways!

If I plan on traveling from San Jose to Tamarindo, I need to consider a few things first.

One of these things is the fact that San Jose and Tamarindo are roughly 254 kilometers away from each other. In other words, this means that the two locations are approximately 157 miles apart.

I can make this journey using a variety of different methods.

 

How To Get from San Jose Costa Rica to Tamarindo

To get from San Jose Costa Rica to Tamarindo, I can get there most conveniently in a taxi, but a bus is the cheapest method of making this journey. However, if I want to sightsee during the trip and convenience is my main concern, then my own car or a taxi is my best option.

 

Flying From San Jose to Tamarindo

Technically, flying from San Jose to Tamarindo is an option for some travelers. The secondary airport in San Jose does offer a certain number of direct flights to Tamarindo’s private airport.

As I might expect, this private airport is also somewhat small. However, flying is the least common method of traveling if I want to go from San Jose to Tamarindo.

Flying from San Jose to Tamarindo is the least common option, but it is still an option. San Jose International Airport offers two flights each day to Tamarindo.

If you plan on flying, I strongly advise purchasing your airline tickets beforehand.

This is a good idea when flying in general, but it is even more important since two flights a day is not very many at all. I can choose the direct route and fly directly from San Jose to Tamarindo.

Doing so will take approximately an hour. Also, I’ll add that a one-way ticket from San Jose to Tamarindo will cost about $120 per person.

Sansa Regional offers these flights. The morning departure time for this flight is 6:10 am and the afternoon departure time is 2:10 pm.

 

Traveling By Bus from San Jose to Tamarindo

Traveling between these two locations by bus is much more common than doing it by plane. As stated previously, a bus is the cheapest way to arrive to Tamarindo from San Jose.

However, I should also mention that traveling by bus takes the longest amount of time, too. The bus is required to make stops for its other passengers during the journey from San Jose to Tamarindo.

Two travel bus companies operate out of San Jose, and they have different pick-up points. However, I will add that both of these pick-up points are at fairly central locations in the city of San Jose.

I recommend that you ensure you know which bus terminal to go to in advance. Typically, taking a bus from San Jose to Tamarindo takes between six and six and a half hours.

The two companies offer four services from San Jose to Tamarindo a day. Each operating company offers two a day.

Also, I will add that it is possible for you to buy your bus tickets at the bus terminal on the day you depart. However, I would advise that you pre-purchase your bus tickets the day before your trip at the ticket stand.

This helps ensure that I do not have to worry in the event that the service I chose becomes too full. The cost of the bus ride from San Jose to Tamarindo is the most appealing part of the entire process.

Usually, I will have to spend approximately $10 to ride a bus from San Jose to Tamarindo.

 

Bus Departure Times And Which Companies Offer This Service

It is also important to discuss when the bus departs, so I know when to be ready to leave. The first bus from San Jose to Tamarindo leaves at 7 am.

The last bus from San Jose to Tamarindo for the day departs at 3:30 pm. Empresa Alfaro is one of the operating companies, and it uses Terminals 7-10.

The other operating company to discuss is Tralapa. Tralapa simply uses the Tralapa Terminal for its buses that go from San Jose to Tamarindo.

 

Taking a Taxi from San Jose to Tamarindo

Taking a taxi is the most convenient way to go from San Jose to Tamarindo. My taxi driver picks me up at my hotel, then they handle my luggage.

My taxi driver will then drive me from where I am staying in San Jose to where I am going to stay in Tamarindo. I can also add some stops in order to sightsee during this journey if I wish.

I recommend traveling by taxi if your main focus is getting from San Jose to Tamarindo as conveniently as possible. Flying is technically faster, but taking a taxi definitely makes the trip more convenient.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Traveling from San Jose to Tamarindo

 

Which travel method would I recommend?

As previously mentioned, it really depends on my main focus. If I want to get from San Jose to Tamarindo as fast as possible, then flying is the way to go. If I want maximum convenience, then a taxi or private car is the best travel method.

 

What if I want to sightsee as much as possible?

I would recommend taking a taxi. I can add sightseeing stops and really take in everything Costa Rica offers. Flying, taking a taxi, and taking a bus are the 3 main methods of going from San Jose to Tamarindo. Flying is the fastest, a taxi is the most convenient, and taking a bus is the cheapest way.