You can get from Tamarindo to San Jose by shared shuttle, private transfer, taxi, rental car, or flight!
The cheapest option to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose is by shared shuttle, which costs USD 65. The journey takes about 5 hours.
The most popular option is the shared shuttle, offering direct transport and convenience at a very affordable price.
The fastest way to travel to San Jose from Tamarindo is by flight, which takes about 2 hours.
I’ve journeyed from the surf-friendly shores of Tamarindo to the urban sprawl of San Jose countless times, picking up practical tips along the way.
In this guide, you’ll find a distilled version of my experiences to give you the most straightforward advice for making this journey as hassle-free as possible.
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose, and here you can find more information about getting around in Costa Rica.
Transportation Options from Tamarindo to San Jose
The following table outlines all transportation options from Tamarindo to San Jose:
| Method | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle from Tamarindo to San Jose | 5 hrs | $65 |
| Tamarindo to San Jose Private Transfer | 5 hrs | – |
| Taxi from Tamarindo to San Jose | 5 hrs | – |
| Rental Car | 5 hrs | – |
| Flight | 2 hrs | – |
How far is San Jose from Tamarindo?
The distance fromTamarindo to San Jose is 160 miles or 258 kilometers.
Getting to San Jose from Tamarindo
1. Interbus Shared Shuttle from Tamarindo to San Jose
Journey Duration: 5 hours
The first and most convenient option from Tamarindo to San Jose is the Interbus shared shuttle.
The advantage of a shuttle is that the driver will pick you up at your hotel in Tamarindo and drop you off at your accommodation in San Jose. You don’t have to organize transportation to and from the station.
Interbus offers a daily shuttle to San Jose at 02:30 PM. The price per person is USD 65.
Tamarindo to San Jose Shared Van Shuttle Schedule:
The table below displays the Interbus shared shuttle timetable for trips from Tamarindo to San Jose, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.
| DEP | ETA | DUR | PX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02:30pm | 08:00pm | 5h 30m | $65 |  |
2. Private Transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose
Journey Duration: 5 hours
A private transfer may be better if you prefer more comfort and don’t want to depend on bus or shared shuttle schedules.
The vehicles used for private transportation are air-conditioned and operated by professional Costa Rican drivers, ensuring a reliable and safe experience.
We recommend a private transfer to San Jose, especially for families and groups!
Moreover, private transfers provide the ease of being picked up and dropped off at your accommodation or the airport, making it one of the quickest and most hassle-free ways to travel between these two destinations!
Prices for a private transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose:
- 7-9 passengers: USD 355
- 1-13 passengers: USD 405
3. Driving with a Rental Car from Tamarindo to San Jose
Journey Duration: 5 hours
The distance between Tamarindo and San Jose is only160 miles or 258 kilometers, so you can also easily travel by rental car.
One significant advantage of traveling by car to San Jose is that you can stop along the way and not depend on bus or flight schedules.
The ride from Tamarindo to San Jose takes around five hours, depending on the traffic.
4. Uber or Taxi from Tamarindo to San Jose
Journey Duration: 5 hours
Another option is to take a taxi from Tamarindo to San Jose. Make sure to negotiate a fixed price before entering the cab!
5. Flight from Tamarindo to San José
Journey Duration: 2 hours
Aerobell Airlines offers flights from the small, private airport in Tamarindo to the Tobias Bolanos International Airport in Pavas, San Jose.
Be aware that the airport in Pavas is around 20 kilometers away from the main international airport of San Jose (SJO).
Alternatively, you can fly from Liberia airport to the SJO airport in San Jose. The distance from Tamarindo to Liberia airport is 42 miles or 67 kilometers.
The ride takes around two hours, and you can travel from Tamarindo to Liberia Airport by private transfer, shared shuttle, or bus.
Best day tours in San Jose, Costa Rica
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
Here, you can find some of the best tours in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the bus from Tamarindo to San Jose?
It is a 5-hour bus ride from Tamarindo to San Jose. The Tralapa bus departs at 07:10 AM from the Pacific Park INN in Tamarindo and arrives around 12:10 PM at the Tralapa bus terminal in San Jose.
What is the cheapest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose?
The cheapest option to travel from Tamarindo to San Jose is by shared shuttle, which costs USD 65.
What is the fastest way to get from Tamarindo to San Jose?
The fastest way to travel to San Jose from Tamarindo is by flight, which takes about 2 hours.
More Routes from Tamarindo, Costa Rica
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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