Public bus from San Jose to Santa Teresa
Planning a trip to Santa Teresa Beach? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the cheapest and most comfortable way to arrive from San José to Santa Teresa > Arrive to Santa Teresa by Public Bus.
The bus ride, comfort on a budget
Transporte Cóbano provides an excellent bus service from San José to Santa Teresa. With two departures daily at 6:30 am and 2:30 pm, you have flexible options to fit your travel schedule.
The journey takes approximately six hours, giving you ample time to relax and enjoy the ride. By car or by shuttle the trip take the same time.
The bus comes equipped with Wi-Fi. However, the signal is very low and most of the time there is no service.
Price for bus from San Jose to Santa Teresa
The cost? A budget-friendly 8,500 colones ($17 USD), making it the cheapest way to go to Santa Teresa from San José. Tickets are available online at La Terminal Costa Rica, where you can also check for any schedule changes, especially during the rainy season.
Where Can I take the bus from San Jose to Santa Teresa?
1. Terminal 7-10
Your journey starts at Terminal 7-10, also known locally as Terminal Coca-Cola.
Terminal 7-10 is located in downtown San José, in Barrio México.
For your convenience, it’s best to take an Uber to the terminal, avoiding the hassle of walking around the area. Check out the Google Maps location for easy navigation.
2. Puente Villa Bonita -Bus stop closer to the airport
If you’re arriving at San José International Airport, you have another convenient option closer to the airport: Puente Villa Bonita.
This bus stop is just a short 10-minute taxi ride from the airport, costing around 7,000 colones ($14 USD). Here’s the Google Maps location for Puente Villa Bonita. Keep in mind that this stop is not a terminal, but a regular bus stop on the street, and the bus will arrive about 30 minutes after its departure from Terminal 7-10.
- Uber can be use from airport to Puente Villa Bonita. Another option is to take a cab at the airport, official taxis are Orange. Or you can ask to our driver to pick you up through this form.
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By bus to Santa Teresa > Affordable way to get to Santa Teresa
Once in the bus, you will travel 105 km eastward to the ferry terminal in Puntarenas, a journey that takes approximately 2 hours.
You will need to get off the bus and board the ferry. One of the benefits of traveling by public bus is that the bus itself goes onto the ferry. This means that if you have large luggage, you can leave it on the bus and do not need to unload it. In contrast, with private shuttles, you do need to unload and carry your luggage to the ferry, as the vehicle itself does not board the boat. This can be a bit inconvenient, especially on hot days or during heavy rain when moving luggage around..
the journey continues with a 90-minute ferry ride across the strait to the port of Paquera. The ferry ride offers stunning views and amenities such as toilets and a small cafeteria. It’s a great opportunity to change into more comfortable clothing if you’re still dressed in long pants and a shirt!
Once off the ferry, we board the bus again for the final stretch towards Cobano, which takes approximately another hour and a half. The most challenging part of the journey is from Cobano to Santa Teresa, where you’ll need to switch buses. Please note that this bus does not have air conditioning, and there’s an additional cost of over 1000 colones ($3 USD). At this point, you’ll need to retrieve your luggage from the bus. From Cobano to Santa Teresa will take another 40 minutes.
The bus enters Santa Teresa through its main street and continues straight until Playa Hermosa. To ensure you get off at the right spot, mark your accommodation on your Google Map so you know when to request the bus to stop. Simply ring the bell, and the driver will open the door.”
Taking the bus from San José to Santa Teresa is the best way to get to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, if you’re seeking an affordable and hassle-free option. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, and get ready to embrace the tranquility and surf vibes of Santa Teresa Beach.
Santa Teresa Beach is waiting for you with its perfect waves, yoga sessions, serene atmosphere and conection with nature. Safe travels and pura vida.
