What is the best way to get from San Jose out to the Caribbean coast?

Question

Specifically, to the Puerto Viejo area. Bus, rental car, fly, another way?

Any suggestions or reasons why not to choose one way would be great!

Answer 1

It depends on your budget and how fast/convenient you want the transportation to go.

In Costa Rica, all those options are available - bus, rental cars, domestic flights, but you can also rent a private transport and they will work on your schedule and arrive where and when you request. Another option is to take a scheduled shuttle, which is fairly cheap and a step up from a public bus.

I will post a link below to the bus schedules in costa rica as well as a database of all the routes for private, shuttle, and air travel.

Answer 2

Bus is the easiest way.  Take a bus to Limon.  From there a bus to Puerto Viejo.  You can rent a car but the roads are terrible.  I'm pretty sure there are no flight to Limon.  Check Sansa Airlines.  Other option os a taxi >>> but make sure of the fare before you start your trip.

Good Luck & have fun

Answer 3

A bus ride is easy and inexpensive, jus go to the Caribenos Bus Station in San Jose, buy the ticket to Puerto Viejo. The bus makes a short stop near the entrance to Limon and then goes along the coast to Puerto Viejo, no need to transfer bus in Limon.

You can also fly to Limon with Nature Air and then take a cab to Puerto Viejo. This option will cost you more, around $95 roundtrip and lets say $25 more for the cab each way.

Getting to Limon by car is simple, route 32 will take you there and passing through Braulio Carrillo National Park, worth the trip. Be careful of landslides, specially during the rainy season. Getting to Puerto Viejo by car will take you approximately 3.5 hours.

To me renting a car is the best option, you will appreciate more the Costa Rican landscape, specially when driving through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Also a car will allow you to visit other places near Puerto Viejo, such as Cahuita National Park, Manzanillo, etc.

Feel free to contact me for furher inquires

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Answer 4

The public bus is the most economical option and is very inexpensive (about $8).

Interbus is a private tourist shuttle and will pick you up at your San Jose hotel and take you to Puerto Viejo for $30

Driving from San José takes about 4 hours if you rent a car. The road is well paved all the way to Hone Creek and then the last few kilometers is on gravel. You could do it in a regular car but a 4x4 is recomended for the additional clearance

You can fly from San José to Limon and then take a bus or taxi to Puerto Viejo.  

Here is a great website that describes all options for getting from San Jose to Puerto Viejo

http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com/tran...

Answer 5

First of all if you choose to take the bus, you have to take a cab from the airport to the caribean bus station. the 4 hours bus ride costs 6 bucks.. The buses are not bad at all.. They are mercedes benz buses.. The roads are ok, up until you hit limon. From there, the last hour and a half is a bumpy ride because the roads are not paved. Beleive me we know first hand they are terrible, since we had a scooter accident and saw someone else get into one as well.

When I go back, I would take the bus again. It was inexpensive and comfortable, plus once you are there you walk everywhere anyways, unless you are staying in the outskirts of puerto viejo... P.S. Please go to Punta Uva, its beautiful! And invest in some water shoes, youll thank me for it!

Answer 6

It depends on many factors, such as how much you want to spend and how fast you want to get there. Flying would be inconvenient and pointlessly expensive. The best way is to go by bus or rental car. You can also hire a driver. A taxi is a viable option if its a round trip.