How to Get from San Jose to Jaco: Best Ways

Are you looking for the best ways to get from San Jose to Jaco, Costa Rica? Jaco is one of the best and most popular beach destinations in Costa Rica. It is a perfect base for exploring white sand beaches, surfing, ATV tours, and visiting the famous Manuel Antonio National Park or Carara National Park.

Getting to Jaco may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Jaco by shared and private transfer, taxi, bus, or rental car.

In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from San Jose to Jaco, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.

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How far is Jaco from San Jose?

The distance between San Jose and Jaco is about 100 km, which is 1.5-3 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

Getting from San Jose to Jaco, Costa Rica

There are several ways to get to Jaco from San Jose: by car (1.5-2 hours), by bus (2.5-3 hours), and by minivan (2 hours).

Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.

Here are all your hotel options in Jaco.

San Jose Airport to Jaco by Taxi, Private Transfer

One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to get to Jaco is by taxi. The journey time is 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic.

A taxi from San Jose Airport to Jaco costs between 110 USD and 180 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable.

TIP
The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!

Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from the airport to Jaco starting from 175 USD, and 6 pax are allowed.

San Jose to Jaco Beach by Shuttle Minivan

One of the best and most popular ways to get to Jaco is by air-conditioned minivan. The journey time is 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

A shuttle minivan from San Jose Airport/City to Jaco (any hotel) starts from 40 USD. There is an extra charge of 20 USD for surfboards (max. 6 feet).

Get Minivan tickets through Bookaway or 12Go.

San Jose to Jaco by Bus

The cheapest way to get to Jaco is by bus. A bus ticket from San Jose to Jaco costs around 6-7 USD. The journey time is 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic. Buses depart from Terminal 7-10 in San Jose city center and are usually air-conditioned.

Terminal 7-10 is about 30-45 minutes from San Jose Airport, and you can get there by taxi, bus, or Uber. The local bus will take you to the main city bus terminal for about 1.50 USD, or you can take a taxi for 15-25 USD.

You can buy your bus ticket online or at the terminal, but we recommend you arrive at least 1 hour before departure.

Get your bus tickets via Bookaway or Transportes Jaco.

San Jose to Jaco Bus Schedule

Buses run every 2 hours every day, from 7 AM to 7 PM.

06:00 (Only Saturday, Sunday)
07:00
09:00
11:00
13:00
15:00
17:00
19:00

Bus timetables are subject to change, so we recommend booking online or asking locals for the current schedule.

San Jose to Jaco by Car

One of the best ways to get to Jaco is by car. You can easily rent a car at San Jose International Airport or pick up your pre-booked car.

We did our 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

The best way to explore Costa Rica is by renting a car. Although public transport is cheap, travel time is long, and some places are not accessible by bus. Renting a car in Costa Rica provides the freedom to explore at your own pace and visit hidden gems or get off the beaten path.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

San Jose to Jaco Driving

You can reach Jaco in about 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic (which can be chaotic). The roads are in good condition and easy to drive. There is a toll on this route. As these are small tolls (ranging from 200-1100 colones), we recommend you bring local money.

From the airport, take Highway 27 and then turn onto Route 34, which will take you to Jaco. If you are traveling by car, don’t forget to stop at the famous Crocodile Bridge just before the town of Camaronal.

You don’t need a 4×4, but it’s worth booking a car with a higher ground clearance for your Costa Rica road trip. Book your car in advance to get the best price. Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

Good to know
It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). So we don’t recommend driving at night!

Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Costa Rica and driving tips.

Where to Stay in Jaco

Although Jaco is a small, bustling beach town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. You can choose from cheap hostels to mid-range hotels and beach resorts. These are our accommodation recommendations.

Best hotels in Jaco, Costa Rica

Luxury: Crocs Resort & Casino
Mid-Range: Jaco Beach All-Inclusive Resort or Apartotel Flamboyant
Budget: Socialtel Jaco

more hotels in Jaco

More Travel Guides about Costa Rica

We hope our post on how to get from San Jose to Jaco will help you plan your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

How to Get from San Jose to Jaco: Best Ways