Best Ways: How to Get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
Are you looking for the best ways to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica? Puerto Viejo is one of the best beach destinations in Costa Rica, so don’t miss it on your Costa Rica Itinerary.
The Caribbean Coast is home to some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful tropical beaches, and the coastal town of Puerto Viejo and its surroundings are the best places to see sloths.
Getting to Puerto Viejo may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.
Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through our link. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring travel guides.
NO TIME TO READ NOW? PIN IT
How far is Puerto Viejo from San Jose?
The distance between San Jose and Puerto Viejo is about 220 km, which is 4.5-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Getting from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
There are several ways to get to Puerto Viejo from San Jose: by car (4.5-5 hours), by bus (4.5-6 hours), and by minivan (5 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.
Important note
There are two places called Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Make sure you are traveling to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca!
Read our → Puerto Viejo Guide
How to Get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo by Flight
Unfortunately, there is no airport in Puerto Viejo. The nearest airport to Puerto Viejo is in Limon. The Limon International Airport (airport code LIO) is about a 1-hour drive away.
Sansa Airlines operates three daily flights from San Jose to Limon. The flight takes just 40 minutes, and plane tickets start from 116 USD (without luggage) per person for one way. Book a minivan from Limon Airport to Puerto Viejo.
However, most travelers to Costa Rica arrive in San Jose at Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code SJO).
From Juan Santamaria Airport, you can reach Puerto Viejo by car, bus, taxi, private or shared shuttle. We flew from Mexico to Costa Rica, picked up our car at the airport, and drove to Puerto Viejo.
TIP
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to San Jose, Costa Rica.
San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo by Taxi, Private Transfer
One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to reach Puerto Viejo is by taxi. The journey time is 4.5-5 hours, depending on traffic.
A taxi from San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo costs between 240 USD and 350 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 Puerto Viejo (any hotel) starting from 247 USD, and 6 pax allowed.
San Jose to Puerto Viejo by Shuttle Minivan/Bus
One of the best and most popular ways to get to Puerto Viejo is by air-conditioned minivan, which allows 25 kg of bag and backpack per passenger.
A shuttle minivan from San Jose Airport/City to Puerto Viejo starts from 52 USD. The journey time is 5-5.5 hours, depending on traffic.
San Jose to Puerto Viejo by Car
The easiest way to get to Puerto Viejo 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.
San Jose to Puerto Viejo Driving
From San Jose, depending on traffic (which can be chaotic), you can reach Puerto Viejo in 4.5-5 hours. The roads are in good condition and easy to drive. There is a toll on this route. As these are small tolls, we recommend you bring local money.
You don’t need a 4×4, but a car with higher ground clearance from the ground is worth booking 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!
Recommended post → How to Renting a Car in Costa Rica
San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca by Bus
The cheapest way to reach Puerto Viejo is by bus. If you don’t want to rent a car or cannot drive, you can take a MEPE bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo. The bus journey takes about 4.5-6 hours.
MEPE buses depart from Terminal Atlantico Norte to Puerto Viejo, and the bus ticket costs around 14-17 USD.
Good to know
You cannot buy tickets online or reserve a seat on public buses, so you may have to travel standing or not be able to board the bus.
Tickets can be purchased in San Jose at the Terminal MEPE ticket office daily from 5:30 AM to 6 PM. But we recommend buying your bus ticket at least one day in advance.
Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur on public transport!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Once you arrive at the bus station in Puerto Viejo, you can easily catch a tuk tuk to your accommodation.
See also → Best Beaches in Costa Rica
MEPE Bus Schedule from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
The Autotransportes MEPE public buses run frequently to Puerto Viejo:
- 06:00
- 08:00
- 10:00
- 12:00 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday only)
- 14:00
- 16:00
But bus timetables are subject to change, and we have not found a reliable bus timetable! So we recommend booking online or asking locals for the current schedule!
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
For those looking for a quiet and calm atmosphere or traveling on a budget, we recommend staying in nearby Cahuita. We stayed at Cabinas Cahuita, just a few minutes from Cahuita National Park. The hotel has a shared kitchen, private pool, parking lot, and friendly staff.
But for those who prefer nightlife and are exploring Puerto Viejo without a car, the ideal place to stay is in the center of Puerto Viejo.
Although Puerto Viejo is a coastal town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. You can choose from cheap hostels to mid-range hotels and boutique hotels.
Best hotels in Puerto Viejo
- Luxury: Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel
- Mid-Range: Hotel Banana Azul
- Budget: Kalunai Hostel
Recommended post → Best Hotels in Puerto Viejo for All Budgets
More Travel Guides about Costa Rica
- The Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary
- 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo
- Best Beaches in Costa Rica
- 9 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna
- Best La Fortuna Hot Springs Resorts
- 10 Best Eco Lodges in Costa Rica
We hope our post on how to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 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
RECOMMENDED POSTS
The Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary for 14 Days (2025)
How to Get from San Jose to Monteverde by Bus, Shuttle, Car
