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Santa Teresa is a low-key surf town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It's reached from Monteverde by winding roads and a ferry across the gulf. The shared minivan gets you from Monteverde to Santa Teresa in 3-7h. The bus is the cheapest at $13 (5,900 CRC), though it strings together several legs and a ferry crossing.
Distance from Monteverde to Santa Teresa
Monteverde and Santa Teresa are about 83 km (52 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 172 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h and 7h.
3 ways to travel from Monteverde to Santa Teresa
There are three ways to travel from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. You can choose between the minivan, bus, and private transport. The journey takes 3h–5h 50m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $13 (5,900 CRC).
4 legs — see itinerary
- Bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas2h
- Puntarenas→Paquera1h 30m
- Puntarenas→Paquera1h 30m
- Puntarenas→Paquera50m
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Monteverde to Santa Teresa by Shared Minivan
For a hassle-free journey, taking a minivan from Monteverde to Santa Teresa is a great choice. Tickets start at $51 (23,000 CRC) — more expensive than the bus, but includes free hotel pickup and drop-off.
You won't need to worry about all the transfers or whether you will make it to your connecting bus. Your minivan operator will take care of everything for you.
Travel time by minivan is around 3-7h.
What to expect with the minivan transfer from Monteverde to Santa Teresa
Minivan companies take two different routes from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. Some offer a direct land transfer, while others offer a combined minivan and ferry.
With a direct land transfer, you will either take the same minivan the whole way through or take two minivans with a transfer halfway through the trip. Either way, this journey will be completely overland.
The other option is to take a combined minivan and ferry. For this route, the first part of the journey is a minivan from your hotel in Monteverde to Puntarenas Port. And then, you will take a ferry to Paquera Harbour. Here, you will go back to your minivan for the rest of the journey to Santa Teresa.
Double check your chosen company's route before booking to avoid any surprises on the day of your trip.
Shared Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Santa Teresa
Shared Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway and Tropicaltourshuttles.
Booking Tip
Monteverde to Santa Teresa by Bus
Are you on a budget? The bus is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. It’s also the least convenient, though, because there are no direct buses for this route. You’ll have to take 3 buses plus a ferry.
With combined rates from $13 (5,900 CRC) and a travel time of at least 5h 50m, it's up to you to decide whether the savings are worth the effort for this route. Also, expect to spend extra time waiting for your connecting buses and ferry.
PRO TIP: Do not ever lose sight of your belongings. Luggage thieves are notorious in bus stations and buses in Costa Rica. Make sure your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment before Boarding the bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket. As for your smaller bags with valuable belongings, it’s better to put them in front of you or between your feet instead of the overhead bin.
Step 1: Bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas
First, you’ll travel by bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas, a coastal town that you can find 65 km south.
Transmonteverde operates 4 daily bus trips for this route. A bus ticket costs around $6.70 (3,060 CRC).
Buses depart from Santa Elena, at the Transmonteverde Bus Stop beside Centro Commercial Monteverde. Travel time to Puntarenas takes around 2h.
Bus tickets are available on Transmonteverde.
Booking Tip
We recommend booking your tickets online at least a day in advance to secure a seat at your preferred time.
You can pre-book your tickets on the Transmonteverde website for $6.70 (3,060 CRC). Buying tickets at the bus station can save you about a dollar, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out — especially in peak season.
Step 2: Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera
Buses from Monteverde park at Puntarenas Bus Terminal, 2.5 km away from Paquera Tambor Ferry Boarding Station. You can get to the pier via a short taxi ride or a 30-minute walk.
From Puntarenas Port, Naviera Tambor operates at least 10 ferries departing daily for Paquera. Tickets for foot passengers cost $2.00 (890 CRC) per person when you buy online at Quickpay.cr. You can also buy your tickets at the port.
The ferry ride takes around 1h 30m. Ferries dock at Paquera Port.
Ferry tickets are available on Quickpaycr.
Step 3: Bus from Paquera to Cobano
Upon arrival at Paquera Port, look around for buses bound for Cobano. They’re usually available and waiting for passengers every time a ferry arrives.
You can buy your ticket on the bus for around $3.00 (1,370 CRC). Travel time to Cobano Bus Stop is 1.5 hours.
Step 4: Bus from Cobano to Santa Teresa
In Cobano, you’ll have to transfer to another bus going 15 km southwest to Santa Teresa. Don't expect much of the terminal here — it's literally a stop along the road. You can ask the locals around the area for the latest bus schedule.
This bus journey takes around 50 minutes and you can get a ticket for $2.00 (910 CRC).
Monteverde to Santa Teresa by Private Transport
When travelling in a group, you can save a few dollars if you split the cost of a private transfer — instead of taking a shared minivan.
Rates start from $275 (126,000 CRC) for a 5-seater car from Monteverde to Santa Teresa. Divide the cost and that’s about $55 (25,000 CRC) per person.
Our favourite places to stay in Santa Teresa
Here are our favourite places to stay in Santa Teresa for every budget.
Treat YourselfLua Villas
It’s impossible not to feel relax as soon as you step into this tropical oasis. Everywhere you look in Lua Villas, there’s a piece of nature. There’s also a swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, open-air yoga space and even private yoga lessons on offer.
Instead of just a room, here you’ll get villa style accommodation with private kitchens, patios with garden or pool views and plenty of space to make yourself feel at home. The interior is spectacular.
- Swimming pool and jacuzzi
- Yoga deck
- Stunning gardens
- Spacious and beautiful villas
Studio rooms start from $80 per night
Mid-RangeCuatro Vientos Lodge & Apartments
After a day of cycling, snorkelling or surfing in Santa Teresa, you want to return home to a place that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. That’s exactly how Cuatro Vientos Lodge & Apartments makes you feel.
The interior of this place oozes tranquility with it’s use of rustic wood, nuetral colours and open-air design. The hosts are incredibly friendly, and welcome you to make use of the communal cooking facilities and terrace areas.
- Beautiful design
- Great location
- Wonderful hosts
- Barbeque facilities
Double rooms start from $50-$80 per night
Salty Enthusiasts Share House & Villas
It’s not easy to find budget-friendly accommodation in Santa Teresa, especially somewhere that’s actually nice to stay in. Salty Enthusiasts sits more in the mid-range catergory, but it’s one of the best affordable places to stay in Santa Teresa, and it’s beautiful.
The hotel feels like a massive treehouse, meant for relaxing and providing comfort. You can opt for either a dorm bed or a private room. Both are super clean, comfortable and thoughtfully designed. It’s a great place to meet other people too. They have lots of communal areas to chill out, and a shared kitchen.
- Close to the beach
- Sociable atmosphere
- Choice of dorm or private room
- Shared kitchen
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Santa Teresa?
Lying on the northwest coast, Santa Teresa is Costa Rica’s surfer paradise. This once-quiet fishing village is now a popular tourist destination — thanks to its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, variety of wildlife, and world-class waves.
We love that it is still quite detached from the rest of Costa Rica. The roads leading to it are mostly unpaved, giving Santa Teresa a more natural feel. And despite the unpaved routes, the town offers enough comforts and natural luxury that can keep you happy and entertained for weeks on end. Santa Teresa is a world of its own.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Monteverde to Santa Teresa, roughly 83 kilometres (52 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $13 (5,900 CRC). The quickest trip takes 3h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?
The distance from Monteverde to Santa Teresa is 83 kilometres (52 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?
Journey times from Monteverde to Santa Teresa overlap: shared minivan 3-7h, bus 5h 50m, private transport 4-5h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get to Santa Teresa from Monteverde?
Can I take a ferry from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?
What are other attractions near Monteverde?
Another nearby attraction to Monteverde is La Fortuna, the base camp for visiting Costa Rica's famous Arenal Volcano.
If you're coming from the capital San Jose, we recommend first travelling to La Fortuna before continuing on from La Fortuna to Monteverde. And if you have extra time, you can also consider travelling from Monteverde to Tamarindo before going further south to Santa Teresa.
Is it possible to drive from Monteverde to Santa Teresa?
Yes. The Monteverde Santa Teresa drive takes around 4.5 hours when you travel completely overland. From Monteverde, find Route 1 going to Limonal. Then take Route 18 to Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya. Follow Route 21 to Playa Naranjo, and continue on along the coast to Santa Teresa.
There is also an option to take a car ferry, like you would when travelling from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa. That means driving from Monteverde to Puntarenas, taking a car ferry from here to Paquera, and then driving again to Santa Teresa. But we don't recommend this option because it's slower (over 5 hours) and you'll need to pay at least $24 for the car ferry.
How to get from Santa Teresa to San Jose?
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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Luggage Safety
Some stops on this route involve luggage storage or transfers. Keep valuables in your carry-on and use a lock on checked bags.
