Stay Connected
We're a small team of passionate travellers sharing what we've learned on the road. Get our best tips, route updates, and travel stories delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 160 kilometre distance from Monteverde to Tamarindo. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 4 ways to get from Monteverde to Tamarindo. You can choose between the shared minivan, bus, car rental, private transport. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $10. The fastest route is by shared minivan (2h 40m).
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
2h 40m
$55
--
4h
$40
--
4h
$198
--
5h 15m
$10
--
We recommend taking the minivan from Monteverde to Tamarindo if you’re travelling alone or with just one or two people. The minivan is a direct option with fares starting from , including free hotel pickup and drop-off. Travel time is about .
The minivan may seem too expensive compared to the low-cost bus ride, but it comes with the advantage that you can travel door-to-door from Monteverde to Tamarindo. If you travel by bus, you’ll have to take 4 buses to complete this supposedly short journey.
You can choose from companies operating minivans for this route: .
On a tight budget? You can consider taking an indirect bus from Monteverde to Tamarindo, but we don't recommend it. You will need to take 4 buses and travel for around 8 hours (when you include the waiting time for your connecting transfers).
But with combined fares from $10, the bus is definitely a more budget-friendly option compared to the minivan or taxi.
Still want to take an indirect bus to Tamarindo from Monteverde? Read on for a step-by-step guide.
PRO TIP: Be mindful of your luggage when taking a bus in Costa Rica. Don’t leave your bigger bags until they’re safely inside the compartment below the bus, and make sure to get your luggage ticket! Keep all your valuables in a smaller bag that you can put on your lap. Your bag’s safer where you can see it than on the overhead bin.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Tamarindo is a popular surf town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. What we love about this town are the amazing water activities both on the surface and underwater. It has a diverse marine life, making it perfect not just for surfing but for diving and snorkelling as well.
This once-quiet fishing village is also a common gateway to Las Baulas National Marine Park, which is a nesting territory of the leatherback sea turtles. Offering beaches, adventure, restaurants, bars and shops — there is a long list of things to do in Tamarindo.
Every route on GeckoRoutes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Driving on your own is a popular option when travelling to Tamarindo from Monteverde. You can expect picturesque landscapes throughout the ride.
It’s not exactly the fastest or most convenient, though. You’ll be passing through mostly paved roads, but also some winding hills on the first part of the journey.
IMPORTANT: If you're thinking of driving from Monteverde to Tamarindo, you'll have to rent your car elsewhere. There are no car rental shops in Monteverde.
From Monteverde, head out northwest to Santa Elena and follow the winding roads of Route 620 towards Candelaria. Then head southwest to Route 145 until you reach La Irma. Turn left on the Panamerican Highway and then left again to Route 18 across Puente La Amistad.
Transfer to Route 21 once you reach Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya and then Route 160 on Santa Cruz. Finally, turn right on Route 152 and follow the road until you reach Tamarindo.
Instead, we recommend renting a car in San Jose, that’s if you’re starting your Costa Rican journey in the capital city and ending it there as well. Prices are cheaper when you have the same pickup and drop-off point, starting at per day.
But if you’re dropping off the car elsewhere in Costa Rica, rental prices are significantly more expensive, starting at 120 USD on the first day.
You can ask your hotel for car rental recommendations, or simply book one online. We suggest checking Skyscanner for the best car rental deals (and flights), but occasionally you might find even better prices on Kayak.
When travelling in a group, a private ride can be more cost-efficient than a shared minivan.
A -seater taxi costs $198 from Monteverde to Tamarindo. Split the cost and that's about per person if you are in a group of people.
We recommend booking a ride with BookAway because they offer more spacious cars that come with professional drivers. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to arrange a taxi or book a private transfer online.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travelers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep GeckoRoutes free and up to date.
Carbon Footprint
This 160 km journey produces approximately 14 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
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.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Treat YourselfTamarindo is full of luxury resorts, and Les Voiles Blanches is one of the top. Hence the hefty price tag. Throughout the paradise hotel, there are a number of beautiful pools, so you’ll be able to find your own private oasis away from the high energy of Tamarindo.
The hotel offers both normal hotel rooms and tent-style rooms. Don’t worry, there’s no slumming it, the rooms are more like luxurious wooden cabins. Every room has its own terrace, but there’s also stunning communal areas to relax in.
Treat YourselfIf Les Voiles Blanches is too far out of your price range, Ten North is another great option. It has a huge array of room options, ranging from double rooms to two bedroom apartments. The pool is a spectacular highlight of the hotel, but it’s the staff that steal the show. They are incredibly friendly. and just love to help you with anything that they can.
The rooms boast a rustic and bright vibe that feels very homely. You won’t want to spend too much time in your room as there’s so many places around the hotel to chill and relax. All whilst being surrounded by nature.
Mid-RangeIf you want to be close to the action of Tamarindo, but not too close, then Tee-K Lodge is a great solution. There’s so much nature and tropical gardens surrounding the hotel that you forget about the outside world. Especially when chilling in their lovely swimming pool!
The owners of the lodge will make your stay unforgettable. Going above and beyond to make sure that you’re happy and have the best time in Tamarindo. It’s so good that it’s not uncommon for guests to keep on extending their stay here.
Mid-RangeOffering both dorms and private rooms, you can pick the type of accommodation that suits your needs. As it’s classed as a hostel, you’ll find a fully-equipped shared kitchen, plus lots of places to hang out and meet people.
Hostel La Botella de Leche has its own swimming pool, outdoor lounge area, shared living room, library and plenty of hammocks. It’s also in a great location, only minutes from the beach.
Leave a Comment