%2Cpin-s-a%252B356151(-84.8494059%2C9.635385)%2Cpin-s-b%252B8B4513(-84.6287%2C9.6151)%2F-84.73905295%2C9.625242499999999%2C9%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
Montezuma is a bohemian beach town at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It's separated from the surf town of Jaco by the Gulf of Nicoya. The taxi boat and shuttle is both the quickest and cheapest way to get from Montezuma to Jaco, taking 1h 30m at $55 (25,000 CRC). The minivan drives the long way around the gulf, at $60 (27,000 CRC), and takes far longer.
Distance from Montezuma to Jaco
Montezuma and Jaco are about 48 km (30 miles) apart, and the overland-and-sea journey covers around 142 km. The quickest way to get from Montezuma to Jaco is by taking the taxi boat + shuttle, which takes around 1h 30m.
2 ways to travel from Montezuma to Jaco
There are two ways to travel from Montezuma to Jaco. You can choose between the ferry and minivan. The journey takes 1h 30m–6h and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry with tickets starting at $55 (25,000 CRC).
Reach out to our Community
No questions yet — be the first to ask about Montezuma to Jaco.
Montezuma to Jaco by Taxi Boat + Shuttle
The best way to travel the 50 km distance from Montezuma to Jaco is via a combined taxi boat and shuttle. This takes 1h 30m and rates start from $55 (25,000 CRC).
Years ago, the only way to travel the winding road up north to Paquera was to board a slow car ferry, and then travel by land again to Jaco. This would have taken 3 to 4 hours! The opening of this more direct route made it easier and faster for tourists to travel between these two popular destinations.
There are two companies offering combined taxi boat and shuttle rides to Jaco from Montezuma. These are Zuma Tours and Tropical Tours Shuttle. Both are trusted operators so you can choose which suits you best.
What to expect in the taxi boat + shuttle journey
A shuttle van will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the main beach in Montezuma. From here, you will take a 1-hour taxi boat to Playa Herradura.
Back on land, you will then transfer to another shuttle van that will take you to the town of Jaco in around 30 minutes. You will be dropped off at your hotel.
Taxi Boat + Shuttle Schedule
Taxi Boat + Shuttle tickets are available on Bookaway, Zumatours and Tropicaltourshuttles.
Book your tickets in advance
Due to the limited number of trips, we highly recommend booking your ticket days ahead. You can do that directly via the minivan company's website.
Zuma Tours is usually cheaper through BookAway, where it’s easy to find availability for travel on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. If you're travelling on other days, we recommend visiting the official Zuma Tours website instead.
Are you going back to Montezuma after visiting Jaco? If yes, then you might want to book a round-trip ticket to save a bit. BookAway offers a 20% discount for roundtrip tickets.
Montezuma to Jaco by Minivan
If you're not keen on travelling by sea to get from Montezuma to Jaco, you can also travel this route completely overland by minivan.
However, instead of completing the journey in just 1.5 hours, the minivan trip will take at least 6h.
If you don't mind sitting in a minivan that long, Santa Teresa Adventure offers minivan trips from Montezuma to Jaco. A seat costs $60 (27,000 CRC).
Minivan schedule from Montezuma to Jaco
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Montezuma to Jaco, roughly 48 kilometres (30 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $55 (25,000 CRC). The quickest trip takes 1h 30m.
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 Montezuma to Jaco?
The distance from Montezuma to Jaco is 48 kilometres (30 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Montezuma to Jaco?
The fastest way to get from Montezuma to Jaco is by ferry and takes 1h 30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Montezuma to Jaco?
The cheapest way to get from Montezuma to Jaco is by ferry with ticket costs starting from 25,000 CRC.
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.
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 Gecko Routes free and up to date.
Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.
