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Corcovado National Park lies on the remote Osa Peninsula, 170 kilometres (106 miles) southwest of San Jose. It's one of the wildest corners of Costa Rica. Flying is the quickest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado, taking 2h. By road, the bus is the cheapest option at $17 (7,700 CRC), though it is a full-day journey.
Distance from San Jose to Corcovado
San Jose and Corcovado are about 170 km (106 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 351 km by road. The quickest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado is by taking the flight via puerto jimenez, which takes around 2h.
4 ways to travel from San Jose to Corcovado
There are four ways to travel from San Jose to Corcovado. You can choose between the bus, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 2h–8h 40m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $17 (7,700 CRC).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- San Jose City Centre→San Jose Airport1h
- San Jose→Puerto Jimenez50m
- Puerto Jimenez Airport→Town Centre10m
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San Jose to Corcovado by Bus via Puerto Jimenez
The cheapest option from San Jose to Corcovado is the bus with fares starting from $17 (7,700 CRC). Note that this bus only leaves once a day.
Operated by Grupo Blanco, the lone bus from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez departs at 12:00 noon daily. The scheduled travel time is 8h 40m, but with the usual traffic, the journey might take up to 10 hours.
You can buy your tickets from the bus station in San Jose.
Bus schedule from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
Bus Via Puerto Jimenez tickets are available on Grupoblanco.
Booking Tip
PRO TIP: Local travel links, including the bus station in San Jose, can attract thieves, so keep your belongings in sight. Don’t board the bus until your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment, and be sure to get your luggage ticket. It’s best to keep smaller bags, containing your valuables, in front of you or between your feet, instead of in overhead storage.
San Jose to Corcovado by Minivan via Puerto Jimenez
More comfortable than the bus is a minivan shuttle from San Jose to Corcovado via Puerto Jimenez. Travel time is faster at 7h 25m - 8h 30m, but it comes with a higher price, starting from $91 (41,000 CRC).
Although more expensive, minivans offer a few advantages. It’s up to you whether they’re worth the extra cost.
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- Travel time is faster because minivans don’t make as many stops as the bus. You can complete the journey in around 8 hours, compared to a bus which can take up to 10 hours.
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- Minivans include free hotel pickup and drop-off, so you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus stations.
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- Taking a minivan is generally safer — you can be more at ease with your belongings throughout the journey.
Easy Ride and Super Shuttle Costa Rica are two of the more trusted minivan operators for this route.
When travelling by minivan from San Jose to Corcovado, there is also a way to go via Drake Bay. But this is not direct and can only take you up to Sierpe, from where you’ll have to transfer to a boat bound for Drake Bay.
Minivan schedule from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
Minivan Via Puerto Jimenez tickets are available on Bookaway, Easyridecostarica and Supershuttlecr.
Booking Tip
San Jose to Corcovado by Flight via Puerto Jimenez
The flight is definitely the fastest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado. Even including transfers, travel time takes only 2h. Combined fares start from $155 (71,000 CRC).
We are not big fans of taking short-haul flights like this, but we have to admit that for this route, it does save you a lot of time.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: How to get to San Jose Airport
San Jose Airport is located some 15 km northwest of San Jose city centre. To get there, you can take either a 1-hour bus or a 30-minute taxi.
The bus offers good value for money because it costs only $2.00 (910 CRC) per ticket. Buses are available all day from 04:00 to 23:00, with a 10-minute interval. They depart from TUASA Terminal in the city centre.
You won’t have a hard time finding the 2 bus companies operating on this route: TUASA (coloured red and white) and Station Wagon (coloured orange and yellow).
If your hotel is a bit far from the bus station, you can also go directly to the airport by taxi. You can hail a taxi from the street or through the ride-hailing app Uber. Rates start from $31 (14,000 CRC).
PRO TIP: Uber is still not entirely legal in Costa Rica. Many tourists have had great experience using it, but there have also been rare cases of Uber rides being stopped in the middle of the journey. It’s best to confirm with your hotel whether it’s safe to use it before booking a ride.
Step 2: Flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
Sansa Airlines, Green Airways, World Ticket, and Hahn Air operate a number of flights from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. Flights are available throughout the day during the high season (December to April), but expect fewer choices if you travel in the off-peak season.
Rates start from $150 (68,000 CRC) for the flight that takes around 50 minutes.
We highly recommend booking your tickets early because airfares can go well beyond $200 (91,000 CRC) during the tourist season.
Step 3: Puerto Jimenez Airport to Town Centre
Flights arrive at Puerto Jimenez Airport, which is just on the eastern edge of the city centre. If you’re staying at a nearby resort, you can simply walk to your accommodation.
If your hotel is in the heart of the city, you can take a 5 to 10-minute taxi for around $5.00 (2,280 CRC).
Flight Via Puerto Jimenez tickets are available on Skyscanner.
San Jose to Corcovado by Private Transport via Puerto Jimenez
If you’re travelling in a group, taking a private transfer to Corcovado from San Jose might cost about the same as a shared minivan ride — but with the added bonus of more comfort and flexibility.
Rates start from $500 (228,000 CRC) for a 4-seater car. When you split the cost, that’s about $125 (57,000 CRC) per person.
We’ve found three reliable companies offering private transfers for this route: Central Taxi Airport, Coach Costa Rica and Costa 24/7.
Book your private transport online through BookAway, which offers spacious cars that come with trusted drivers.
Private Transport Via Puerto Jimenez tickets are available on Bookaway.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from San Jose to Corcovado, roughly 170 kilometres (106 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $17 (7,700 CRC). The quickest trip takes 2h.
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 San Jose to Corcovado?
The distance from San Jose to Corcovado is 170 kilometres (106 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado?
The fastest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado is by flight and takes 2h.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado?
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Corcovado is by bus with ticket costs starting from 7,700 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.
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