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Montezuma is a small bohemian beach town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. You reach it by crossing the gulf on a ferry. Flying is the quickest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma, taking 1h 55m. Overland, the cheapest option is the bus and ferry at $20 (9,100 CRC).
Distance from San Jose to Montezuma
San Jose and Montezuma are about 113 km (70 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 278 km by road. The quickest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 55m.
4 ways to travel from San Jose to Montezuma
There are four ways to travel from San Jose to Montezuma. You can choose between the bus, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 55m–4h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $20 (9,100 CRC).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- San Jose City Centre→San Jose Airport1h
- San Jose→Tambor40m
- Tambor→Montezuma15m
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San Jose to Montezuma by Bus + Ferry
The bus is a nice way to travel like a local from San Jose to Montezuma. With fares from $20 (9,100 CRC), it’s the cheapest option and still comfortable enough for the journey that takes 4h 30m. The only tiny disadvantage of the bus is that it makes more stops compared to the other options.
Transportes Cobano offers only one daily bus trip from San Jose to Montezuma, so it's best to buy your ticket online beforehand. Tickets sell out fast, especially if you're travelling on a weekend or during peak season (December to April).
If you're okay with risking it, tickets cost about a dollar cheaper when you buy them at the bus terminal on the day of your trip.
Your bus ticket from San Jose to Montezuma also includes the ticket for the ferry crossing to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Departure and arrival station
The bus departs from TIG Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste in San Jose city centre. About 20 minutes into the journey, it makes a short stop at San Jose Airport to pick up passengers. And then, it travels some 100 km west (1.5 hours) to Puntarenas Ferry Port.
Here, you’ll board the ferry to Paquera. You’ll need to get off the bus for this part. Take your valuables with you, but you can leave your larger luggage on board. The ferry departs around 9:00 and reaches Paquera in about 1.5 hours.
Once back on land, re-board the bus for the final 1-hour journey to Montezuma Beach.
Attention: Terminal 7-10 closed in April 2025. Transportes Cobano used to depart from San José’s Terminal 7-10. This was the main hub for buses to Cóbano, Monteverde, San Carlos, Jacó, and even international routes to Nicaragua and El Salvador.
Bus + Ferry schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
Bus + Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway and LaterminalCostaRica.
Booking Tip
PRO TIP: Be mindful of your luggage! Bigger ones will be stored on the compartment below. Make sure they’re inside before boarding the bus and don’t forget to get your luggage ticket from the driver. As for smaller bags, put them where you can see them as much as possible.
San Jose to Montezuma by Minivan + Ferry
Minivans are not as spacious as buses, but they are also comfortable. One advantage is that they include free hotel pickup and drop-off, so you won’t have to worry about finding your way to and from bus terminals.
Minivan rates from San Jose to Montezuma start from $40 (18,000 CRC) — that's including the ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera.
You can choose from six minivan operators: Santa Teresa Adventure, Transporzuma, Tropical Tours Shuttle, Interbus, Zuma Tours and Costa 24/7.
Minivan + Ferry schedule from San Jose to Montezuma
Minivan + Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway, Tropicaltourshuttles and Zumatours.
Booking Tip
Travel time with the minivan and ferry from San Jose to Montezuma is roughly 3h 15m - 6h 45m. If you’re short on time and don’t mind spending a bit more, Zuma Tours offers a combined shuttle and taxi boat service that completes the journey in around 4 hours.
To secure a seat on your preferred date and time, book your minivan online a few days in advance through BookAway. You can also book Tropical Tours Shuttle directly on their website.
San Jose to Montezuma by Flight
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
First, you’ll have to get to San Jose Airport, which you can find 17 km northwest of the city centre. That’s a 1-hour ride by bus or a 30-minute journey by taxi.
There are 2 bus companies you can choose from: the red and white TUASA and the yellow and orange Station Wagon. They depart from TUASA Terminal every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00. A ticket costs around $1.50 (685 CRC).
Taxis, on the other hand, can be hailed on any main road. Or you can get one through Uber. Rates start from $31 (14,000 CRC) either way.
PRO TIP: Uber is still not 100% welcome in Costa Rica. If you’re planning to use it, we recommend asking advice from your hotel on whether it’s safe to do so. You don’t want to risk getting stopped in the middle of the journey when you’re in a hurry to get to the airport!
Step 2: Flight from San Jose to Cobano
A flight from San Jose to Cobano takes only 40 minutes. Airfares start from $125 (57,000 CRC).
You can choose from three carriers: Sansa Airlines, Green Airways and Hahn Air.
IMPORTANT: Previously, flights going to Montezuma arrived at Tambor Airport. But in 2023, Sansa Airlines (the only operator for this route at that time) moved its airport to Cobano.
Step 3: Taxi from Cobano to Montezuma
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
San Jose to Montezuma by Private Transport
When taking a private transfer to Montezuma from San Jose, you’ll still have to take the ferry. But you’ll enjoy the luxury and comfort of a private ride when travelling by land.
Rates start from $300 (138,000 CRC) for a 4-seater car. This combined private transfer and ferry journey takes around 4h 15m - 5h 20m.
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from San Jose to Montezuma, roughly 113 kilometres (70 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $20 (9,100 CRC). The quickest trip takes 1h 55m.
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 Montezuma?
The distance from San Jose to Montezuma is 113 kilometres (70 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma?
The fastest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by flight and takes 1h 55m.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma?
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Montezuma is by bus with ticket costs starting from 9,100 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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