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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 185 kilometre distance from Santa Teresa to San Jose. 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 Santa Teresa to San Jose. You can choose between the minivan, indirect bus + ferry, flight via cobano, private transport. The most affordable option is by indirect bus + ferry, starting from $10. The fastest route is by flight via cobano (2h 20m).
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2h 20m
$166
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4h 30m
$318
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5h
$48
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5h
$10
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Taking a combined minivan and ferry is a straightforward way to get from Santa Teresa to San Jose. The minivan company handles your ferry transfer, so you don’t have to worry about tickets or connections.
With this option, you'll take a shuttle from Santa Teresa to Paquera Port. From there, you'll transfer to a ferry to cross the strait to Puntarenas. After the crossing, you will return to your shuttle, which will take you to San Jose.
Minivan rates for the Santa Teresa to San Jose route start from $48 and the travel time is 5h - 7h 15m.
An affordable way to travel from Santa Teresa to San Jose is to take the indirect bus. Combined fares start from .
This option involves two separate buses and a ferry transfer. Travel time is around .
From ~$10 · 5h
Direct operator sites
Travelling from Santa Teresa to San Jose by flight will take just a little over 2h 20m. It’s definitely the fastest, but it’s also quite expensive with rates from $166.
Santa Teresa doesn’t have its own airport so you’ll first have to travel by land to Cobano Airport, and then take a flight from there to San Jose.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
San Jose is a bustling urban landscape in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Being the capital city, it may not be as pretty as the beach and jungle destinations that the country is known for. But if you are stopping by anyway, might as well explore for a few hours or a day before moving on to your next stop.
You will find plenty of things to do in San Jose. Within the city, you can check out the colonial buildings turned museums at Barrio Amon, try out the famed restaurants at Barrio Escalante, or party the night away in El Pueblo. If you want to venture outside the city limits, the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are highly recommended!
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Travelling in a group? A private transfer from Santa Teresa to San Jose might be cheaper than a minivan when you're travelling in a large group and sharing the cost.
BookAway offers various vehicles depending on the size of your group. Prices for private transfer start at $318 for a -seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about each.
Private transfers from Santa Teresa to San Jose take two different routes: completely overland or including a ferry ride from Paquera to Puntarenas. This ferry ride costs 810 CRC per person and ferry tickets are not included in the cost of the private transfer.
If you don’t want to take a ferry, check the details first before booking your ride.
Travel time with a private transfer to San Jose from Santa Teresa takes around 4h 30m - 6h 30m.
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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.
Carbon Footprint
This 185 km journey produces approximately 16 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
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 YourselfBarceló Hotel blows most other city hotels out of the water. It has amenities usually only found in resorts, and for extortionate prices. Here you’ll find an outdoor pool, spa, gym, three squash courts and two tennis courts. Plus they offer a free airport shuttle.
If you don’t fancy venturing out of the hotel to get some food, no worries! There are three restaurants and a bar on site offering a variety of different cuisines. The rooms are spacious and clean, providing comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep.
Treat YourselfIsla Verde Hotel is a real gem within the urban jungle that is San Jose. They have so many extras that you wouldn’t expect for the price – a gym, free shuttle to the airport and a great breakfast every morning.
The hotel is ultra-modern, boasting some beautifully designed rooms and seating areas. All of which are very clean and comfortable. If you don’t feel like venturing too far for food, their onsite restaurant serving Cantonese food is highly reviewed!
Mid-RangeEco Stay Hostel starts to feel like home after a while, as it has a shared living room, communal kitchen, a lovely garden area, and even barbeque facilities. You can even spend your evenings at the hotel having a friendly competition of snooker or darts.
The friendly hosts add to the welcoming atmosphere. Making sure that your room is clean and comfortable, whilst offering their help in any way that they can. The rooms are basic, but nicely decorated and have everything you could need whilst in San Jose.
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