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Transportation Information
Getting to the Puerto Viejo area is pretty easy. There are a number of different options for getting there from San José:
There are a number of options for getting around in the Puerto Viejo area:
Getting to and from Bocas del Toro in Panama, an archipelago of islands just across the border:
Buses to/from San Jose to Puerto ViejoBuses for Puerto Viejo leave from the Caribe Sur Bus Terminal located on Calle Central about 8 blocks North of the Parque Central. Caution: there are two towns called Puerto Viejo that you can catch a bus to from this terminal. You want Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (also known as Puerto Viejo de Limon). The bus company that goes there is Transportes Mepe and their ticket office is at the end of the terminal. Ticket prices are currently 4,535 colones (about $8 US) for this approximately 5 hour trip and the bus makes one 20 minute stop in Limon for bathrooms and something to eat. The trip to Cahuita from San Jose is 3,900 colones (about $7 US) and takes 4 1/2 hours. Schedule is below. If the express bus schedule does not meet your needs, you can also take one of the very frequent buses to Limon (2 1/2 hours) and then transfer there to a bus heading to Puerto Viejo which will take another 1 1/2 hours or so. Before you head to Limon though, make sure there will be a connecting bus to Puerto Viejo otherwise you'll be stuck in Limon overnight or taking a taxi. You can also save about $3 going this route. Note that in Limon you will need to transfer from the main bus terminal where the San José buses arrive to the Puerto Viejo terminal which is a few blocks away. If bogged down with luggage it would be best to take a taxi which should cost no more than $1.
Transportes Mepe direct service between San José and Puerto Viejo:
These buses do sometimes sell out at peak times so you should purchase or reserve your tickets in advance if at all possible. There is a service for the Caribbean where if you are arriving at the airport, a driver will meet your flight at the airport with your bus ticket already purchased so you are guaranteed a ticket and bring you to the bus terminal in San Jose where you catch your bus. To get more information or purchase this service:
Tickets for Transportes Mepe buses are only available at the Bus Terminals. In San Jose at the Caribe Sur, in Puerto Viejo at the bus stop (locate it on map) and in Cahuita at the bus stop. For buses from San Jose to Puerto Viejo or Cahuita, except the 6 a.m.departure, you can call the Transportes Mepe office in San José to reserve a ticket the day before or the day of but note they will generally only speak Spanish. No credit card number or deposit is required but you must show up at the ticket office at least 30 minutes prior to departure to pay for and collect your reserved ticket. Transportes Mepe Phone Numbers: Schedules are subject to change and do change sometimes based on weather conditions and demand. Confirm the schedule when purchasing your ticket or call ahead. From San José to Puerto Viejo, seats are reserved so please look for your assigned seat number on your ticket. On the way back, seats are not reserved so if seating is important to you, push your way to the front of the line! Transportes Mepe service between Limon and Puerto Viejo:
The above buses come into Puerto Viejo and then return to the highway and continue to Bri Bri and Sixaola. However, Several buses a day from Limon also continue past Puerto Viejo towards Manzanillo and service the beach communities of Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo:
Other Bus SchedulesFor routes in other parts of Costa Rica, you can find bus schedules and pickup locations for every public bus in Costa Rica from the official Costa Rica tourism board site here.
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Tourist shuttles to/from Puerto Viejo
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Notes: 1. Operated by Interbus. 2. Operated by Grayline. 3. Operated by Panaline
For $49 US, there are also daily shuttles between the Arenal Volcano area (La Fortuna is the name of the largest town but they'll deliver to all the area hotels and resorts).
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Notes: 1. Operated by Interbus
We can also book you on the full national network of Interbus, Grayline and other shuttle companies. Click here to see the schedules for the full national network of all the shuttle companies.
You must book these services in advance; some shuttles only run if there are enough people booked and they do often sell out at peak times. To book:
We DO NOT recommend you book directly with Interbus or Grayline on their websites as they make it very difficult/expensive to change or cancel reservations that were made on their website (see their terms here). If you make the reservation through the form on our site instead, you can change/cancel your reservation up to 48 hours in advance.
Private Van/Bus Transfer
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The 8 passenger van. Click here for pictures of other vehicles in their fleet. |
If your schedule doesn't work with the shared ride van services schedules or you have 2 or more people or lots of luggage or animals to transport, you might consider hiring a van or bus with driver for a private transfer to Puerto Viejo or to anywhere in the country. The company we use is very reliable and will pick you up right at the International Airport and bring you straight to your hotel - no stops for other passengers, no waiting for the scheduled time.
And it's surprisingly affordable: San Jose to Puerto Viejo is $195 for a 8 passenger van. When you compare that to a night in San Jose you didn't really want plus regular transfer service per person rates, you'll find it a great deal. They also have 20 passenger luxury vans and 50 passenger buses. All are air-conditioned and comfortable.
We can book this for you too. You can browse rates for different destinations on our booking form or go ahead and make a reservation:
If you're planning to spend a night or two in San Jose before heading to the Caribbean, we can also help you with airport pickup from San Jose International Airport to your San Jose hotel. Note we use much bigger vehicles than the small taxis at the airport so this is a great option for groups or if you have lots of luggage (or if you have a pet). And isn't it nice to have someone waiting for you in arrivals?!
Getting to Puerto Viejo on the river?
Another option is to book a rafting trip on the Rio Pacuare, Rio Sarapiqui or Rio Renovacion. These all day trips are priced from $79 to $99 and they will pick you up in your choice of Puerto Viejo, San Jose or Arenal and drop you off in your choice! So it's kind of like getting your transportation for free! These trips run most days.
If you'd like more information on the rafting trip options or to have us book one for you, click to:
Leaving Puerto Viejo via Arenal, Tortugero or Bocas del Toro
Yet another option to get from Puerto Viejo is to book a
multi-day package which includes transportation from Puerto Viejo to
San Jose or Arenal. Our multi-day packages include
transport from Puerto Viejo and give you the option of ending your
trip in San Jose or Arenal (depending on the package). For example,
our
Bocas del Toro, Panama package can include a flight back to San
Jose, our
Tortugero package ends in San Jose and our Arenal Volcano
package ends in Arenal. Check out all the options on our
tours page.
Driving to/from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
Road Conditions
The roads are sometimes affected by mudslides and other conditions, especially the highway between San Jose and Siquirres. When this highway is closed, traffic is detoured via Turrialba (which is route 2 below). To get current traffic information call the traffic hotline number of the traffic police (transito) which can give you recorded info (in Spanish). From within Costa Rica dial 800-TRANSITO, option #1, option #4.
Car Rental
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If you're considering renting a car and driving to Puerto Viejo, all the major international car rental companies operate at or nearby San José International Airport as well as in downtown San José. Keep in mind that rates quoted online generally do not include any sort of insurance (which is sometimes even more than the rental rate) and that the car rental companies will definitely require proof of coverage elsewhere before agreeing to let you waive any insurance coverage they will sell you.
Please also keep in mind that only one car rental company, the Costa Rican company Poas, currently has offices in the South Caribbean area so if you want to pick up or return your car in Puerto Viejo (they have offices in Hone Creek but will deliver cars to local hotels), that is your only choice.
There are two routes possible if you're driving:
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The hazards of driving in Costa Rica |
Route 1: Via Guapiles, Siquirres, Limon
Driving to Puerto Viejo is really easy (except for road conditions at times). You will have to find the highway to Limon. It has easy access from downtown and once you are on that highway, it is almost impossible to get lost.
Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2:00pm in afternoon, you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers in driving in Costa Rica. Roads do not have lines. Rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you can not see very well.
You will first go through the mountains and will be very high up. It is likely that you will encounter fog (clouds) and rain. Please drive with your lights on. Half of the local drivers do not.
The drive through the mountains is beautiful. You will see many vistas and real rain forest jungle. As you are about to exit mountains into flat land (just after a bunch of ugly billboards) there is a restaurant on your right (usually with many trucks out front). It is called El Yugo and it is a very good local restaurant. In fact the many times I have driven this route, it is the best I have found. It is also a good break after about 1.5 hours into the trip.
If you want something a little nicer, just a few hundred meters on the other side of the road is Roberto´s Rancho. Sit down with table service and very good local food. Guard watches over your car. (please tip him $1). Always be mindful if you stop at places to eat that you do not leave your car and valuables unattended.
The road from there to Limon (approx 2 hrs) is practically straight with no hills. It is small towns and banana plantations. Please note there are many trucks as Limon is a port city and this is the truck route. Also note, you will see a sign or two for Puerto Viejo on the way to Limon. This is not the correct Puerto Viejo. You have to reach Limon and drive down coast. Also note on this stretch, there are many speed traps and local cops love foreigners as it can mean a free lunch.
When you hit Limon, just before you enter city centre you will see a sign (at the Colono Station) where you turn right to go to Puerto Viejo. From that sign you just follow the coast all the way down (approx 1 hour). The drive is beautiful but mind the pot holes.
After about 1 hour of driving, you will come to the little town of Hone Creek. At that point the main paved road continues on to the Panama border at Sixaola and a road heads about 5 km into Puerto Viejo (the last 2 kms of which are unpaved). Just before Puerto Viejo you will find Playa Negra. To get to the communities of Cocles. Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo, drive through Puerto Viejo and continue following the beach road.
Route 2 - Via Cartago, Turrialba, Siquirres, Limon
This route is mentioned for the convenience of more experienced drivers who would like to take a different route or who are starting their trip from the eastern part of the Central Valley (such as from Cartago). It is a very scenic route and the roads are some of the best in the country.
Again, once you find the highway to Turrialba, it would be difficult to get lost but you will need to navigate to Cartago and onto the Turrialba highway first. It would be simpler in the other direction though as there are more signs pointing towards San José. From San José to Puerto Viejo by this route takes a little longer, perhaps 5 hours.
There are several signs in San Jose pointing you towards Cartago, and several signs on the way to Cartago. If you stay on the main road leading into Cartago and go until the street ends (you will have just passed the Basilica - a very large, beautiful church) on your left. You would turn right at the stop sign and then left at the next stop sign (100 meters). This is the road to Paraiso. You'll continue on about 6km before you reach the center of Paraiso, marked by the usual church and park. Once you reach the stop light at the corner of the park, you'll continue one block and take a left. You'll see signs pointing you towards Turrilalba.
This beautiful, windy road will lead you directly into Turialba. It will take you about 1 hour and 20 minutes from downtown Cartago, or 1 hour from Paraiso. Once you are at the bottom of the very steep hill and you enter the actual town of Turrilalba, you'll want to stay on that main street (many people will be turning left) until it looks like the street is ending (several blocks). You will see signs for Limon telling you to turn left. At the next street light, maybe 2 blocks ahead, you'll turn right, again following the sign to Limon.
This continues on another windy and scenic road. After about 30-minutes you'll come to the outskirts of the town of Siquirres. You'll see a sign on your right telling you to go straight ahead for Siquirres or to turn left to go to "San Jose 99km." Take this left. (The sign to Limon has been stolen.) Once you turn left, you are brought around a circle and are dumped out at a very major road. Go left to head to Limon. One hour later you'll find yourself in downtown Limon.
Driving from Arenal to Puerto Viejo
- Leave La Fortuna to the west towards Tanque/Muelle S. Carlos/Aguas Zarcas
- In Tanque you have to turn left (small intersection right in town)
- Follow the street until it goes down and immediately up hill again, there turn right towards Muelle S. Carlos/Aguas Zarcas
- In Muelle S. Carlos there is a big intersection where you go straight ahead
- Once the street ends, turn right and follow the street until you are in Aguas Zarcas
- In Agua Zarcas, turn left (right in town) and keep following the street until you reach St. Miguel de Sarapiqui (end of the street)
- In St. Miguel de Sarapiqui turn left towards Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
- Follow the street until you reach Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
- Take the first street (bigger) to the right and you will pass a petrol station and afterwards a bridge
- Follow this street until you reach a big intersection (it is the N32 coming down from San Jose), there turn left
- Stay on the N32 until you reach Limon
- From Limon on, follow the signs to Cahuita/Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo
- Once you have passed Hone Creek (you will know as the street is getting worse, bumpy and then unpaved) follow it until you can see the sea
- Turn right for the last kilometer into downtown Puerto Viejo
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Flying to Limon
The closest airport to Puerto Viejo is in Limon. But unfortunately although both domestic airlines have promised flights to Limon and for a while you could search for tickets to Limon (but seemingly never find any), there is no regular service.
There may be some regulatory hassles with using the airport. Rumours are circulating about the government wanting to develop this as an additional international gateway airport but it's odd given the great demand for flights to the Caribbean that none have been offered.
Nature Air does fly to Bocas del Toro in Panama so if you want to see both Bocas and Puerto Viejo you can do a circle by travelling by land (and boat) from San Jose to Puerto Viejo to Bocas and then return by air (or vice-versa).
Check back here for updates if this service is offered again or check the Nature Air website or the Sansa website directly.
Local transport in the Caribe Sur
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Local Bus for transport between Cahuita, Hone Creek, Puerto Viejo, Cocles. Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo:
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Bike and Scooter Rental
Many Hotels rent bicycles. If your hotel doesn't have bike rentals available, there are several options in downtown Puerto Viejo. Just ask around or look for the bike racks outside and signs. Make sure you always lock your bike.
Several places in town also rent scooters.
Taxi
Several taxis operate in Puerto Viejo. You should be able to find a Taxi in downtown Puerto Viejo (for example from the main bus stop to your hotel). If you're not in Puerto Viejo and need to call a taxi, ask a local establishment to call one for you. Note that the majority of the taxis in Puerto Viejo are not metered so you should agree on a fare with the driver before getting in. Or, if you get a metered taxi, ask him to use the meter.
One of the taxi association, Transportes Privados Jireh supplied us with the price list below, so this should be used as a guideline with all taxis or you can order at taxi from them directly at 2750-2073. Note the other taxi company and independents do not have fixed prices so make sure to pre-negotiate the rate to your destination. Prices are in Costa Rican colones (approximately 500c to the US$):
| Pto. Viejo | Pizote | c1,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Rocking J's | c1,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Pandulce | c1,500.00 | Pto. Viejo | Agapi | c1,500.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Pen | c1,500.00 | Pto. Viejo | Cabinas Tesoro | c1,500.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Chimuri | c2,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | La Isla | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Perla Negra | c2,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Cariblue | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Banana Azul | c2,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Costa Papito | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Hotel Hawa | c3,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Plaza | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Home Creek | c2,500.00 | Pto. Viejo | Casa Camarona | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Cacao Trail | c3,500.00 | Pto. Viejo | Yaré | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Samasati | c4,500.00 | Pto. Viejo | Super | c2,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Punta Riel | c4,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Ole Caribe | c2,500.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Puerto Vargas | c5,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Bugambilia | c3,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Cahuita | c7,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Villas del Caribe | c3,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Lilan | c8,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Punta Cocles | c3,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Penshurt | c10,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Playa Chikita | c3,500.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Aviarios | c12,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Shawanda | c3,500.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | La Juaria | c15,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Selvin | c4,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Colon Caribe | c18,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Ita-Ita | c4,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Limón | c20,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Punta Uva | c4,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Moin | c25,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Punta Uva ( playa) | c4,500.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Siquirres | c50,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Arresife | c5,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Guapiles | c70,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Suerre -Palmas | c5,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Turrialba | c70,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Almendros y Corales | c6,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Bribri | c7,000.00 | Pto. Viejo | Manzanillo | c7,000.00 | |
| Pto. Viejo | Margarita | c10,000.00 | ||||
| Pto. Viejo | Paraiso | c15,000.00 | ||||
| Pto. Viejo | Sixaola | c20,000.00 |
Notes: • Each hour of waiting is $5 US. • These tariffs apply between 6 am and 11 pm
Car Rental
If you're considering renting a car and driving to Puerto Viejo, all the major international car rental companies operate at or nearby San José International Airport as well as in downtown San José. Keep in mind that rates quoted online generally do not include any sort of insurance (which is sometimes even more than the rental rate) and that the car rental companies will definitely require proof of coverage elsewhere before agreeing to let you waive any insurance coverage they will sell you.
Please also keep in mind that only one car rental company, the Costa Rican company Poas, currently has offices in the South Caribbean area so if you want to pick up or return your car in Puerto Viejo (they have offices in Hone Creek but will deliver cars to local hotels), that is your only choice.
Check the driving instructions section to search for the best priced car rental.
Local Driving Conditions
The highway is paved and in good condition all the way from San Jose to Hone Creek, 5km from Puerto Viejo. But at Hone Creek you turn off for the final 5km to Puerto Viejo and encounter our local roads. The road is wide but is bumpy, full of potholes and has lots pedestrians, cyclists and slow vehicles so please take it slow and easy! The road south of Puerto Viejo to Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Una and Manzanillo is also not paved except in some small sections.
However, a 4WD vehicle is not necessary anywhere on this route (although may make driving faster) unless you leave the main road for any distance. But there are few places to go off the road, the one local exception being the back road between Punta Uva and Sixaola which a 4WD would definitely be recommended. But this road is not signed and it would be easy to get lost so it is not recommended unless you have a local along.
If you do get into an accident anywhere in Costa Rica, the procedure is to not move your vehicle -- even if it is blocking the road! -- until police have been able to inspect the scene and make a report.
Note that there is no gas station in Puerto Viejo, although several local entrepreneurs will sell you a can of gas to keep you going. The nearest gas station is in Penzhurt which is on the highway back to Limon. Please take note: make sure the attendants set the pump back to zero before filling up. Problems have been reported there on more than one occasion. We recommend if you can filling up at the Texaco station in Limon on the corner before you head to the South Caribbean. If you're heading in the direction of Sixaola/the Panama border, there is also a filling station between Bri Bri and Sixaola where Margarita Rd connects with the highway to Sixaola.
Getting from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro, Panama
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The author crossing the old railway bridge between Costa Rica & Panama..
The route map for Boca Marine from Almirante to Bocas Town. Note the Finca 60 route no longer operates. |
 We now offer
single day, one or two
night packages from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del
Toro including round-trip transport, hotel, breakfasts and tours. Click
here if you'd like more information on this option or would like to reserve a trip.
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The Easy Way - Guided Transport to Bocas
There are now easy ways to get to Bocas without the hassles! Several companies are now offering shuttle service where they pick you up in your Puerto Viejo hotel and drive you to the border. There they'll assist you with luggage as needed as you deal with Costa Rica exit and Panamanian entry customs. With Caribe Shuttle, you walk across the Rio Sixaola bridge and a van is waiting to take you to Almirante where you have a reserved seat on the boat to Isla Colon (aka Bocastown) and then hotel drop-off at Isla Colon hotels. With Panaline, the same vehicle takes you all the way to Isla Colon and hotel dropoff is included.
Price is from $28 per person for all transport -- you are responsible for the Panama Tourist Card fee ($5) if that is applicable to your country.
To book:
Choose Puerto Viejo as your pickup city and Bocas del Toro as your destination from the dropdowns and then choose the service/schedule you'd like. The schedule is:
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Or below are two ways to do the crossing self-guided...your choice!
Route 1 - Bus or Taxi to Sixaola, Van Shuttle to Almirante, Lancha to Bocas
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Update:
the water taxi from Finca 60 to Bocastown is out
of service as the banana canals the boat travelled in were
damaged in flooding and need dredging. So when traveling to Bocas it is necessary to travel to Almirante instead - this
is a $10 per person taxi ride from Guabito. See the full
details on the Talamanca News.
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From Puerto Viejo, there are frequent buses to Sixaola which is the Costa Rica town on the Panama border. See schedule above.
If you are taking a taxi, a 4WD taxi could also take you a slightly different route to Sixaola, especially if you were starting from east of Puerto Viejo (Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva or Manzanillo) as there is a rough road which crosses the mountains, leaving the coastal road near Punta Uva and connecting to the main highway partway between Bri Bri and Sixaola. Do NOT attempt this route on your own, as it is not marked.
From the end of the bus line in Sixaola, it is a short walk across the bridge that cross the Rio Sixaola which marks the international border to the Panamanian town of Guabito. Make sure to stop at both the Costa Rican customs office for your exit stamp (no fee) and the Panama customs office for your entry stamp to Panama ($5US fee for a tourist card for many but not all nationalities). Note that there is nothing to impel you to enter these office (no gates, etc) but you WILL have problems later if you do not have the right paperwork. In the other direction, you must also stop at both offices for exit and entry stamps, although no fee is payable at either.
The border stations are only open as follows so make sure you arrive at the border in time or you'll be spending the night in Sixaola or Changuinola to get your paperwork completed:
| Costa Rica border station | Panama border station | Note | |
| Open hours | 7am to 5pm (Costa Rica time) | 8am to 6pm (Panama time) | Because Panama time is one hour later these times are synchronized. |
| Lunch closure | 12pm to 1pm (Costa Rica time) Sat and Sun only. | 12 noon to 1pm (Panama time) daily | Note the lunch hours are not synchronized so on weekends you may find the border closed for 2 hours in the middle of the day. |
On the Panamanian side of the border, shared taxis should be waiting (especially if you arrive via bus) which will drive you to Almirante dock. Note that if you arrived on a bus the drivers will try and group everyone into as few vehicles as possible and as few destinations as possible but by taking a shared taxi like this you will generally be charged about $10US per person. If you are alone, you would perhaps pay $15 for a private taxi. You could also take a public bus from Guabito to Almirante with a change in Changuinola.
Bocas del Toro marine operates a scheduled lancha (water taxi) service from Almirante to Isla Colon and the main town of Bocas Town ($4 US per person and about 45 minutes from Almirante).
There is also a car ferry from Almirante to Bocas but it does not run every day so check enquire ahead if you must drive. Also note that if you are driving a rental car, your rental contract will almost certainly prohibit taking your car out of Costa Rica.
The website for Bocas Marine has the latest lancha schedules.
Route 2 - Bus or Taxi to Bri Bri, Bocasdeltoreño bus to Almirante, Lancha to Bocas
A slight variation on the above is to take a daily direct bus from company Transporte Bocatoreño:
Leaves San José, Calles 14-16,
Ave 5 frente Hotel Cocori (costado de Tracopa). Tel 227-9533 /
385-7581.
Daily at 9 a.m., 6 hours., returns from Changuinola bus station at 9
a.m. (Panama time) daily. (Other sources I saw said 10 am so
make sure to confirm the time with the bus company).
This bus makes a scheduled stop in Bri Bri at 1pm daily where you
can board for transport to Bocas.
Or go by air
Nature Air also flies from San Jose to Bocas Town.
More Information
I have made every attempt to make sure this information is current and correct. But schedules do changes as do road conditions and weather so please confirm information if it's important (e.g. you'll miss your flight). Please email info@puertoviejosatellite.com with any corrections or additional information that you think would be helpful.
Thanks!
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Thanks to Colin at Banana Azul who wrote the route 1 driving instructions, proofread everything and offered lots of suggestions.
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Thanks to Scott at Tropical Adventures for the detailed route 2 driving instructions.
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Thanks to Costa Rica Guide for formatting the MEPE bus schedule in an easy to read way so I didn't have to do it again.
Additional comments from our visitors about Puerto Viejo Transportation
Getting to PV Kara from Long Beach, CA August 24, 2010
There's 4 of us arriving together in San Jose, and staying in Puerto Viejo for the week. We arrive around 11 a.m. on Satruday, Sept 4 - and depart at Noon the following Saturday, Sept 11. We've booked a rental car, but aren't sure about the driving and if we'd be better off with a private shuttle or the bus...thoughts?
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE DETAIL ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO ? richard cantave from New york, USA August 22, 2010
ok guys, this is the situation. my girlfriend and i are taking a "weekend getaway" to costa rica from New York. our flight arrives on september 8th at 6:10pm in san jose. i already knew that we'd most likely have to spend the night there and i get an employee discount ($49) at the holiday inn express. my girlfriend is interested in the rainforest, water rafting and im from the caribbean(Haiti) so i also want to see "different" things that will impress me. i want to stay at pachamama for 2 nights can somebody please tell me the best, most economical way to get there.which bus do i take there, where do i catch it and what time would you suggest to still have time to enjoy the place? our return flight to NY is on sunday september 12th at 2:45pm, would you suggest leaving pachamama early on that day or leaving the day before ?
timing options for SJO -> PV rachel August 18, 2010
Hello. I am trying to figure out what to do about transport. Any idea how much it would cost (and if they'd do it) if we just tried to get a taxi from SJO to take us straight to PV? I'd rather not stay in SJ if we don't have to, but our flight doesn't get in until 8PM. If we were to stay at a hotel, do I understand it right that some of the bus lines or shuttles to PV will pick up from certain hotels - if so, any idea which ones? Thanks!
Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo August 18, 2010
Do NOT negotiate with a taxi at the airport to come directly to PV; you will not get a better deal than just booking it in advance ($190) and you may very well get ripped off.
If you stay in San Jose overnight, the shuttle companies will stop at almost any hotel, including the hotels we recommend on our San Jose hotels page.
Share a private van Frank from Silver Spring, Maryland August 18, 2010
We (2 of us) are arriving Monday 8/23 around 1100 am at SJ airport and going to Puerto Viejo via private van, Anyone care to share the ride/cost?
Marcy July 02, 2010
arriving sjo 7/17 ging straight to PV (may 6th trip in less than 2 years) staying until 8/1. coming with my 2 teenagers. any other families heading there then? Last summer we met some great folks.
Shuttle Jon from Golden, CO June 18, 2010
2 of us will be flying in to San Jose and heading to P.V. early in the morning on 6.24, would anyone like to share a private shuttle?
Shuttle Rental Brett from Texas June 15, 2010
4 of us are looking to share a shuttle to Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo on the morning of June 25th
share shuttle Cynthia from Moreno Valley, CA. June 23, 2010
I would love to share! Arriving very late in San Jose 6/24 Aeromexico. Staying at Casa69. Friday a.m. into PV.
Share a shuttle to Puerto Viejo Tom from Colorado May 30, 2010
We will be arriving in San Jose late June 10 and staying the night there. There are four of us in our party and would like to share a private shuttle with others going to Puerto Viejo the morning of the 11th. Please email me at thomashart63@gmail.com
Dina from New York June 03, 2010
My husband and I are also arriving in San Jose on June 10th and leaving for Puerto Viejo on the 11th. We may be interested in sharing the shuttle...I will speak to him and let you know.
Cheri June 03, 2010
Just a thought - I checked out the cost for shuttles, private shuttles, etc. and found that renting a car is actually cheaper. We really prefer to drive ourselves anyway. If you're going to and from San Jose, we've had great experiences with Wild Rider Motorcycle (they have 4x4s) but if you need to pick up or drop in another location you might check out Poas or Adobe. We're going to Costa Rica again in August, taking a boat from Tortugeuro to Limon, picking up a 4x4 in Limon from Adobe, staying near Puerto Viejo for a few nights and dropping the car at our hotel in Alajuela three days later - all for $204. There's not even any drop charges.
Tom from Colorado June 03, 2010
Thanks for the information on the car rental. I was surprised that the car rental was relatively inexpensive. We would like to go rafting on our last day in Puerto Viejo, and they give us the option of being dropped off in San Jose.
Car Rental Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica June 04, 2010
Car rental need not be expensive in Costa Rica but there are a couple things to keep in mind:
- The insurance coverage can be as much or more than the rental rate quoted online. If you have all the insurance you need already make sure you bring documentation of that as they will expect you to prove it. Even then, I recommend using a reputable international chain.
- I don't recommend people not familiar with the routes drive at night in Costa Rica. Road conditions and signage are not what we are used to from the developed world. Sun sets about 5:30pm-5:45pm yearround (sunrise is really early) so keep that in mind if you are planning to drive to the Caribbean after arriving on an afternoon flight.
transportation Virgil May 22, 2010
I didn't want to wait in San Jose so I went all out and spent $190 for a private van. But me and my wife are the only passengers. Want share the cost of the ride - message me at virgil_lynn@yahoo.com. Leaving 6/1/2010 at two(ish) arriving in PV
margo wilkinson from p.v austin May 23, 2010
Are you coming in on the plane that day? If you will be coming in the night before , why don't you take a shuttle. It is easy and fun and alot cheaper ....but not sure of your situation.
Virgil May 24, 2010
Margo, I looked at that alternative but it did not work out. I'm thinking about taking the bus instead if I cannot find shared transportation.
margo wilkinson May 24, 2010
Virgil. The bus is not bad at all. Just watch your stuff onboard. I would not put anything above you on the racks. Big bags are fine underneath , but I would sit by that side . The bus only stops one time to let everyone get off for 10-15 minutes. I like the bus ...It is fun! And alot cheaper that $ 190 ....that is for sure! Have a great time ...it is wonderful in P.V. !
travel time Danna from Fort Collins, CO May 18, 2010
We are going to visit Costa Rica in early June and really want to spend some time in Puerto Viejo. However, we also really want to explore the rainforest and are considering staying in the Pennisula de Osa for a few days. Will we be spending too much time traveling if we try to visit both places in ten days?
Puerto Viejo to Osa Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica May 19, 2010
Good questions Danna (I moved your comment to the transport page by the way).
Well with this plan you'll spend one very long day (or two shorter days) in transit between the Caribbean and Osa. There are two possible routes:
1. Back to San Jose via Bus or shuttle and then fly or shuttle to Osa. You can see nationwide shuttle schedules here or nationwide buses here. The San Jose to Osa shuttles leave only in the morning though but a bus might work. Or better, get a shuttle to San Jose and then a Sansa or Nature Air flight.
2. The other route is a little more adventurous but perhaps more direct. It involves traveling from Puerto Viejo to Changuinola in Panama (see the Bocas section on this page for instructions) and then a bus from Changuinola to David, Panama and then another bus from David to your destination in Osa. Panama has a road from the Caribbean to Pacific which doesn't involve as big a backtrack as going back to San Jose but obviously it adds complexity with the borders, etc.
travel time pv to osa jane from usa June 05, 2010
i dont know if Danna is aware the rainforest is right there - just head south from pv - look right - and there it is. we stayed at villa toucan in the canopy of punta uva, & just sat there drinking coffee (morning) or beer (evening) while the howlers, toucans & parrots etc came right to us. we even had a few kinkajous & sloths. you dont NEED to go to Osa - the pv area has it all. we cant wait to come back a 3rd time - prob by year's end.
Faster Way to PV Larry Forman from Fort Lauderdale, USA May 04, 2010
I didn't want to wait in San Jose so I went all out and spent $190 for a private van. But I'm the only passenger. Want a ride - message me at larry.forman@yahoo.com. Leaving 5/16/2010 at noon(ish) arriving PV @ ~4PM
Sharing a ride from San Jose to Puerto Viejo Vandana from Miami, FL April 29, 2010
We are arriving in San Jose on May 19th, 2010 and staying overnight in San Jose. We are looking for anyone interested in sharing the private transporation ($190.00 total)on May 20th 2010. So far it is 3 of us so the more the merrier (and cheaper)!.
Would I be cutting it to close ???? Brian April 18, 2010
My flight is scheduled to leave San Jose International at 4:01 PM CST on 22 MAY 2010. If I booked the Transpana service departing at 8:45 AM CST, would I be allowing myself enough time to check in and make my flight? How long does it usually take to clear security at San Jose International? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and assist me in my ultimate decision.
Getting from PV to SJ for a 11AM flight Brice from NY NY April 09, 2010
What time would I need to leave PV to get to SJ for a 11:45 departure?
I feel like if I go for the private shuttle the cost just make sense to rent a car for the 4 days we are there and leave PV at roughly 6AM.
Thoughts?
Colin from Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo April 10, 2010
You really need to overnight in SJ for 11:45 departure. We have a rule of thumb at the hotel that any departure before 2pm in the afternoon they should overnight in San Jose. 11:45 is way to early to accomplish that without leaving in the middle of the night.
Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa rica April 10, 2010
Colin's advice is right on. If you left at 6am, you'd be pulling into the rental car place about 10am IF THERE WERE NO HOLDUPS. After you returned your car and got the shuttle back to the airport you'd be looking at 10:45 airport arrival which is cutting it way too close.
The transport company generally recommends leaving Puerto Viejo 8 hours before your flight departure to allow time for traffic, road rerouting, a meal break, etc. But if you left at 3:45am you'd be driving in the dark which is also not recommended.
There are some San Jose hotels I'd recommend on this page.
Guaranteed taxi and bus from SJO to Puerto Viejo and back Gail Kinn from New York City April 06, 2010
Hi,
How nice to have someone to ask. I feel like I really need a vacation now after researching buses, cars, donkeys, etc to get us back and forth from SJO 4/14 to our Punta Uva hotel and back4/21. The terms and conditions state that if bus if full or not enough people we may not get out on days reserved. This would be a BIG problem. What do you think? Can I safely make these reservations? Do they usually go? If this is dicey, can you recommend another means of transport. My guidebook Costa Rica for Dummies lists a company (without a name) that has hourly buses to Limon with a transfer to another bus to Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo (the latter is restricted to 3 pm and 6 pm departures. I tried to call but, alas, my Spanish is not good enough. These buses leave from Radio Casino; their number is 2758-1572. Do you know them? Should I ask my hotelier to call for me?
I so appreciate your help! We're also thinking of renting a car from Poas once we're down there if it looks like it would be easier to get to different towns, etc. Do we need a 4wd for short distances?
Many, Many thanks.
Gail
Taxi+Bus Service Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica April 07, 2010
Hi Gail -- The taxi+bus service is very reliable. The bus goes every day as scheduled barring acts of nature (even then the bus is just generally rerouted). The only worry is that it is full but this is really the point of this service that they pre-purchase your tickets so that's not a worry either. The terms and conditions you are reading apply to services like Interbus and Grayline but once they've confirmed your service they are very reliable as well so you won't end up stranded.
If for some reason your flight is late or something, there are buses which go to Limon later as you found out and they leave from the same Caribbean terminal that your driver will bring you too. You'll be able to get a ticket to Limon and then on to Puerto Viejo at the same place, it's not difficult.
Regarding the 4WD: it's not needed if you're just visiting places along the main coastal road between Cahuita and Manzanillo (including Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Chiquita, Punta Uva etc). It could be necessary if you're heading off on smaller roads but that isn't necessary to get to the main points of interest in the area. You can also choose to skip the car and just rent bikes, take the local bus or book tours which include transport.
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Well the best solution for you is to book the whitewater rafting trip on Sept 9. They'll pick you up at the Holiday Inn Express around 6am, you'll enjoy a full day of fun and then at the end of the day they'll bring you to Pachamama or wherever you want to stay.
On the way home you could take the earliest bus out of Puerto Viejo. I recommend the public bus over the Interbus as the schedule is more reliable in the sense that Interbus will make it's last dropoff at the airport and so if there are lots of other passengers it could take a while. The early bus leaves Puerto Viejo at 7:30am (or Manzanillo at 7am so you could get it outside Pachamama) and is scheduled to arrive San Jose at noon. From the bus terminal it's generally a 30 minute taxi ride to the airport. But that's really not leaving a lot of room for delays if anything goes wrong.
Or, you could take a taxi to Hone Creek (5km from Puerto Viejo) and catch the bus that leaves there about 6:45. That is scheduled to arrive at San Jose about 11am.
Less stressful but more expensive is to hire a driver to pick you up at Pachamama and drive you direct to the airport. Cost is $195 for that. Or, of course, you can return the afternoon before and spend another day at the Holiday Inn and maybe see some of San Jose (there's also a HI downtown).
Hope that helps! The friendly folks at Gecko Trail Adventures will also be happy to help you with advice or to book any of this.