Your hammock is waiting for you, but how do you get here?
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Options for getting to/from Puerto Viejo from San Jose, Arenal and Bocas del Toro
Getting to the Puerto Viejo area is pretty easy. There are a number of different options for getting here. Most people come here from San Jose so we'll cover those options first:
Public Bus
The bus is the most economical option. Seven daily express buses leave from San Jose.
Shared Ride Van Shuttles
Shared ride van services have door to door service from hotels and major
points. They have several daily departures from San Jose, Arenal and Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo.
View Shuttle Schedule from San Jose and Arenal
For shuttle transport to/from Bocas view our Bocas transport page.
Private Transfers
You can also get a private transfer that will take you directly from San Jose Airport or any
other location to Puerto Viejo at your schedule.
View private transfer information
Adventure Connections
If you book a Rafting Trip they can pick
you up in San Jose and leave you in Puerto Viejo at the end of the day (or vice-versa)! Kind of
like getting your transportation for free. It also works to/from Arenal.
Driving
Driving from San José takes 4 to 5 hours (via
the faster route) and there are two different routes possible. There is also information there about
driving to/from Arenal or Tortuguero.
See our driving and car rental page
Flying
Puerto Viejo has no airport, but it is possible to fly to Limon, about
45 minutes north, where a shuttle will take you to Puerto Viejo.
Bocas del Toro and Tortuguero
If you're coming here from Bocas del Toro or Tortuguero there are specific instructions not covered by the above so we've created some specific information for coming from or going to those destinations:
Bocas del Toro
Bocas
del Toro in Panama is just across the border but because of the border and that it is
islands some extra instructions are useful.
Transport to/from Bocas del Toro
Tortuguero
Tortuguero
is a national park and village on the north side of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Because there
are no roads in, the trip also takes some extra time and advance planning so please check out
our page with detailed instructions.
More Information
I have made every attempt to make sure this information is current and correct. But schedules do change 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.
Timm
Trying to plan a trip for 5-7 days to CR that includes the Arenal Area for a couple nights preferably and 3-4 nights at a resort OR somewhere with decent golf nearby and some sort of train ride during the trip. Arenal doesn't appear to be an issue but the rail travel does. Can anyone point me in the right direction? It would be incredible if I could arrange rail travel between the two areas but again, not finding much information online. Kind Regards and any help/suggestions are gratefully appreciated!
July 29, 2024
Puerto Viejo Satellite
There are no passenger rail lines in Costa Rica unfortunately. Unless you count the commuter trains operating in the San Jose area. I'd suggest the white water rafting perhaps if you want to do something different. You can get picked up in Arenal and end the day in San Jose or Puerto Viejo.
July 29, 2024
Angela J. Nottingham
Hi. My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to the Caribbean Coast in September. We would most likely be flying into SJO. Is a car necessary in PV to get around? If so should we rent a car in SJ and drive the 5 hrs there or get a private transfer? Can we rent a car in PV?
July 27, 2024
Doug
I personally feel like the South Caribbean coast is best explored on a bicycle and on foot with buses and taxis or tuktuks to supplement. If you do want your own transport for a particular day or outing then cars, bikes, golf carts and scooters are all available to rent locally. It will partially depend on where you elect to stay. There are tons of restaurants and shopping in town as well as in Cocles and a nice selection of services in Playa Chiquita. Cahuita is self contained but you'll need a bus or taxi or car to get to Puerto Viejo and the further southeast communities. Manzanillo and Punta Uva or accommodations up Margarita Rd are more difficult without a vehicle. Hope that helps!
July 27, 2024
Kitty
Hi there we leave PV on March 20th to arrive in Alejuela before a 6.00 flight on the 21st SJO
We have two large suitcases and want to travel with at least hassle as possible
What would you suggest ?
March 05, 2024
Puerto Viejo Satellite
Well for a 6am flight you could either leave the afternoon before on the afternoon shuttle from Caribe Shuttle or MyPinkBus and have them bring you to an airport hotel. Or you can maximize your time on the coast and book a private transport leaving at something like midnight and go straight to the airport. With large luggage either of those options is probably easier than the public bus.
March 05, 2024
Enrique
My girlfriend and I will be in Puerto Viejo for 9 days. Then we are meeting some friends in Playa Hermosa on the Pacific. What type of transportation would recommend for us to get to the Pacific?
June 11, 2023
Puerto Viejo Satellite
That's going to be tough to get there in one day. You're going to have to go via San José or Arenal. One suggestion which might make it fun is to book a rafting trip with pickup in Puerto Viejo and dropoff in Arenal spend the night in Arenal then the next day take a shuttle from Arenal to Hermosa. If you don't want to do the rafting you could get to Arenal with a shuttle too.
Alternatively take a bus or shuttle or Sansa flight to San Jose then a bus to Liberia (plus taxi 27 km to Hermosa) or shuttle San Jose to Hermosa.
If you want to go with rafting or shuttles, feel free to email us at info@puertoviejosatellite.com and we'll have one of our travel experts book whatever works best for you.
June 12, 2023
Tina
Hi, my daughter and I have a flight out of SJO on March 6. Our flight leaves at 2:11pm. The shuttle leaves PV at 6am. With the construction on Route 32, will we make our flight. We don’t have to check bags, if we get to the airport by 1:00pm we should be okay. Thoughts?
February 20, 2021
Gecko Trail Costa Rica
In theory you should be fine. The 6am shuttle will get you to the airport by noon if all goes well. At the end there is always a certain risk you have to be willing to take if you travel the day you depart. But if all goes well and you for sure do not have to be at the airport 2 or 3 hours prior departure, you should be fine with this shuttle.
February 21, 2021
Adele
Hello! We are staying in Cocles for a month and are looking to either buy two bikes or an affordable month rental- any tips?
January 07, 2021
Maria
Hello! We’re landing at 5.30 pm at San Jose on the 27th of December and are going to Puerto Viejo - what is the best option for us? I see on the schedules there is nothing running after 6pm - is there any option we can book (is it safe?) or do we have to spend the night in San Jose? Thank you!
December 21, 2019
Puerto Viejo Satellite
At that hour your options are overnight in San Jose or book a private driver. I don't recommend driving yourself at that hour if you were considering a rental car.
December 21, 2019
Michael Barton
I am arriving Dec 27 st San Jose going to Puerto viejo. Is the shuttle at the airport or do I just grab a taxi to bus station? How much should I expect to pay for taxi? Do I book ahead for shuttle? Thank you.
October 09, 2019
Puerto Viejo Satellite
Airport Express transfers are at the airport terminal, the other companies such as interbus are a 3 minute taxi ride away. All shuttles must be booked in advance. For the public bus, you would take a 30 minute taxi to bus station near downtown San Jose.
October 09, 2019
Michael Barton
Great. Would you suggest airport Express or internus?
October 09, 2019
Puerto Viejo Satellite
They're both great, pick the one which works best with your schedule. Airport Express is more convenient because it leaves from the terminal. The schedules are on the shuttle page
October 09, 2019
Stephen
We’re getting into San Jose around 8PM so we know that driving to PV is not recommended this late. We’ll stay the night in San Jose and then leave for PV in the morning (rental car). Would you recommend we rent the car the night we land and drive to our hotel near the airport or do you suggest we take a taxi to our hotel the night we land and rent the car the next day? Safety is our main concern and we’re not concerned with added expense.
August 06, 2019
Puerto Viejo Satellite
I don't think there's really a safety concern either way. Some of the hotels around the airport include transport so that might be easier after a long day but then you'll just have to go back to the airport to get the car so I'd just get it right away. On the other hand if you were staying in central San José where I prefer rather than near the airport you could wait and not deal with traffic and directions in San José at night. Then it's easiest enough to pick up a car in San José the next day as all the major rental companies have offices in San José (mostly to the west of the city, near Parque Sabana). Also note that highway 32 to the Caribbean is close by downtown San Jose so it's actually easier/closer to the Caribbean coast from downtown.
August 06, 2019
John
Hi there! I'm planning to come to Puerto Viejo in mid-February. My flight lands at SJO at 11:30am. Wondering if you think I'll have enough time to get a private taxi to PV and drive there safely? I hear driving at night is inadvisable and it takes 5 hours. Not sure how long it takes to get through customs, etc. Thanks for any help!
November 27, 2018
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