There are several efficient ways to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo; from public buses to private shuttles, internal flights to renting a car. Any option you choose is fairly easy to navigate.

This post is your ultimate guide to traveling from the capital city of San Jose to the breathtaking Caribbean coast of Puerto Viejo. We aim to provide detailed information on transportation options to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey for you.

Different modes of transport operate this route:

•   Public Bus
•   Private or Public Shuttle
•   Driving a Rental Car
•   Airplane
•   Uber or Taxi

Driving Time & Distance to Puerto Viejo

From San José: 140 miles (220 kilometers)

This typically takes 4-5 hours.

Rout 32 has construction going on at the moment.

Public Buses from San José to Puerto Viejo de Limón

Most people undertaking this journey, decide to do so by bus, since they are reliable and affordable. There are numerous bus terminals in San José. Direct buses for Puerto Viejo leave from the Terminal de Autobus Atlantico Norte situated on Calle 12 between Avenidas 7 and 9 in Barrio Mexico in San José. It is a little confusing since Puerto Viejo is on the Atlantic south Caribbean coast, however, the title wasn’t changed when the bus company started offering transportation to this region.

If taking an Uber to this terminal, the location to type in is: ‘Buses caribe sur’, or if taking a normal taxi, you can ask the driver for “parada del bus de Mepe, para Puerto Viejo, Talamanca, antigua parada de bus de San Carlos”.

Once on route 32 – the main road passing through Braulio Carrillo National Park, Limón City, Cahuita – you’ll drive high into the mountains that separate San José from the Caribbean coast. As you twist and turn through the lush scenery, you’ll enjoy dramatic mountain views that will make the journey pass in an instant.

•       MEPE buses (+506 2758-0618, +506 2758-1572) offer daily transportation between San José and Puerto Viejo.
•   Journey duration: 4-6 hours.
•   Cost: just under ₡7,000. *Make sure to pay by cash as there is no option to pay by card!*

It is advisable to arrive early to ensure you get a ticket because they can sell out, especially during the holidays or on weekends. You can also call one of the numbers above and reserve a ticket beforehand. You can’t book it online. 

•   Schedule:
•   San Jose Puerto Viejo      MEPE buses depart San José at 6am, 8am, 10am, 2pm and 4pm
•   Puerto Viejo San Jose       MEPE buses depart Puerto Viejo at 02:00am, 04:30am, 8am, 11am and 3pm.

In San José, MEPE buses depart from the Terminal Atlantico Norte, Calle 12, Ave 7 – 9.

For more info call: San Jose (506)2257-8129, Puerto Viejo (506)2750-0023.

Using Public or Private Shuttle Services

Shuttles are arguably the simplest vehicles to use to get to Puerto Viejo de Limón. These comfortable vans give door-to-door service from the airport or your accommodation in San Jose to your place of stay in Puerto Viejo. The vans even provide constant Wi-Fi. Private shuttles are supplied by a number of different companies – including Interbus, Caribe Shuttle and Airport Express – which can be found in several locations in both San José and Puerto Viejo. Upon arrival, they can let you off almost directly in front of your hotel as long as it is located between Cahuita and Manzanillo. The typical cost for a one-way trip is $52-$59, and tickets need to be booked in advance.

If you are coming directly from San José airport, you will need to take a taxi to Denny’s Restaurant nearby, where the nearest shuttle pick-up point is located. For the quickest journey, it is recommended to book a flight that lands at or before 2:30 p.m.

Driving from San José to Puerto Viejo

For some people, a rental car is a great way to get from San José to Puerto Viejo. You’ll be able to travel on your own schedule, and take pit stops to refuel, stretch your legs, and visit some of the many beautiful beaches along the coastal area.

Even though a car is very convenient and opens up opportunities and freedom, many people discover they no longer need a rental car once they’re in Puerto Viejo, and it is definitely one of the more expensive options. Bicycles (available for hire) are a popular choice for exploring the beaches southeast of Puerto Viejo, such as Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, Manzanillo, among several others. Taxis and ‘tuk tuks’ are also available but are expensive. For those who are planning to stay in Puerto Viejo and the surrounding areas for an extended amount of time, you could find yourself paying heaps for a rental car when it is simply not necessary.

The best route to Puerto Viejo from San José follows Route 32. Because there are no ‘addresses’ as such in Costa Rica, finding Route 32 in San José can be tricky. The easiest approach is to put “Puerto Viejo de Talamanca” into your GPS or download the Waze app or Google Maps on your phone.

Using Uber: If you’re starting from San José, it’s possible to take an Uber to Puerto Viejo. The 4-5 hour drive will cost around $200 which is rather a lot, but cheaper than an official taxi. If you’d like someone to pick you up at the airport or hotel, contact us and we will help you arrange that. 

Other Driving Routes to Puerto Viejo de Limón:

Sometimes Route 32 from San José to Guápiles (a district on the way to Puerto Viejo) can be closed which happens due to rockfalls and landslides. However, there is an alternative route to Puerto Viejo. From San José, drive east on Route 2 to Cartago, then follow Route 10 to Siquierres. From there follow Route 32 to Limon, then Route 36 to Puerto Viejo.

This alternate route to Puerto Viejo is 140 miles (230 kilometers), which adds up to approximately 5 hours of driving time.

Flying from San José to Puerto Viejo

While Puerto Viejo does not have its own airport, Limón International Airport is just 45 minutes away by car or shuttle. However, although labelled as an international airport, it’s passenger flights are solely domestic. Previously, only charter flights made the journey there from San José’s main international airport, Juan Santamaria, located 90 miles to the northwest. However, Sansa Airlines now provides 2-3 commercial flights per day via this route. The flight schedules are subject to change a lot, so make sure to keep up to date with the carrier’s customer service lines. Prices are generally about $75 to $95 one way. Planned construction on Route 32 – the main road between the two cities – might make flying an even more attractive option, both in terms of financial and time savings.

Hopefully, this post has clarified the different ways of traveling between the capital of Costa Rica and the South Caribbean and will make it easier to plan the trip of a lifetime in the land of Pura Vida!