MonteTours Blog

Getting From San Jose to Monteverde

Hundreds of thousands of tourists travel annually from San Jose to Monteverde. And you might be planning on going this route, but you’re probably not sure whether or not you should rent a car, hire a private transportation service, or use the Costa Rican public transportation system to make it, right?

Don’t worry. I got you. Many people have come to me with this question, and I’ve helped them find the best ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde in the most appropriate way. People have different backgrounds and needs. Thus, what may work for some might not work for others.

Therefore, this article will discuss the main ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde, from using public buses to hiring a private transportation service. Let’s dive in and find out which option is best for you.

Disclaimer: I’m not too fond of ads on educational pages like this one because it ruins the reader experience. Therefore, I keep my website ad-free. However, I still need a way to make a living. Thus, this article contains affiliate links to book transportation, from which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. After reading this post, if you decide to book a tour, please consider using the links on this post so that I can continue sharing unbiased, helpful information with your support. 

The Best Ways To Get From San Jose to Monteverde

1. Public Transportation
2. Group Shuttles
3. Private Car Service
4. Driving (Car Rental)

Let’s dive right in:

There are four ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde, Costa Rica. You can take the public bus, go on a group shuttle, hire a private transportation service, rent a car, and drive. Generally, the first two options are more affordable, but the latter is more convenient.

Riding the public bus is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Monteverde, while driving is the fastest way to travel there. On the other hand, getting a private transportation service is the easiest option, while going on a group shuttle gives you the best balance between cost-effectiveness and time efficiency. 

Keep scrolling to find out how each option ranks against each other based on its pros and cons, and learn a few tips and recommendations to help you make the best out of your trip from San Jose to Monteverde. 

What’s The Cheapest Way to Get from San Jose to Monteverde?

The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Monteverde is to ride the public bus for $6 per person. The bus departs from San Jose downtown twice a day, at 6:30 am, and 2:30 pm and you need to buy the tickets online to reserve your spot.

Compared to all the other ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde, riding the bus is the cheapest way, as shown in the below comparison table.

Most Affordable Ways to Get from San Jose to Monteverde

Notes:

• The above rates do not include the 13% IVA tax.
• These prices assume there is a minimum of two travelers.
• Renting a car consists of the base rate, insurance, and fuel.
• Prices can fluctuate throughout the year based on the market conditions and demand.

Keep scrolling for more detailed information on each service and how they work.

Cons of Riding the Public Bus from San Jose to Monteverde

Even though riding the bus from San Jose to Monteverde is very inexpensive, there are a few significant disadvantages of using this means of transportation to get to Monteverde. 

The Bus from San Jose to Monteverde Takes a Long Time

The main disadvantage of using the public bus to get from San Jose to Monteverde is how long the process takes. The ride on the public bus to Monteverde takes between 5 and 6 hours. 

The morning bus leaves San Jose at 6:30 am and gets to Monteverde at around 11 am, while the afternoon bus leaves at 2:30 pm and arrives at around 7 pm. The afternoon bus takes more time because the traffic on the road is significantly heavier. The bus takes Route 1 (General Cañas) from San Jose to Monteverde, which is usually pretty busy. 

Catching the Bus to Monteverde by the SJO Airport is Difficult

The second disadvantage of riding the bus is that there are only three stops to catch it. You can take the bus from the terminal in San Jose, Terminal 7-10. You can also catch it at a bus stop nearby the SJO Airport. Or you can also grab it at a stop in San Ramón, a small town about two hours away from San Jose, though it’s very uncommon to see people, especially foreigners, catch the bus there.

Catching the bus at the stop nearby the airport is very complicated. The problem is that public buses in Costa Rica do not usually make stops unless people need them to stop. 

There are two ways people can indicate the driver of a public bus to make a stop. If a bus user is inside the bus, they can ring the bell, and the driver will stop. On the other hand, if a user is at a bus stop and needs the bus to stop, they must wave their hand as the bus approaches, signaling to the driver that he needs to stop. So, if you are planning to catch the San Jose to Monteververde bus at this bus stop, you need to know that the bus will not stop unless you see it come and wave for it to stop.

This process of waving your hand for a driver to see you and stop may sound simple, but it can get complicated. Throughout my adult life, I have lost dozens of buses around the country because I got distracted and missed seeing the bus, or the driver missed seeing me. 

And the problem with this particular stop is the location. This bus stop is in the middle of a highway. And over 100 other bus routes use this bus stop to pick up users traveling to the northern towns and cities of the country. There can be more than 20 people waiting for their bus at any given time at this bus stop. And the bus stop is small, so it feels as though everybody is stepping on each other’s toes to have more visibility, so they can be ready to stop their bus. 

It can be highly stressful to be in a situation like this, where you are doing your best to stay on your toes to spot the little sign that says “Monteverde” so you can wave for the driver to stop. 

That’s why I do not recommend you catch the Monteverde bus at this bus stop, even if you are coming from a place where this stop is close to you (i.e., let’s say you are staying nearby the SJO Airport). 

Instead, I recommend you go to the terminal, where the bus leaves San Jose. It might be a little more expensive because you will have to take a taxi to get there, but it’s the only way to ensure you do not miss the bus. 

I recommend this to those traveling from San Jose to Monteverde on the afternoon bus as there is only one bus in the afternoons. So, if you miss it, you will have to spend another night in San Jose and travel to Monteverde the next day. 

Riding the Bus to Monteverde Can Be Uncomfortable

Another disadvantage of using the public bus from San Jose to Monteverde is the discomfort you can experience during the trip. There can be babies crying, people talking, and even kids throwing up in the seat in front of yours (I have been in that position twice). And what is probably worse, you may end up traveling standing for the entire time. 

The bus to Monteverde can hold up to 70 people, out of which only 50 passengers can go seated, while the other 20 passengers will need to travel standing. Now, the bus doesn’t always get full. Almost everyone will get a seat on an average bus ride, but a few users will need to travel standing from time to time. For example, it’s common to see people traveling standing on weekends during the high tourism season, from December through April.

I experienced what it’s like to travel standing for 5+ hours on the way to Monteverde a few times when I was working for IBM back in 2015, and I had to travel to San Jose 2 to 3 times per week. It’s not dramatic, but it is pretty uncomfortable. 

Warning: You can buy the Monteverde bus tickets online, but that will not guarantee a seat. Purchasing your tickets online guarantees you will get one of the 70 spots, but it will not ensure you get a seat. The online reservation system the bus uses does not show real-time availability. It only lets 70 people purchase a ticket. Then the administration needs to check who booked first and assign a seat to the first 50 people.

Therefore, I recommend you call the terminal to check seat availability before buying the tickets. 

Bus From San Jose to Monteverde – Quick Summary

• The public bus is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Monteverde. 
• The bus from San Jose to Monteverde is $6 per person.
• Link to Purchase Tickets for the Bus from San Jose to Monteverde
• Buying the tickets online does not guarantee you will travel seated. 
• You need to call the office to find out if they have seats available. 
• Number to Call the Office (They only speak Spanish): +506-2645-7447. 
• The following is the map to get to the terminal from where the bus leaves San Jose: 

What’s The Fastest Way to Get from San Jose to Monteverde?

Driving is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Monteverde, which will take between 2.5 and 3.5 hours. You can use a combination of route 27, route 1, and route 606, which will take about 3 hours. Or you can take only routes 1 and 606, which will take approximately 4 hours. 

Unlike all the other ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde, driving is the fastest way, as shown in the below comparison table. 

Fastest Ways to Get from San Jose to Monteverde

*Going on a Private Transfer will be faster than Driving if you’re not used to driving in Costa Rica.

Cons of Driving from San Jose to Monteverde

As a general rule, driving is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Monteverde, but driving also has a couple of caveats you should consider before you decide on renting a car to make your way from San Jose to Monteverde. 

Driving Might Not Be the Fastest Way of Getting to Monteverde

Driving is not always the fastest way of getting to Monteverde. As mentioned above, it takes between 3 and 4 hours to drive from San Jose to Monteverde. However, these averages are more realistic and applicable to those used to driving in Costa Rica. They do not necessarily apply to foreigners. 

The Google Maps average time from San Jose to Monteverde uses real-time traffic speed to calculate the estimated travel time. However, most tourists drive at a significantly slower pace than locals. You will experience this if you decide to rent a car for your trip to Costa Rica. More likely than not, you will drive more slowly than Costa Ricans, and that’s because you will probably want to enjoy the incredible scenery, while the average local will be rushing to get home from work. 

Therefore, as a general rule, I recommend adding 30 to 60 minutes to the estimated driving time the GPS device/app gives you. 

Beware! GPS Devices Can Be Tricky When Driving to Monteverde

A GPS device is excellent for driving from San Jose to Monteverde but can also be tricky. Set aside some time to ask a local or study the routes before using a GPS whenever possible. Some travelers fail to do this and only follow whatever the GPS sends them to go. 

As a general rule, if you are not a local or do not know the roads, relying 100% on a GPS device is not a good practice in Costa Rica. Many secondary farm roads can be tricky and complicated to drive if you do not know them. 

For example, if you use Waze to get from San Jose to Monteverde, Waze will take you through a shortcut about 5 kilometers (3 miles) before reaching Santa Elena on route 606. The shortcut is excellent if you have a 4×4 vehicle, but it can be a terrible idea if you don’t have one. The road is super steep, and you must cross a small river, which you can’t do with a low vehicle. 

So, avoid making this type of mistake by taking some time to research your routes online before setting on your endeavor. 

Driving is Not the Easiest Way to Get from San Jose to Monteverde

Driving from San Jose to Monteverde is simple, but it’s not always easy. There are crazy local drivers, unpredictable and harsh weather conditions, and narrow roads in bad shape. 

As mentioned above, Costa Ricans drive significantly faster than foreigners. In addition to this, since we know the roads, as locals, we can make risky moves that might scare someone who has never driven in our country. 

For example, on highway 1, one of the main routes from San Jose to Monteverde, you might see someone going at full speed, passing multiple vehicles on a relatively narrow road at once. If you live in Costa Rica and have been through that route thousands of times, you will not see anything particularly wrong with this. But if you come from a developed country where the roads are much broader, and there are usually multiple lines on all the highways, you might see such a move as imprudent. 

On the other hand, you have the unpredictable weather conditions of Costa Rica. You might be driving with a clear sky when suddenly a cloud forms ahead, pouring rain all over the place. Driving under changing weather conditions might not be such a big problem during the summertime from December through April, but it can get extremely challenging during the rainy season. 

In Costa Rica, the rainy season is not so bad from May through August. However, it can get scary sometimes during September and October, especially if you stumble upon a storm while driving. These are the top 2 rainy months and the top months for accidents on the road. 

The rain also causes a lot of damage to the roads, which worsens during the rainy season. Many potholes come to life during this time of the year, and it takes a couple of months for the government to repair the cracks. 

A tourist’s main problem with potholes is that they can make a vehicle’s tire explode. Exploding tires do not usually cause many accidents in Costa Rica. However, they can easily create a trip very stressful for a tourist, who will need to phone in the car rental to get another vehicle and then file the insurance paperwork. It’s not dramatic, but it can ruin a few hours of your dream vacation time. 

Over the last few years, the problem with the road condition, specifically the main road that leads to Monteverde, route 606, has gotten much better after the government paved the road back in 2019. However, even though that road is much better, it still has potholes threatening your driving experience, which begs the following question;

Do You Need a 4×4 to Get from San Jose to Monteverde?

You do not need a 4×4 from San Jose to Monteverde because the government paved the main road in 2020. However, the government only paved the main road, not the secondary roads, so depending on where you are going during your visit to Monteverde, you may still prefer a 4×4 vehicle.

For example, if you plan to drive to visit a Monteverde Zipline Tour, you must go through unpaved roads. You will also need to navigate through unpaved roads if you plan to see the Monteverde Hanging Bridges. However, most adventure parks will offer complimentary roundtrip transportation, so you don’t want to use their vehicle.

Our Verdict on Whether You Should Drive From San Jose to Monteverde

Driving in a new country with narrow roads, crazy drivers, and severe weather conditions might not be the best way to travel. So unless you have some experience driving in Costa Rica, I recommend you refrain from renting a car and try one of the other ways mentioned in this article to get from San Jose to Monteverde.

So, if you plan to drive from San Jose to Monteverde, I recommend that you consider bringing a 4×4 vehicle, and I would also suggest you take a few minutes to read my article “Is the Road to Monteverde Paved?” 

Keep the above in mind when planning your trip to Arenal. And if you decide to rent a car, I recommend using the Rental Car Comparison Tool. You can find the best car rental deals in one place. Choose the city or airport where you plan to pick up a rental car, and the tool will instantly show you the best deals across the major rental car companies in Costa Rica. 

What’s The Easiest Way to Get from San Jose to Monteverde?

Hiring a Private Transportation Service, or a “Private Shuttle,” as locals call it, is the easiest way to get from San Jose to Monteverde. With a private shuttle, you can arrange a specific time and place, and a transportation company will pick you up there and take you to your lodge in Monteverde. 

Compared to all the other ways to get from San Jose to Monteverde, hiring a private transportation service, also known as a private transfer, is the easiest way. You don’t need to worry about carrying your luggage or catching a bus in the middle of the public road, compromising your safety and belongings. 

You also don’t need to worry about driving in a foreign country with roads that might differ significantly from the streets you’re used to riding back home. Instead, you arrange the time and place, and a local professional driver will pick you up with a modern vehicle to take you from your departure place in San Jose to your destination in Monteverde. 

The only disadvantage of hiring this type of transportation service is the price. Going on a private transfer is the most expensive way to get from San Jose to Monteverde. It’s the most comfortable, convenient, and most straightforward option but also pricey. 

Depending on the pickup place, getting from San Jose to Monteverde on a private transfer will cost between $180 and $200 for 1 to 6 passengers. The pickup time can also influence your pricing.

The pickup time can also influence your pricing. For example, if you arrive at the SJO Airport late at night (usually after 5 pm), the prices for this service might get $20+ higher. 

Prices for private transfers are also subject to increase as demand rises, especially during the busiest days, so I recommend booking ahead of time. 

There is one scenario where hiring a private transfer from San Jose to Monteverde will not be the most expensive option. That’s when your party is four or more passengers. 

Group shuttles charge a per-person price, while private transfers charge a per-trip fee. Using a shared shuttle will cost $67 per adult, so the total for four adults would be $268. In contrast, the same trip with a private shuttle might cost you around $200. 

So, in this scenario, it’s not only more comfortable and convenient to hire a private transfer, but it’s also more economically efficient. You can use this link to see availability and prices in real-time if this is your case.  

Using a Group Shuttle to Get from San Jose to Monteverde

Getting a group shuttle from San Jose to Monteverde is an excellent choice for solo travelers and couples. A group shuttle is a daily shared transportation service from San Jose to Monteverde. A modern Van with A / C will pick you up at your lodge in San Jose and take you to your destination in Monteverde. 

Generally, taking a group shuttle, or a “shared shuttle,” as the locals call it, is the most recommended door-to-door way to get from San Jose to Monteverde for most travelers. Group shuttles are convenient and provide the best balance, saving time and money for travelers in most cases.

On a group shuttle, you share the shuttle service with fellow travelers and the cost, which is usually the best option for solo travelers and couples. Using this option to get to Monteverde will be far more convenient than riding the public bus and significantly less expensive than hiring a private transfer. 

Using a group shuttle is also more manageable and less stressful than renting a car and driving. The price can change depending on the seasonality and demand, but it’s usually around $50 to $60 per person. 

Related Article: 

• Is the Road to Monteverde Paved?
• How to Get from Tamarindo to Monteverde
• How to Get from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde

About the Author

Daniel Lalinde

I am the founder of MonteTours Costa Rica. I live in Monteverde and love nature, adventure, and Mountain Biking. My partner and I love spending time outdoors and dining in Monteverde. We have more than 30 years of combined experience in the area, and there is no park, coffee shop, or restaurant we haven’t tried at least once!

We love helping visitors and connecting them with the different tours and activities to have a memorable experience in Monteverde.

If you need help planning things to do in the area, send us a message, and we will happily assist you!