How to Get to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde (2025)
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Visiting Costa Rica and wondering how to get to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde? Keep reading for a comprehensive guide!
Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Central America for travelers.
When it comes to all the best places to visit in Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is at the top of the list, but it’s not the easiest to get to.
To ease your travel planning, Abi from I’m Going on an Adventure has crafted a comprehensive “how to get to Puerto Viejo” transportation guide guide.
Abi is a seasoned traveler who has extensively explored Costa Rica. She navigated this route herself, although in reverse, as Puerto Viejo was the first place she visited in the country after crossing the Panama/Costa Rica border.
Puerto Viejo, a must-stop spot on your Costa Rica itinerary, is perfect for hanging out with sloths, trekking through jungles, and visiting some of the country’s most stunning beaches!
With that being said, here’s all of the helpful information you need to know when planning your trip to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde, Costa Rica!
PS: As you typically have to travel to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde via San Jose, this guide will also be helpful if you’re going there directly from the capital.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
How to Get to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde
Puerto Viejo is among the best places to best places to visit in Costa Rica, and it should be an addition to anyone’s Costa Rica itinerary.
I want you to feel comfortable booking your visit to this little beach town gem, so I’ve included the top five ways to get there: Shuttle, Private Transfer, Flight, Rental Car, and Bus (bus is how we did it!)
There are a few ways to do it, and it’s even possible to go from Monteverde to La Fortuna and then on to Puerto Viejo and sort of circle around.
You could even circle southwards through Jaco and Dominical before heading east through Orosi (our favorite small-town destination) to reach Puerto Viejo.
However, this guide focuses on getting to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde via San Jose.
Most travelers will take a route through the capital, so it’s useful for anyone coming that way.
In Costa Rica, US dollars are widely accepted. All the prices below will be in US dollars, making it easier for you to budget accordingly.
Monteverde to Puerto Viejo: Cost Summary
All prices are accurate at the time of publication. Prices can change day by day, so be sure to do your research before booking.
- Shuttle: Average of $130 per person.
- Private Transfer: Average of $450.00 per vehicle
- Flight: Average of $260 per person.
- Rental Car: Avg. $200 per day / $900 per week per vehicle from San Jose, return in Puerto Viejo (cheaper if returning to the same pick-up location)
- Bus: $14 per person
The Distance Between Monteverde And Puerto Viejo
The distance between Monteverde and Puerto Viejo is about 370 kilometers or 230 miles, so it’s pretty far.
Without stopping, the estimated travel time by car is around 7 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions; some toll roads should be considered.
Getting to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde
There are a few ways to reach Puerto Viejo, but just remember it’s the end of the road.
If you plan to travel to Panama after visiting Costa Rica, it’s the perfect pre-border hop stop!
Monteverde to Puerto Viejo by Shuttle
A shuttle is a comfortable and convenient way to travel around Costa Rica on a direct route.
Generally, they are more expensive than public transport but provide a reliable service, usually in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Personally, shuttles are the best way to travel through Costa Rica, and you’ll find that the most popular tourist destinations will have an available shuttle service.
Taking a shuttle from Monteverde is a convenient way to travel to Puerto Viejo.
Firstly, you’ll need to catch a shuttle to San Jose.
There are a few different shuttle providers with routes between Monteverde and San Jose.
Two recommended ones are Interbus and Caribe Fun Tours.
| Departure | Price | Location | |
| Interbus | 1:00 pm / 8:00 am | $55.00 | Monteverde |
| Caribe Fun Tours | 1:00 pm / 8:00 am | $57.00 | Monteverde |
Once you’re in San Jose, numerous shuttle services run a scheduled departure to Puerto Viejo.
The two most popular are Caribe Shuttle and My Pink Bus.
| Departure | Price | Location | |
| Caribe Shuttle | 5:30 am / 2:00 pm | $60.00 | Denny’s restaurant near the airport |
| My Pink Bus | 7:30 am | $60.00 | San Jose downtown |
Monteverde to Puerto Viejo by Private Transfer
Another fantastic way to reach Puerto Viejo from Monteverde is by private transfer.
This is the ultimate transport option as it’s the most convenient and comfortable.
However, it’s also the most expensive – or is it?
Depending on whether you’re traveling in a group, you might find booking a private transfer is cheaper than the shuttles.
If you’re traveling alone or in a couple, it’s unlikely to be cheaper, although it could still be affordable depending on your travel budget.
The following companies run private transfers from Monteverde to Puerto Viejo:
- Daytrip: $453, max 4 people
- Pleasure Ride: $446.40, max 6 people
- Suntrails: $586.35 max 10 people
A private transfer also you to choose your pick-up time and location.
You won’t have to share your ride with others, and you’ll be able to make additional stops en route.
You also won’t be charged for extra luggage, such as multiple bags and surfboards.
Monteverde To Puerto Viejo By Plane
The quickest way to travel to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde is to fly, but there is no direct route.
You will have to go to San Jose Airport and fly to Limon. Then, you’ll need to arrange a private transfer, shuttle, or bus from Limon to Puerto Viejo.
The good news is that since it’s an internal flight, you only have to check in half an hour before departure, although if you have bags to check, I would suggest you arrive at least an hour before departure.
- Monteverde to San Jose is almost 3 hours
- Flight time is around 40 minutes and averages at $110 one-way
- Limon to Puerto Viejo is a 45-minute drive.
Overall, including waiting times and transfers, it should take you just over 5 hours to reach Puerto Viejo and cost around $260.00 per person.
For transfers from Limon to Puerto Viejo, you have a couple of options:
- Shared with Caribe Shuttle: $80.00 per person
- Private with Caribe Fun Tours: $90.00
- You could also hop on a local bus.
You can use Skyscanner to search for flights.
Sansa Airlines, a Costa Rican airline with domestic flights throughout the country, has three daily flights from San Jose to Limon.
Keep in mind since it’s an internal flight, departure often happens from a separate terminal beside the main international terminal.
Monteverde To Puerto Viejo By Rental Car
One activity we missed when visiting Costa Rica was a road trip.
We love road trips, and Costa Rica would be an incredible destination to go on a road trip.
Having a rental means you’re free to explore at your own pace, make as many stops as you wish, and explore lesser-visited locations.
The downside is that it’s more expensive, although not as expensive as private transfers.
You also won’t be able to drop it off in Puerto Viejo unless you rent through Adobe or Alamo, as they are the only two companies with offices in Puerto Viejo.
You’ll also have to rent it from San Jose as neither has offices in Monteverde.
I did a quick price check. For example, a rental car costs just under $200 a day with Alamo in January.
It’s actually cheaper if you rent for more extended periods. It is around $935.00 for a week, and for two weeks, expect to pay double.
If your intention is not to drop the vehicle in Puerto Viejo, there are other rental companies to use that could provide a better deal.
Overall, we like to use Discover Cars for searching and booking rental cars.
P.S.: For the traffic hotline, which will prove a recorded traffic report in Spanish from within Costa Rica, dial 800-TRANSITO, select option #1, and then option #4.
Monteverde To Puerto Viejo By Bus
The final way to get to Puerto Viejo from Monteverde is by public bus.
This is my favorite way to travel since you meet many interesting people and really get a feel for what local life is like in Costa Rica.
It’s the cheapest mode of transport, but it also comes with a few disadvantages.
Departure times are set, although they often turn up late, and you’re not allocated seats unless on the more prominent coaches, which are superb.
The bus you catch from Monteverde to Puerto Viejo is likely to be a coach rather than a bus; it’s comfortable and has air conditioning, and you will be allocated a seat.
The biggest drawback is locating the terminals. In Monteverde, the terminal for the bus to San Jose is TransMonteverde Bus Terminal, terminals 7-10.
Keep in mind there is only one bus departing a day at 2:30 pm, so I suggest you pre-book your tickets.
You can pre-book your tickets via TransMonteverde on Bookaway. Tickets are around $14 per person.
If you’re taking a taxi between terminals, which I recommend you do, ask your taxi driver to take you to “Parada del bus de MEPE Terminal Atlantico Norte, para Puerto Viejo Talamanca”.
P.S.: There are two towns called Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. Make sure you say “Puerto Viejo Talamanca” so they don’t get confused!
For the bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, you’ll use the Transportes MEPE Bus Company.
| Departure | Price | Location | |
| Transportes MEPE | 6:00 am/ 8:00 am/ 10:00 am/ 12:00 pm / 2:00 pm/ 4:00 pm | $13.00 | Terminal Atlantico Norte |
Once you’ve arrived at the terminal, you can purchase your ticket to Puerto Viejo. The ticket office is open daily from 5:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is a superb location for kicking back and relaxing, but it also borders a lush jungle and is surrounded by outdoor activities.
You can spend your days sun lounging, surfing, kayaking, or hiking through the jungles.
There are chocolate plantations, indigenous tribes, waterfalls, and animal sanctuaries.
If you’re looking for a great hostel, you can’t go wrong with Tasty Dayz Hostel – one of the best hostels in Central America.
This gorgeous (and affordable) hostel features dorms and private rooms, daily activities, and easy access to the beach.
If you prefer a hotel, Banana Azul is often rated as one of the best hotels in town.
In Summary: How To Get To Puerto Viejo
As always, I leave you with a few final thoughts about how to get to Puerto Viejo so you can have the best trip.
As seasoned backpackers, we always opt for the local experience.
It helps that it’s the cheapest, but it’s also the most fun, providing insight into local life.
It’s also a great way to practice your Spanish by chatting with locals.
If you’ve got loads of time and don’t mind a little adventure, then I would say opt for the local buses.
On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry or prefer a more comfortable experience, then shuttles are the best overall.
For groups, I’d always advise checking out the private transfers as these generally will become cheaper, especially if there are four or more of you.
I’d avoid flying as it can be rather stressful arranging all the different transfers and ensuring you arrive in time for departure.
However you decide to travel around Costa Rica, I hope you have a wonderful trip!
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