How To Get From San Jose Airport to Tortuguero – All Possible Ways (Updated 2023)

Last updated on January 9th, 2023 at 10:02 am

How To Get From San Jose Airport to Tortuguero – You can go by bus, van, taxi and private transportation to La Pavona where you will take the boat to Tortuguero. The distance from Juan Santamaría Airport to Tortuguero is 127 kilometers. Click here to book online Tortuguero activities and Day Trip

The travel time by taxi from San Jose Costa Rica airport to Tortuguero is around 2 hours and 15 minutes by car to La Pavona where you can get the boat to Tortuguero. The taxi fare from San Jose Costa Rica airport to Tortuguero will be around $130-140 USD. Read here how to get from Tortuguero to San Jose airport the reverse way

What Is The Cheapest Way From San Jose Airport to Tortuguero?

The cheapest way from San Jose airport Costa Rica to Tortuguero is by bus plus boat $12 USD. If you go by bus the travel time will be around 5 hours and 30 minutes from San Jose to Tortuguero.

What Is The Best Way From San Jose To Tortuguero?

The best way from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is by shared van for $38 USD per person and 3 hours travel time and you can book online

You can rent a cat at San Jose airport or private transportation prices will be around $130-140 USD.

SIM CARD AT SAN JOSE COSTA RICA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at San Jose Costa Rica airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in San Jose Costa Rica. Read here Costa Rica eSim and best Costa Rica Sim card for tourist

You can find the cheapest Costa Rica eSim with Airalo Costa Rica eSim prepaid for $8 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). for $8 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. For $20 USD with 3 GB data and for $30 USD with 5 GB data. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%)

You can get an eSim for Costa Rica for €24 with 4 GB data valid for 14 days with MTX Connect eSim. Holafly Costa Rica eSim for $42 USD with 6 GB data in Costa Rica valid for 15 days and use our discount code GAMINTRAVELER.

Read how to get from San Jose airport to city center, Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo, Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero, San Jose airport to Tamarindo, San Jose airport to Puerto Viejo, San Jose airport to La Fortuna, San Jose airport to Santa Teresa, San Jose airport to Jaco Beach and San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio

WHERE TO STAY IN TORTUGUERO

There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $8-10 USD a night if you want the cheapest option in Tortuguero. A double room hostel can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 USD a night.

Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in Tortuguero

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

HOW TO GET FROM SAN JOSE TO TORTUGUERO

BUS FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TORTUGUERO (CHEAPEST WAY)

The cheapest way from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is by bus. First you will have to ride a local bus going to Grand Caribe Bus Terminal where the buses are leaving from San Jose to Cariari on the way to Tortuguero.

There are two bus services running from San Jose airport to city TUASA (Red and white buses) and Station Wagon (Yellow and orange buses). The buses are running every 10 minutes starting from 4 am until 11 30 pm.

The total travel time from San José Juan Santamaría Airport to city is around 30-40 minutes. The bus fare is 675 CRC which is $1.10 USD for one way and you don’t have to pay extra for the luggage.

You will ahve to walk outside to get the buses are leaving from the main road outside the airport. You can buy the ticket direct to the bus driver.

The final destination for both bus companies is Tuasa Terminal which is on Second Avenue at Merced Park in San Jose Market where you can walk 10 minutes distance to Grand Caribe Bus Terminal to get the bus to Tortuguero.

BUS SAN JOSE COSTA RICA TO TORTUGUERO

The bus from San Jose to Tortuguero is leaving from Grand Caribe Bus Terminal. The buses are leaving early morning on the way to Cariari where you will have to transfer to another bus going to La Pavona. You will have to get an early bus if you want to reach Tortuguero on the public boat.

The bus from San Jose to Cariari will take around 2 hours and you will have to transfer to another bus to get to La Pavona. There are only 4 buses leaving from Cariari to La Pavona starting at 5 am, 9 am, 11 30 am and 3 pm with all these buses you will get the public boat from La Pavona to Tortuguero.

The total bus fare from San Jose to La Pavona is around $7 USD and the travel time from San Jose to La Pavona is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

BOAT FROM LA PAVONA TO TORTUGUERO

Once in La Pavona you will have to get a boat. You can buy the tickets in the restaurant and it will be a shared boat up to 20 people going from La Pavona to Tortuguero. The boat fare from La Pavona to Tortuguero is around $5 USD and it includes a suitcase/backpack.

The boats departure schedule from La Pavona to Tortuguero is starting at 6 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm and last one at 4 30 pm (when the bus from Cariari to La Pavona is getting).

The boat ride from La Pavona to Tortuguero will take around 1 hour (it can be less or more). Outside these boats schedule (estimated time not fixed) there are also private boats (more expensive) going from La Pavona to Tortuguero.

SHARED VAN FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TORTUGUERO (BEST WAY)

The best way from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is by shared van direct to your hotel. The van travel time from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is 3 hours.

The van fare from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is $38 USD and you can book online.

TAXI FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TORTUGUERO

If you go from San Jose airport to Tortuguero by taxi the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. The travel time by taxi from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is around 2 hours and 30 minutes to La Pavona and 4 hours including the boat to Tortuguero.

The taxi fare from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is around $120-130 USD. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.

UBER FROM SAN JOSE COSTA RICA AIRPORT TO TORTUGUERO

Uber App can be useful for traveling around Costa Rica but they have similar fares to taxis. You can expect to go from San Jose airport to Tortuguero to reach La Pavona around $120 USD depending on the traffic or time of the day.

CAR RENTAL AT SAN JOSE AIRPORT

There are many options for renting a car in San Jose’s airport. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in Tortuguero or if you would love to move around. It will take you 4 hours to get to Tortuguero from San Jose airport with a private car plus the boat. There are a few agencies like Hertz, Avis, Centauro available in the airport for $30 USD per day.

Click here to get the best deals renting a car in San Jose!

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TORTUGUERO

Hotel transfers are also very easy and convenient but can be a little bit pricey. The transfers are usually available 24 hours and are only ideal if you have the budget and you really want comfort after your flight to San Jose. Prices are around $130 USD and you will be able to fit up to 4 people. It could be $30 USD per person.

Click here to book your transportation with Bookaway in Costa Rica!

BEST WAY FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TORTUGUERO (SAN JOSE TO TORTUGUERO)

BUS VS VAN PROS AND CONS

The best way from San Jose Costa Rica airport to Tortuguero is by bus plus boat if you go on a budget for a total of 6 hours and 30 minutes travel time. You will pay around $12 USD including the bus coming from San Jose Costa Rica airport to La Pavona and the boat to Tortuguero.

The best way from San Jose airport to Tortuguero is by van for $38 USD and you can book online if you prefer comfort and get directly to your hotel. After a long flight, you will be in 3 hours without any other transfer.

If you wish more comfort taxi, Uber or private transportation from San Jose to Tortuguero is around $130 USD and 4 hours travel time.

ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN TORTUGUERO

There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $8 USD a night if you want the cheapest option. AirBnb is also available, mostly for about $20-25 USD a night. Double-room hostels can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 USD a night.

Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in Tortuguero.

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN COSTA RICA

Breakfast will be the cheapest meal of the day and you can load up on Gallo Pinto, tortillas, eggs, fried plantains and some fresh fruit too for around $3-4 USD per person. At lunch you might want a chicken sandwich for $8-10 USD salad, burger and pizza with a fresh fruit drink for $3 USD.

You can have a budget of $15-20 USD a day and it can already get you more than enough decent meals. Costa Rica is little bit pricey compared to other countries like Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in Central America.

BEST TIME TO VISIT COSTA RICA

In Costa Rica their summer (December to April), there are fewer rains than normal. In their winter (May to November), the rains are almost non-stop. For most tourists best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to April because of easier transport. 

Click here to know more about the weather in Costa Rica!

CASH AND ATMS IN COSTA RICA

The currency of Costa Rica is called Colòn and as of now, $1 USD is worth 600 Colòn. Do not exchange your currency at the airport because you’ll get less than what you’ll get with the city’s exchange. Anyway if you are bringing USD you can use them while traveling around Costa Rica no need to exchange them.

Bank or debit cards in an ATM are the recommended way to access your funds while traveling in Costa Rica. Know real-time currency exchange here!

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Happy Travels!