How To Get From Tamarindo To Tortuguero – All Possible Ways (Updated 2023)

Last updated on January 11th, 2023 at 11:49 pm

How To Get From Tamarindo To Tortuguero – You can go by car, bus, van and private transfer. The distance from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is 379 kilometers. Click here to book online Costa Rica activities and Day Trips

The travel time from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is around 6 hours and 30 minutes by car to La Pavona. Read here how to get from Tortuguero to Tamarindo the reverse way.

What Is The Cheapest Way From Tamarindo to Tortuguero?

The cheapest way from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is by bus for $20 USD. If you go by bus the travel time will be around 10 hours depending on the transfers and waiting time.

You can rent a car at Tamarindo. The taxi fare from Tamarindo to Tortuguero, Uber or private transportation prices will be around $350 USD.

Read here how to get from Tamarindo to Puerto Viejo, Jaco to Tortuguero, Tortuguero to Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero to Monteverde, La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna to Liberia airport, Puerto Viejo to La Fortuna and La Fortuna to Tamarindo

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.

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. 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.

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 TAMARINDO TO TORTUGUERO

BUS FROM TAMARINDO TO TORTUGUERO (CHEAPEST WAY)

The cheapest way from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is by bus. First you will have to ride a local bus Empresa Alfaro going from Tamarindo to San Jose Costa Rica getting to Terminal 7-10 in city center. And later you will have to ride the bus from San Jose to Cariari, La Pavona and the boat to Tortuguero.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM TAMARINDO TO SAN JOSE

The bus schedule from Tamarindo to San Jose Costa Rica with Empresa Alfaro is leaving a few times daily. The Alfaro Buses from Tamarindo to San Jose are running every 2-3 hours starting from 3 am to 5 30 pm (a few buses are passing by Liberia a quick stop).

The bus fare from Tamarindo to San Jose is around $10 USD and the travel time from Tamarindo to San Jose is around 5-6 hours. Check here Alfaro Bus schedule and route!

BUS SCHEDULE FROM SAN JOSE TO CARIARI

Once in San Jose you will have to get to Grand Caribe Bus Terminal 5 minutes walking distance from Bus Terminal 7-10 to get the bus from San Jose to Cariari.

The bus schedule from San Jose to Cariari with Grupo Caribeños (leaving from Grand Caribe Bus Terminal) is starting at 6 30 am, 9 am, 10 30 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 30 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm. The bus travel time from San Jose to Cariari is 2 hours and the bus fare is $3 USD.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM CARIARI TO LA PAVONA

Once in Cariari you will have to ride the bus from Cariari to La Pavona. The bus schedule from Cariari to La Pavona is starting at 5 am, 9 am, 11 30 am and 3 pm. The bus travel time from Cariari to La Pavona is around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The bus fare from San Jose to Cariari is $2 USD.

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 boat departure schedule from La Pavona to Tortuguero is starting at 6 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm and the 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.

The total travel time from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is around 10 hours by bus plus boat. The total bus and boat fare from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is $20 USD.

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

TAXI FROM TAMARINDO TO TORTUGUERO

If you go from Tamarindo to Tortuguero by taxi is the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. The travel time by taxi from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is around 6 hours and 30 minutes to La Pavona and later you will have to ride the boat to Tortuguero.

The taxi fare from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is around $350 USD. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.

UBER FROM TAMARINDO 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 Tamarindo to Tortuguero reaching La Pavona for around $350 USD depending on the traffic or time of the day.

CAR RENTAL AT TAMARINDO

There are many options for renting a car in Tamarindo. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in La Pavona or if you would love to move around. It will take you 6 hours and 30 minutes to get to La Pavona where you will get the boat to Tortuguero from Tamarindo with a private car plus the boat. A few agencies like Hertz, Avis, Centauro are available for $30 USD daily.

Click here to get the best deals renting a car in Costa Rica!

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION TAMARINDO 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. Prices are around $400 USD and you will be able to fit up to 4 people. It could be $100 USD per person.

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

BEST WAY FROM TAMARINDO TO TORTUGUERO

The best way from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is by bus plus boat if you go on a budget for a total of 10 hours travel time. You will pay around $20 USD including the bus coming from Tamarindo to San Jose Costa Rica and Cariari to La Pavona with the boat to Tortuguero.

If you wish more comfort taxi, Uber or private transportation from Tamarindo to Tortuguero is around $350 USD and 6 hours and 30 minutes travel time to reach La Pavona.

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 a 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!