How To Get From San Jose Airport To Drake Bay Best Way – You can go by bus, van, taxi and private transfer plus a boat.
What is The Distance From San Jose Airport to San Jose To Drake Bay?
The distance from San Jose to Drake Bay is 358 kilometers. Click here to book online Costa Rica activities and Day Trips
The travel time by taxi from San Jose to Drake Bay is around 5 hours plus 1 hour by boat. Read here how to get from Sierpe to Drake Bay and the reverse way how to get from Drake Bay to San Jose airport
What Is The Cheapest Way From San Jose To Drake Bay?
The cheapest way from San Jose to Drake Bay is by bus for $20 USD plus a boat you can book online and it will take around 9 hours with the waiting time.
What Is The Best Way From San Jose To Drake Bay?
The best way from San Jose to Drake Bay is by shared van for $75 USD you can book online and for 4 hours and 30 minutes plus a boat for 1 hour you can book online
ARE THERE ATMS IN DRAKE BAY?
There are no ATMs in Drake Bay so make sure you withdraw in advance in San Jose or in one of the stops if you are getting by van or by bus.
WHERE TO STAY IN DRAKE BAY
There are dormitory rooms where you can rent the bed for as low as $20 USD a night if you want the cheapest option in Drake Bay. A double-room hostel can cost up to $30-40 a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 a night.
Click here to check the best deals for accommodation in Drake Bay
SIM CARD AT SAN JOSE COSTA RICA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you 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
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 comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki
HOW TO GET FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO DRAKE BAY
BY BUS FROM SAN JOSE TO DRAKE BAY (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from San Jose to Drake Bay is by bus plus boat. There is no direct bus from San Jose to Drake Bay and you will have to stop at Sierpe.
The buses from San Jose to Sierpe are leaving from Tracopa Bus Terminal (check the location in Google Maps). There is only one direct bus from San Jose to Sierpe but if you don’t get the bus you could get buses going from San Jose to Quepos and Jaco and transfer to buses going to Sierpe.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM SAN JOSE TO SIERPE
The bus schedule from San Jose to Sierpe is starting at 8 30 am and gets to 2 30 pm at Sierpe. There is one direct bus if not you will have to get the buses going from San Jose to Quepos and transfer to buses going thru Uvita to Sierpe. Check Tracopa Bus schedule and route here!
The bus fare from San Jose to Sierpe is around $20 USD. The bus travel time from San Jose to Sierpe is around 6 hours. The boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay will leave at 4 pm and get to Drake Bay around 5 pm. The total bus and boat travel time will be around 9 hours.
SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO TRACOPA BUS TERMINAL IN SAN JOSE CITY CENTER
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 have to walk outside to get the buses leaving from the main road outside the airport. You can buy the ticket direct from the bus driver.
SHARED VAN FROM SAN JOSE TO DRAKE BAY (BEST WAY)
The best way from San Jose to Drake Bay is by shared van. The van travel time from San Jose to Sierpe is 4 hours and 30 minutes plus 1-hour boat ride.
The van fare from San Jose airport to Sierpe is $75 USD and you can book online. You will have to get the first van early morning if you want to get the first boat leaving at 11 30 am from Sierpe and getting to Drake Bay at 12 30 pm.
BOAT SCHEDULE FROM SIERPE TO DRAKE BAY
There are two daily boats from Sierpe to Drake Bay. The boat schedule from Sierpe to Drake Bay is leaving at 11 30 am and 4 pm from Sierpe Port.
The boat takes around 1 hour and you can book online. You will get to Drake Bay to the Beach. Make sure you have proper shoes and clothes because you will get wet when getting off the boat on the beach.
In high season we will recommend you book online your spot in the boat since there are not many seats available. In that case, you will have to stay overnight in Sierpe and get the boat the next day!
Read here full blog post how to get from Sierpe to Drake Bay!
SAN JOSE TO DRAKE BAY BY PLANE
There are flights leaving at San Jose at 8 20 am, 8 35 am, 11 40 am and 2 10 pm. The flight travel time from San Jose to Drake Bay is 50 minutes and it will cost $165 USD for one way.
You will have to take a taxi from Drake Bay Airport to the accommodation area for $5 USD and you will have to add the waiting time at the airport too.
It will take less than 2 hours compared with the shared van and the bus is much faster but it’s more expensive!
BEST WAY FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO DRAKE BAY BUS VS VAN PROS AND CONS
The best way from San Jose to Drake Bay is by bus for $20 USD plus boat you can book online if you go on a budget for a total of 9 hours travel time and around $50 USD.
The best way from San Jose airport to Drake Bay is by shared van for $75 USD you can book online plus boat (book online here) if you prefer comfort and it will take around 5 hours and 30 minutes. It will cost around $100 USD
The best way from San Jose airport to Drake Bay is by plane if you wish more comfort for $165 USD per person and 50 minutes travel time.
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Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.