How To Get From Malpais to San Jose Best Way – You can go by bus, van and private transfer.
What Is The Distance From Malpais to San Jose?
The distance from Malpais to San Jose is 190 kilometers. Click here to book online Costa Rica activities and Day Trips
The travel time from Malpais to San Jose is around 4 hours and 30 minutes by car plus ferry. The taxi fare from Malpais to San Jose airport is around $260 USD. Read here how to get from San Jose to Malpais the reverse way.
What Is The Cheapest Way From Malpais to San Jose?
The cheapest way from Malpais to San Jose is by bus for $15 USD. The bus travel time from Malpais to San Jose including the ferry boat will be around 6 hours and 30 minutes.
What Is The Best Way From Malpais to San Jose?
The best way from Malpais to San Jose is by shared van for $63 USD per person and 6 hours travel time and you can book online.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN JOSE
There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $20 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.
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HOW TO GET FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE
SHARED VAN FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT (BEST WAY)
The best way from Malpais to San Jose is by shared van direct to your hotel. The van travel time from Malpais to San Jose is 6 hours. The shared vans are leaving early morning at 6 45 am!
The van fare from Malpais to San Jose is $63 USD and you can book online.
BUS FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from Malpais to San Jose airport is by bus plus ferry. First, you will have to ride a local bus going to Paquera Ferry Port and from Puntarenas a bus going to San Jose Terminal 7-10.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE (FERRY BOAT PAQUERA TO PUNTARENAS)
The bus schedule from Malpais to San Jose with Transportes Cobano is at 6 am and 2 pm leaving from Montezuma. The bus travel time from Malpais to Paquera is around 1 hour.
You will cross by ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas which is around 1 hour and 30 minutes travel time. Check here Transportes Cobano schedule and route!
Once you cross by ferry you will go back to the bus 2 hours travel time from Puntarenas Ferry Port to San Jose Bus Terminal 7-10 in San Jose city center where you can take a local bus going to San Jose airport or go walking distance to your accommodation if you stay at San Jose.
The bus fare from Malpais to San Jose Costa Rica is $14 USD (including the ferry boat) and it will take around 6 hours and 30 minutes travel time.
MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE PUBLIC BUS AND FERRY BOAT (NO DIRECT BUS FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE)
If you miss the direct bus from Malpais to San Jose. You have to ride two local buses going to get to Paquera Ferry Terminal (Malpais to Cobano and Cobano to Paquera Ferry Terminal).
BUS SCHEDULE FROM MALPAIS TO COBANO
The bus schedule from Malpais to Cobano is starting at 6 am, 8 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm. The bus travel time is around 25 minutes and the bus fare from Malpais to Cobano is $1 USD.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM COBANO TO PAQUERA
The bus schedule from Cobano to Paquera is starting at 4 am, 6 45 am, 10 30 am, 12 30 pm, 2 45 pm and 4 30 pm. The bus travel time from Cobano to Paquera is around 1 hour and 15 minutes and the bus fare from Cobano to Paquera is $2 USD.
FERRY BOAT SCHEDULE FROM PAQUERA TO PUNTARENAS
The ferry boat schedule from Paquera to Puntarenas Ferry Port is starting at 5 30 am, 9 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm and 8 pm. The ferry ride from Paquera to Puntarenas is 1 hour and 30 minutes and the ferry ticket is around $2 USD.
Once in Puntarenas Ferry Port if you want to get a public bus to San Jose. You will have to walk 20 minutes or get a taxi to the Bus Terminal in Puntarenas. The bus schedule from Puntarenas to San Jose is running every hour starting at 4 am to 7 30 pm. The bus travel time from Puntarenas to San Jose is 2 hours and the bus fare is $5 USD.
The bus fare and boat from Malpais to San Jose Costa Rica can be around $10-12 USD cheaper than the direct bus from Malpais to San Jose which is $14 USD but it will take longer with the connection and the waiting time.
The total bus fare from Malpais to San Jose is $15 USD including the bus coming from the airport and the ferry too. And the total travel time is around 6 hours and 30 minutes depending on the traffic and the waiting time.
SAN JOSE CITY CENTER TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT
The bus from Puntarenas to San Jose will stop at Terminal 7-10 where you can go within walking distance to the market to get the buses going to the airport.
There are two bus services running from the market at San Jose city center to San Jose airport: 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 bus travel time from San Jose city center to San José Juan Santamaría Airport is around 30-40 minutes. The bus fare is $1 USD for one way and you don’t have to pay extra for the luggage. You can buy the ticket direct to the bus driver.
PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE
Hotel transfers are 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 $310 USD and you will be able to fit up to 5 people. It could be 65 USD per person.
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BEST WAY FROM MALPAIS TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT BUS VS VAN PROS AND CONS
The best way from Malpais to San Jose is by bus for $15 USD if you go on a budget for a total of 6 hours and 30 minutes travel time.
The best way from Malpais to San Jose is by van for $63 USD and you can book online if you prefer comfort and get directly to your hotel and they will handle all the transfers for you.
The best way from Malpais to San Jose airport is by taxi, Uber or private transportation if you wish comfort for around $310 USD and 4 hours travel time.
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 to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.