How To Get From Rivas to San Jose Best Way – You can go by bus, taxi and private transfer.
What Is The Distance From Rivas to San Jose?
The distance from Rivas to San Jose is 322 kilometers. Click here to book online Costa Rica activities and day trips
The travel time by car from Rivas to San Jose is around 6-7 hours. You will have to cross the border but it’s a really fast and easy process. Read here how to get from San Jose to Rivas the reverse way.
What Is The Best Way From Rivas to San Jose?
The best way from Rivas to San Jose is by bus for $29 USD you can book online. The bus travel time from Rivas to San Jose will be around 7 hours and 30 minutes with the waiting time included.
What Is The Cheapest Way From Rivas to San Jose?
The cheapest way from Rivas to San Jose is by local buses for $17 USD. The bus travel time from Rivas to San Jose will be around 10 hours with the transfers and the waiting time included.
How Much Is The Crossing Border Taxes Between Nicaragua And Costa Rica For Foreigners?
The Crossing Border Taxes between Costa Rica and Nicaragua for foreigners is $4 USD when leaving Nicaragua and when entering to Costa Rica you don’t have to pay taxes but you will have to show proof a flight out ticket or bus ticket within 90 days for leaving Costa Rica.
Read here how to get from San Juan del Sur to San Jose, San Juan del Sur to Liberia, San Juan del Sur to La Fortuna and San Juan del Sur to Tamarindo
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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BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
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HOW TO GET FROM RIVAS TO SAN JOSE
BUS FROM RIVAS TO SAN JOSE (BEST WAY)
The Nica Expresso Bus from Rivas to San Jose is the best way for travelers you can book online. There is one daily direct bus going from Rivas to San Jose Costa Rica.
NICA EXPRESSO BUS SCHEDULE FROM RIVAS TO SAN JOSE
The bus from Rivas to San Jose schedule is leaving at 10 45 am from Rivas Bus Terminal (check the exact location in Google Maps) and gets at 6 15 pm to San Jose 7-10 Bus Terminal (check here the exact location in Google Maps).
The bus fare from Rivas to San Jose is $29 USD you can book online. The travel time by bus from Rivas to San Jose Nicaragua is around 7-8 hours.
PUBLIC BUS FROM RIVAS TO SAN JOSE (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from Rivas to San Jose is by local bus. There are no direct public buses going from Rivas to San Jose only shared vans or shuttle buses for tourists (you can book online).
You will have to take a few buses. First a bus from Rivas to Penas Blancas and cross the border. Once you cross the border a bus from Penas Blancas to Liberia. Once in Liberia, you can get a bus from Liberia to San Jose Costa Rica.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM RIVAS TO PENAS BLANCAS
The bus schedule from Rivas to Penas Blancas is leaving very often during the day when they are full every 20-30 minutes. If not you can get shared taxis from Rivas to Penas Blancas in the border.
The bus fare from Rivas to Penas Blancas is around $2.5 USD and the travel time from Rivas to Penas Blancas is around 1 hour.
Bus From Penas Blancas to Liberia
Once you cross the border. You will have to get the bus from Penas Blancas to Liberia. The bus from Penas Blancas to Liberia will take 1 hour and 30 minutes. The bus fare from Penas Blancas to Liberia is around $4-5 USD.
Bus From Liberia To San Jose
The bus schedule from Liberia to San Jose is running every 1-2 hours starting from 6 am to 8 pm. The bus fare from Liberia to San Jose is around $10 USD. The travel time from Liberia to San Jose is around 4-5 hours.
The total bus fare from Rivas to San Jose is around $17 USD. The total travel time from Rivas to San Jose by local buses is around 10 hours with the transfers and waiting time.
CAR RENTAL IN RIVAS
There are many options for renting a car in Rivas. But for this time with a border crossing between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I wouldn’t recommend renting a car and I would choose a shared van or a bus if you are on a budget. Or a private transfer if you wish for more comfort.
BEST WAY FROM RIVAS TO SAN JOSE BY SHARED VAN VS TICA BUS VS PUBLIC BUSES
The best way from Rivas to San Jose is by local buses for $17 USD if you go on a tight budget and it will take around 10 hours or even longer depending on the transfer and waiting time.
The best way from Rivas to San Jose is by bus for $29 USD you can book online and it will take around 7 hours and 30 minutes.
The Crossing Border Taxes between Costa Rica and Nicaragua for foreigners is $4 USD when leaving Nicaragua and when entering to Costa Rica you don’t have to pay taxes but you will have to show proof flight out ticket or bus ticket within 90 days for leaving Costa Rica.
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.