Many travelers who visit Costa Rica decide to traveling by bus rather than renting a car; and this for different reasons, especially for budget matters. However, when traveling by bus, we put inevitably more time than in the car. It is difficult to find good routes from bus trip in Costa Rica.
So I suggest here the bus route that I followed during my 3 weeks in Costa Rica. Obviously, from many possibilities are available to you if you have 3 weeks in Costa Rica. But you will find in this article the bus route to follow with the prices and travel times for each stage.
Day 1 - Arrival in Costa Rica
On the first day of your arrival in Costa Rica, take the time to recover from jet lag. Depending on the time at which you arrive, you could potentially arrange with your hotel a transfer between the airport and your hotel. The airport is located in Alajuela so do not hesitate to sleep in Alajuela for your first night. Especially if you want to go and visit the Poas volcano on the second day.
You will find easily a taxi or an Uber who will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your hotel for less than $ 10.
Day 2 - Alajuela and the Poas Volcano
For your second day, feel free to go see the Poas volcano which is a still very active volcano in Costa Rica. It has notably experienced 39 eruptions since 1828.
To go see this volcano, you can take a public bus that leaves from the bus station. THE first departure is at 9 a.m. in the morning but you can take it later. Do not hesitate to inquire at your hotel the day before. Know that to visit the Poas Volcano you will have to reserve places the day before by Internet.
Looking take about 1 hour to reach the Poas volcano by bus from Alajuela.
If you decide to go there in the morning, know that the bus leaves around noon to go back down to Alajuela.
Le progress of the visit of the volcano is as follows:
About 10/15 minutes of video : this is an explanatory video on the volcano
Then you walk about 10 minutes to reach the crater of the volcano
Once at the top, you will not be able to not stay more than 20 minutes at the top because of the toxic sulphide vapors released by the volcano.
You can take advantage of the rest of the day to walk around Alajuela or simply rest to recover from the jet lag.
Day 3 - Departure for La Fortuna & visit of La Fortuna
To continue your 3-week itinerary in Costa Rica by bus, I then suggest you to leave for La Fortuna. Go to the Alajuela bus station, of the, two options available to you:
Either you take a direct bus between Alajuela and La Fortuna : the journey time is approximately 3h / 3h30
Either you take a bus to go to Quesada then you make a change to go to La Fortuna : here the journey time can be 2h if the bus schedules coincide well.
As for the tariff, you will get by for about $ 4- $ 5.
Once in La Fortuna, you can take a taxi or Uber to bring you to your hotel or walk or arrange a transfer with your hotel if possible.
The city of La Fortuna is not very big and it is quite possible to get around on foot almost everywhere in the center.
Day 4 - Hike around the Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
Around La Fortuna you will find many activities which will allow you to occupy yourself for a few days in the region.
Among the activities to do, we find in particular hikes around the Arenal Volcano, either in Arenal National Park or in Arenal Ecological Park.
You should know that Arenal National Park is further from La Fortuna than Arenal Ecological Park.
To join the Arenal National Park you will have to take a bus leaving at 8am in the morning or a taxi that will cost you $ 25- $ 30.
On the other hand, to join the Arena Ecological Parkthere you can take a taxi or an Uber for about $ 5.
You have the option of combining a hike with the Hot Springs that can be found in many hotels in the area, but there are also the free Hot Springs which are located under a bridge not far from Arenal Ecological Park.
If your budget allows, you can simply take a day trip that will take care of all transportation and park and Hot Springs admission.
For my part, having a tighter budget, I chose to do the Arenal Ecological Park with the walk which offers a nice view of the volcano and then I walked to the Hot Springs free. I hitchhiked home because I no longer had a network to order an Uber.
Day 5 - Tenorio National Park
This day is optional because the Tenorio National Park is not next to La Fortuna. Indeed, you will have to count the whole day to do this excursion from La Fortuna if you don't have a car.
You will have to book a day trip with the many small tourist agencies that there are in La Fortuna.
Count around $ 60- $ 70 for the excursion.
In my opinion this park is really worth it, it is a park with an impressive blue water.
Moreover the legend says that God, while creating the world, rinsed his brush in the river of Tenorio after having painted the sky….
The other solution to visit this park is to take a taxi but the price is very high ($ 100- $ 200 one way).
Day 6 - Departure for Monteverde & visit of Santa Elena
On the 6th day, continue your 3-week itinerary by bus by joining Monteverde.
Here, it's a bit special because taking the public bus will take you 8 hours with a connection in Tilaran because the bus goes around Lake Arenal. Although this is an economical way, it is also the trip that will take you the longest.
Therefore, the Most tourists traveling by bus in Costa Rica choose another option. Indeed, small bus companies have set up shuttles that connect La Fortuna to Monteverde in . For this you will take a bus to the lake, then you will board a boat to cross the lake and then on the other side you will take a bus. This journey will cost you about $ 25- $ 35 and you can reserve your seats the day before at your hotel. There is usually a shuttle in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Once in Santa Elena, enjoy it for yourself walk in the village and go climb in the giant ficus trees next to the city. It is a great experience (free) because you will be in the middle of the forest surrounded by monkeys. The best time to do this is for the sunset 😉
Day 7 - Activities in Monteverde
The Monteverde region is a beautiful place with quite incredible biodiversity. There you will find many activities to do. However, you should know that activities in the area are not given.
I absolutely advise you to take a walk in one of the following reserves in order to have an overview of the jungle / rainforest / mist atmosphere which is quite impressive:
Monteverde Biological Reserve
The Bosque Nuboso Reserve
Cerro Amigos
This type of activity can occupy you the day or the half-day depending on what else you want to do.
Among main activities in the area, you can do in particular:
Zipline
Rafting
Canyoning
Walk on the suspension bridges
Night walks to see nocturnal animals and insects
… and others
Day 8 - Departure for Tamarindo
Your Costa Rica bus route continues with a bus departing from Monteverde to Tamarindo. Be aware, however, that there is no direct bus performing this link. You should stop off at Sardinal or Irma to reach Tamarindo which is located on the Nicoya peninsula.
The path lasts about 8h and departure is done towards 6 am in the morning with a arrival around 14 hours in Tamarindo. As for the price, you will get by for 8 $ -10 $.
Once in Tamarindo you can enjoy the beach and the sun.
Day 9 - Diving and beach in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a very popular seaside resort in Costa Rica. You will meet many Americans there. There are beautiful beaches all around and it is also a good spot to come and scuba dive. Indeed, Catalinas Islands not far away are home to sharks.
For fish lovers, this is therefore a nice place to come and dive or snorkel.
Day 10 - Departure for Sàmara & beach
If you want to make a stop in Samara, I admit that it is not not the easiest way to travel by bus. Indeed, you should know that the Nicoya Peninsula is not yet very well served by bus.
The simplest is therefore to take a private shuttle to make Tamarindo- Sàmara in about 4 hours. This journey will therefore cost you about $ 40.
If you really want to do it by bus, know that the journey lasts more than 13 hours with 2 changes but the bus route will cost you much less.
Day 11 & 12 - Sàmara and the surrounding beaches
Take advantage of 2 days in Sàmara to rest and enjoy the beach and waves for surf enthusiasts. There are mainly three very nice beaches in the surroundings that I advise you to go and see:
Playa Samara
Playa buenavista
Playa carillo
To get around you can easily rent a bicycle or small golf carts.
I had a little crush for this corner so really do not hesitate to stop there for a few days.
Day 13 - Departure for Santa Teresa
So the ride in bus between Sàmara and Santa Teresa is not the easiest. Indeed, it is a real bus trip. Count all day to make this trip because you will have to take 2 buses, then a boat then one or 2 buses … Prepare yourself and be patient because this is a real itinerary that will show you the country! The path lasts about 12 hours.
After if you want to try another adventure, you can try to fstop area and if it works, you don't will not take much time (3/4 hours).
The journey is long between Samara and Santa Teresa because there is no bus that simply runs along the coast of the peninsula.
As regards the price, if you want to do it by public bus, you will have for $ 15 -20 $.
Day 14 - Surf in Santa Teresa then direction Montezuma
Enjoy a good morning surfing in Santa Teresa because it is a well known spot for surfing. Santa Teresa is very lively with a fairly young atmosphere.
Then, heading for Montezuma, you can take a bus that runs every 2 hours and brings you to Cobano (the journey takes about 1 hour) and you will take a another bus in Cobano for Montezuma (approximately 30 minutes journey). The ride you will cost $ 5 or less.
If you arrive in the early afternoon, take the time to go see Montezuma waterfall which is worth it and stroll through the village located at the edge of the water with its very nice hippie atmosphere.
Day 15 - Montezuma & Cabo Blanco Reserve
Take advantage of a day to explore the Cabo Blanco reserve which lies at the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula. This reserve is accessible by bus from Montezuma. A small bus leaves every morning around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. and you get back to 14 p.m. / 15 p.m. in Cabo Blanco.
The reserve is a reserve worth the detour, we find there many animals and this reserve is still little known.
You can perform a about 2 hours hike through the jungle to get to a beautiful beach where you can picnic and swim before turning around (another 2 hours walk) to arrive on time and not miss the last bus.
Day 16 - Direction Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)
After spending a few days on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, I suggest that you continue the route and take a bus to tto travel across the country and to discover the Caribbean coast of the country.
Obviously, you will need it takes a day's journey to reach Puerto Viejo from Montezuma.
You can take a bus that leaves Montezuma at 6 a.m. that you will take to Cobano from where you will take a second bus to reach San Jose.
Be aware that for long journeys and when crossing the country, you will very often have to make a change in the capital in San Jose. The journey between Montezuma and San Jose will take you half day, and you will arrive at San Jose between noon and 2 a.m.. The cost of the trip is about $ 16.
Once in San Jose you will need to change bus station to reach the bus station which takes care of the Caribbean coast. Changing stations can be done on foot or by taking a taxi.
Then you can reserve a place in a bus bringing you to Puerto Viejo or Cahuita depending on where you want to stay. The journey will take about 4/5 hours and will cost you about $ 10. You will therefore arrive in Puerto Viejo in the early evening normally.
Day 17 - Puerto Viejo & Beach
Take a day to rest from the long day by bus the day before and enjoy the beach in Puerto Viejo while strolling quietly in the village.
Day 18 - Manzanillo Nature Reserve
Not far from Puerto Viejo and very easy to access by bike in particular, you can go stroll in the Manzanillo reserve where you can spot many species of animals and birds. Between beach and forest, this place is a must.
In Puerto Viejo you can easily rent a bike for $ 5- $ 10 per day. You can also take a bus to reach Manzanillo.
Day 19 - Cahuita & Cahuita National Park
obviously, another must on your 3-week itinerary in Costa Rica, this is the Cahuita National Park. Between jungle, beach and mangroves, this park is one of my favorites. It is also the place where I saw the most animals in Costa Rica.
You can easily catch a bus between Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. The bus ride takes 30 minutes and you will have a bus about every hour, and you can do the same for the return trip. All this will cost you less than $ 5.
Day 20 - Return to San Jose
Your 3-week bus trip in Costa Rica ends with a last bus ride to San Jose. You will therefore have to leave either in the morning or in the afternoon depending on what you prefer for the journey. You will have for 4h30 / 5h and the trip will cost you around $ 10.
Day 21 - Return flight
If your flight is at the end of the day, take advantage of visit the capital San Jose before taking your flight home.
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- Traveling in Costa Rica by bus
- Three unmissable natural sites in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Caribbean or Pacific Coast?
- Single woman traveling in Costa Rica: all you need to know
- 7 day itinerary in Costa Rica
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Hello, I left for Costarica as a humanitarian, I'm alone, I'm in Manuel Antonio, I only have the weekznd free so I can't do 7/8 hours on the bus…!!!…. where can I go???..