Overall6/10Easier to reach than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- Domestic flights are fastest (~25 min from San José) but only operate daytime; plan arrival before 4 PM or stay overnight in San José.
- Ferry schedule is consistent year-round; buy tickets online to skip long queues during peak season (Dec–Apr).
- Shared shuttles (₡27,180/$60 USD) are reliable and include ferry—most convenient for nomads without vehicles.
- Road from ferry to Santa Teresa is bumpy dirt for ~1.5 hours; some hotels sit on steep hills requiring additional taxi fare. Confirm access with your accommodation.
- Rental car requires 4×4 and international driving permit. Insurance is mandatory and expensive (~₡45,000–₡50,000 USD/$100–$110 USD/day).
- Costa Rica's local currency is the colón (₡); current exchange rate ~₡455 per USD. ATMs widely available; use local currency for small purchases and tips.
- Avoid driving at night—winding roads lack lighting and signage.
- If traveling 3–4 people, compare shuttle pricing vs. private minibus (often only slightly more expensive but much faster).
Airports
Tobías Bolaños Airport (SJO)
- City
- San José
- Code
- SJO
- Type
- International
- Description
- Costa Rica's main international airport. Connection hub for domestic flights and shuttles to Santa Teresa.
Liberia International Airport (LIR)
- City
- Liberia
- Code
- LIR
- Type
- International
- Description
- Alternative international airport in northwest Costa Rica, ~3.5–5 hours by road from Santa Teresa.
Tambor Airport (TMU)
- City
- Tambor
- Code
- TMU
- Type
- Domestic
- Description
- Closest regional airport to Santa Teresa. Accessible via domestic flights from San José and Liberia (seasonal).
Cóbano Airport (ACO)
- City
- Cóbano
- Code
- ACO
- Type
- Domestic
- Description
- Small domestic airport serving the Nicoya Peninsula. Receives flights from San José and Liberia via Sansa Airlines and Green Airways.
By Shuttle
- Description
- Reliable, no driving required; includes ferry crossing
From Liberia
- Route
- Liberia → Nicoya Peninsula (paved route around or via Playa Naranja) → Santa Teresa
- Frequency
- Daily shuttle services available
- Total Duration
- 3.5–5 hours (no ferry needed)
- Notes
- Avoids ferry but longer road; recommended for time flexibility
From San Jose
- Route
- San José → Puntarenas → Ferry (Puntarenas to Paquera, ~70 min) → Cóbano/Mal Pais → Santa Teresa
- Frequency
- 1–2 daily departures (morning 8:40–8:45 AM typical; afternoon 2:30–3:15 PM)
- Pickup Options
- Hotel, hostel, or pre-arranged location in San José or airport
- Total Duration
- 5–6 hours
- Price Shared Shuttle
- CRC 27,180
- Price Private Shuttle
- CRC 109,200
- Schedule Note
- No evening shuttles; plan international flights arriving mid-morning or earlier
By Rental Car
- Vehicle Recommendation
- 4×4 strongly recommended due to road conditions
- Description
- Self-drive option; full flexibility but requires navigation
- Rental Cost Note
- Budget ~₡45,000–₡50,000 USD (~$100–$110 USD) per day for car rental, plus fuel and insurance
Route Option 1
- Name
- Via Ferry (recommended)
- Route
- San José → Puntarenas → Ferry (Paquera) → Cóbano → Santa Teresa
- Duration
- ~5 hours
- Notes
- Paved to ferry, then 1.5-hour dirt road after
Route Option 2
- Name
- Around Nicoya (longer but avoids ferry)
- Route
- San José → Ruta 21 south → Playa Naranja → Ruta 160 → Cóbano → Santa Teresa
- Duration
- ~4 hours
- Notes
- All paved but winding with poor visibility; not recommended at night
Ferry Vehicle Pricing
- Light Vehicle
- CRC 11,400
By Domestic Flight
- Description
- Fastest option but higher cost
Routes
Cóbano (ACO) or Tambor (TMU)
- From
- San José (SJO)
- Airlines
- Sansa Airlines or Green Airways
- Frequency
- Multiple daily departures; book 1–2 months in advance
- Price Range
- CRC 36,450
- Flight Duration
- 20–25 minutes
- Notes
- No evening flights; book shuttle in advance. Luggage restrictions may apply.
Ground Transport From Airport
- From Cobano
- 20–30 minute taxi or shuttle to Santa Teresa
- From Tambor
- 45 minute–1 hour taxi or shuttle to Santa Teresa
Cóbano (ACO)
- From
- Liberia (LIR)
- Airlines
- Sansa Airlines or Green Airways
- Frequency
- 1–2 daily flights; seasonal availability (high season only LIR–TMU)
- Price Range
- CRC 36,450
- Flight Duration
- 30 minutes
- Ground Transport From Airport
- 30–40 minute taxi or shuttle
Nearby Towns And Day Trips
Montezuma
- Drive Time
- ~30–40 minutes
- Highlights
- Waterfall hikes, bohemian beach town, budget accommodation
- Distance From Santa Teresa
- ~20 km south
Mal Pais
- Drive Time
- ~10 minutes
- Highlights
- Rugged coastline, rock formations, strong surf breaks
- Distance From Santa Teresa
- ~5 km north
Tambor
- Drive Time
- ~30–40 minutes
- Highlights
- Domestic airport hub, quieter beach town
- Distance From Santa Teresa
- ~24 km north
San José (Capital)
- Highlights
- Cultural museums, nightlife, international airport hub
- Transport Time
- 5–6 hours by shuttle/bus or 45 min domestic flight
- Distance From Santa Teresa
- ~184 km
Ferry
- Route
- Puntarenas to Paquera (Gulf of Nicoya crossing)
- Distance
- 11 nautical miles
- Duration
- ~70 minutes
- Advance Booking
- Online booking available (quickpaycr.com); arrive 30–45 minutes early
- Vehicle Capacity
- Holds ~170 cars and up to 700 passengers
Schedule
- Typical Times
- 5:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:30 PM / 8:00 PM
- Description
- Departures same times from both ports; daily service
Passenger Price
- Adult
- CRC 810
- Child
- CRC 485
- Senior Note
- Travel free with ID
By Public Bus
- Route
- San José (7–10 terminal) → Puntarenas → Ferry (Paquera) → Cóbano/Mal Pais → Santa Teresa
- Operator
- Transportes Cóbano (connects ferry in Paquera)
- Total Duration
- 5.5–6 hours
- Departure Times
- Typically 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM from San José
- Ferry Passenger Price
- CRC 810
- Notes
- Requires ferry ticket purchase separately; busy during peak season; final leg is bumpy dirt road
- Description
- Budget option but longest journey; requires ferry booking
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.purapurasantateresa.com
- 2.houseofsomos.com
- 3.puravidatraveling.com
- 4.surfandyogacostarica.com
- 5.vajrasoltravel.com
- 6.purasurfers.com
- 7.costarica-surfvacation.com
- 8.twoweeksincostarica.com
- 9.visitcostarica.com
- 10.tropicaltourshuttles.com
- 11.spring-bus.com
- 12.kaylchip.com
- 13.paradisecatchers.com
- 14.nicoyapeninsula.com
- 15.tradingeconomics.com
- 16.mytanfeet.com
More About Santa Teresa
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.