Rome2Rio

How to get fromPanamá to San Joséby bus, car, plane, or shuttle

Find Transport to San José

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Panamá to San José by bus, car, plane, or shuttle

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from Guardia to Central Autobusera Inteligentebus bus 1502
    3h
    $35–43

  2. Bus via Terminal Municipal de Liberia

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Playa Panamá to Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberiabus bus 550
    2. Take the bus from Terminal Municipal de Liberia to Gran Terminal del Caribe, San Josébus bus 500-B / ...
    5h 42m
    $12–16

  3. Drive 233.6 km

    1. Drive from Panamá to San Josécar car 233.6 km
    3h 52m
    $32–46

  4. Fly from Liberia International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Liberia International Airport (LIR) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane LIR - SJO
    2. Take the bus from 50 m este Del Aeropuerto to Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14bus bus
    4h 6m
    $247–821

  5. Shuttle

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Panamá to San Joséshuttle bus
    4h 18m
    $235

  6. Bus via Terminal Pulmitan Liberia

    1. Take the bus from Playa Panamá to Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberiabus bus 550
    2. Take the bus from Terminal Pulmitan Liberia to Terminal Pulmitan De Liberiabus bus Liberia
    6h 51m
    $12–16

  7. Shuttle to Tamarindo Airport, fly, bus

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Playa Panamá to Tamarindoshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Tamarindo Airport (TNO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane TNO - SJO
    3. Take the bus from 50 m este Del Aeropuerto to Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14bus bus
    4h 26m
    $254–341

  8. Shuttle to Nosara Airport, fly, bus

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Playa Panamá to Nosarashuttle bus
    2. Fly from Nosara Airport (NOB) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane NOB - SJO
    3. Take the bus from 50 m este Del Aeropuerto to Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14bus bus
    5h 21m
    $237–291

Liberia International Airport (LIR) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar112Weekly Planes
Duration1h 3mAverage Duration
Ticket$181Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Panamá to San José.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 236.7 km
  • Duration: 3h

What companies run services between Panamá, Costa Rica and San José, Costa Rica?

Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste operates a bus from Guardia to Central Autobusera Inteligente 4 times a day. Tickets cost $9–19 and the journey takes 2h 45m.

Airlines
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How to get from London City Airport into central London, Is ride-sharing platform BlaBlaCar right for you?, and Travelling Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast by boat, bus, car and train - to help you get the most out of your next trip.