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How to get fromSan José to Cartagenaby bus, plane, or ferry

Find Transport to Cartagena

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There are 4 ways to get from San José to Cartagena by bus, plane, or ferry

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, fly to Cartagena

    best
    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Cartagena (CTG)plane plane SJO - CTG
    5h 40m
    $191–432

  2. Bus, ferry via Portobelo

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Terminal Albrookbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Panama City to Sabanitasbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Portobelo to Cartagenaferry ferry
    6d 18h
    $764–794

  3. Bus, fly to Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport

    1. Take the bus from Terminal San José Av. 2, C12 Y 14 to 50 m este Del Aeropuertobus bus
    2. Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ)plane plane SJO - BAQ
    3. Take the bus from Terminal Metropolitana de Barranquilla to Terminal de Transporte de Cartagenabus bus
    9h 58m
    $269–487

  4. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Terminal Albrookbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Panama City to Sabanitasbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sabanitas to Puerto Lindobus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Puerto Lindo to Cartagenaferry ferry
    6d 18h
    $765–795

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Cartagena (CTG) flights

Calendar39Weekly Planes
Duration3h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$54Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San José to Cartagena.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,054.9 km
  • Duration: 5h 40m

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

There is no direct connection from San José to Cartagena. However, you can take the bus to 50 m este Del Aeropuerto, walk to San-Jose-Airport-SJO airport, fly to Cartagena (CTG), walk to Carrera 4, then take the bus to María Auxiliadora. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Terminal Tica Bus to Cartagena via Terminal Albrook, Panama City, Sabanitas, Portobelo, and Portobelo in around 6d 18h.

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