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How to get fromSan José to Santa Elenaby bus, taxi, car, or plane

Find Transport to Santa Elena

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There are 7 ways to get from San José to Santa Elena by bus, taxi, car, or plane

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, taxi

    best
    1. Take the bus from Terminal Gran Terminal del Caribe to Cañasbus bus 505 San José
    2. Take the taxi from Cañas to Santa Elenataxi taxi
    4h 12m

  2. Bus, drive

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Empresarios Unidos to San Ramónbus bus San José
    2. Drive from San Ramón to Santa Elenacar car
    3h 30m
    $21–30

  3. Bus, fly, taxi

    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 La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON)plane plane SJO - FON
    3. Take the taxi from La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON) to Santa Elenataxi taxi
    4h 20m
    $271–382

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe, San José to Tilaránbus bus 501-B
    4h 36m
    $55–69

  5. Bus via Quesada

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesadabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos to Terminal Transpisa La Fortunabus bus
    3. Take the bus from La Fortuna to Lago Arenalbus bus
    8h 15m

  6. Bus via Quesada #2

    1. Take the bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesadabus bus 205
    2. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos to Terminal Transpisa La Fortunabus bus
    3. Take the bus from La Fortuna to Lago Arenalbus bus
    8h 15m

  7. Drive 181.4 km

    1. Drive from San José to Santa Elenacar car 181.4 km
    3h 21m
    $25–36

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON) flights

Calendar14Weekly Planes
Duration30 minAverage Duration
Ticket$140Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San José to Santa Elena.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 189.6 km
  • Duration: 4h 12m

What companies run services between San José, Costa Rica and Santa Elena, Guanacaste, Costa Rica?

Autotransportes Tilarán S.A operates a bus from Gran Terminal del Caribe, San José to Tilarán 3 times a day. Tickets cost $10–14 and the journey takes 4h.

Airlines
Bus operators
Other operators

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