There are 8 ways to get from San Jose to Tamarindo by train, plane, shuttle, bus, car, or subway
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle
best- Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane SFO - LIR
- Take a shuttle bus from Liberia to Tamarindo
11h 42m$479–1,207Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Tamarindo Airport
cheapest- Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tamarindo Airport (TNO)plane SFO - TNO
11h 52m$165–632Train, bus
- Take the train from San Jose to Los Angelestrain
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Salvadorbus
- Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Liberiabus
- Take the bus from Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia to Tamarindobus
4d 23h$464–756Drive 5,741.8 km
- Drive from San Jose to Tamarindocar 5,741.8 km
2d 22h$770–1,113Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Liberia International Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane SJC - LIR
- Take a shuttle bus from Liberia to Tamarindo
13h 3m$536–1,440Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport, shuttle
- Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane SFO - SJO
- Take a shuttle bus from Alajuela to Tamarindo
13h 15m$777–1,311BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle
- Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Coliseumsubway
- Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane OAK - LIR
- Take a shuttle bus from Liberia to Tamarindo
13h 39m$542–1,449Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Nosara Airport
- Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Nosara Airport (NOB)plane SFO - NOB
13h 18m$459–883
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Liberia International Airport (LIR) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo is to Caltrain and fly which costs $160 - $650 and takes 11h 52m.
The fastest way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo is to Caltrain and fly and shuttle which takes 11h 42m and costs $470 - $1,300.
The distance between San Jose and Tamarindo is 4893 km. The road distance is 5741.8 km.
The best way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo without a car is to train and bus which takes 4 days 23h and costs $460 - $800.
It takes approximately 11h 42m to get from San Jose to Tamarindo, including transfers.
Tamarindo is 1h ahead of San Jose. It is currently 1:37 AM in San Jose and 2:37 AM in Tamarindo.
Yes, the driving distance between San Jose to Tamarindo is 5742 km. It takes approximately 2 days 22h to drive from San Jose to Tamarindo.
There are 990+ hotels available in Tamarindo.
What companies run services between San Jose, CA, USA and Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica?
There is no direct connection from San Jose to Tamarindo. However, you can take the train to Millbrae Caltrain Northbound, walk to Millbrae, take the subway to San Francisco International Airport, walk to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) airport, fly to Liberia International Airport (LIR), walk to Liberia Airport, take the shuttle to Liberia, then take the shuttle to Tamarindo. Alternatively, you can take a train from San Jose to Tamarindo via Los Angeles, Union Station - Metro B & D Lines, Westlake / MacArthur Park Station, Westlake Ave & Wilshire Blvd, Union Ave & James M Wood Blvd, Los Angeles, San Salvador, Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador, Liberia, and Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia in around 4d 23h.
- Website
- flysansa.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tamarindo Airport via Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- When
- Wednesday to Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140–600
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tamarindo Airport via San Salvador, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $260–850
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tamarindo Airport via Los Angeles, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 26m
- When
- Friday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $140–600
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Nosara Airport via Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 50m
- When
- Wednesday to Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Nosara Airport via San Salvador, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–800
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Nosara Airport via Houston, Liberia International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $420–1,600
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- When
- Monday and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $420–1,600
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 11m
- When
- Wednesday and Monday
- Estimated price
- $490–1,900
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 44m
- When
- Wednesday, Monday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $500–1,900
- Website
- worldticket.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tamarindo Airport via Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- When
- Wednesday to Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140–600
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tamarindo Airport via San Salvador, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $260–850
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Tamarindo Airport via Los Angeles, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 26m
- When
- Friday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $140–600
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Nosara Airport via Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 50m
- When
- Wednesday to Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Nosara Airport via San Salvador, Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 15m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $240–800
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 14m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $230–950
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 19m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Houston
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $240–1,000
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Wednesday to Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 39m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $300–1,200
- Website
- avianca.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport via San Salvador
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–850
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 5m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $300–1,200
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 5m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $300–1,200
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 32m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $240–1,000
- Website
- jetblue.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Fort Lauderdale
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 48m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–1,100
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Liberia International Airport via Atlanta
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 50m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $330–1,300
- Website
- aeromexico.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport via Mexico City
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Jose to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–300
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-510-464-6000
- Website
- BART
Subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Coliseum
- Ave. Duration
- 44 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $6–9
- Website
- BART
- Phone
- 1 800 715 1370
- [email protected]
- Website
- RIDE CR
Shuttle from Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $168
- Website
- RIDE CR
Shuttle from Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $168
- Website
- RIDE CR
Shuttle from Alajuela to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $341
- Website
- RIDE CR
Shuttle from Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $168
- Website
- RIDE CR
- Phone
- +506 2750 0626
- [email protected]
- Website
- Caribe Shuttle
Shuttle from Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 3m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- Caribe Shuttle
Shuttle from Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 3m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- Caribe Shuttle
Shuttle from Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 3m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Website
- Caribe Shuttle
- Phone
- +1 213 368 1172
- [email protected]
- Website
- busesusatours.com
Bus from Los Angeles to San Salvador
- Ave. Duration
- 3d 15h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $290–380
- Schedules at
- busesusatours.com
- Phone
- +52 962 625 2435
- [email protected]
- Website
- Tica Bus
Bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Liberia
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 9m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $50–85
- Website
- Tica Bus
- Phone
- +506 2665 7520
- [email protected]
- Website
- Transportes La Pampa
Bus from Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia to Tamarindo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $5
- Schedules at
- Transportes La Pampa
Want to know more about travelling around Costa Rica
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide





















