The Cheapest Way to Get to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world so if you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, you are most likely looking for the cheapest and most reliable mode of transportation to get you from San Jose Airport (SJO) to one of the beaches. If you are planning to visit Costa Rica, it might be more convenient to fly into Liberia now that Southwest Airlines will be flying there from the United States for about $300. However, if you are coming in from San Jose, and want to visit Guancaste on a budget, the cheapest and most reliable way to get there is by Alfaro bus to Tamarindo.

*To purchase your ticket, you will need the passport of every person traveling with you. 

Which Beaches are in Guancaste?

• Tamarindo
• Playa Conchal 
• Playa Brasilito
• Avellenas 
• Playa Grande 
• Playa Langosta 

Where to Catch the Alfaro Bus?

The Alfaro Bus terminal is located at the Coca Cola bus station in San Jose. The exact location is the intersection of Avenida 3 and Calles 14/16 in a two-story building that has a few shops and a food court. The ticket stand is on the 2nd level in a small kiosk on the same level as the food court.  The bus station is about 30 minutes away from the airport by car/taxi so you cannot really walk to it. I had the taxi driver turn on his meter and the fare was about $25 USD. I paid him in dollars because I did not have colones yet and while I do not recommend using it, American dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica.

The Alfaro bus leaves the terminal twice per day at 11:30 am and 3:30 pm and makes a few stops along the way dropping off locals in various towns. Three hours into the drive, you will stop at a restaurant that is Soda style (typical Costa Rican food) for about 30 minutes and you can stretch your legs here and check out the coastal scenery or have something to eat. Also keep in mind that there is no bathroom on the bus.

The final stop of the bus in Tamarindo can be in either of two places. I was dropped off at the town center where the shops are, but the bus station is actually a bit further down on a dirt road within a gated garage.

 

• Where to Catch: Aflaro Terminal at the Coca Cola Bus Station
• Duration: Approximately 6 hours to Tamarindo
• Cost: ~ $10 USD
• Times: Every day 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Storage: Yes, luggage storage beneath the bus

How to Get Back to San Jose from Tamarindo

If you’re leaving from Tamarindo to SJO, but did not come on the Alfaro here is how to find the bus station:

You will pass Sharky’s and turn right and continue on pass a small super market until you see  El Pescadore restaurant on the left. On your right you will see a road that leads to the beach and a empty lot with a kiosk. This is close to a few hostels and on the same road as a Spanish language institute called WAYRA on Calle Real. I want to be descriptive with the location because street signs are not prominent in Tamarindo so landmarks are the best way to go. You can pay for your bus fare on the bus and it will be $10 USD. Tell the bus driver that you want to get dropped off at the airport and he will let you off near the departure gate. It’s about a 5 minute walk from the bus stop. The bus from Tamarindo leaves at 3:30 in the morning which is PERFECT if you have a flight out of San Jose in the late morning/early afternoon. I made it to my 12 pm flights with about 2 hours to kill.

• Where to Catch: Aflaro Terminal across from El Pescadore
• Duration: Approximately 6 hours to SJO
• Cost: ~ $10 USD
• Times: Every day 3:30 AM
• Storage: Yes, luggage storage beneath the bus

Last Thoughts

It may not be the most comfortable mode of transportation, but the Alfaro bus was a convenient and affordable way to get from San Jose to Tamarindo in a decent amount of time. If you have any questions about  either Guancaste, Tamarindo, or Costa Rica in general, please feel free to ask! I made a few close connections while in Costa Rica so even if there is something that I don’t have the answer to, I can definitely try to get them for you as soon as possible!

Happy Travels!    

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