The car ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, run by Naviera Tambor, is the main gateway to Santa Teresa, with 8 sailings a day each way and a crossing of about an hour and a quarter. Coonatramar's ferry to Playa Naranjo is a backup with a longer drive afterward. Buy tickets online when you can and arrive early in high season and on holidays.
The short answer
To reach Santa Teresa by road from San José, you almost always cross the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry. The main boat runs from Puntarenas to Paquera and is operated by Naviera Tambor. A second company, Coonatramar, sails from Puntarenas to Playa Naranjo. The Paquera ferry is the better choice for Santa Teresa because it lands much closer: from Paquera it's about an hour and a quarter by car to the coast.
The ferry is a pleasant part of the trip. You can get out of the car, stretch your legs, and watch the islands of the gulf go by.
Puntarenas to Paquera (Naviera Tambor)
Naviera Tambor's timetable, valid from 2026-Apr-20 until further notice, lists 8 departures a day from each side:
| Puntarenas departs | Paquera departs |
|---|---|
| 4:00 | 4:00 |
| 6:30 | 6:30 |
| 9:00 | 9:00 |
| 12:00 | 12:00 |
| 15:00 | 15:00 |
| 18:00 | 18:00 |
| 20:00 | 20:00 |
| 22:00 | 22:00 |
The crossing takes about an hour and a quarter. Timetables do change, sometimes with little notice around holidays or maintenance, so check the Naviera Tambor website a day or two before you travel.
Puntarenas to Playa Naranjo (Coonatramar)
Coonatramar runs the other car ferry from Puntarenas, landing at Playa Naranjo farther up the peninsula. Its website posts the regular schedule as an image and asks travelers to check its social media for special schedules, so look there for current times. It also sells tickets online.
From Playa Naranjo you'll drive south to Paquera and on through Tambor and Cóbano, which adds a fair bit of driving, partly on rougher roads. It's mainly worth it when the Paquera boats are full or the timing suits you better.
How to buy tickets
Naviera Tambor sells tickets online through Quick PayCR, linked from the "Comprar Tiquete" button on its schedules page. Only part of each boat's space is sold online, as authorized by the service regulators. The rest is sold at the ticket office at the terminal.
- With a car: you'll need a vehicle ticket plus passenger tickets. Fares are listed separately for vehicles and passengers, so check exactly what each ticket covers when you buy.
- On foot: buy a passenger ticket. Walk-on passengers rarely have trouble finding space, since the limit is on vehicles.
- At the terminal: carry ID and be ready for lines in busy periods. Bring some cash in case card machines are down.
Coonatramar sells tickets through its own online booking page as well.
Arriving early
In high season, especially from Christmas to New Year and during Semana Santa (Easter week), car space sells out and lines at Puntarenas can be long. A few tips:
- Book online as early as you can for your car.
- Arrive well before departure. An hour ahead is a sensible minimum on busy days. Neither operator's website sets an official check-in time, so ask when you book if you're unsure.
- Have a backup sailing in mind. If you miss one, the next is usually 2 to 3 hours later.
- Sunday afternoons heading back to the mainland are often the busiest of the week.
Walk-on vs bringing a car
Going on foot is simpler and cheaper, and it's how bus and shuttle passengers travel. From Paquera, buses and pre-booked shuttles continue to Cóbano, Santa Teresa and Montezuma. See our public bus guide and shuttle guide.
Bringing a car gives you freedom once you're here, but it means booking vehicle space and timing your drive. If you're only staying in town and don't plan many outings, you might skip the car altogether and rent a scooter or ATV locally.
Timing your drive
The ideal is to be driving off the ferry in Paquera with a couple of hours of daylight left, because the last stretch to the coast is unlit and partly unpaved. In practice:
- From San José, allow at least 2 hours to reach Puntarenas, more in traffic.
- The 9:00 and 12:00 sailings work well for most travelers leaving San José in the morning.
- After the crossing, allow about an hour and a quarter to drive from Paquera to Santa Teresa.
- Sunset in Costa Rica is between roughly 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. all year, so a 15:00 sailing means some driving in the dark.
Our driving directions cover the roads in detail.
What's at each terminal
The Puntarenas terminal is near the western tip of the long spit the city is built on. You'll find the ticket office there, and there are usually small shops and sodas (local cafes) close by for a last snack. Paquera's terminal is smaller and more rural. Once you land, the road heads south toward Paquera village, where there are a few shops and places to eat.
On board, most people leave the car deck and head upstairs for the crossing. It's a good chance to stretch your legs, and on clear days the views across the gulf and its small islands are lovely. If they tempt you, our Tortuga Island page covers boat trips out to the islands off this part of the peninsula.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera?
About an hour and a quarter. From Paquera, Santa Teresa is about another hour and a quarter by car.
Can I buy ferry tickets online?
Yes. Naviera Tambor sells part of each boat's space online through Quick PayCR, and Coonatramar has its own online booking. The rest is sold at the terminals.
Which ferry is best for Santa Teresa?
Puntarenas to Paquera. It lands closest to Santa Teresa. The Playa Naranjo ferry is a good backup but means a longer drive.
Do I need to book in advance?
For a car in high season or over holidays, yes, if you can. Foot passengers can usually buy at the terminal.
What time is the last ferry?
Naviera Tambor's current timetable lists a last departure at 22:00 from both sides. Check before you travel, as schedules change.
The places in this guide
Playa Carmen
Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Playa Carmen is the beach at the main intersection where the road from Cóbano reaches the coast, between Santa Teresa to the north and Mal País to…
Isla Tortuga
Montezuma and Cabuya, Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica
Isla Tortuga is a pair of small, forested islands in the Gulf of Nicoya with a white-sand beach and calm, clear water. From Santa Teresa, most people…
