Shuttles and taxis in Santa Teresa: getting here and getting around

Shared shuttles run to Santa Teresa and Mal País from San José, La Fortuna and Monteverde, taking about 5 to 6 hours. Private shuttles go anywhere, including straight from the airports, and local firms like Tropical Tours Shuttles know the area well. In town, use official red taxis or a ride your hotel trusts.

The short answer

If you don't want to drive, a shuttle is the easiest way to Santa Teresa. Shared shuttles run on fixed schedules from San José and the main tourist towns, pick you up at your hotel, and handle the ferry crossing for you. Private shuttles cost more but leave when you want, from wherever you are, including the airports. Once you're here, taxis, hotel transfers and local shuttle companies cover rides to Montezuma, Cabo Blanco and the Cóbano airstrip.

Shared shuttles

Shared shuttles are minivans that carry several groups of travelers on a set route. Interbus, one of the big national operators, lists these routes on its timetable:

Route	Departs	Rough duration
La Fortuna to Santa Teresa	6:45	6 hours
Monteverde to Santa Teresa	8:00	5.5 hours
Santa Teresa to San José	6:45	6 hours
Mal País to San José	6:45	6 hours
La Fortuna to Montezuma	6:45	6 hours
Monteverde to Montezuma	8:00	5.5 hours
Montezuma to San José	7:00	5 hours

Interbus also lists routes from San José, Liberia and several Guanacaste beach towns to Santa Teresa or Mal País without fixed times, so check availability when you book. Timetables change, so confirm on the operator's site.

Good to know:

Pickup and drop-off are usually at your hotel or a central point. Confirm when you book.
Luggage: Interbus says extra bags and large items aren't included and must be arranged in advance. If you're bringing surfboards, tell the operator.
Kids: Interbus requires child seats for children under 12. There's no extra charge, but you must request them on your reservation.
Early starts: most shuttles out of Santa Teresa leave early in the morning.

Other companies, including Zuma Tours in Montezuma, also sell shuttle seats and combinations with their Jacó water taxi. See our water taxi guide.

Private shuttles

A private shuttle is a van and driver just for your group. It's the best choice if:

you're landing at SJO or LIR and want to go straight to the beach,
your flight arrives at an awkward time,
you're a family or group, where the cost per person evens out,
you have lots of luggage or surfboards.

Book in advance, share your flight number, and ask the company to confirm the ferry plan. Private drivers know which sailings to aim for and can stop for food on the way.

Tropical Tours Shuttles

Tropical Tours Shuttles is a local, family-owned shuttle company based in Santa Teresa. Using a local operator has real advantages: drivers know the roads in rainy season, the ferry timing, and the quickest way to your hotel even if it's up a steep side road. Contact them directly for routes and availability.

Taxis in town

Official taxis in Costa Rica are red with a yellow triangle on the door showing the taxi's number. Around Santa Teresa you'll also find informal drivers, sometimes called piratas, who aren't licensed.

Prefer official taxis or drivers recommended by your hotel. They're licensed and accountable.
Agree the price before you set off, since meters aren't always used on rural routes.
Carry cash in colones or small US dollar bills. Don't count on paying by card.
Save a couple of numbers. At night or in quiet season, calling ahead is more reliable than waving one down.
4x4 taxis are common here because of the roads. Green Airways describes the trip from the Cóbano airstrip to Santa Teresa as about 15 minutes by 4x4 taxi.

Rides to Montezuma and Cabo Blanco

Day trips are easy to set up without a car:

Montezuma: the most direct road crosses the hills via Cóbano. A taxi or a hotel transfer is the simplest way, or take the local bus with a change in Cóbano. Combine the town with a visit to the Montezuma waterfall.
Cabo Blanco: the reserve entrance is near Cabuya, south of Mal País. A taxi can drop you in the morning and collect you at an agreed time, so set the pickup before the driver leaves, as phone signal can be patchy.
Tours: many local tour operators include transport, which can be easier than arranging it yourself. See our day trips guide.

Tips for any ride

Book ahead in high season, especially around Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Allow for delays. Ferry lines and rain can add an hour or more.
Don't plan tight connections. If you're catching a flight from SJO, leave a big buffer, or spend the night before near the airport.
Confirm the day before. Message your shuttle company to reconfirm pickup time and place.
Keep valuables with you, not in the luggage at the back.