# How to get to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: every option compared > Most visitors reach Santa Teresa by driving or taking a shuttle to Puntarenas, crossing on the car ferry to Paquera, then driving about an hour and a quarter to the coast. The fastest option is a short domestic flight from San José to the Cóbano airstrip. Buses and the Jacó water taxi are cheaper or quicker alternatives with trade-offs. Source: https://www.santa-teresa.com/travel/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Distance from San José: roughly 150 to 185 km, depending on route Main ferry: Puntarenas to Paquera, about 1 hour 15 minutes, run by Naviera Tambor Paquera to Santa Teresa: about 1 hour 15 minutes by car Nearest airstrip: Cóbano (ACO), about 10 km from Santa Teresa Shuttle time from San José: about 6 hours (Interbus timetable) ## The short answer Santa Teresa sits near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, across the Gulf of Nicoya from the mainland. That gulf is the reason getting here feels like a small expedition. From San José, most people cross it on the car ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, then drive the last stretch through Cóbano to the coast. From Liberia, you can either drive all the way down the peninsula or head south toward Puntarenas and take the ferry too. If time matters more than money, fly. A small plane from San José lands at the Cóbano airstrip, about 10 km from town, in well under an hour of flying. Everything else, from shuttles to public buses to the Jacó water taxi, is a variation on the ferry or a shortcut across the water. Here's how the options compare, with links to our detailed guides. ## Quick comparison | Option | From | Rough door-to-door time | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | Drive + Paquera ferry | San José / SJO | About 5 to 6 hours | Independent travelers who want a car in town | | Drive + Naranjo ferry | San José / SJO | Similar, with a longer drive on the peninsula | A backup when Paquera ferries are full | | Drive via Nicoya | Liberia / LIR | A long day; allow plenty of daylight | Travelers combining Guanacaste beaches with Santa Teresa | | Flight to Cóbano | San José / SJO | Under an hour in the air, plus transfers | Short trips, families, anyone short on time | | Shared shuttle | San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde | About 6 hours (San José) | Solo travelers and couples who don't want to drive | | Private shuttle | Anywhere, including LIR and SJO | Usually faster than shared | Groups, late arrivals, lots of luggage | | Public bus | San José | About 6 hours, sometimes more | Tight budgets, flexible plans | | Jacó water taxi | Jacó | About 1 hour on the water, plus shuttle | Travelers coming from the central Pacific | Times are rough ranges from operator timetables and the Wikipedia summary of travel times. Traffic in San José, ferry lines and weather can all add hours. ## Driving with the Paquera ferry This is the classic route. You drive west from San José to the port of Puntarenas, roll onto a Naviera Tambor ferry, cross in about an hour and a quarter, and drive from Paquera through Tambor and Cóbano to the Playa Carmen junction. From there, Santa Teresa runs north and [Mal País](/mal-pais/) runs south. Naviera Tambor sells part of the space on each sailing online and the rest at the ticket windows. In high season and on holidays, booking ahead and arriving early make a real difference. Our [driving directions](/driving-directions-to-santa-teresa/) cover the roads, and our [ferry guide](/ferry-to-the-southern-nicoya-peninsula/) covers tickets and timing. ## Driving with the Naranjo ferry Coonatramar runs a second car ferry from Puntarenas that lands at Playa Naranjo, farther up the peninsula. It's a useful backup when the Paquera boats are full, but you'll have a longer drive on the peninsula afterward, partly on rougher roads. See the [ferry guide](/ferry-to-the-southern-nicoya-peninsula/) for how the two compare. ## Driving from Liberia If you land at Liberia (LIR) or you're coming from the Guanacaste beaches, you have two choices. You can drive south down the length of the peninsula through Nicoya, with the final section on smaller roads that can be slow and muddy in rainy season. Or you can drive around the gulf to Puntarenas and take the ferry. Ask locally or check a live map app before you choose, because road conditions on the peninsula change with the weather. Details are in our [driving guide](/driving-directions-to-santa-teresa/). ## Flying SANSA and Costa Rica Green Airways both fly from San José (SJO) to Cóbano (ACO), the airstrip closest to Santa Teresa. For years most flights used Tambor (TMU), about 45 minutes away by car, but Green Airways now says its Tambor flights land at the new Cóbano airport instead, and SANSA's destination list shows Cóbano rather than Tambor. Small planes have tight baggage limits, so pack light. See our [flights guide](/flights-santa-teresa/). ## Shuttles Shared shuttles run from San José, La Fortuna and Monteverde, and the ferry crossing is simply part of the ride. Private shuttles go anywhere, including straight from the airport. Local firms such as [Tropical Tours Shuttles](/tropical-tours-shuttles/) know the area well. Our [shuttle guide](/shuttle-services/) also covers taxis once you're here. ## Public bus Public buses connect San José with Santa Teresa and Mal País via the Paquera ferry, and local buses link Cóbano, Montezuma and Paquera. It's the cheapest way to travel, but schedules change and you'll want cash and patience. See our [public bus guide](/public-bus/). ## Water taxi from Jacó Zuma Tours runs a boat across the gulf between Jacó and Montezuma in about an hour, with shuttle connections onward. It's a clever shortcut if you're already on the central Pacific coast, but expect a beach landing and wet feet. See our [water taxi guide](/water-taxis-from-jaco/). ## How to choose - **Short trip or traveling with kids:** fly to Cóbano and take a taxi or transfer. - **Want a car for exploring:** rent at the airport and take the Paquera ferry. - **Don't want to drive:** a shared or private shuttle does the whole route for you. - **Coming from Jacó or Manuel Antonio:** the water taxi saves hours. - **On a tight budget:** the public bus works, just leave slack in your plans. Whatever you pick, try to arrive in daylight. The last stretch of road is dark, and streets in town are mostly unpaved, though paving work has started on some of them. Our guide to [roads, dust and rainy season](/santa-teresa-roads-dust-rainy-season/) explains what to expect, and [Santa Teresa travel tips](/santa-teresa-travel-tips/) covers the rest. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does it take to get from San José to Santa Teresa? About 5 to 6 hours by car and ferry or by shuttle, longer by public bus. The flight to Cóbano is under an hour, plus the time to get to and from the airstrips. ### What's the closest airport to Santa Teresa? The Cóbano airstrip (ACO), about 10 km from town, served from San José by SANSA and Costa Rica Green Airways. The nearest international airports are San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR). ### Do I need a car in Santa Teresa? Not necessarily. Many visitors use shuttles and taxis, and rent a scooter, ATV or car locally for a few days. A car is handy if you want to explore beyond town. ### Can I get there from Liberia without driving? Yes. Private shuttles run from Liberia. Interbus lists a Liberia to Santa Teresa route without fixed times, so ask about availability. Domestic flights from Liberia to Cóbano aren't a regular option, so check with the airlines.