Transportation
By Car: From San José drive on the Interamericana to Puntarenas (120 km or 2.5 hours) where you take the ferry to Paquera or Naranjo.
Ferry from Puntarenas: Schedule of Puntarenas Ferry
- Drive from Paquera, through Tambor, to Cobano. (45 minutes).
- Continue straight through Cobano to Malpais (15 minutes). This will bring you to "El Cruce" (the crossroads) at Playa Carmen. To the left is Malpais, and to the right is Santa Teresa.
Another route is to avoid the ferry by continuing on the Interamericana, direction Liberia, and turning off at km 168 to the road leading over the Tempisque bridge.
Map of driving route from San Jose
Private Transfers: Rates are to and from the following places:
San Jose: $35 p/p
Tamarindo: $35 p/p
Monteverde: $40 p/p. Min. 4 people.
Sâmara: $35 p/p
Arenal: $40 p/p min. 4 people.
From Liberia drive down the highway to Santa Cruz, which is the fastest way to get to Tamarindo. To get to the middle and southern part of the peninsula you can also drive on the Interamericana until km 168 and then take the road over the Tempisque bridge.
A nice interactive Map of Costa Rica
By Plane: Malpais and Santa Teresa are served by a small airport that can be reached from within Costa Rica. Nature Air and Sansa are the two airlines that fly within Costa Rica. Nature Air, the private airline, is typically a little more expensive but some travellers find the service to be superior. These airlines serve San Jose, Tambor, Liberia,Tamarindo,Nosara, Punta Islita,Samara. Once in Malpais/Santa Teresa many people choose to rent a small 4x4 from Budget, which has offices in Tambor and Malpais. Expect to pay around $65 per day for your rental.
Map of Airports served in Costa Rica
By Boat: Water taxi and speed boat to Jaco and Montezuma
Travel the scenic way and save time as we take you from the shores of Montezuma to Jaco beach. Boats depart daily from the center of Montezuma a 6:30am for the one-hour ride across to the mainland. Departures leave from Herradura beach, just north of Jaco, at 7:45am for the return trip to Montezuma. $35 per person or $230 for the whole boat at your timing. Buses are available from Montezuma.