From San José to Tortuguero

There are two option to go from San José to Tortuguero:

Skipping Guápiles: taking 2 buses and 1 boat. Buses are less frequent.

Via Guápiles: taking 3 buses and 1 boat. Buses are more frequent.

Option A

Section 1: San José to Cariari

Bus company:

Grupo Caribeños

Price:

₡2120

Estimated length:

Time schedule:

6:30am

9am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6pm

7pm

6:30am

9am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6pm

7pm

6:30am

9am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6pm

7pm

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

No - Buy at ticket office in the bus terminal

Last update:

26 May 2026

Section 2: Cariari to La Pavona

Bus company:

Coopetraca

Price:

₡1230

Estimated length:

1h30min

Time schedule:

5am

11:30 am

3pm

5am

9am

11:30 am

3pm

5am

9am

11:30 am

3pm

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

No - Buy at ticket office in the bus terminal (unless office is closed)

Last update:

18 June 2026

Section 3: La Pavona to Tortuguero

Bus company:

Asotortutrans

Price:

₡4000

Estimated length:

45min (Variable with river conditions)

Time schedule:

6am

7:30am

9am

11am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6am

7:30am

9am

11am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6am

7:30am

9am

11am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

Yes

Last update:

14 May 2026

Where to stay?

How to stay safe?

Option B

Section 1: San José to Guápiles

Bus company:

Grupo Caribeños

Price:

₡1730

Estimated length:

Time schedule:

5:30am

6:30am

From 7am to 7pm, buses depart as they fill up

8pm

9pm

5:30am

6:30am

From 7am to 7pm, buses depart as they fill up

8pm

9pm

6am

6:30am

From 7am to 7pm, buses depart as they fill up

8pm

9pm

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

No - Buy at ticket office in the bus terminal

Last update:

26 May 2026

Section 2: Guápiles to Cariari

Bus company:

Coopetraca

Price:

₡595

Estimated length:

30min

Time schedule:

5:30am to 10:30pm every 20-30min

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

No - Buy at ticket office in the bus terminal (unless office is closed)

Last update:

18 June 2026

Section 3: Cariari to La Pavona

Bus company:

Coopetraca

Price:

₡1230

Estimated length:

1h30min

Time schedule:

5am

11:30 am

3pm

5am

9am

11:30 am

3pm

5am

9am

11:30 am

3pm

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

No - Buy at ticket office in the bus terminal (unless office is closed)

Last update:

18 June 2026

Section 4: La Pavona to Tortuguero

Bus company:

Asotortutrans

Price:

₡4000

Estimated length:

45min (Variable with river conditions)

Time schedule:

6am

7:30am

9am

11am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6am

7:30am

9am

11am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

6am

7:30am

9am

11am

1pm

3pm

4:30pm

Origin terminal:

Destination terminal:

Can you buy the ticket on the bus?:

Yes

Last update:

14 May 2026

Where to stay?

How to stay safe?