"Crime is increasing in Costa Rica and U.S. citizens are frequent victims, particularly of petty theft. American tourists and residents can, however, take steps to protect themselves."

US Embassy

"Bus terminals in Costa Rica can be VERY dangerous places...never let down your guard while traveling through these locations."

The Real Costa Rica

 Bus Times and Destinations

Be aware that the Coca Cola Bus Terminal is located in San Jose’s Coca Cola district– also called the Zona Roja, or the Red Light District of San Jose. Zona Roja is one of San Jose’s most notorious areas for pick pocketing and petty theft. Much of this crime is directed towards tourists and travelers, especially in and around the San Jose bus terminal itself.  gocentralamerica.com

Traveling Costa Rica by Bus can be a safe, economical and practical way to get around the country. Buses are comfortable and late model, serve most major tourist destinations. The drivers are polite and professional and the buses run on time. Most travel guides and experts recommend that tourists purchase their bus tickets in advance and avoid the Zona Roja area of San Jose and the Coca Cola if possible.

With A Safe Passage getting from the airport and on your bus is safer, faster and more convenient than doing it on your own. You can order your bus ticket online and before arriving Costa Rica then then be picked up at the airport, taken to a local bus stop and we are with you until you board your bus. With us, you avoid going into San Jose alone and starting your trip in the Zona Roja or at the Coca Cola bus station.

Times and Destinations

Last Updated May, 2011

Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna) - 6:40, 9:00, 11:50; 130 km; 4:30 hrs. Tickets sold on bus or in San Jose. Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

CAHUITA (from San Jose ) - 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 Pick Up and Delivery Only. Order

CIUDAD QUESADA (SAN CARLOS) hourly from 5:00 to 19:30 from San Jose Terminal. Tickets sold on bus or in San Jose Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

COCO BEACH (from San Jose )- 8:00, 14:00 16:00251 km; 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder

Dominical / Uvita via Quepos  - 6:20, 15:20 - 7 hrs.  Bus stops on highway in front of airport.  No advance ticket purchase.  Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

PLAYAS FLAMINGO, BRASILITO AND POTRERO (from San Jose ) - 8:20, 10:50; 320 km; 6:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder

Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) - 6:40, 9:00, 11:50; 130 km; 4:30 hrs. See CIUDAD QUESADA (SAN CARLOS) for options. Tickets sold on bus or in San Jose. Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

GOLFITO (from San Jose ) - 7:00, 15:00;  8:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

JACO BEACH - 6:20, 7:20, 9:20, 11:20, 13:50, 15:20, 17:20, 19:20. 102 km; 2:30 hrs. Order

LIBERIA  (in route/from San Jose ) Tickets sold on bus- (If bus is full it will not stop) 6:20, 7: 20, 9: 20, 10:20, 11:20, 13:20, 15:20, 16:20, 17:20, 18:20, 20:20; 217 km; 4:00 hrs. Order

LIMON (from San Jose ) hourly from 5:00 to 19:00;162 km; 2:30 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

LOS CHILES Y CA O NEGRO (from San Jose ) - 5:50, 15:50; 217 km; 5:00 hrs. Tickets sold on bus. Pick Up and Delivery only Order

MANZANILLO (from San Jose )- 8:45;  Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

MANUEL ANTONIO (from San Jose ) - 6:00, 12:00, 18:00, 19:30 (9:00 Mon.-Sat. Only)  Order

MONTEVERDE - 6:50, 14:50; 167 km; 4:30 hrs. Order

MONTEZUMA / MALPAIS / SANTA TERESA / -  direct 6:20 and 2:20.  Pick Up and Delivery only Order

MONTEZUMA / MALPAIS / SANTA TERESA bus to Punterenas.  Call 2661-2084 for the latest ferry schedule.  Times change throughout the year.   Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

MONTEZUMA / MALPAIS / SANTA TERESA from Puntarenas via ferry normally every two hours but check for times.  A bus will be waiting you on the other end to take you to Cabano then to Montezuma. If you are going to Malpais or Santa Teresa the bus is at 2pm from Cobano or you can take a taxi. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

NICOYA (via bridge) -  7:50 , 10:20, 13:20, 15:20, 17:20; 17:00; 296 km; 4:00 hrs. Bus stops on highway in front of airport for ticketed passengers.  Pick Up and Delivery Recommended. Order

NOSARA - 5:50; 361 km; 6:00 hrs. Bus stops on highway in front of airport for ticketed passengers.  Pick Up and Delivery Recommended. Order

PALMAR NORTE (from San Jose ) - 5:30, 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 14:30, 16:30, 18:00; 258 km; 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

PASO CANOAS (Southern Border) -  (from San Jose ): 5:00, 7:30, 13:00, 16:30, 18:30; (Night buses on the weekend)  349 km; 8:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only     Order

Playa Flamingo - (from San Jose )  8:00, 10:30, 15:00; 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder

Playa Hermosa - (from San Jose ) 15:00 ; 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder  

Playa Panama - (from San Jose ) 15:00 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder

Playa Tamarindo - (from San Jose ) 11:50, 15:50 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder

Playa TAMARINDO 11:50, 15:50; 285 km; 5:10 hrs; Bus stops on highway in front of airport for ticketed passengers.  Pick Up and Delivery Recommended. Order

Playas del Coco - (from San Jose ) 8:00, 14:00, 16:00 5:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery OnlyOrder

PUERTO JIMENEZ (from San Jose ) : 8:00, 12:00; 378 km; 10:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only Order

PUERTO VIEJO (Caribbean) (from San Jose ) - 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 16:00  215 km; 4:30 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

PUNTARENAS (from San Jose ) -  ev. 0:40 from Terminal Puntarenas from 6:00 to 19:00; 110 km; 2:00 hrs Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

PUNTARENAS from Alajuela - Ticket sold on bus.  6:20, 8:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:00, 16:00 - 2.5 hours. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

QUEPOS 6:00*, 7:20, 10:20, 14:20, 15:20*; 16:20, 17:00. 5 hours. Bus stops on highway in front of airport for ticketed passengers.  Pick Up and Delivery Recommended. Order 

SAMARA BEACH 12:20, 6:30 (Sunday Only)***; 6:00 hrs. Bus stops on highway in front of airport for ticketed passengers for the 12:20 bus.  Pick Up and Delivery Recommended. Order

SAN ISIDRO del GENERAL (Chirrip National Park) (from San Jose ) -  5:30, 7:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:00. For the entrance of Chirripo Natl. Park, take the bus to San Gerardo de Rivas from San Isidro  5:00, 14:00; Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

SANTA CRUZ - 6:20, 8:20, 10:15, 11:20, 12:50, 14:20, 16:50, 19:20;  5:00 hrs. Order

SANTA ROSA AND PE AS BLANCAS 4:50, 5:20, 7:20, 8:00, 13:40, 16:30; 293 km, 6:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

SIQURRES (from San Jose ) hourly from 6:30 and from 8:30 to 18:00; 1:30 hours 100 km. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

SIXAOLA (from San Jose ) - 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 16:00 Pick Up and Delivery only 240 km; 6:00 hrs. Pick Up and Delivery only   Order

TAMARINDO BEACH 11:50,15:50; 285 km; 5:10 hrs; Bus stops on highway in front of airport for ticketed passengers.  Pick Up and Delivery Recommended. Order

TILARAN  7:50, 9:50, 13:00, 16:00, 18:50; 191 km; 4:00 hrs. Order

UVITA / DOMINICAL via Quepos  - 6:00, 15:20, 7 hrs.  Bus stops on highway in front of airport.  No advance ticket purchase.  Pick Up and Delivery only  Order

International Destinations

If you are looking to arrange your onward bus passage before arriving Costa Rica then our Onward Bus Ticket / Journey International is for you. We purchase bus tickets to destinations served by Tica Bus, Nica Bus, Nica Expreso, TransNica, Panaline and Tracopa.

When traveling internationally by bus it is best to have you tickets purchased at least a week in advance. During local holiday seasons we recommend two to three weeks. And to make it easier for you we can arrange for lodging the day or night before your bus then take you to the bus station.

Contact Us

A Safe Passage

The safest, fastest and easiest way to get from the airport and to your Costa Rica destination.

Since 1999

 

Costa Rica Bus Tickets

Email: rchoice@racsa.co.cr

Telephone: 011.506.8365.9678  / 2440.2414

970.439.5446 - USA

 

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