This tiny town makes getting in and out really very simple. The bus leaves for both San José and Puntarenas from the TransMonteverde bus depot in the middle of town. You can’t miss it as it is right beside the Super Mega grocery store. You can book tickets online here: transmonteverde.com
Monteverde to San José
There are two buses per day both ways at 5:30am and 2:30pm. The price is 3035₡ (Dec 2018). The trip takes about 4.5hrs. See photo of schedule below and have a look at the 7-10 Terminal to see where you end up.
San José to Monteverde
There are two buses per day both ways at 6:30am and 2:30pm. The price is 3035₡ (Dec 2018). The trip takes about 4.5hrs.
From San José you catch the bus from the 7-10 station in the city center, although if you are out by the airport in Alajuela, then you can also get the bus from the Villa Bonita Station. This is essentially a bus stop on the side of the highway near a gas station named Villa Bonita. It is a common spot for travellers to grab the bus when out by the airport. It is listed as a stop for buses headed to Monteverde but if it is full there is a chance it may not stop. You can book tickets online here: transmonteverde.com
Monteverde to Puntarenas
The bus leaves for Puntarenas at 4:20am, 5:30am (except Sunday!), 3pm. See schedule photo below. The 5:30am bus isn’t in the photo of the schedule, but two travellers have confirmed it exists. (see comments) and we have had confirmation that the 6am bus still exists too.
You will arrive at the main Puntarenas bus terminal. The trip takes about 3hrs and costs about 1590₡.
If you are headed to Santa Teresa or Montezuma, we are told you can arrive at the ferry in time if you take the 5:30am bus! (see comments below). This may not be the case in the busiest months when buses take longer.
Puntarenas to Monteverde: 8am, 1:30pm and 2:10pm.
Monteverde to La Fortuna/Arenal
This may be the coolest way to go: Monteverde to Arenal – by horseback! Check out this unique and awesome looking way of going between these two mountain paradises. A half day adventure that may even be quicker than taking the bus!
Thinking of going to La Fortuna/Arenal after Monteverde? You can take a shuttle from here that will get you there in 3hrs for $25. It goes something like this: 4×4 Jeep – boat – 4×4 Jeep. Normally we don’t promote shuttles since this is a BUS travel site – but it is an option since the local bus is quite long. The full trip is about 9hrs by bus.
via Tilarán
Should you chose the local bus route you can catch one to Tilarán at 5am, 7am, 12:10pm or 4pm (TilaránTransportes 2695-5998.) . The cost as of Dec 2018 is 1300₡. The trip takes about 2hrs and 15min. The bus stop last time we were there was in front of the Farmacia Vitosi, which is across from the main Tourist center. See photos below for the location to wait for the bus. Then from Tilarán you will take another with bus to La Fortuna which will take about 2hrs. We have had one traveller report that she took a bus at 3:30pm (Dec 2018) and it cost 2975₡
Via La Irma
A lot of travellers use La Irma as a mid point to get switch directions when coming/going from Monteverde to places like Nosara, Samara, Tamarindo, etc. There is a photo of the schedule below, the bus passes at 10am and 3pm. There is a covered stop there on the side of the highway where you can wait. We have had reports from travellers that they didn’t put luggage under the bus, they had to carry it on. Let us know your experience below.
Coming from San Juan del Sur?
Check out our route page for this trip. We have two great travel blogger experiences to help guide you step by step on this trip! San Juan del Sur to Monteverde
Going to Playa del Coco?
Have a read through the comments, one couple gave a step by step.
Tours
There is so much to do in this area that it can be hard to choose! Have a look at Gecko Trail tour options for some inspiration.
Cloud Forest
Headed to the cloud forest? Check out this blog post by the legendary Costa Rica travel duo at Mytanfeet: Which Monteverde Cloud Forest Should You Visit. Want someone to show you the way? Check out a Gecko Trail guided tour of the Cloud forest.
The bus goes back and forth a few times a day and costs 600₡. Here are the times (May 2017):
Santa Elena to Monteverde
6:15am, 7:30am, 9:30am (only high season), 1:20pm, 3pm
Monteverde to Santa Elena
6am, 8:30am (only high season), 11am, 2pm, 4pm
Santa Teresa to Monteverde
This trip is easy and saves you a bunch of money. Have a look at the route here: Santa Teresa to Monteverde.
Help your fellow traveller
If you have taken any of the buses on this page, please drop us a comment below about how the trip went, what time you left, how long it took and what it cost. And, definitely let us know if we have anything wrong.
Lets help each other in our travels!
Love this website – it’s helped so much while travelling! Yesterday I travelled from San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua) to Monteverde, so thought I’d post my route in case it can help anyone else avoid paying for an overpriced shuttle!
San Juan Del Sur – La Virgen (take the bus for Rivas, ask to be let off at La Virgen junction)
8.00-8.40 ~40mins
Should cost 10 cordobas but the guy charged us 30 cordobas and wouldn’t give us change!
La Virgen – Peñas Blancas (bus arrived 2 mins after we got off the Rivas bus, I think they run every 20mins)
8.40-9.05 ~25mins
20 cordobas but again think we were overcharged, locals looked like they were paying 10 cordobas
35mins border crossing
40min wait for bus
Peñas Blancas – Liberia (there is a ticket office at the border but when closed you can just pay the bus driver before boarding)
10.20-12.10 ~1hr 50mins
$3.50 / 2000 colones
Liberia – Irma (take the 1pm bus for Puntarenas, ask to be let off at Irma junction and then walk across the road to the Monteverde stop)
13.00-14.40 ~1hr 40mins
2000 colones
Irma – Monteverde / Santa Elena (Sign on the bus stop reads “10am y 3pm” – there is no bus later than 3pm so you need to make sure you arrive early!)
15.00-17.00 ~2hrs
1200 colones
Total time = 9 hours (departing San Juan del Sur at 8am, arriving Santa Elena at 5pm)
Total cost approx. $12 (vs. $65 shuttle booked with private company!)
Awesome, Sarah! You rock. I have added your advice to the route page and linked it above to be sure travellers can always find it. https://centrocoasting.com/routes/san-juan-del-sur-to-monteverde/ Also, if you get a second, come like us on FB and give us a rating too!! facebook.com/centrocoasting. Bien Viaje!
We took a bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas at 5:30 am (July 2017), which is not on your list yet. Surprisingly, it was really fast and took us about 2 1/2 hours, so perfectly in time to still catch the 9am ferry to Paquera. I’m sorry but I can’t remember the price for the bus ticket anymore, but I think it was about the price you mentioned. We then shared a taxi to the ferry with two other travelers and paid ₡2000 altogether.
Thanks, Anni! I will look into that 5:30am bus. That’s really useful if there is one that can get you to the ferry at 9am. When you were at the office did they have a new schedule posted? And, was the bus in addition to the one at 6am?
Hi guys! We also took the bus from 5.30 am, we arrived at Puntarenas around 8.15, so we could get the Ferry to Paquera at 9.00 am, just like Anni. We also shared a taxi with two other travelers and paid ₡1650. When we arrived at Paquera there was already a bus waiting to go to Montezuma (takes about 1-1,5 hrs). But you have to be quick if you would like to have a seat 😉 If you are heading to Santa Teresa/ Mal Pais you have to leave the bus at Cóbano and jump on the bus to Santa Teresa/ Mal Pais (the green one on the pictures). From Cóbano to Santa Teresa/ Mal Pais is 30 minutes.
I couldn’t find a schedule at the office in Monteverde, I got the information of our hosts. But there is also a bus going to Puntarenas at 6.00 am.
Thank you, Janneke!
Thanks Janneke for chipping in!
We had the same experiences as Janneke, there is no bus schedule in the Monteverde office, but I found out about the 5:30 bus on horariodebuses/thebusschedule.com and just went to the office the day before and asked whether there is also a bus departing at that time. I bought the tickets then, but you can also buy them when boarding the bus.
Awesome, you two! Thanks for helping centrocoasting and for helping your fellow travellers! Keep us posted if you see any other schedule changes 🙂
The information here is very useful, thanks!
Do the buses to Monteverde have bagage storage?
Is a suitcase doable or is a backpack recommended when traveling to Monteverde?
Can I buy tickets in advance or only on the day of departure?
Hi Ralph! Happy to know we have helped. To answer your questions: the buses do have baggage storage underneath. Whether you bring a backpack or suitcase is up to you. There are taxis to help you get your stuff to your hotel if it’s far away or if you can walk if it’s close. You can buy your ticket in advance if you want. This time of year there are less tourists so there is likely several open seats on the bus. You can purchase your ticket at the 7-10 station in San José or you can purchase online with laterminalcostarica.com – they provide a per-purchase service for a $3 fee. Have a great trip!
Hello! Thinking of taking this bus from San Jose to Monteverde and then back again. Does it have a toilet? Thanks!
Hi Laura! None of the one’s that I have ever been on have had a toilet. The bus to/from San José isn’t too long though so you should be ok as long as you don’t have a coffee before you get on! 🙂
Does it have restroom stops?
I can’t remember 100% but I feel it is very unlikely it doesn’t stop. Usually any bus ride over 3hrs has at least a 15min break.
Ok thanks. I have read this is a 4 1/2 hour trip.
Thanks a lot for that confirmation. I have booked the accommodation with Maleku Hostel following your recommendation. I will share my ‘bus story’ after I came back from the trip:) Also, thanks for letting me know about possibility of buying the ticket online. I might do it on the bus in case of the bus not stopping in Villa Bonita or a driver not noticing me. On the other hand maybe if I reserve online they will know that there is someone that needs to be picked up in Villa Bonita…Anyhow – thanks once again for the info.
Sorry to be slow with this reply, Marsha! So great to hear that you are getting ready and excited about your upcoming advernture. Definitely come back and let us know how it all went! Pura Vida.
Thank you so much for this website, Centrocoasting! I have been looking for some recent info on busses from Alajuela to Monteverde and couldn’t see anything dated after 2015 and then I came across your website. Thanks!
would you happen to know whether the morning bus from San Jose also stop in Vila Bonita and if yes – what time more less should reach Vila Bonita. I think the morning bus departures from the capital at 7 am.
Thanks in advance for your help,
Marsha
Hi Marsha! Sorry for the slow reply. This bus does pass by the Villa Bonita stop. It takes about 30 mins if traffic is smooth to get there from the 7-10 station. So I would plan to be at the Villa Bonita by about 7:20am. I have not taken the bus to Monteverde from here but I did recently ask to double check if they still stop there and I was assured it is a pickup spot. You will likely need to wave at it so keep your eyes pealed and let the locals there selling water/snacks to help you keep watch. There is a new business in town that will sell you tickets online for this bus if you want to pre-purchase laterminalcostarica.com. Drop us a comment back here after the trip and let us know how it goes to share your experience with others! 🙂
Would anyone know if I would be able to make the 2 pm bus to Monteverde from Villa bonita bus stop if my flight arrives to San Jose International at 12:30 pm during the week? How much time would it take to exit customs and get to this stop which is about 3.2 km away it seems. Also what is the best way to get to the villa bonita stop from the airport? Any suggests would be much appreciated?
Hi Angelica, it is highly unlikely that you will clear customs and exit the airport before 2pm. I suggest planning on heading to Monteverde in the morning. I like the hostel Melaku http://www.malekuhostel.com/ (reserver in advance) just a quick taxi ride away from the airport (~$5). It’s cheap and you can grab a taxi from there in the morning (~$5) to meet the bus at Villa Bonita. If by some miracle you get through customs quickly then just take a taxi from the airport to Villa Bonita – head out of the airport and to the bus stop in front of the airport to get a taxi. The bus should pass Villa Bonita at 2:30pm since it leaves San Jose at 2pm. Just to note, there is a major construction happening on a bridge in San Jose right now that is slowing traffic and changing some routes. I have messaged the bus company and will let you know as soon as I hear anything. If you decide to stay in San Jose close to the 7-10 station where the bus to Monteverde starts from then I recommend Gaudys Backpacker http://www.backpacker.co.cr/
I just received confirmation that the bus to Monteverde will still pass the Villa Bonita. As mentioned above the bus will pass around 2:30, but get there a bit early if you can. Good luck!
Hey guys, do you happen to know if there is a way to get from Peñas Blancas or at least Liberia directly to Monteverde/Santa Elena without passing through San José? Thanks, Juli
Hey Julia! I haven’t done this route myself but the trick is to route through La Irma. Have a look at this page and you can find a link to a blogger who has more or less done that route https://centrocoasting.com/routes/san-juan-del-sur-to-monteverde/ Have a great trip! And, if you can, we would love for you to follow up below this comment and tell us how your trip went. This travel guide is all about sharing bus travel experiences and passing along your knowledge to the next traveller whenever we can! 🙂
Also, a backpacker recently told us that the bus to Monteverde passes La Irma at 10am and 3pm.