The Terminal MEPE was once called the San Carlos. If you are reading travel blogs or travel tips on other websites that mention the San Carlos station then there is a chance your bus leaves from either here or from the larger Terminal 7-10, which is quite close (see maps).
This Terminal finally has it’s own website with schedule and prices! Have a look here to double check prices and times MEPE Website.
Trip Planning
If you are still planning for your upcoming trip, I am told this Trip Planner from Gecko Trail is quite useful to help you prioritize where you want to spend your time! Gecko Trail is a ICT certified Travel Agency that has great core values and gives back to the community. So much to see and do in this beautiful country!
San José to Puerto Viejo and Sixaola
From here you can find the bus to Puerto Viejo and on to the Panama border (Sixaola) leaving at 6am, 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm 6pm. Buses fill up fast in the busy season and it’s not a bad idea to go to the station at least the day before to purchase your tickets if you want to be guaranteed a seat. To Puerto Viejo it takes 4.5hrs and costs ¢5960(Feb 2019) . To Sixaola it takes 5.5hrs and costs ¢7310 (Feb 2019).
San José to Puerto Jiménez
The bus to Puerto Jiménez leaves from here twice per day at 8am and 12pm and costs ¢7600 and takes 8hrs. We are told that some of the buses have a/c but usually only the one at 8am.
International bus to Nicaragua
Nice high quality buses with the company Central Line leave out of this station. Check the photos below. Central Line provides a similar kind of service you would get with Tica Bus and TransNica and for a similar kind of price. You can now book your tickets online in advance with a company called La Terminal. Here is their website: laterminalcostarica.com. You can book all the way to Managua or stop along the way.
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!
I’m leaving cahuita in a few days for San Jose but need to book a shuttle from San Jose to tamarindo, can’t find much information on bus routes and what time to book the shuttle. Help?
La Fortuna to San Jose – Jan 2024:
-La Fortuna to Quesada 10am-12pm, $1630Col per person with bag
-Quesada to San Jose, 12.30pm-4pm, $2912Col pp
San Jose to Puerto Viejo – Jan 2024:
$6885Col pp
8am-12.15pm, rest stop 10.30am-10.50am
Travelled today from San Jose to Puerto Viejo with MEPE Bus, I reserved the ticket in advance online (directly at MEPE website) and had to pick it up one hour before the bus was leaving. Everything went smoothly, can recommend!
Anyone know if MEPE will allow me to load my bicycle in the bus cargo bay? Anyone have any experience with this?
La Fortuna to San Jose – Jan 2024:
-La Fortuna to Quesada 10am-12pm, $1630Col per person with bag
-Quesada to San Jose, 12.30pm-4pm, $2912Col pp
San Jose to Puerto Viejo – Jan 2024:
$6885Col pp
8am-12.15pm, rest stop 10.30am-10.50am