Tamarindo is one area where the bus schedules are totally loco! We do our best to keep this page updated as much as possible with the constantly changing schedules! Please, leave us a comment if the times are correct/incorrect so we can make sure we are as up-to-date as possible. Thank you!
There are 3 different bus companies that provide service to Tamarindo.
1) Transportes La Pampa – goes back and forth to Liberia Municipal Station. These buses leave from in front of the Plaza. See map and photos below.
2) Empresa Alfaro – which goes back and forth to the Terminal 7-10 in San José. This bus leaves from Calle Cruz see map and photos.
3) Tralapa – which goes back and forth to the Terminal Tralapa in San José . This bus leaves from in front of the Plaza. See map and photos.
To and from Liberia
Transportes La Pampa: From the Liberia Municipal Station
Purchase your ticket to Tamarindo from the ticket window at the Liberia Terminal de buses Municipal. And from the driver if you are leaving Tamarindo. As of January 2018 the trip to costs 1400₡ and takes about 2.5hrs depending on time of day. We asked the ticket vender to write out the schedule and it is in the photos below (May 2017)
Liberia to Tamarindo: 3:50am, 4:30am, 5:15am , 6:10am*, 7:10am, 8:10am, 10:10am*(only Sat+Sun), 11:10am*, 1:10pm, 2:10pm, 4:10pm, 5:10pm, 6:10pm*. Both ways.
*longer route through Flamingo, Brasilito, Matapalo (~3hrs).
Tamarindo to Liberia: 3:30am, 4:30am, 5:45am, 7:30am, 9am, 10am, 11:30, 1pm, 2:15pm, 4:15pm, 5pm. Likely also 6:30pm but we will confirm soon.
Liberia Airport to Tamarindo
Normally the bus going both to and from Tamarindo will pass right in front of the airport. However, we have had reports of the bus not making the detour off the main highway to the airport doors. The distance from the highway to the airport doors is about 2km. This is one of the annoying inconsistencies in the CR bus service! If you are headed to the airport make sure you ask the driver if he is going to the airport.
If you are coming from Tamarindo it takes about 2hrs to get to the airport and if you are coming from Liberia it will pass about 20 minutes after the scheduled time above.
To and from San José
Empresa Alfaro: to and from the 7-10 Terminal San José
From San José to Tamarindo buses leave at 11:30am and 3:30pm.
From Tamarindo to San José buses leave at 3:30am (via Liberia) and 5:30am (via Puente la Amistad) and on Sundays there is an extra bus at 1pm (via Liberia).
This bus costs 5700₡ as of Feb 2019 and takes about 6hrs. The bus via Puente La Amistad is about 1/2 hr faster. It leaves from Calle Cruz see map and photos. Have a look at the Terminal 7-10 to see where you end up. Not a bad idea to get your ticket at least one day before. However if it is full you will likely be allowed to stand.
Tralapa: to and from the Tralapa Terminal San José
From San José to Tamarindo buses go at 7am and 4pm. From Tamarindo to San José buses go at 7:30am and 2pm. Both through Liberia. Price as of February 2018 is 5500₡ and the trip takes 6 – 6.5hrs. This bus leaves from in front of the Plaza. See map and photos. Tickets can be purchased beforehand at the small soda in front of Hotel Portofino, diagonal from the plaza. Your ticket can also be purchased from the bus driver at pickup. Not a bad idea to get your ticket at least one day before. However if it is full you will likely be allowed to stand. Check out where you end up in San José: Terminal Tralapa.
Tamarindo to Monteverde
Here is our latest traveller advice for this trip, Feb 2019: “We took the 5.30am Bus to San Jose (ca. 5700 Colones) leaving Tamarindo from the Plaza and a few other stops in Tamarindo. We got off the Bus at the Gas Station where it goes to Sardinal at 8.45am (Road 606). Then we waited for the Bus that was coming from San Jose (it leaves SJ at 5.30am and goes directly to Monteverde). We got the Bus at around 9.10am (it was 3000 Colones) and it took another 1.5h to Monteverde. Arrived there at 10.45am. Ca. 8700C and 5h15min.” (Feb 2019)
Check the comments below for how to get from Monteverde.
Fun stuff to do
If you want to get to know the area around Tamarindo in a more intimate setting, check out the Mangrove and Estuary boat tour for close up views of wildlife and local surrounding wetlands.
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!
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 did the trip from Monteverde to Tamarindo Nov. 13th/2019
6am bus – Santa Elena bus station (near the MegaSuper and strip mall)
I told the ticket person I wanted to go to La Irma (which is what my hostel mentioned) to Liberia to Tamarindo, and she corrected me that the 6am bus goes to Puntarenas with a stop in Lagartos, where you can catch the bus to Liberia.
I paid 910 colones, but it’s more if you don’t say you’re getting off before Puntarenes.
I mentioned to the bus driver about wanting to go to Liberia so that he would hopefully stop and tell me.
At around 7:20, the bus stopped at the highway 1 and dropped some of us off with just a block of concrete to stand on on the side of the road.
I waved at one Liberia bus, which waved me away and didn’t stop, but a few minutes later, around 8:15, another Liberia bus stopped. I paid 2500 colones.
The bus went across the nearby bridge and stopped again at a covered bench bus stop where locals were waiting, so I assume that is the official stop.
We got to the Liberia bus station a few minutes after 10am, where I went immediately to the ticket station, bought a ticket to Tamarindo for 1760 colones, and asked a nearby person which bus was going to Tamarindo. She pointed and the bus was already pulling out of the spot! Luckily the doors were still open and they let me on!
The bus arrived in Tamarindo and the last stop was across from Plaza Tamarindo at about 12:15, but it is not a bus station, just the side of the road.
All in all, a success 👍
I need the phone number for the Tamarindo location. I used their service yesterday and the bus driver did not let me know when to get off for my stop although I asked him ! I had to take a cab on top of the bus ticket. I do not speak a word of Spanish but I’m sure he understood “airport”. He said I was sleeping. Excuse me?? First of all I wasn’t second of all u rather let me miss my flight then let me know hey this is your stop?! I want to talk to the company about this issue because it’s outrageous ! Anyone?
If you miss the airport you’re definitely sleeping