Taking the San Jose to Puerto Viejo Bus: Everything You Need to Know
If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, taking the San Jose to Puerto Viejo bus is one of the most budget-friendly ways to travel. Here is our complete guide and real experience taking the MEPE bus to Puerto Viejo.
1. Getting from SJO Airport (Alajuela) to the San Jose MEPE Bus Station
First things first: the Juan Santamaría International Airport is actually located in Alajuela, just north of San Jose. To get to the MEPE bus station in downtown San Jose, we booked an Uber from the airport. You can take a red tax (the designated airport taxis) but it is much easier to just book an uber and avoid having to pay in cash.
Uber Airport Tip: Rideshare apps aren’t technically supposed to operate directly at the airport terminal. To make your driver feel comfortable during pickup, jump into the front seat so it looks like a friend is picking you up. We only learned this on our return trip.
Note: The San Jose Traffic
Under normal conditions, the drive from the airport to the bus terminal takes about 30 minutes. However, traffic in San Jose can be heavy. On the day we traveled, our ride took a little over an hour. If you have to catch a specific bus departure, make sure to leave plenty of time. (We ended up arriving with 25 minutes to spare lol)
2. At the MEPE Bus Station in San Jose
Once you arrive at the bus station, head straight inside to buy your ticket. The bus station is a big yellow building with the buses under the overpass and is easy to navigate as it is all open.
Buying Your Tickets (The Boletería)
All MEPE bus stations sell their tickets at the counter marked with a blue sign and white letters that say Boletería. Seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis, from front to back.
- Ticket Price: 6,975 CRC (~$15.33 USD) per ticket.
- Pro Tip for “Standing Only” Tickets: If the seats are fully booked for your preferred time slot, they will offer you “standing room only” tickets for the exact same price. We had been traveling all day and just wanted to get to our stay without paying for a night in San Jose, so we took them!
- The Wheelchair Space Hack: If you end up with a standing ticket, head to the wheelchair area near the middle of the bus. There is enough space there to sit on the floor comfortably without standing or blocking the aisle. (Only if it is not occupied by a wheelchair of course!)
Bus Station Amenities & Snacks
The station has restrooms available for 400 colones, a small shop for drinks, and a counter-service restaurant. Before boarding, we grabbed a couple of patís (a delicious Caribbean Costa Rican style empanada) and a large bottle of water for the road.
San Jose to Puerto Viejo Bus Schedule & Timings
MEPE runs direct buses multiple times throughout the day. Departure times for San Jose to Puerto Viejo:
- 6:00 AM
- 8:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
Link to the MEPE website that shows the San Jose to Puerto and back bus schedule: https://www.mepecr.com/Ingles/HorarioS_P.html
3. The Bus Ride from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
When boarding starts, you can choose to store larger luggage underneath the bus or keep your backpacks in the overhead bins inside.
The overall drive takes roughly 5 hours. The mountain region can get cool and rainy, but recent road improvements between San Jose and Limón make for a smooth trip with minimal traffic overall.
The Limón Rest Stop
Around the 3-hour mark, the bus stops at the station in Limón for about 20 minutes. This gives you a quick chance to:
- Use the restroom
- Stretch your legs
- Grab snacks from local vendors
We picked up a fresh black coffee here to stay awake for the final two-hour leg into Puerto Viejo and it was delicious.
4. Arriving in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Arriving in Puerto Viejo in the evening is an awesome feeling. The bus drops you off right in the town center, which was all lit-up restaurants, music, and people out enjoying the evening. You can easily walk to any restaurant around you.
Getting to Your Accommodation
While Uber is available in the area, taking a Tuk-Tuk gives you the full Puerto Viejo Caribbean experience. You will see them all lined up right at the bus drop-off, you get to ride open-air through town with music playing giving you an instant feel for the relaxed atmosphere of Puerto Viejo. This was the only time we took one and it was so worth the welcome.
Note: Tuk-Tuks are cash only, so keep some small bills handy!
5. The Reverse Trip: Puerto Viejo to San Jose
Heading back to San Jose follows the exact same process in reverse:
- Head to the MEPE bus station in downtown Puerto Viejo.
- Go to the Boletería window to purchase your return ticket ahead of time (especially during busy weekend travel). The trip from Puerto Viejo to San Jose does not run on assigned seats, it is just first seated. You still have the chance to have to stand on this bus ride if you are not one of the first people to fill the bus.
- Budget at least 5 to 6 hours for the drive back to San Jose or the airport to account for potential traffic.
We had an amazing three weeks in Puerto Viejo and would do it all again, down to the bus ride. Read more about our trip to Costa Rica and how to plan your own
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I buy tickets for the San Jose to Puerto Viejo bus online?
No, MEPE tickets have to be bought in person at the terminal counter on the day of travel. It is best to arrive an hour early to secure a seat.
Is taking the bus safe?
Yes, taking the public bus is considered safe for travelers and locals. Keep your high-value belongings (passport, camera, wallet) in a small backpack with you inside the bus rather than under the storage cabin.
