Safe, comfortable, courteous
Great round trip experience from San Jose airport to Puerto Viejo and back. Carlos and Luis were safe, courteous and made sure we were comfortable.
Susie E
TripAdvisor Reviewer · TripAdvisor · Jun 2024
PRIVATE SHUTTLE
Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown
5.0(200+ reviews)4,5 H1-12 passengersDoor-to-door
How much does a private shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown cost?
Check availability and price for your group
How many passengers?
Adults
12+
2
Children
0-11
0
Total for your group
Hyundai Staria · 4,5 H
$340
per vehicle, not per person
Pick a date to add this trip
All prices for this route, by group size:
Prices in USD per vehicle. All-inclusive: A/C, WiFi, water, child seats, door-to-door.
Why book with Private Travel CR?
Licensed & insured
ICT-certified tourist transport (#3205-2022), fully insured.
5.0 star rating
200+ reviews on Google & TripAdvisor.
24/7 flight tracking
We watch your flight and adjust the pickup — even at 2 AM.
Free child seats
Infant and booster seats on request, at no extra charge.
Modern private fleet
A/C, free WiFi and bottled water in every vehicle.
Local family business
Costa Rican owner-operated since 2022 — not a faceless agency.
What travelers say about Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) → San Jose Downtown
Rated 5.0 stars across 200+ Google and TripAdvisor reviews.
Exceptional, Professional, and Reliable Private Transfers Across Costa Rica!
Our experience with Private Travel Costa Rica was exceptional from start to finish. We used their service for multiple transfers, including from San Juan airport to La Fortuna, between locations in La Fortuna, and from Tamarindo to Liberia International Airport. Every driver was amazing—on time, flexible, and extremely professional. The responsiveness of the entire team made coordinating our travel seamless and stress-free. We highly recommend them for any transportation needs in Costa Rica.
Katherine J
TripAdvisor Reviewer · TripAdvisor · Dec 2025
Professional and Reliable
We used this company for transfers from La Fortuna to San Manuel Antonio and then from San Manuel Antonio to San Jose. I cannot say enough about the professionalism of the company and both the drivers, as well as the cleanliness of the vans. Communication was almost immediate. Our drivers Oscar and Carlos arrived a few minutes early, were highly professional, and super friendly and warm. There was wifi in the van which was much appreciated. All in all, both experiences were excellent. I cannot recommend this company enough. I will definitely use them again for transfers when we are back in CR.
RIDI0406
Madison, Wisconsin · TripAdvisor · Dec 2025
How is the drive from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown?
Travel from Puerto Viejo to San José, Costa Rica's capital city with vibrant culture, museums, and excellent dining in the Central Valley. The journey takes you from the Caribbean Coast to the Central Valley, showcasing Costa Rica's incredible landscape diversity. The journey takes approximately 4,5 H in our comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles.
What can you see between Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) and San Jose Downtown?
Playa Cocles (surf)
Punta Uva
National Theater
Central Market
Jade Museum
How are the road conditions from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown?
Paved highway through Braulio Carrillo National Park, flat coastal road from Limón. Urban highways with typical city traffic. Best to travel early morning or after 7pm.
Traveler Tip
The last stretch into San José climbs through Braulio Carrillo, which fogs in by mid-afternoon most days — leaving the Caribbean in the morning means a clearer and noticeably faster climb over the mountains
Is the shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown family-friendly?
Four and a half hours from the Caribbean coast back across to the Central Valley, with the Braulio Carrillo rainforest section in the second half. Two stops on a drive this length. It is a long day for young children, so an early start usually works better than a midday one. Child seats at no charge.
Budget breakdown
This private shuttle from Puerto Viejo to San José costs $300 for up to 6 passengers — that's just $75 per person for a group of 4. Compare that to individual taxi rides or shared shuttles with multiple stops. Private door-to-door service means no waiting, no extra stops, and your vacation time starts the moment you land. Want to extend the drive into a memorable day? Upgrade to our VIP transfer for $80 more — flexible stops along the way (scenic viewpoints, coffee farm, lunch in a local town — your call).
About travel times
Plan for 4.5 hours. The climb into Braulio Carrillo is the variable: fog by mid-afternoon most days, plus container and banana trucks working the Limón highway at every hour. A morning departure is the reliably faster version.
Is the shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown available 24/7?
Around the clock, no surcharge. Two honest notes for night travel on this route: the Limon highway carries freight trucks at all hours, and Braulio Carrillo fogs up badly. Our drivers do this route constantly and handle both, but we do not promise a faster trip at night — plan the same four and a half hours.
Local insider tip
The Braulio Carrillo crossing is dense primary rainforest starting right at the edge of the highway, and it is the closest thing to untouched jungle you will see from a road in Costa Rica. Between the tunnel and the descent to Limón there is nothing but forest on both sides.
Frequently asked about Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) → San Jose Downtown
How much does a private shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown cost?
Private shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown starts at $340 USD per vehicle (1-5 passengers). The price is per vehicle, not per person — everyone in your group travels together for the same flat rate. Larger vehicles for 6-18 passengers are available at higher tiers.
How long does the drive from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown take?
The drive from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown takes approximately 4,5 H. Travel times can vary slightly depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions. Our drivers monitor conditions in real time to choose the fastest safe route.
Is the shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Downtown private?
Yes. Every Private Travel CR shuttle is fully private — you ride only with your group, no shared seats with strangers. The price covers the entire vehicle door-to-door, including a professional bilingual driver, free WiFi, bottled water, free child seats on request, and full insurance.
Do you pick up at any address in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)?
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup anywhere in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) — hotels, Airbnbs, private villas, or any specific address you give us at booking. We confirm the exact pickup location 24 hours before your trip.
Top hotels in San Jose Downtown
We pick up at any of these properties. Click for shuttle pricing from San Jose Downtown to anywhere in Costa Rica.
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