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
San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)
5.0(200+ reviews)4,5 H1-12 passengersDoor-to-door
How much does a private shuttle from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) 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 San Jose Downtown → Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)
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 San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)?
Travel from San José to Puerto Viejo, the vibrant heart of Costa Rica's Caribbean with reggae vibes, incredible food, and diverse beaches. The journey takes you from the Central Valley to the Caribbean Coast, 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 San Jose Downtown and Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)?
National Theater
Central Market
Playa Cocles (surf)
Punta Uva
Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
How are the road conditions from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)?
Urban highways with typical city traffic. Best to travel early morning or after 7pm. Paved highway through Braulio Carrillo National Park, flat coastal road from Limón.
Traveler Tip
The Caribbean has different weather — September-October and March are the sunniest months, different from the Pacific
Is the shuttle from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) family-friendly?
Four and a half hours across the country to the Caribbean side, through Braulio Carrillo National Park and then flat coastal road from Limon. The park section is dense rainforest right off the highway and often misty — genuinely worth looking out the window for. Two stops on a drive this long, and child seats at no charge.
Budget breakdown
This private shuttle from San José to Puerto Viejo 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 mountain crossing through Braulio Carrillo fogs in regularly and our drivers slow down through the tunnels — that stretch alone can run well over the map estimate. The flat coastal road after Limón makes some of it back.
Is the shuttle from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) available 24/7?
Around the clock, no surcharge. Two things about this route at night: Braulio Carrillo gets heavy fog and our drivers slow down through it, and the Limon highway carries banana and container trucks at all hours. Neither is a problem, but it is why we do not promise a faster trip just because the roads are emptier.
Local insider tip
Insider tip: Try to arrive at Puerto Viejo in time for sunset — it's one of the best experiences in Costa Rica. Ask your driver for restaurant recommendations in the area — they know the hidden local gems that tourists usually miss.
Frequently asked about San Jose Downtown → Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)
How much does a private shuttle from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) cost?
Private shuttle from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) 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 San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) take?
The drive from San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) 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 San Jose Downtown to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) 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 San Jose Downtown?
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup anywhere in San Jose Downtown — 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 Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)
We pick up at any of these properties. Click for shuttle pricing from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to anywhere in Costa Rica.
See every shuttle to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)
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