"Buses from San Jose" San José Transportation Tip by Kindra

Coca Cola station downtown: from here you can catch a bus to Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Montezuma, Mal Pais, Montezuma and other less frequented destinations. You can buy tickets to Jaco and Manuel Antonio from the offices in the station (advance is always good) but not for Montezuma. Pay the driver. Take a taxi to and from this area; it is particularly dangerous after dark even though police often frequent this area to monitor if there are any thieves around. Do NOT leave your bags anyway and be very vigilant of watching them even if you are right beside them. Buses do not have A/C or bathrooms but chairs, though tight, are pretty comfy. Standing room is always given and can make a bus very crowded.

Terminal Gran Caribe. This is on the northern part of town close to the highway to the Caribbean. From here you can go to Limon, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Sixaola etc. It is a nice terminal equipped with pay bathrooms, ticket offices for all locations, a convenience store and several sodas where you can get breakfast before getting on the bus. Buses to Caribe are more expensive (up to 3000 colones) but have air conditioning and will usually put on the A/C for a portion of the trip.

Terminal San Carlos: from here you can get to Monteverde, La Fortuna (Arenal) and Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos) etc. Terminal is small though has bathrooms, soda and nearby hotel. Not a great area to hang around otherwise. Tickets can be bought in advance. They will try to force you to put your bags under the bus- if it is reasonably small, I would politely disagree with them as the compartments are opened frequently throughout the very long trip full of stops.

Alfaro: from here you can get to Samara, Tamarindo and other western Nicoya destinations. Not a good neighbourhood, close to Coca Cola, UNCLEAN pay bathrooms and tickets can be bought in advance. Buses are comfy and air-conditioned.

Mode: TO
Type: Bus