Beach town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Getting around Santa Teresa
How to get around Santa Teresa
A single dusty road links Santa Teresa, Mal País and Playa Hermosa. Walk, rent a bike or ATV, or take taxis. Arrival is by shuttle, ferry or small plane.
Ways to get around Santa Teresa
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 3,000–8,000 CRC | No meter; agree a price before riding |
| ATV or scooter rental | About 15,000–35,000 CRC a day | Popular but accident-prone; check insurance and your licence |
| Shuttle van | $55–90 | From San José, Liberia or Tamarindo; book ahead |
| Ferry Puntarenas–Paquera | About 4,000–7,000 CRC | Then a 1.5–2 hour road or shuttle transfer |
Taxis in Santa Teresa
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. No ride apps. Taxis and hostel shuttles are the norm; agree the fare before you go.
Arriving in Santa Teresa
Tambor Airport (TMU)
Short domestic flights from San José, then a 45–60 minute shuttle or taxi, about $40–60.
Juan Santamaría International (SJO)
Shuttle $55–90 using the ferry or a longer road route, about 4–5 hours.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Very common for getting around; scooters and ATVs rent daily. Wear a helmet; roads are rough and police check licences.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for the length of your tourist stay; carry your original passport when driving.
- Onward travel in Costa Rica: Cheap public buses reach almost everywhere from San José but are slow. Shared shuttles, Sansa domestic flights and rental cars (4x4 in rainy season) are faster.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Santa Teresa?
No ride-hailing apps work here. No ride apps. Taxis and hostel shuttles are the norm; agree the fare before you go.
What's the best way to get around Santa Teresa?
A single dusty road links Santa Teresa, Mal País and Playa Hermosa. Walk, rent a bike or ATV, or take taxis. Arrival is by shuttle, ferry or small plane.
How do I get from the airport to Santa Teresa?
Short domestic flights from San José, then a 45–60 minute shuttle or taxi, about $40–60.
Is Santa Teresa walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Santa Teresa
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.