If you’re planning to visit Montezuma, Tambor, Santa Teresa, Malpaís, Paquera or any beach on the Nicoya Peninsula from San Jose, taking the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera is one of the best ways to get there.
In this article, you will learn exactly how to take this ferry. We’ll give step by step instructions for buying tickets, how to cross with a car or by foot and how long the ferry is. There is also an instructional video at this end of this post.
Taking the Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera
Puntarenas Ferry Location
The Puntarenas ferry is at the very end of “Paseo de los Turistas,” the main road that goes through Puntarenas town. If you’re driving from San Jose, the drive is very easy on the highway, taking around 2 hours.
You can put in Google Maps “Naviera Tambor ferry” to get to the ferry dock.
The Route
This is the ferry route from the Puntarenas ferry to Paquera.
You will go through the Gulf of Nicoya past some islands into the bay.
Puntarenas Paquera Ferry Schedule
Here is the schedule for the ferry from Puntarena to Paquera.
Puntarenas – Paquera: 7 AM, 10 AM, 12:30 PM, 3 PM and 6 PM.
Paquera – Puntarenas: 6 AM, 10 AM, 12:30 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM.
Purchasing Ferry Tickets Online
You can purchase your ferry ticket online on the Quickpay CR website. The site is in Spanish but you can ask Google to translate it for you. (This is the company’s website, we are not associated or are affiliated with them. This is purely for information. Please contact them if you have any questions).
They only sell a certain number of tickets online so if it says sold out for your dates, the allotted amount of online tickets are sold out. You will have to purchase them at the dock in person.
If you have a rental car, it will ask you for your license plate and you can enter any 6 digit number or put in RENTALCAR.***
When you are purchasing tickets, you need to choose “Vehicle Liviano (automovil)” and the ticket price for the vehicle is 12,882 CRC (~$20 USD). The price of the ticket per person is 810 CRC (~$1.30 USD). They’ll also charge a service fee. It’ll also ask you information such as your email address, passport number and other details. These are the prices per way. If you are purchasing round trip, you’ll need to buy the other half separately.
Once you purchase the tickets, they’ll email you the receipt and confirmation. You need to arrive at the Puntarenas dock 30 minutes before your ferry time.
Purchasing Ferry Tickets in Person
To purchase your ticket in person, you need to go to the ticket office across the street from the ferry dock. It’s on the right hand side with a large blue sign that says “BOLETERIA.”
**If you are traveling on a weekend or during the months of December through April, make sure to arrive at least 1 hour early to purchase tickets in person as those are busy tourism season months. If you are traveling during Christmas, New Years or Easter, I would arrive 2-3 hours early if you can’t purchase tickets beforehand*
When we took the 2 pm ferry, the ticket office didn’t open until 12:45 PM since the workers were on lunch. For our second trip on the ferry, we purchased tickets the night before.
When buying tickets in person, tell the cashier how many adults and children and if you have a car. I bought tickets for me, Yeison and our car so I told the lady “Dos adultos y un carro por favor.”
Taking the Ferry With a Car
If you have a car, you will need to drive onto the car loading area by the dock. There is an officer there that will tell you where to go to wait in line. Once you park in the waiting area, the ferry attendant will ask you for your tickets. If you purchased them online, you can show it to him on your phone.
When driving onto the dock, everyone except the driver must get out and board the boat by foot. Make sure all the foot passengers have their ticket with them as they will have to show it to board the ferry.
The loading time starts about 45 minutes before departure. There is a loud speaker that will announce when it’s time to load the ferry and it is in English and Spanish.
If you’re renting a car, make sure to check out our special Costa Rica car rental discount and extra benefits!
If You are a Foot Passenger
For those traveling without a car, the process is the same. If you’re arriving by bus, you will get off the bus right at the ferry ticket office.
While you wait to board the ferry, there is a nice waiting area under a large white tarp in the dock loading area.
When they start loading the ferry, you will follow the foot passenger line to board the ferry. You’ll show the ticket to the ferry attendant and then board the boat.
The Ferry
The ferry has bathrooms and a cafeteria selling snacks, food, water, coffee and drinks. There are outside seating areas as well as an inside air conditioned cabin with televisions. You can sit anywhere you want.
Please note that face masks are required at all times on the ferry, inside and outside.
As soon as it’s time to leave, they will make an announcement over the loud speaker in English and Spanish.
The ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera takes a little over an hour. You will cruise through the Gulf of Nicoya and the views are beautiful. You’ll see a few islands and other boats.
Getting off the ferry
When the ferry is close to Paquera, you will hear an announcement for drivers to get into their cars. Once the ferry is docked, foot passengers will get off first and then cars.
Once you get off, you can take a taxi, take the bus or drive to your next destination. There are buses from Paquera to Cobano, Montezuma and Santa Teresa.
The bus from Paquera to Montezuma and Santa Teresa is at 6:15, 8:15, 10:15, 12:15, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM and 6:15 PM.
I asked for the price of a taxi from Paquera ferry dock to Santa Teresa and they told me it is around 30,000 CRC (~$48 USD).
Puntarenas Paquera Ferry Video
Watch a video of us taking the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera below. You’ll see where the ticket office is, what the ferry is like and how the roads are.
As you can see, taking the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera is super easy and fun!
Naranjo Ferry
If you are taking the Puntarenas ferry to Naranjo, the process is the same (same location) to board. The ticket office is not the same, it’s a little bit down the street from the Paquera ferry and the loading area is right next to the Paquera dock. Here is the schedule and prices.
The Naranjo ferry is a good option if you want to go to Samara.
Selina says
Thank you so much for all your advice. Your blogs aré so informative, clear and straight to the point. My time in costa rica has been Made so much easier because of all your posts. I usually never leave comments on blogs but i couldnt help but say a huge muchas gracias.
Sammi says
Thank you for the comment Selina and we’re glad the blog is helpful for your trip planning.
Carolina says
Hi, I’ll be driving alone with my 3 kids on January 1 from Santa Elena in Monteverde Area to Playa Santa Teresa. Is the road taking route 18 very bad? I would rather avoid the Ferry. Thanks
Sammi says
No Route 18 is a paved main highway, and then when you get to Nicoya, you’ll need to follow along Route 21 and continue around the Peninsula to Santa Teresa – do not go through the Peninsula or cut in the middle, as that is just like cow roads and bad roads.
Ange Nelson says
Hi guys – your website/blog has been SO helpful as we are planning our first trip to costa rica in February 2022. Bringing all 9 of our family, and so excited! We only have 1 week there, so trying to plan accordingly to make the most use of our time. I think we’re loving the idea of Arenol and the things up there….. but then jaco/Antonio Manuel, or the Tamarindo area….how on earth do you decide where to go??? Flying into San Jose – which doesn’t necessarily seem convenient to either of those places. And kind of a side question…..Is Monteverde worth the extra drive? Last question….We’ll be renting a car. But there’s 9 of us, so most likely we’ll need 2 cars. Is it difficult to find parking anywhere, or would that not be an issue? Thank you again so much for your awesome content!
Sammi says
Hi, you can read our post Best places in Costa Rica to get more information on places to visit and details on which one is best for you
Kathleen says
Hi, my daughter and I are looking to take the ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas and back for a short day trip/to experience the ferry. Is there a place to park our car at the Paquera ferry dock?
Thank you,
Kathleen
Sammi says
There isn’t parking besides street parking but you can bring your car on the ferry
Thomas W Chesney says
Hello
We are traveling by car from Los Suenos Marriott Resort in Herradura to the El Mangroove Hotel in Papagayo. Would you recommend taking the ferry?
Sammi says
Driving is more straightforward and is a very easy drive (going via Route 1)
Thomas W Chesney says
Thank you
Kathryn says
I am traveling solo this Friday (10/8/21) to Jaco Beach from SJO Airport. I really want to rent a car and be free to explore the country and not pay the hotel $250. for a round trip pick up. Are the roads paved between SJO and Jaco Beach? After I settle in, should I drive around on my own or is it better to take the bus? Also, I would like to visit Limon’. What’s the best way to get there and things to do there? Thanks so much!!
Sammi says
Yes, San Jose to Jaco is on a highway the whole time.
Liomn is very far from Jaco… if you go to Limon province, the tourism hub in the province is Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
aaron z says
I’ve heard the roads are really bad on the Nicoya peninnsula , do you know how it is on the way to Naranja on Route 21 from Mansion? We’re heading there in March ’22 and planning the route, From San Juanillo down to Manuel Antonio area in a day, I’m figuring 4-5 hours.
Sammi says
In March it’ll be the peak of dry season so the river will be dry and roads won’t be as bad as rainy season but you will still need a 4wd/4×4 for that area (San Juanillo/NOsara). San Juanillo to Manuel Antonio is more like 6 hours one way.
Kathleen says
Hi, I’m the odd one since I will not be driving at all. I need to find a way from my retreat in Playa Blanca, Paquera to Montezuma. It’s been very difficult finding a straight answer & makes me nervous since I’ll be a woman traveling solo. I don’t want to take a private shuttle because of high costs. My retreat will drop off everyone at the ferry. Is there a bus station at the ferry to take straight to Montezuma?
Sammi says
There are buses from Paquera ferry to Montezuma (Cobano) right at the ferry dock when you get off on the Paquera side.
Jack Holuba says
We are traveling from Tamarindo to Jaco. Would you recommend taking the ferry across or driving the entire way?
Sammi says
I would drive, it will take a lot longer to drive to Puntarenas, take the ferry and then drive from Paquera/Naranjo to Tamarindo.
Azar Jindal says
Can we take dogs on ferry?
Sammi says
Yes, there is a dedicated section for them so you must stay in that area with your dog, they cannot go inside or upstairs.
Jim Clement says
Which beach has more services like restaurants and hotels either Moctezuma or Tambor? Thank You
Sammi says
Montezuma, Costa Rica as it has an actual town, make sure to stop by the Soda Las Palmeras, it’s one of our favorites.
Jan Layton says
We are in Carrillo and want to take the ferry to Puntarenas would you suggest the Naranjo ferry or the Paquera ferry?
Sammi says
Naranjo is better if coming from the Samara area
Craig says
Hi Sammi,
I plan to take the ferry on New Year’s day (January 1st), but the official website does not say whether or not they operate on holidays. Would you happen to know? Thanks!
Sammi says
I am not 100% but I would assume so! You can try to contact them on their website.
Karen says
Hi Sammi, We are thinking of going roundtrip (one day) from Punta Arenas to Paquera and back. Are the rates shown roundtrip or do we have to buy tickets in Paquera to return. Can seniors ride for free on the ferry? That’s what it looks like! Can we just stay on the ferry for the return trip? We like riding ferries as passengers, so we won’t have our car on the ferry. Any specific parking lots in Punta Arenas that you can recommend where we can leave our car?
Sammi says
Hi Karen, rates are one way, seniors don’t have a charge and you will need to get off and purchase tickets for going back but you can ask the ticket office in Puntarenas to see if you can purchase the way back since you just want to ride in one day.
For parking, we recommend to park at Cabinas Frank, it’s an official parking lot and they charge 6000 colones for a day over 5 hours. You can find them on Google Maps.
karen says
Thanks a million!!!! Looking forward to our trip!
Karen says
Hi Sammi, Your advice was “spot on”!!!!!! Cabinas Frank was easy to find and the parking was perfect – and they were really nice!!!! Just a hop, skip and a jump and we were on the ferry. The ride over and back was great!!!!
Thanks for being such a big help – we had a great time in Costa Rica thanks to you!!!
Mel says
I took Paquera-Puntarenas ferry with car. Always come 1hr early. Buying tickets online was available charged my card but did not work. Ferry is 1.5 hr. It is worth it.
Herb says
how long will it take to drive from Pacquera to Playa del Coco
Sammi says
3 hours: https://goo.gl/maps/f51CQ8QnG7mTRE8Q9
Guilherme says
Hei, the car tickets to take the ferry from Naranjo to Puntarenas are still not sold online? Tks
Sammi says
Not that we know of so far, only Paquera – Puntarenas
Jesus says
Is there parking at the ferry just in case I decide not to take the rental car.
Sammi says
Hi Jesus, not one from the ferry company itself. There are some small hotels and houses that have private parking lots in Puntarenas for around $5-10 a day.
Patrick says
Just to make sure, tickets to take the ferry to Naranjo are still not sold online – therefore we have to buy them at the location, correct? We are traveling from Jaco to Tamarindo and wanted to take the scenic ferry. Is your recommended timeframe of getting there one hour early still a good reference for a Saturday (the 19th)? Lastly, what is the crossing time for this ferry? Thank you so much!
Sammi says
Hi Patrick, the Naranjo tickets aren’t available to purchase online, I’d get there an hour early to purchase them. I posted a schedule of the Naranjo ferry at the end of the post 🙂
Michael says
We tried to purchase tickets today 31.12.18 for a ferry on 03.01.19 and it is not available. Does that mean it is sold out, or if we arrive one hour early can we still get our car on?
Sammi says
Hi Michael, that is supposed to mean it’s sold out, but I would contact the Ferry company to be sure because they just put up their online system so I would definitely reconfirm with them directly.
Carmel Hiebert says
Hi Sam, I’m trying to purchase the tickets online and the options for a vehicle are lightweight or two axle (liviano, carga liviano and 2 ejes)
I rented a Tucson from adobe, would this be considered lightweight or 2 axle?
Sammi says
Hi Carmel, that is liviano (lightweight) heavy is for like trailer trucks.
Ryan says
This is great info! Is it recommended to buy tickets online? I don’t seem to be able to because I can’t enter a plate number. I’m worried I will arrive (by 3pm) planning to take the 5pm ferry west and be stuck. I wonder if it would be better to just plan to drive up and around?
Sammi says
Hi Ryan, it depends on when you will be traveling. If you can arrive at least a couple hours before, generally it’s OK but if you’re traveling over the Christmas or New Years holiday, it’s pretty busy and it seems that New Years Day and Christmas is already sold out. If you were traveling during that time of year, I would just enter a random license plate number (they usually aren’t very strict on this, they don’t even ask you this when you buy tickets at the office in person) to secure your spots.
Lorette says
Thank you, this is great information! I’ve taken the ferry once before (2017), however will be traveling by rental car to Santa Teresa next week with my son for surf.
I heard from another travel blog that the ferry is scheduled to CLOSE on 11/23 for 2 weeks for maintenance :O
Can you tell me if this is correct?
Maybe only 1 boat will be use and the other in maintenance? H-E-L-P
thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Lorette, yes the Puntarenas – Paquera will be closed for 2 weeks, the Naranjo ferry is still open though. You can get more info on the Naviera Tambor ferry website: http://navieratambor.com/horarios-y-tarifas
Lynn Baumeister says
thank you, incredibly helpful!!!
Sammi says
You’re welcome 🙂
Liz Forgione says
My husband and daughter need to get from Montezuma to San Jose airport on August 10th for a 2 pm flight. Is it feasible to think that they could leave Montezuma that morning, drive to the ferry – take ferry across and drive to SJO in time for flight?
Sammi says
Hi Liz, they’ll have to be at the airport by 12 PM. I recommend taking the earliest ferry from Paquera (530) AM to make sure they get there in time and account for traffic, getting food and returning the car.
Wedge says
This is excellent!
Sure could have used this in 1989!
Pip says
This is just brilliant! You are SO HELPFUL and I love the way you put information together with photos and explanations. We own a B&B (Casitas Tenorio B&B) and we have just used this to helps some of our guests wit their planning! THANKS!!!!
Sammi says
Thanks Pip! Glad it’s helpful! 🙂
Tara says
Hi Sammi! I’ll be in Puntarenas for one day and one night, with a rental car. Is there anything worth taking the ferry over to check out for the day? Or should we just enjoy our day in Puntarenas? Thank you for creating such a great blog with so much information!
Sammi says
Hi Tara! If you take the earliest ferry, you could check out the Curu Wildlife Refuge that’s a bit past the Paquera ferry dock. I’ve heard it’s a really nice place to see animals or you could drive to Montezuma and check out the beach town there. Just make sure on your way back to get to the ferry and buy tickets at least 30 minutes before. I’m glad you enjoy the blog and thanks for reading!
Sammi says
Hi Kim, make sure you take the route through Nicoya, that is the good road and it’ll be only a couple of hours, the route that goes along the beach is on a very not nice road and will take a lot longer. There’s not too much to see for the first half once you get to Puntarenas back up to Guanacaste, you can stop by the Catarata Llanos de Cortes near Bagaces: Catarata Llanos de Cortes. In PUntarenas, you can stop and get a churchill (a famous ice cream treat from Puntarenas).
Kim says
We are currently staying in Playa Hermosa and looking at driving to Playa Naranjo and taking the ferry to Puntarenas and driving back up the Interamericana back to Playa Hermosa. Do you have any suggestions or hints about this route? Love your blogs!
lisa says
Hello,
We are a group of 8 adults. We are on a cruise with a 12-hour stop in Puntarenas.
We looked into going into Jaco, but are also considering taking the ferry.
What sort of things are there to do/see if we do take ferry to Paquero? Are their taxis available?
Any suggestions for a day trip from Puntarenas?
Sammi says
The ferry ride is very nice but there’s nothing really to do on the other side unless you go to one of the nearby beach towns like Montezuma. Since you have only 12 hours, I would recommend not taking it because the ferry also only has set times and I’m not sure when you land/leave Puntarenas. If you guys rent a car or hire a shuttle, you can go to Jaco and go surfing, you can even take a short walk through Carara National Park which is nearby.
phuong mai says
Hi Sammi,
Would it save us a lot of time if we take a ferry from Monte Verde to Santa Teresa? Even though, we have to come early, wait in line to get in, buying ticket…Please let me know your thought.
Sammi says
It wouldn’t be hours of time saved and it doesn’t take too long to load the ferry and get off if you’re not coming in holiday or peak season. Driving would take around 5-6 hours and the ferry is way more fun in my opinion.
Sylvie Watteny says
Hey Sammi & Yeison,
We’re coming to Costa Rica in some months and your blog and IG-feed have been helpful for planning, thanks for that! 😉
I’ve got a question, we’d be driving from our hotel in La Fortuna to Montezuma, would you recommend taking the ferry in Puntarenas or is Route 18 also doable if we leave early in La Fortuna?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Sylvie! Personally if you can, I do recommend taking the ferry. It’s such a nice ferry ride with some great views and it’s a nice break from the drive which is super long. You can drive it if you leave early as it’ll take around 6 hours driving but I do really enjoy the ferry ride and recommend it 🙂
Ellen Saling says
This is awesome!! I am so grateful for people like you who do stuff like this for people like me. Pura Vida and Muchisimo Gracias!
Ellen
Sammi says
You’re welcome and thanks for reading Ellen!
Niall says
Hi, we’re planning on getting the ferry and then public bus to montezuma, do you know if we’d have to book in advance or just pay after leaving the ferry? Thanks
yeison says
Hi! you do not need to pay in advance if you are taking public transportation, and the buses are usually very big.
Murray Hurst says
Are dogs allowed on the ferry from Puntarenas and can they be taken outside of the car on a leash while the ferry is traveling ?
Sammi says
Hi Murray, I’m pretty sure I remember seeing a couple dogs on the ferry. I’m pretty sure dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash and always with a human. There is an area for the dogs under the passenger deck that they must stay during the whole ferry ride and there’s seating for humans.
Poppy says
How much did it cost for the car on the ferry?
Sammi says
On the ferry website, it says vehiculos livianos (lightweight vehicule) is 11,400 colones which is about $23
Mina says
Thanks for the tips, do you know how long the ferry trip lasts from Puntarenas to Paquera? Im taking local buses, so need to know when I have to take the ferry to reach the bus on the other side 🙂
Sammi says
I would say about an hour 🙂
Emilya Tal says
The ferry ride is about 75 minutes. The bus to Cobano/Montezuma will be waiting for the ferry (except the last ferry of the day, when there is no bus). You can switch buses to Santa Teresa in Cobano.
There are 2 direct buses from San Jose to Santa Teresa. One leaves San Jose at 6am and takes the 9am ferry. The other leaves at 2pm and takes the 5pm ferry. If you are on one of those, you can take the direct bus from Paquera to Santa Teresa.
Lucy says
Do/ you know if there is a Holiday Ferry Schedule? We are planning to take the ferry on New Year’s Day.
Sammi says
Hi Lucy, not sure but don’t think so. Didn’t see any signs or notes about a holiday schedule (but not 100% sure)
Daniela says
Awesome. Great advice. I am wondering how you got from Paquera to Playa Carmen. Are there shuttles available once you land in Paquera? I am asking bc we would like to rent a car once we get there….only place to do so is in Tambor. What would be the best way to get there?
Sammi says
We had rented a car already so we drove straight from Paquera to Mal Pais. Once you get off the ferry in Paquera, there should be a public bus that goes to Montezuma which drops you off in Tambor. Should be about a 30 minute ride or so.
Mandy Thomson says
Hello there,
I was wondering if you knew of a place to leave our car in Puntaneras while we go to Montezuma for three days? My sense is that the roads are quite tricky from Pacquera to Montezuma.
Thank you
Mandy
Sammi says
Hi Mandy, actually from Pacquera to Montezuma is very straightforward on the main road around Nicoya Peninsula. Don’t go the shortcut routes or the backroads but if you go on the main paved highway around the peninsula from the ferry, it is almost all paved. I recommend keeping your car in Montezuma since it’s a small town and you’ll be able to visit nearby places like Mal Pais/Santa Teresa or the Curu Wildlife Refuge. The public transportation down there is not great.