Taking the bus is a cheap way to get around Costa Rica and it can be kinda fun sometimes. Even though taking the bus here isn’t the most straightforward thing, there are some major routes where it is actually pretty simple. Unfortunately bus information isn’t always readily available online since it’s common for the companies to change the times and don’t update their website.
I recently took the bus from San Jose to Playas del Coco which I know is a common route to take for visitors so if this is in your travel plans, this article will show you step by step how to successfully take this bus. I know it can be kinda nerve wracking riding the bus in a foreign country especially if you don’t speak the language so I’m here to help you out!
Don’t forget to read our tips for taking public transportation in Costa Rica.
Taking the bus from San Jose to Playas del Coco (and vice versa)
Pulmitan Terminal in San Jose
First, you need to get to the Pulmitan Terminal in San Jose at least half an hour before the hour of departure. (During holiday times I’d go at least an hour). As you may know addresses and directions in Costa Rica are kind of non existent and go something like “500 meters north of the church” so I’ll do my best to describe where the station is.
On Google Maps…As you can see on the Google maps, the bus stop is close to the Kids Hospital so if you’re going by taxi you can tell the bus driver “Terminal de Pulmitan de Liberia, Del hospital de niños 300 al norte.”
The taxi driver should know where this bus terminal is since it’s a fairly big one but just in case they don’t, tell them that or write it down and show it to them.
You can’t miss it. The bus station looks like this:
The ticket window is right around the corner to the left when you enter the station. There is a pulperia and small soda to buy food along with bathrooms and lots of seats for waiting.
Bus Times
I took the bus back in March 2015 and this is the schedule they had inside the terminal. A bus ticket costs about $9 or around 4,500 colones one way. You can pay using colones or credit card.
If you don’t make it in time to catch the buses from San Jose to Coco, you can take one to Liberia. From Liberia there are buses to Playas del Coco about every hour until nighttime. I know many people who do this and it’s not difficult. You do spend a bit more time waiting but with only three times of departure to Coco from San Jose, it doesn’t leave a lot of choices.
The Bus
Some of the buses are double decker which is the one I took back to Coco. They’re quite comfortable, have AC and foot rests. If you have extra luggage, you can put it in the compartment below and keep the ticket the bus driver gives you.
Make sure you board the bus in the correct zone which is written on your ticket. Keep your ticket and give it to the bus driver when you get on.
You are assigned a seat number so make sure you sit in the appropriate seat.
The Ride
This is a fairly long bus ride. If you drive from San Jose to Coco, it’ll take you around 4 hours depending on traffic. With the bus, it takes about a total of 6 hours. The bus makes quite a few stops including one about halfway at a service station where you can use the bathroom and buy food. Then it makes stops through Sardinal, Nacazcol and in Liberia for a bit to pick up passengers.
There is also a lot of construction going on at InterAmerica Highway 1 which slows down the ride so be prepared.
Reaching Playas del Coco
The last stop for this bus is in Playas del Coco at the Pulmitan station. If you take the Liberia to Coco bus, it will continue on and drop you off at the main cross section of downtown (in front of Pollo Crispy). This one does not so you have to get off here.
The Pulmitan station is about a 5 minute walk to the center of town and 10 to the beach. Just go out and start walking left. There will also be taxis around too if you want to grab one.
The bus ride from Coco to San Jose is the same procedure. Go to this bus station at least half an hour before (you can buy tickets the day before if you want), it’ll make the same stops and end up at the Pulmitan bus station in San Jose. It does make several stops once you reach the city like the SJO airport since you can press a button for stops.
If you want to catch the bus to Liberia first, the bus stop is right next to Los Pelones near Tico’s bakery. You don’t have to buy a ticket before, you can pay when you get on (colones only)
Other Bus Schedules
I took some pictures of other bus schedules and useful information I saw around the terminal just in case.
And there you go! Don’t stress out about taking the bus and you can always ask the locals if you need help. Remember, just smile and say “pura vida!” first 😉
You can learn some basic and important words and phrases in Spanish including directions. We also have a pocket guide for you to download and print so you can take it with you on your trip. It’s always handy to know a few words or have them with you! Get our Spanish guide here.
You can also find out how to take the bus from San Jose to Playa Jaco.
More information about getting around Costa Rica
Tips for renting a car in Costa Rica
Hund says
Hi How are you? I have a question and maybe you can help me out..
Do you know if I can buy the tickets of the bus days before date? or does it have to be bought the same day of the trip?
Sammi says
Hi Hund, we bought them a day before once which I do recommend because seats sell out fast especially during the holiday season.
Uli Rincker says
Hey =) first of all: great page !!!
When i take the bus back from Playas del Coco to San José does it stops at the Santamaria Airport or just in the city center ?
Greetings from Uli in Heredia 😉
Sammi says
Hi Uli! It stops at the airport before heading into downtown 🙂
Caroline says
Can I take a bus from the San Jose airport to Playas Del Coco?
Sammi says
Hi Caroline, yes! The bus passes by the SJO airport. The one to Liberia also does too since there are only 3 buses a day to Coco from San Jose so in case you miss those, there are a bunch of buses to Liberia.
Chad L says
Great information, planning my first bus adventure this week. Any recommendations on seating? Up or down? North windows (depending on in/out bound) cooler? Bathrooms at the back (so avoid)? Thanks!
Sammi says
If you buy tickets at the bus station, they assign your seat to you. If you get on the bus at one of the stops, you’ll have to take what’s left.
Chad L says
Thanks for the reply! So, you don’t get to choose your seat, it’s assigned by the agent.
Sammi says
Yes that’s correct, you can probably request a section but they choose whatever is available next.
Teri says
Hi Samantha,
I have a questions for you. What is the difference between the routes from SJ to Coco or San Jose to Liberia? I am wanting to go to Coco. You say the bus to Coco will let you off right in town, is that correct? I will be staying a the hotel M&M on the beach, do you if that is that far from where the bus lets you off? On one website I looked up it shows you catch the Coco bus on Callea 10/12 and Ave. 5 but you show it on Callea 22 near Ave. 13, I will be taking the bus from Rohrmoser to SJ. Thanks for your help. Teri
Sammi says
Hotel M&M is not far from the Pulmitan station in Coco, probably a 15 minute walk, then if you take the Liberia to Coco bus it drops you off a bit further in town, so it’ll be about a 10 minute walk. The bus makes lots of stops in San Jose, so you can take it from Pulmitan station or at one of the stops it makes in San Jose, but if you aren’t sure where that is (there isn’t really a route map), then it’s best to go to the Pulmitan station to buy your ticket beforehand and ensure you get a seat.
Seline says
Hi there! I’ve used your site EXTENSIVELY to plan my CR trip. Really appreciate you making this site. Thanks so much!
Sammi says
You’re welcome, glad it is useful! Hope you have a good trip 🙂
Nadene says
Thanks for this great article. I just passed it along to some friends who were asking me how they can get from San Jose to Coco.
Well done!
Sammi says
Thanks Nadene 🙂
Mike says
Thank you for such great post! It is really helpful.
I was wondering do you know if we can take a bus from LIR airport to Areanal/ La Fortuna area? we are arriving early at 6am on Saturday in January 2016.
and from Liberia to Guanacaste (papagayo area – we have a friend staying at the Andaz)? (we are staying in liberia but want to take a day to visit our friends).
I agree with the poster above! this is such a niche subject. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
Sammi says
Hi Mike! The easiest way is to go from Liberia to San Jose and then San Jose to La Fortuna. From the LIR airport, there is a bus that will take you to the Liberia bus station, I think it arrives about every hour or so. Liberia to Guanacaste is pretty easy, there is a bus that runs almost every hour from Liberia to Playas del Coco.
There is a really handy app you can use for taking the public bus called “Off the Grid Traveler” You punch in your destinations and it’ll give you the times and routes you need to take plus a map. Just make sure to download the maps and everything when you have WiFI so then you don’t need WIFI for it to work when you’re in CR (Since you may not have access to Internet).
Mary jurrens says
Thanks for the great, in depth info! I know this will help my husband and I on our adventure to Costa Rica. We are looking forward to the “Pura Vida” lifestyle.
Sammi says
Hi Mary! You’re very welcome and I hope you and your husband have a wonderful time here!
Jack says
I have to say I’m a little surprised you wrote such an in-depth entry on such a niche topic, but it was actually crucial to my trip and greatly helped me navigate the bus system here, which has an all-around pretty terrible web presence. Thanks for helping my weekend trip go so smoothly!
Sammi says
Hi Jack! I’m glad to hear it helped! I know that this kind of information isn’t easy to find online so I wrote the post hoping I’d be able to help someone out feel more secure about taking the bus. Great to hear it did 🙂 Hope you have a good trip in Costa Rica!
Melissa B. says
I agree! Thank you so much. Your posts on Costa Rica have really helped me make the solo journey. Every time I did a Google search for some specific question I had about Costa Rica, I ended up back here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Melissa, that’s so great to hear! I’m glad the blog helped you plan your trip and hope you have a wonderful time in Costa Rica! 🙂