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
Luisa Gomez says
Thank you! This is going to help to organize my trip to Costa Rica!
Sammi says
You’re welcome!
Please also note that masks are required in the bus at all times and at the bus stop 🙂
Tylyn says
With the strikes/protests, how long will the bus take from Coco to San Jose airport? My flight is at 1:30pm and I was considering taking the 4am bus.
Sammi says
Hopefully the strikes will end because everything they’re striking about begins tomorrow. If they do strike though however, we drove from San jose to Tamarindo leaving at 3 PM and they had completely blocked two crucial intersections since 9AM ish and it was a standstill. I would definitely take the 4 AM bus because they usually don’t start striking until about 8, 830 AM but fingers crossed they will not resume tomorrow.
jennifer says
Do any of these buses stop or pass by the liberia airport?
Sammi says
They don’t, you will have to ask the driver to take you to the airport.
Wendy says
Is there a bus that goes from the San Jose airport to Playa del Coco? (Or from SJO to Liberia and then another to Coco?) Do you happen to know times and bus stop locations?
I’m arriving today, my arrangements fell through at the last minute and I’m scrambling to find cheap transportation Thanks in advance!
Sammi says
There isn’t one that leaves from SJO Airport but you can taxi to the Alajuela Pulmitan bus station and catch the bus from there. It’ll pass by around 30 minutes after leaving the main station in San Jose and you can buy your ticket at the Alajuela station. It does fill up fast (San Jose – Coco) but you can also get San Jose – Liberia – Coco.
Wendy says
Thank you so much, that’s super helpful!
Michelle says
if you go to “La Radial” Pulmitan bus station it is very close (about 5$ or less by taxi, 10 minutes or less). It’s closer that Pulmitan downtown San Jose
Yggdrasil says
Your website has been such an amazing resource in planning my upcoming trip, thank you!!! Do you happen to know if the schedules and terminal locations are still the same?
Also, do you have any recommendations for cheap hostels near the bus station in San Jose? I will be on crutches with a decently heavy pack so I’m looking for something very close, or further away but cheap enough that I can take a taxi to the bus terminal. 🙂
Sammi says
Hi! Yes the schedule is the same, San Jose to Coco at 8, 2 and 4.
I haven’t stayed anywhere near the bus station in San Jose but it looks like Stray Cat Hostel is super close.
Yggdrasil says
Thank you!!!
Wilson says
Hey, Do you guys have the schedules for the bus from Playa del Coco to San Jose?
Sammi says
Hi Wilson, you can see the schedule in the photo of the bus times (3rd picture down). The schedule is on the bottom that says P.Coco – San Jose.
Julie says
I have a pulpit an bus ticket from San Jose to Liberia to travel tomorrow. Do you think they will allow me to change it over and travel to Playa Del Coco instead.
Sammi says
I would arrive at the bus station early to see if you can change it because they require assigned seating from San Jose to Coco. If they have seats, they should let you change it.
Randa says
Love all your information! Is there a bus i can take from coco to Tambor? any info greatly appreciated!!
Sammi says
There is no direct bus, I am not super positive the route but you will first need to go to Liberia. Then I think the bus from Liberia to Montezuma goes through Cobano and Nicoya Peninsula so you can get off at Tambor, I don’t think there is a bus directly to Tambor.
Nisha Avey says
Do you know what times the bus leaves Coco Beach for Liberia Airport?
Sammi says
Every hour from 5 AM to 7 PM.
Nisha says
Thank you! You have been so helpful in planning our trip! It appears that the bus takes us into Liberia and from there we take a transfer to get to the airport? Or am I misunderstanding? Thank you so much for everything!!!
Sammi says
You don’t need to go all the way to Liberia, the bus doesn’t make an automatic stop into LIR airport since they have to turn off the main road to the airport so you need to tell the driver to drop you off at the airport. When you are close to the airport, just go up to the driver and ask him to stop. Most of them don’t speak English so if you don’t know SPanish very well, you can just tell him “Aerupuerto de Liberia por favor” when you get on.
BERNARDO RIVERA ENRIQUEZ says
HOLA BUENAS TARDES PARA IR DE SAN JOSE A PLAYA DEL COCO QUE COSTO TIENE Y CUANTAS HORAS SE HACEN POR FAVOR Y SI SALE A LAS 4 AM DE PLAYA A SAN JOSE MUCHAS GRACIAS PARA SALIR DE SAN JOSE EL 12 DE JUNIO
yeison says
Hola, el bus publico de la empresa Pulmitan, cuesta alrrededor de $10 USD y en un día normal estará llegando a la terminal de buses entre las 11 AM y 12 MD dependerá mucho del tráfico.