Most travelers who visit Puerto Jimenez are planning to go to Corcovado National Park and want to experience the best of the Osa Peninsula.
It is not difficult to get to Puerto Jimenez and this post will help you figure out the best way for your trip.
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Puerto Jimenez Quick Look
- Location: East side of the Osa Peninsula
- Main tourism hub of the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park (mainly Sirena Station)
- Small fishing village
- Has all the services: pharmacies, banks, ATMs, supermarkets, hotels, stores, etc.
- Distance from San Jose International Airport: 363 kilometers or 225 miles
- Distance from Guanacaste Airport: 469 kilometers or 291 miles
- Has its own local airstrip
- Weather: Hot and humid all year long. Average day time temperatures in the low 90s° F (32°C). Follows the two tropical seasons of dry and rainy
- Why people visit: Close proximity to Corcovado National Park, nature, wildlife, fishing
How to Get to Puerto Jimenez: 5 Options
There are five different ways to get to Puerto Jimenez. Let’s go through them all.
Driving
4×4 required? No.
A 4×4 is not required to drive to Puerto Jimenez. However, if you plan to visit Carate, Matapalo or Drake Bay, you should definitely have a high clearance SUV in the dry season and a 4×4 in the rainy season.
The roads in town are paved, though there are some tiny back roads that may not be.
Best route from San Jose International Airport: Route 1, Route 27, Route 34, Route 2 and Route 245.
All paved highways with gas stations along the way.
Get our Costa Rica car rental discount here to save some money!
Flying
Puerto Jimenez has its own local airstrip right in the middle of town. Two domestic airlines fly into Puerto Jimenez from San Jose: Sansa Air and Green Airways.
Sansa Air operates thirteen daily flights in the high season and seven daily flights during the low season.
The high season rate starts at $160 USD one way and the low season rate starts at $139 USD one way.
Green Airways operates one daily flight in the morning around 845 AM. This flight one way costs $150 USD.
Flights are only available from San Jose.
From the local airstrip, you can pick up a rental car or ask your hotel to arrange transportation for you. Local taxis are in Puerto Jimenez, have not seen any Uber.
Contact us if you’d like to pick up a rental car in Puerto Jimenez and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Private Shuttle to Puerto Jimenez
As there are no shared shuttles to Puerto Jimenez, the only option is a private shuttle if you do not want to drive or fly.
A private shuttle offers direct door to door service, including vacation rentals and Airbnbs, can pick you up from the airport and allows clients to have the vehicle for themselves.
However, due to the distance, this ride is pricey.
For a private transfer for 1-6 passengers, the approximate cost is $600 USD, including a one hour stop for lunch and quick bathroom stops along the way. This drive takes around 7 hours.
Contact us if you’d like to book a private shuttle.
Private shuttle companies can basically do any route, so if you’re coming from Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Sierpe, or even San Gerardo de Dota, you can perfectly book a private shuttle.
Public Bus to Puerto Jimenez
You can get to Puerto Jimenez by public bus.
From San Jose, there is one direct bus at 12 PM every day.
This ride is with Grupo Blanco Lobo, departing from Terminal Atlantico Norte: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FyEWpP3aPu956Fmx5
This 8 hour bus ride costs 8195 CRC and it makes two stops, one in Tarcoles and the other in Dominical for about 15 minutes.
From San Isidro, there is one direct bus to Puerto Jimenez at 630 AM every day.
This ride costs 5175 CRC, takes around 4.5 hours and departs from here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G6dc7wrjSxEFFbyF6
You can purchase bus tickets online here: https://www.blancotiquete.com/venta/venta.php. It is a bit more expensive when you purchase online compared to in person at the station.
Buses do not have a bathroom or air conditioning.
Ferry from Golfito to Puerto Jimenez
The last method is if you do not plan to rent a car and you are coming from the other side of the Golfo Dulce, in Golfto.
There is a boat that goes between Golfito and Puerto Jimenez for foot passengers and luggage. This is not a car ferry.
40 minutes ride. Public and private boat options.
Private: You can hire a private boat for about $90 USD.
Public Boat from Golfito to Puerto Jimenez
The public boat costs around $6 USD per person. Please arrive at the dock at least one hour before to purchase tickets.
Monday through Friday: 7 AM, 10 AM, 1130 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM.
Saturday: 730 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM
Sunday: 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM
Public Boats from Puerto Jimenez to Golfito
Monday through Friday: 6 AM, 845 AM, 1130 AM, 2 PM and 420 PM
Saturdays: 6 AM, 845 AM, 1130 AM, 2 PM and 420 PM
Sunday: 6 AM, 1130 AM and 2 PM
Mixed Transportation Methods
Depending on their itinerary, many people will choose two different transportation methods.
The most common is to fly from San Jose to Puerto Jimenz and then pick up a rental car. This is for people who want to explore the Osa Peninsula on their own.
Contact us if you’d like to arrange your rental car in Puerto Jimenez.
Do You Need a Car for Puerto Jimenez?
It is possible to stay in Puerto Jimenez without a car. If you plan to stay at a resort like Botanika Osa Peninsula or Iguana Lodge and book tours with transportation, then a car is not required.
You can fly into Puerto Jimenez and have your hotel arrange an airport transfer.
However, the town is small, but spread out so if you want to explore on your own and not only be limited to the tours your hotel offers, rent a car.
If you plan to go to Drake Bay, Pavones or anywhere else in the Osa Peninsula from Puerto Jimenez, you will need to rent a car.
If you only plan to stay in Puerto Jimenez the night before and the night you return from an overnight stay at Sirena Station, you do not need a car.
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Alanna Beaton says
Hello! I love your blog it has been so helpful for our planning to CR. We have a 2 year old and want to fly SJO to Puerto Jimenez and don’t want to bring our car seat from home. Do you know if they can be rented with the car in PJ?
Sammi says
You will need to ask the car rental agency in Puerto Jimenez to see if they offer one.
rony says
how to rent a can from puerto jimenez to san jose ( drop off )
Sammi says
I believe Alamo has an office in Puerto Jimenez you can rent from
KarolinaPatryk says
Looks like you guys had fun!