| Distance | 213 km (133.1 miles) |
| Most Popular Operator | Caribe Shuttle |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Shake the sand off your flip-flops and find your walking shoes! After experiencing the natural beauty of Bocas del Toro, it’s time to engage in the historical beauty of San Jose, Costa Rica.
While Costa Rica is world-renowned for natural beauty, the capital city of San Jose is the place to give context and understanding to it all. This rich cultural center gives you a unique glimpse into the past while looking ahead to the future.
The 311 km (193 miles) journey between Bocas del Toro and San Jose takes about 7.5-11 hours, depending on the mode of transportation.
The cheapest way to get to San Jose from Bocas del Toro is by shared minivan.
The fastest transport option is by standard bus and ferry.
Here are some great things to see while in San Jose:
Take a city tour. Costa Rica is known for its natural beauty, and at times, that can overshadow its history. A guided tour is a great way to develop an appreciation for the nation and its journey.
Free guided walking tours are available daily, but reservations must be made in advance. Paid tours are also available that provide transportation and refreshments if walking just isn’t your thing.
Museums, museums, and more museums! San Jose is the best place to soak up local culture and history. The National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica) is the place to start and gives visitors a comprehensive view of Costa Rica’s rich natural history, archaeology, history and anthropology. Entrance costs around $10 and is open daily.
Only a ten-minute walk away from the National Museum is the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Also, open daily, this museum showcases gold artifacts made by indigenous people in ancient times. Tickets cost around $16.
If you feel up for even more museums, check out the nearby Jade Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design for local creativity and artistry.
Get some retail therapy. The huge Central Market (Mercado Central) is in the heart of the city on Avenida 1 and spans an entire block. Hundreds of vendors sell everything under the sun. The National Artisans Market on Avenida 6 is geared toward tourists, with a focus on handmade items and Costa Rican souvenirs.
There are three ways to travel from Bocas del Toro to San Jose: shared minivan, standard van + ferry, and standard bus + ferry.
Traveling by shared minivan is the cheapest way to travel from Bocas del Toro to San Jose, but it takes the longest. This trip takes around 11 hours.
Amenities include A/C, and the luggage allowance is 20 kg (44 lbs) per person. Surfboard transport will cost an additional $10 fee. There are two departure times from the Selina Hotel, 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and the trip concludes at Terminal MEPE in San Jose.
Tickets on the shared minivan run around $40 per person.
Traveling by standard van + ferry takes between 8 and 10 hours.
Ferry tickets are included with this ticket, and guests can stay in the van or walk about the ferry. There are no assigned seats on the ferry.
Amenities include A/C, WiFi, and reclining seats in the van. The luggage allowance is 20 kg (44 lbs) per person. Pets and surfboards can be accommodated at an extra charge. Tickets on the van + ferry combo are around $46 per person.
There are multiple departure times from the PanaBocas Express Pier, and the trip concludes at Terminal MEPE in San Jose.
Some companies require a minimum number of passengers but offer other benefits. At around $125 per person, the travel time is only 8 to 8.5 hours. The luggage allowance is 25 kg (55 lbs), and the surfboard charge is only $5. So, if you are under a time constraint and need more available luggage, this might be a better option.
This may be more convenient as well, as there are options for airport and hotel drop-off in San Jose.
A minimum number of passengers is required for a booking for both the shared and the private option.
For the shared option, the cost is $80 a person and includes amenities such as A/C, WiFi, English-speaking staff, a 40 kg (88 lbs) luggage allowance, and food and drinks. The trip takes about 10 hours, including restroom stops and lunch in Banana Azul. The journey begins at the Taxi Valencia Dock (next to Bocas Town Hotel), and the drop-off is at your hotel.
For the private option, the capacity is 5 passengers. It costs around $400 for the trip, so traveling with more people will lessen the cost per traveler. It includes A/C and 20 kg (44 lbs) of luggage. There is an extra charge for surfboards.
This fare may be attractive for a small group because it only takes 7.5 hours with some vehicle changes.
The trip begins at Transporte Torres, and the drop-off is at the Terminal MEPE in San Jose.
The journey from Bocas del Toro to San Jose takes between seven and a half to eleven hours. This depends on the mode of transportation.
The road will take you through remote parts of Panama to the border town of Sixaola between Panama and Costa Rica. At the border, you will need your passport and pertinent documents.
From there, you will traverse through the jungles and coastal towns of Costa Rica until you make your way to San Jose.
Drivers are professional and helpful and will help you navigate the crossings. Have some funds on hand for tips, border fees, or other incidentals.
The temperature in San Jose runs between 21-27°C (70-80°F) year round. The lows at night are around 15-20°C (60°F).
The peak season for visiting San Jose is late December through January. The weather is lovely, but prices are higher, and there are more tourists. If you aren’t one for crowds and want to save some money, consider visiting between July and August. This time is known as veranillo, or “little summer”. There is some rain, but it passes through quickly and won’t spoil your fun.
Two days is the perfect amount of time to spend checking out the city of San Jose. You could extend your visit if you decide to do any day excursions from the city.
After checking out the cultural sites of San Jose, consider dusting off the surfboard and heading to Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. At only 101 km (63 miles) away, Jaco is Costa Rica’s liveliest beach and will not disappoint.
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