Getting here
Where We Are
We are located in beautiful Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Pura Vida MINI Hostel is conveniently located only 200 meters or 20 seconds walk from the best surfing beach in Tamarindo. It is 200 meters or 45 seconds walk to the grocery store, bus stop, bars, shops, restaurants, and night life of Tamarindo!
Bus and Shuttle Connections
Here is some information on how to get to our wonderful Casa Pura Vida Surf Hostel in Tamarindo. We do provide the latest information for you however please be advised that bus schedules and prices may change without notice. Therefore it’s always best to double check with us via our email: [email protected]
From San Jose to Tamarindo
Send us an email at [email protected] to book your shuttle.
Pickup time is 8:00AM or 2:00 or 3PM daily, depending on availability
Duration: 5+ hours, depending on traffic in San Jose
Price: $52 per person
Pick up is at various locations in San Jose
Advanced reservations and payment required
It’s around $25-30 for taxi ride from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (you should NOT pay more than this amount, and be careful as taxi drivers in San Jose tend to scam a LOT!)
ALFARO Bus Company: Leaves 11:30AM and 15:30AM Daily from down town San Jose. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance
Duration: 7-8-9 hours depending on traffic in San Jose
Price: $11 (estimate)
TRALAPA Bus Company: Leaves at 7:15AM and1 6:00PM Daily
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance
Duration: 7-8-9 hours depending on traffic in San Jose
Price: $11 (estimate)
If you decide to travel from San Jose to Tamarindo after 15.00PM there is NO direct bus or shuttle service. In this case is recommended to travel from San Jose to Santa Cruz:
Alfaro Bus Company – 7:00, 9:45, 11:00, 12:30,14:00, 16:30, 19:00 – Down town San Jose
Tralapa Bus Company – 7:15, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00,14:00, 16:00, 18:00 – Down town San Jose
And connect in Santa Cruz to Tamarindo:
Santa Cruz, terminal de buses en el Mercado Municipal
4:30, 5:30, 6:20, 9:00,10:30, 13:00, 13:30, 15:30,17:00, 19:00
In case you DO NOT make the connection from Santa Cruz to Tamarindo, you can always take a taxi to Tamarindo which would cost around $50 (This is a bargain. DO NOT pay more than this amount).
From Liberia to Tamarindo
If you are arriving via Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica, send us an email to book your shuttle. We will need your travel information: airline, flight number, and flight time
There is a 3 person minimum for the shuttle. If there are at least 3 people booked, the price is $25 per person (usually this is the case as there are many people arriving for Tamarindo on various flights). If there are only 2 people, and they have availability, the price is $35 per person.
No shuttles are currently available from downtown Liberia.
La Pampa Bus Company:
Leaves from Mercado Municipal: 3:50, 4:30, 5:15, 6:10, 7:00,8:10, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00,14:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18.00
*If you have more people and you want to share a taxi from down town Liberia you can catch a pirate taxi and it’s around $60 however do NOT pay more than $60. From the airport it’s around $80-$90 as the taxis from the airport are official therefore a LOT more expensive.
For driving or walking directions to our hostel please visit our Location page.
For buses and shuttle connections from other popular destinations in Costa Rica to our Pura Vida MINI Hostel Tamarindo Costa Rica, please ask directly in your hotel or hostel. If you need help to book you a shuttle from your hostel to Tamarindo please reach out to us via email: [email protected]
If you are arriving from the Nicaragua border, or via airport and you want to take a bus, you will need to take a taxi. It is $15 or $20 from the airport to Liberia Mercado Municipal. From there, you can catch the chicken bus.
Walking Directions
When you get off the bus. Walk south on the paved street and go past “Pura Vida Market” and take the first left. We are on the left about 100 meters up the hill on the left hand side. We are across the street from WAYRA Spanish School.
Shuttle Service vs Public Bus
While bus may be the cheaper option for you to travel we often hear a lot of complains from our guests that the public buses are never on time, they take too long of a time to travel hence the nick name “chicken bus” as it literally stops every 100 meters, they are slow and uncomfortable without air-conditioning, safety and security concerns for your luggage and hand luggage, and more than anything the schedules change so frequently that they are very unreliable. Not to mention, some buses will rather ignore some stop and will pass right by you even if the drivers sees you.
If you decide to take the shuttle option, you will travel by private shuttle transportation usually in a very nice and clean shuttle with professional driver, air-conditioning, your luggage and your hand luggage will be safely stored, and less travel time. However you will also pay for your comfort and peace of mind. As the shuttle option is not the cheap option to travel but by far more preferred by majority of our guests over buses
Whichever way you decide to travel please check out this section and if you decide to travel by shuttle service please reach out to us via email [email protected] so we can reserve the shuttle service for you. Especially in High season advance reservation is required as the shuttles tend to sell out fast.
Driving & Taxi
Driving Directions
When you come to Tamarindo, and head toward the center, pass the Hotel Dirria Tamarindo, on your right, keep going on the next large intersection (taxi stand) you will see a big sign for Budget Rental Car, at this intersection make a left and then go straight.
You will pass the food corner on the right, Sharky’s bar, and next to the Sharky’s bar there is “Pacific Park” – large condo building in the heart of Tamarindo Costa Rica. In the road we have a yellow sign with hibiscus flower pointing to the right, so take the road to the right.
On the next intersection, next to Kahiki Restaurant – there is another sign pointing to the left, take the left and we are 20 meters up on the left hand side, across the street from WAYRA Spanish School.
Liberia Internation Airport Directions
You can take an Uber or Taxi from the Liberia airport. Taxi is about $80-$90. Uber is $70-$80. You can arrange a shuttle in advance for about $50. Take the bus to Tamarindo for about $7. The bus stop is in front of the main terminal at the farthest point from the taxi stand. Tamarindo is 1 hour 15 minute drive from the airport.
Tamarindo Municipal Airport
Taxis ofter wait for arrivals. If not, Uber is the easiest way to get picked up It is too far from town for an easy walk. It is a 10 minute drive from the airport to the hostel.
Need Further Assistance? We're Here to Help!
Struggling to find your way? Don’t worry – we’ve got your back! If our detailed directions still leave you with questions or if you just need that extra bit of guidance, feel free to reach out.
Our friendly team at Casa Pura Vida Surf Hostel is here to assist you on every step of your journey. Drop us a message or give us a call. Your comfort and seamless arrival are our top priorities. Let’s make sure you get here with ease and excitement!