Private car transfer
from Quepos to San Jose

If you go with a private car service, you have the option to stop along the way and sightsee parts of Costa Rica that you'd miss with a bus or taxi. You can visit the incredible Rainmaker Forest, a lesser-known hiking trail that weaves its way through a pristine jungle that’s home to over half of Costa Rica’s native species. There is even a restaurant where you can order lunch before your hike to have the meal fresh and ready for your return!

Or, your drive from Quepos to San Jose can include an adventure to Los Chorros Waterfalls, with its series of powerful jets plunging over a 131-foot cliff, to get one last taste of Costa Rica's wild side before you arrive in the capital.

The historic city was founded in the early 18th century and has since found its foothold as a diverse metropolis, home to a range of architectural styles and exciting international cuisine. San Jose is a great home base to explore the rest of Costa Rica’s cities and natural wonders, including remarkable volcanic hikes or visits to the endangered turtle population at Tortuguero.

While here, you can also shop for traditionally made Jade jewelry and decorative objects. You can spend a day learning more about the history of this rich green gemstone and its use in Costa Rican arts at the San Jose Jade Museum, or look for something special to bring home with the master craftsmen in Galería Namu.

San Jose is perhaps best known for its exciting and sometimes rambunctious nightlife, which is worth experiencing while you’re here. There is a collection of bars and restaurants throughout the city, as well as clubs hosting rock music nights and plenty of dance floors for those drawn to the reggaeton or salsa beats. Check out the central El Pueblo neighborhood for a more concentrated nightlife experience with different venue options for every traveler’s taste.

Stay budget-friendly with a shuttle

Daytrip offers a group shuttle service along this route that can save you time and money in comparison to relying on public transport. The shuttle leaves 5 times a day and can carry up to 8 people, with seats starting at only $28. This is a safe and comfortable option for budget-focused travelers who still want the convenience of door-to-door service in under 3 hours. It also tends to be easier to bring your luggage on a small group shuttle than to hope there will be enough undercarriage space on the long-haul public buses.

Work with your driver

If you do choose a private driving transfer with Daytrip, you have control over your itinerary and can choose to add sightseeing stops en route to San Jose, so plan ahead and book your stops. Your friendly English-speaking driver will be eager to provide you with local guidance along the way, so feel free to communicate with them throughout the trip to ensure you have the best time possible!

Bus from Quepos to San Jose

There is a direct bus route from Quepos to San Jose, which takes just under 2 hours and costs about $5-9. This only departs once a day. There is also another Tracopa bus that departs every two hours, but the ride takes 5.5 hours.

Shuttle from Quepos to San Jose

If you can't catch that fast bus, the group shuttle service from Daytrip offers a fantastic, affordable transportation option for those seeking seamless door-to-door transit in just 2 hours and 40 minutes. The shuttle service can drop you off in downtown San Jose, or at San Jose Airport if your journey is a return trip to catch a flight.

Private car from Quepos to San Jose

The best option for maximum comfort and convenience is a private car transfer with Daytrip. You get a completely flexible booking, a friendly English-speaking driver, and luggage assistance on either end of your journey.

This option also takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, unless you select sightseeing stops along the way to elevate your travel experience and cram in as much Costa Rica as possible.

Taxi from Quepos to San Jose

Taxi companies operating between Quepos and San Jose vary in cost, but quotes generally start around $130. The driving time is just over 2.5 hours, but you should keep in mind that you will not be able to stop en route for sightseeing detours. Different taxi operators may also have varied restrictions on luggage capacity, which is something those with excess baggage (or surfboards) should be mindful of.

Visit the central market

This buzzing market serves locals daily with a collection of food shops and restaurants and offers an authentic taste of San Jose. The market also happens to be home to Costa Rica’s first-ever ice cream shop, making it a delicious destination for any traveler to the city.

Explore the National Theater

The National Theater is an elaborately decorated feat of architecture, and is open to visitors during the weekdays. Typically there’s even a musical performance around lunchtime. To fund the construction of the impressive building, a tax was placed on Costa Rica’s main export: coffee. As a result, one of the most notable artworks in this space is Aleardo Villa’s “Allegory of Coffee and Bananas”, a celebration of the country’s coffee farmers without whom the beautiful space could not exist.

Go to the Parque de Diversiones

This unique amusement park boasts a range of rollercoasters with an admirable mission, to help fundraising efforts for seriously ill children. The tagline of the park’s mission is “Healthy children help sick children,” and part of the proceeds of every visit go to the Costa Rica Children’s Hospital.

Take a Poas Volcano and Coffee Farm tour

Many adventure tours leave from San Jose, including those that combine a tour of a traditional coffee farm with a trip to the incredible Poas Volcano to view its iconic icy blue crater. The views here are truly otherworldly and are a great complement to time spent visiting a local coffee farm where you’ll be able to learn more about the growing and processing of your favorite morning beverage.