San Jose

Private car transfer
from Quepos to San Jose

Door-to-door
in 2 h 40 min
From ...
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
Excellent
trustpilot-stars

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Quepos.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 2 h 40 min.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in San Jose.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
  • 164 km
  • 2 h 40 min

Overview: car trip from Quepos to San Jose

The Quepos to San Jose transfer takes 2 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 102 miles (164 km). With Daytrip you can choose between either a private car service or a group shuttle. Either way, you can look forward to a stress-free ride with a vetted, English-speaking driver.

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.

About San Jose

Your Quepos to San Jose transfer will transport you to the heart of Costa Rica’s bustling capital city. San Jose is known for its lively atmosphere and hosts world-class attractions such as museums and parks. The city is also the perfect gateway to the luscious countryside, with ample transportation to the nearby jungles, beaches, and incredible mountainous landscapes.

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.

From Quepos to San Jose: travel tips

On your journey from Quepos to San Jose, there are a few things to keep in mind that will best prepare you for the trip.

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!

How to get from Quepos to San Jose

There are a few different options for the Quepos to San Jose transfer, including bus routes as well as private transfers, and group shuttle services, both offered by Daytrip. The bus route may be your cheapest option, but the shuttle or private transfers offered by Daytrip grant you increased flexibility for booking around flights, and still get you door-to-door in well under 3 hours.

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.

Things to do when you get to San Jose

Once you complete your Quepo to San Jose transfer, you are poised to enjoy everything this busy capital city has to offer. There are a range of attractions offering insight into Costa Rica’s history and culture, as well as plenty of options for journeying further into the country’s lush wilderness.

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.

When is the best time to visit San Jose?

As you prepare for your Quepos to San Jose transfer, you should keep in mind the best time of year to visit. As with other destinations in Costa Rica, the dry season in San Jose is from January to April. This is both the sunniest and busiest time to visit.

For the best bargains on flights and accommodations, try to time your visit earlier in the peak season. January and February will offer slightly lower prices after the winter holidays and before the spike of visitors in the early spring. You will still have plenty of sun for days on the beach.

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Quepos to San Jose

The journey from Quepos to San Jose airport takes just over 2.5 hours door-to-door, whether you opt for a private driving transfer or a small group shuttle service.
Quepos Costa Rica is worth a visit for its incredible access to Costa Rica’s natural beauty, with ample seafront attractions as well as the surrounding mountains and jungles. The town is also known for its world-class whale watching.
The bus from Quepos to San Jose is $5-9. There’s a single “fast” bus a day that takes around 2 hours, while other buses vary in cost and take up to 5.5 hours for the same cost.
The best way to get from Quepos to San Jose is with either a private car transfer or a more affordable group shuttle service, both offered by Daytrip for stress-free service. If you’re on a budget, there’s the public bus.
There is not a train from Quepos to San Jose, but there are public bus routes available between the two cities as well as private car services and group shuttles with Daytrip.
A taxi from Quepos to San Jose can vary in cost, but quotes start at about $130 for most companies operating along this route. A private car transfer is slightly more, but allows you to book in advance, pay online with a credit card, add sightseeing stops, and guarantees the quality of service.

Visit these sights on the way

Rainmaker Forest

Rainmaker Forest

A winding hiking trail complete with rope suspension bridges works through this pristine mountain forest, which is home to over half of Costa Rica’s indigenous species. Wet and Wild 

Mirador de Jaco

Mirador de Jaco

An unmissable sign with unmissable views. Colors of the Coast 

Else Kientzler Garden

Else Kientzler Garden

This lush botanical garden is home to tropical plants from around the world. Transnational Tropical Treats 

Los Chorros Waterfalls

Los Chorros Waterfalls

Feel the rush of these two powerful cascades roaring in the lush jungle. The Jets 

Museo Historico Cultural Juan Santamaria

Museo Historico Cultural Juan Santamaria

Costa Rica’s history, and especially the life of its national hero, is detailed in this fascinating free museum. A Hero’s History 

Britt Coffee Tour

Britt Coffee Tour

How is coffee made and why is Costa Rica's so delicious? Find out on a fun and informative tour at this eco-friendly plantation. The Magical Fruit 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 971 travelers took this route with us
Dec 4, 2024

Excellent service for transfers in Thailand

I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler lakekariba
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lakekariba

Dec 4, 2024
Dec 3, 2024

Excellent option to get to Vienna to Budapest!

We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler pgh1125
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pgh1125

Dec 3, 2024
Nov 9, 2024

Great communication with an actual person! They will take you ANYWHERE, No pre-set routes to choose from!

Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler James B
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James B

Nov 9, 2024
Nov 1, 2024

Perfect Transport

Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler LuckyTraveler01
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LuckyTraveler01

Nov 1, 2024

Vehicle options for this trip

Most popular

sedan

Sedan

Comparable to aVolkswagen Passat
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-3
  • 3x
  • 3x
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Air conditioned
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Child seats
  • Pet friendly
  • Smoke-free
From ... per seatSelect

Best reviews

suv

SUV

Comparable to aToyota RAV 4
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-2
  • 2x
  • 2x
  • All standard sedan features
  • Upgrade to larger vehicle
  • Chauffeur-style service
  • Extra amenities
From ... per seatSelect

More options

mpv

Compact MPV

Comparable to aVolkswagen Touran
Passengers and luggage
  • 4
  • 4x
  • 4x
From ... per seatSelect
van

Van

Comparable to aMercedes Vito
Passengers and luggage
  • 5-7
  • 7x
  • 7x
From ... per seatSelect

The Daytrip driver advantage

Daytrip driver
  • Local knowledge about the route from Quepos to San Jose
    Including available sights:
  • English speaking*

    All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.

  • Safety first!

    We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.

World-class customer support

  • Available 24/7
  • Close relationship with drivers
  • Experts on the route from Quepos to San Jose

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
  • Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!

Good to know

Children

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!

Pets

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.

Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 13,800+ cities around the world.

Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.

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