Quepos

Private car transfer
from San Jose to Quepos

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 San Jose.

  • 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 Quepos.

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

Overview: car trip from San Jose to Quepos

A private car transfer from San Jose to Quepos whisks you to this small Pacific beach town in record time at just over 2.5 hours. While you could ride door-to-door, Daytrip offers you a chance to elevate your drive with some sightseeing stops along the way.

Consider joining the Britt Coffee Tour to learn more about the growing and processing of Costa Rica’s world-famous export: high-quality coffee. This organic plantation is key to the country’s domestic coffee scene, and you’ll get a unique insight into the history of coffee production and witness modern growing processes - plus, you can sample a cup of gourmet coffee at the end of your journey.

Or, take a short hike through the lush jungle to view Los Chorros waterfalls, the name of which translates to “The Jets” because of the series of powerful streams that feed these thundering waterfalls. With a Daytrip private driver or group shuttle transfer, you can look forward to transportation to Quepos in unmatched comfort and safety.

About Quepos

After you drive from San Jose to Quepos, you will find yourself in a coastal paradise rife with opportunities for outdoor adventures. Quepos is a small harbor town encircled by rich jungles and has made a name for itself in big-game sport fishing.

Beyond the fishing, surfers, kayakers, and divers can find plenty to do at the many beaches and harbors. Or, for those preferring to stay on land, horseback riding, and canopy tours throughout the jungle are both popular choices.

One of the biggest draws of Quepos is its proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, boasting a diverse display of flora and fauna, including ancient reptiles like iguanas and vibrant tropical bird species. The park is home to trekking trails and tours aimed at spotting specific creatures, as well as exhilarating ziplining and whitewater rafting.

The mangrove forests in particular are incredible tidal features of the area, acting as a protective ecosystem for young marine animals and offering calm estuaries for exploration via boats and kayaks.

Given this dense biodiversity and natural splendor, Quepos is popular for ecotourism among many different kinds of travelers, as well as naturalists and scientists seeking a closer look at the area’s unique environment.

Travelers also value Quepos’ unique blend of Central American cultures and cuisines, as people from throughout Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador settled in the area during the early 20th century and brought with them incredible national dishes. Everything from traditional Costa Rican fare to fine dining and, of course, plenty of coffee shops can be found in the Central Market and beyond.

From San Jose to Quepos: travel tips

On your journey from San Jose to Quepos, there are a few tips that will help you to have the most comfortable and efficient travel day you can.

Choose a private transfer

A private car transfer gives you the most control over your itinerary. This is a great choice for travelers who need transportation at very specific times due to flight schedules or other commitments or just don't want to worry about anything.

Door-to-door service means you will get between these two cities as fast as possible without the added hassle of navigating to and from public transport stations. Your professional, English-speaking driver will assist you every step of the way and ensure you have the best trip possible.

But when you ride with Daytrip, you can transform your transfer into an immersive experience. Chat with your driver about local culture, and add sightseeing stops to plunge into the beauty of Costa Rica before you even set foot in Quepos.

Plan stops ahead of time

If you’d like to stop en route with a private driving transfer, you should work with Daytrip to plan your sightseeing ahead of time for the convenience of both you and your driver. Keep in mind that certain stops such as the Britt Coffee Tours have suggested minimum time allowances that are in place to ensure you get ample time to explore.

How to get from San Jose to Quepos

There are a few options for your San Jose to Quepos transfer, each varying in cost and travel time. The following transport options are broken down in order of convenience, with the best option for a lot of travelers being the seamless private driving transfer.

Private transfer from San Jose to Quepos

With a Daytrip private transfer, you can get from San Jose to Quepos in just 2 hours and 40 minutes. Our door-to-door service saves you the hassle of traveling between bus stations and your accommodation. If you want to experience as much of Costa Rica as possible (who doesn't) Daytrip lets you stop en route for sightseeing. Prices start at $38 per person.

Shuttle from San Jose to Quepos

A great option for budget-savvy travelers who still value comfort is the Daytrip group shuttle from San Jose to Quepos. This direct trip starts at just $28 per passenger and will bring you between convenient downtown locations. These shuttles carry up to 7 travelers at a time and get you to Quepos in a comfortable, air-conditioned van with cold bottled water to keep you cool along the way.

The shuttle can pick you up from the airport or downtown San Jose and drop you off in downtown Quepos. Certain shuttles can even drop you off directly at your accommodation!There are several departures per day to accommodate the various airline schedules and flight times.

Bus from San Jose to Quepos

There are a few different bus routes that operate between San Jose and Quepos, the fastest of which takes around 2 hours and requires a transfer to a new bus in Quepos Crucero to get you to the center of Quepos.

This route tends to cost around $6-10, but the buses can fill up quickly during popular travel times. A direct route with no transfers takes about 3.5 hours and can cost anywhere from $5 to $14.

Taxi from San Jose to Quepos

As with a private transfer, a taxi from San Jose to Quepos takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, but the cost tends to be much higher at around $130-170. Keep in mind that taxis may be in high demand around the San Jose airport, and those with flights during popular travel times may struggle to find an available cab. And unlike with Daytrip, you don't have any guarantee of the quality of service, or your driver's level of English.

Things to do when you get to Quepos

However you decide to travel from San Jose to Quepos, you will end up in a remarkable coastal destination with a plethora of things to see and do for every kind of traveler.

Visit Manuel Antonio

One of Costa Rica’s most famous National Parks is Manuel Antonio, a dense tropical forest offering hikes, ziplining, and waterfall treks. Choose a guided tour for your exploration of the jungle for the best chance at spotting its most fascinating inhabitants including colorful parrots, ancient iguanas, and excitable monkeys. You can easily spend a few days just exploring the different activities inside the park!

Go whitewater rafting

Quepos is surrounded by powerful rivers that make for the perfect white water rafting adventure, and there are plenty of different professional guides that can ensure you have a safe and exciting journey through the rapids regardless of your skill level.

Spend time on the beaches

There is a beach nestled into the Manuel Antonio National Park that is certainly worth spending time at, but while you’re in Quepos you are also only a few minute's drive (or taxi ride) from a few world-class beaches. One of the most popular beaches is Espadilla Beach, covering over 3 miles of the coastline and offering restaurants to the south and quieter sands to the north. Rent chairs and umbrellas, go for a swim, or try your hand at boogie boarding!

Kayak through mangroves

Exploring the mangroves surrounding Quepos will give you a unique appreciation of these incredible tidal habitats. Renting a kayak or participating in a guided tour is your best chance at close-up views of wildlife, and these journeys offer a slower method of travel than the adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting for those who want to explore at their own pace.

When is the best time to visit Quepos?

As with much of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, the driest time to visit Quepos is between November and April. This is also when the area will be busiest, and prices may be highest for flights, accommodation, and activities.

Consider timing your visit for Early November or March-April to take advantage of shoulder season deals and still get the best of the dry season, with warm temperatures hovering between 75-85° F (24-29° C).

Questions & Answers about Traveling from San Jose to Quepos

A Daytrip shared shuttle from San Jose to Quepos starts at just $28 per person and offers convenient service from downtown San Jose or the San Jose Airport to Quepos.
The fastest options for getting from San Jose to Quepos are either the bus route going via the Hospital Dr Max Teran (1 hour 45 minutes with one transfer), or a private driving service which will take 2 hours and 40 minutes from door-to-door.
Quepos is a coastal jewel that is absolutely worth visiting for its rich jungle scenery, outdoor adventure opportunities, and pristine beaches for travelers to enjoy.
There are a few popular bus routes from San Jose to Quepos, the fastest will take 1 hour and 45 minutes with one transfer required before you reach the city center of Quepos. Tickets cost $6-10.
There are a few ways to get from San Jose Airport to Quepos, the easiest of which are a Daytrip private transfer or group shuttle service. Both options will get you door-to-door in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The easiest way to get from San Jose to Quepos for many travelers is a private driving transfer, offering seamless pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in either city with a professional, English-speaking driver.

Visit these sights on the way

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 

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 

Los Chorros Waterfalls

Los Chorros Waterfalls

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

Else Kientzler Garden

Else Kientzler Garden

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

Mirador de Jaco

Mirador de Jaco

An unmissable sign with unmissable views. Colors of the Coast 

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 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 967 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 San Jose to Quepos
    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 San Jose to Quepos

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.

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