Private car transfer
from Tamarindo to San Jose

Overview: car trip from Tamarindo to San Jose

As your last few days on the beach wind down, it’s time to plan your transfer from Tamarindo to San Jose! This drive across 160 miles (260 km) of Costa Rica’s lush countryside is your chance to experience the lesser-known areas that aren’t part of the coast or the capital.

Daytrip’s easy trip-planning tools allow you to add sightseeing stops you’d otherwise miss on a bus or flight. Dive into the fascinating and critical world of animal conservation at the Macaw Sanctuary Natuwa. This charity rehabilitates and houses animals that have fallen victim to exotic pet trafficking and habitat loss. Come see monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, and of course, macaws, during your sanctuary-led tour of their facilities.

When you approach San Jose, the peaceful rainforests give way to a bustling capital of 2 million people- just in time for dinner! Your driver will take you right to your hotel and you can begin your hunt for the best *gallo pinto *after a long day.

About San Jose

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica, a small Central American country nestled between Nicaragua and Panama. Of Costa Rica’s 5 million citizens, almost 2 million live in or around San Jose. Costa Rica has two coasts in the east and west, but San Jose is located in the center of the country. This makes it a convenient middle ground for transfers from coastal cities like Tamarindo to San Jose for flights home. For visitors to Costa Rica, San Jose is usually the first and last stop of their vacations, as it has two of the country’s international airports.

San Jose’s Origins

San Jose was initially a trading post for exporting tobacco during the Spanish colonization of Latin America in the 1730s. As the trade of agricultural goods became more lucrative, coffee was added to the country’s exports and San Jose became the capital of the colony. It is named in honor of Joseph of Nazareth, as Costa Rica is a very Catholic country.

From Tamarindo to San Jose: travel tips

Packing for your next big adventure will be a breeze with these clever tips. If you’re scheduling your Tamarindo to San Jose transfer to catch a flight, don’t let an honest mistake get you in trouble!

Leave nature behind

The lush rainforests and wide biodiversity are the pride and joy of Costa Ricans. The country takes its environmental laws seriously and it is illegal to leave on flights with the following items:

• Natural materials like sand, sticks, stones, and volcanic rock
• Animal parts such as seashells, feathers, bones, and coral

When we take these items far from their homes, we disrupt the ecosystem and impact its beauty for the next hikers and beachgoers. It may also bring pests or diseases to your home country!

At airport security, your bag may be thoroughly searched and these items confiscated. Don’t risk missing your flight! Instead, support a local business by getting local products like coffee beans and hand-made souvenirs.

How to get from Tamarindo to San Jose

When planning your Tamarindo to San Jose transfer, remember that the sun sets in Costa Rica around 6:00 PM every day of the year. Costa Rica is only 10° north of the equator and has 12 hours of sunlight consistently throughout the year.

Traveling at night in Costa Rica is not recommended, especially when traveling so far and arriving in a large city that may be new to you. Expect 1 to 2-hour delays when traveling by bus or car during holiday weekends, Easter week, and the Christmas holidays.

Private driver from Tamarindo to San Jose

Hiring a private driver to take you door-to-door is the easiest and safest way to travel around Costa Rica. Daytrip makes it easy to book your transfer weeks ahead of time and visit enriching attractions like the Monkey Park Foundation. How you customize your trip is up to you! Your driver will pick you up from your address in Tamarindo on your schedule and drive you safely to San Jose.

We hand-select our English-speaking local drivers, screen for criminal and traffic records, and have strict vehicle safety and insurance standards. Our vehicles can accommodate children’s car seats, pets, and handicapped accessibility needs. Book your ride today for just $59 per seat.

Things to do when you get to San Jose

The downtown of San Jose is easily walkable, with many restaurants, museums, and parks close to your hotel. After your drive from Tamarindo to San Jose, unpack your bags, grab dinner, and map out tomorrow’s activities.

Central Avenue is the main thoroughfare for visitors. Here you will find a convenient grid system similar to New York City, with numbered avenues in one direction and numbered streets running perpendicular. It will be hard to get lost in this district!

Given the country’s heavy emphasis on eco-tourism in the forests and on the shores, San Jose is more administrative, however, you’ll find several museums highlighting the best of Costa Rica.

The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

The main reason for the Spanish colonization of Costa Rica was indeed for its “rich coast,” as its name implies. Gold was plentiful in the soil and used for jewelry and decorations by indigenous people for over 1,500 years. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum tells the story of goldsmithing techniques and their symbolism alongside artifacts made of gold before the arrival of European forces. This museum is housed in the National Bank.

When is the best time to visit San Jose

As a tropical country, Costa Rica has two seasons: the rainy season from May to November and the dry season from December to April. The best time to visit is during the dry season when there is very little rain and less humidity. You’ll have the perfect weather for strolling around San Jose.

The rainy season can be challenging for travelers, due to tropical storms and the risk of flight delays and cancellations. However, it is cooler than during the dry season and the landscape is fully lush and tropical. You’ll also find cheaper flights and accommodation. If you visit during the rainy season, have a flexible schedule and check the weather reports frequently.