The public buses of Costa Rica are one of the best ways to get around the country. Unfortunately, some of the schedules are tough to find and tough to interpret.
I put together this guide to help you get in and out of Tamarindo via public bus.
Keep in mind that the towns of Santa Cruz, Liberia, and Huacas are relatively close to Tamarindo and have more frequent bus service between them and San Jose. Also, buses do not run on “Tico” time, they run on time and will leave without you if you’re late.
To and from San Jose ($10 one way, 6 hours, departs from Loose Moose Garage parking lot)
Departing Tamarindo arriving in San Jose (Alfaro Bus Company)
Departs Tamarindo at 3:30 am
Departs Tamarindo at 5:30 am
Departs Tamarindo at 7:30 am (Tralapa Bus Company)
Departs Tamarindo at 1:00 pm (Sunday’s Only)
Departing San Jose arriving Tamarindo (Alfaro Bus Company)
Departs San Jose at 7:00 am (Tralapa Bus Company)
Departs San Jose at 11:30 am
Departs San Jose at 3:30 pm
To and from Santa Cruz ($1.50 one way, 1 hour, departs from bus stop in front of ABC Real Estate, Tralapa Bus Company)
Departing Tamarindo arriving Santa Cruz
Departs Tamarindo at 7:00 am
Departs Tamarindo at 2:00 pm
Departing Santa Cruz arriving Tamarindo
Departs Santa Cruz at 12:30 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 9:00 pm
To and from Liberia ($2.50 one way, 2.5 hours, departs from bus stop in front of ABC Real Estate, La Pampa Bus Company)
Departing Tamarindo arriving Liberia
Departs Tamarindo at 3:30 am
Departs Tamarindo at 4:30 am
Departs Tamarindo at 5:45 am
Departs Tamarindo at 7:30 am
Departs Tamarindo at 9:00 am
Departs Tamarindo at 10:00 am
Departs Tamarindo at 11:30 am
Departs Tamarindo at 1:00 pm
Departs Tamarindo at 2:15pm
Departs Tamarindo at 4:15pm
Departs Tamarindo at 5:00pm
Departing Liberia arriving Tamarindo
Departs Liberia at 3:50 am
Departs Liberia at 3:55 am
Departs Liberia at 5:15 am
Departs Liberia at 8:10 am
Departs Liberia at 12:00 pm
Departs Liberia at 1:00 pm
Departs Liberia at 2:00 pm
Departs Liberia at 4:00 pm
Departs Liberia at 5:30 pm
Between Huacas and Santa Cruz ($2 one way, 1 hour, departs from bus stop across from intersection, Folklorica Bus Company)
***Please note, Huacas is a short 15 minute taxi ride to Tamarindo (usually around $4-$5).
Departing Huacas arriving Santa Cruz
Departs Huacas at 5:20 am*
Departs Huacas at 6:35 am*
Departs Huacas at 7:05 am
Departs Huacas at 7:38 am
Departs Huacas at 8:10 am*
Departs Huacas at 8:45 am
Departs Huacas at 9:10 am
Departs Huacas at 10:10 am
Departs Huacas at 10:58 am
Departs Huacas at 12:00 pm
Departs Huacas at 1:34 pm
Departs Huacas at 1:57 pm*
Departs Huacas at 2:40 pm
Departs Huacas at 3:55 pm
Departs Huacas at 4:49 pm
Departs Huacas at 5:17 pm
Departs Huacas at 6:05 pm
Departs Huacas at 7:07 pm*
Departs Huacas at 7:31 pm
Departs Huacas at 9:43 pm*
Departs Huacas at 10:39 pm
*does not run on Sundays or Holidays
Departing Santa Cruz arriving Huacas
Departs Santa Cruz at 3:40 am*
Departs Santa Cruz at 4:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 5:20 am *
Departs Santa Cruz at 5:30 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 5:45 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 6:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 7:30 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 8:30 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 9:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 9:50 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 11:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 11:30 am*
Departs Santa Cruz at 12:00 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 1:00 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 1:45 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 2:30 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 3:30 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 4:00 pm*
Departs Santa Cruz at 4:45 pm*
Departs Santa Cruz at 5:10 pm
Departs Santa Cruz at 6:40 pm*
Departs Santa Cruz at 7:30 pm
*does not run on Sundays or Holidays
Between Santa Cruz and San Jose ($10 one way, 5 hours, Alfaro Bus Company)
Departing from Santa Cruz arriving San Jose
Departs Santa Cruz at 2:30 am (Mondays Only)
Departs Santa Cruz at 3:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 5:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 8:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 10:00 am
Departs Santa Cruz at 4:30 pm
Departing from San Jose arriving Santa Cruz
Departs San Jose at 7:00 am
Departs San Jose at 9:45 am
Departs San Jose at 11:00 am
Departs San Jose at 12:30 pm
Departs San Jose at 2:00 pm
Departs San Jose at 4:30 pm
Departs San Jose at 7:00 pm