Option 1: Fly to Cóbano — This is the Fastest Way You Can Get Here
If you don’t have a lot of time – and who does? The best option is flying from San José to Cóbano Airport (ACO).
On the other hand, there are two domestic airways that cover the Cóbano route: SANSA Airlines and Costa Rica Green Airways. By air, it takes about 30–40 minutes from San José, but several hours by ground. Cóbano is the nearest airport to Santa Teresa, approximately 20 minutes by vehicle from the hotel.
Flying with SANSA
Weekly flights: SANSA operates daily flights between San José and Cóbano (with several departures a day depending on the season). With the airline’s booking system, travelers can choose between round-trip or one-way travel with their dates, number of passengers as well as departure and arrival points.
To book:
Visit the SANSA Airlines homepage.
- Select Round Trip or One Way.
- Departure City: San José (SJO)
- Choose your destination as Cóbano (ACO)
- Fill in your travel dates and the number of passengers.
- Choose the available flight as per your timing and book it.
To book with Green Airways,
Booking is straightforward:
- Costa Rica Green Airways Visit Now
- Select Cóbano (ACO) for the loom.
- Insert when you want to travel, how many passengers?
- Choose the desired departure time.
- Make your payment and save your confirmation!
Your flight lands on Cóbano, but not directly at the hotel. Guests can book a taxi, private transfer, rent a car, or hotel pick up from the airport.
Tip before boarding: An aircraft in the country is small, and baggage allowances can be more limited than on international flights. Before you get your suitcase out of the closet, be sure to double-check what the airline’s baggage rules are in 2023.
Option 2: Rent a Car and Ferry (More Freedom of Movement)
Renting a car is a great option for travelers that want to make an experience of the journey itself. A car will open up all of Santa Teresa and beyond. Feel free to stop here and there, visit look-outs, find beaches and restaurants or make detours to places like Montezuma and Cabo Blanco.
Driving west from San José on the classic route takes you to Puntarenas where you can board an old ferry for the trip across the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquera. You have to keep going through the Nicoya Peninsula until you get to Cóbano and then Santa Teresa, directly passing from Paquera.
Step 1: Book Your Car Rental
There are a number of already established rental companies in Costa Rica on the market. Here are some of the companies you will commonly see travelers integrating with:
- Vamos Rent-A-Car
- Adobe Rent a Car
- Alamo Rent A Car
Other international and domestic rental agencies
The top tip is to pre-book your car before you arrive in Costa Rica (between December and April is peak travel season).
Adobe has everything from small economy sedan cars to compact, mid-size, standard & full-size SUVs and 4×4 pickup trucks. Alamo’s fleet in Costa Rica includes economy and compact sedans, along with midsize cars at the Toyota Corolla level, compact SUVs such as the Nissan Kicks, and larger SUV categories.
What might you pay?
As a rough planning guide, your travelers can expect something like:
- Economy/compact car: about US$40–US$75+ per day
- Fullsize sedan: ~50-90+ a day
- Full-size SUV: $45–90+ per day
- Luxury 4×4 SUV: $50-$100+ /dag
- SUV – Larger/Full-size SUV: $65-$130+ per day
- Full Size SUV: $80 — $140+ per day or more
An essential insurance tip that you must keep in mind
I recommend you do not just look at the daily rental price advertised.
Learn more about Costa Rica car rental insurance requirements and see whether you need liability insurance or additional coverage from a rental company depending on your situation. Call your credit card issuer and before you decide, get it in writing what is covered under rental-car coverage in Costa Rica (to the exact degree).
2: Take the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry
You will then get on the new Naviera Tambor ferry for Paquera when you arrive in Puntarenas. The ferry has a vehicle deck where you can leave your car. It’s important to book online, as ferries get booked during high season. Book on this website https://navieratambor.com
According to the current schedule, Naviera Tambor has departures from Puntarenas and Paquera at 4:00 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 10 : 00 p. m.
Today, fares are published at ₡810 for an adult passenger and ₡11,400 plus VAT to travel in a light vehicle. Ferry schedules and fares change; guests must confirm the operator’s up-to-date schedule directly before travel.
Upon arrival in Paquera, proceed by car toward Cóbano, then follow signs toward Santa Teresa/Mal País.
One major disclaimer: a high-clearance vehicle or 4×4 SUV is great for Santa Teresa, even better if you want to explore away from the main road, and best if visiting during the rainy season. Road conditions can vary.
Second Best Option: A Shared or Private Shuttle
Your primary transportation options are flying in, driving yourself and public buses, but there’s one more option that millions of first-time visitors discover is actually the easiest way for them to go – a shared or private shuttle.
Most shared shuttle services presently promote rides in the neighborhood of $50–$75 per individual relying on the transport service and pickup location, whereas private transportation can be valued even more.
What transportation option Works Best for You?
However, the silver lining is that there isn’t a single “wrong” means of reaching Hotel Santa Teresa by the Beach!
Choose the plane if: You want to get there fast and make the most of your beach time.
Choose the rental car if: You’re seeking nature, some level of independence and the opportunity to see Costa Rica’s beautiful Nicoya Peninsula.
Choose the bus if: You are on a budget trip and want to travel like locals with the Costa Rican transportation system.
Choose a shuttle if: You want convenience where you do NOT have to drive or navigate the ferry yourself.