Traveling Solo
Whether you are traveling in a group or solo, in our Pura Vida MINI Hostel Tamarindo Costa Rica you will never feel alone. Our social area is so amazingly organized that brings people from many countries and cultures always together. We often organize fun activities to form strong bonds and friendships of our guests such us bond fires on the beach or in our fire pit in the hostel with marshmallows roasting, we have game nights with either beer pong, ping pong or fun card games and guitar playing. We can arrange all your travel plans for the future such us book shuttles, tell you information about local busses and connections and give you very detail information on other destinations in Costa Rica. Here in our hostel, you will never feel alone unless you really want to and our staff members will assure you have the best of time and take care of you as if you are a family member of our extended Pura Vida MINI hostel family.
Shuttle Service vs Public Bus
While bus may be the cheaper option for you to travel we often hear a lot of complains from our guests that the public buses are never on time, they take too long of a time to travel hence the nick name “chicken bus” as it literally stops every 100 meters, they are slow and uncomfortable without air-conditioning, safety and security concerns for your luggage and hand luggage, and more than anything the schedules change so frequently that they are very unreliable. Not to mention, some buses will rather ignore some stop and will pass right by you even if the drivers sees you.
If you decide to take the shuttle option, you will travel by private shuttle transportation usually in a very nice and clean shuttle with professional driver, air-conditioning, your luggage and your hand luggage will be safely stored, and less travel time. However you will also pay for your comfort and peace of mind. As the shuttle option is not the cheap option to travel but by far more preferred by majority of our guests over buses
Whichever way you decide to travel please check out this section and if you decide to travel by shuttle service please reach out to us via email hosteltamairndo@gmail.com so we can reserve the shuttle service for you. Especially in High season advance reservation is required as the shuttles tend to sell out fast.
Bus and Shuttle Connections
Here is some information on how to get to Tamarindo Costa Rica and our wonderful Pura Vida MINI Hostel in Tamarindo as well as how to get from our amazing hostel to other popular travel destinations in Costa Rica. We do provide the latest information for you however please be advised that bus schedules and prices may change without notice. Therefore it’s always best to double check with us via our email: hosteltamarindo@gmail.com
From San Jose, Costa Rica to Pura Vida MINI Hostel in Tamarindo
Pickup time is 8:00AM or 2:00 or 3PM daily, depending on availability
Duration: 5+ hours, depending on traffic in San Jose
Price: $52 per person
Pick up is at various locations in San Jose
Advanced reservations and payment required
ALFARO Bus Company: Leaves 11:30AM and 15:30AM Daily from down town San Jose
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance
Duration: 7-8-9 hours depending on traffic in San Jose
Price: $11 (estimate)
TRALAPA Bus Company: Leaves at 7:15AM and1 6:00PM Daily
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance
Duration: 7-8-9 hours depending on traffic in San Jose
Price: $11 (estimate)
Alfaro Bus Company – 7:00, 9:45, 11:00, 12:30,14:00, 16:30, 19:00 – Down town San Jose
Tralapa Bus Company – 7:15, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00,14:00, 16:00, 18:00 – Down town San Jose
And connect in Santa Cruz to Tamarindo:
Santa Cruz, terminal de buses en el Mercado Municipal
4:30, 5:30, 6:20, 9:00,10:30, 13:00, 13:30, 15:30,17:00, 19:00
In case you DO NOT make the connection from Santa Cruz to Tamarindo, you can always take a taxi to Tamarindo which would cost around $50 (This is a bargain. DO NOT pay more than this amount).
From Liberia, Guanacaste to Tamarindo, Costa Rica
There is a 3 person minimum for the shuttle. If there are at least 3 people booked, the price is $25 per person (usually this is the case as there are many people arriving for Tamarindo on various flights). If there are only 2 people, and they have availability, the price is $35 per person.
La Pampa Bus Company:
Leaves from Mercado Municipal: 3:50, 4:30, 5:15, 6:10, 7:00,8:10, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00,14:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18.00
*If you have more people and you want to share a taxi from down town Liberia you can catch a pirate taxi and it’s around $60 however do NOT pay more than $60. From the airport it’s around $80-$90 as the taxis from the airport are official therefore a LOT more expensive.
For driving or walking directions to our hostel please visit our Location page.
For buses and shuttle connections from other popular destinations in Costa Rica to our Pura Vida MINI Hostel Tamarindo Costa Rica, please ask directly in your hotel or hostel. If you need help to book you a shuttle from your hostel to Tamarindo please reach out to us via email: hosteltamarindo@gmail.com