Route Pura Vida

Puerto Viejo to Tamarindo

473 km (294 miles)

Beach scene at Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
From

Puerto Viejo

Costa Rica's laid-back Caribbean side — reggae bars, reef breaks, and Afro-Caribbean cuisine.

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Beach scene at Tamarindo, Costa Rica
To

Tamarindo

A lively Pacific beach town with reliable surf, sunset bars, and easy access to quiet coves nearby.

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Transportation Options

Rental Car

Distance: 473 km (294 mi)
Duration: ~9.5 hours

From Puerto Viejo, take Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for 23 km, Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for 28 km, Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for 96 km, Paseo de la Segunda República (Route 39) for 6 km, Caldera Highway (Route 27) for 86 km, Pan-American Highway (Route 1) for 49 km, Tempisque Bridge (Route 18) for 49 km, Nicoya Peninsula Highway (Route 21) for 34 km, then Ruta del Sol (Route 160) for the final 30 km into Tamarindo.

Highways used

  • Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 23 km · 18 min
  • Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 28 km · 22 min
  • Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 96 km · 1 hour 56 min
  • Rt 39 Paseo de la Segunda República 6 km · 12 min
  • Rt 27 Caldera Highway 86 km · 1 hour 33 min
  • Rt 1 Pan-American Highway 49 km · 1 hour 6 min
  • Rt 18 Tempisque Bridge 49 km · 47 min
  • Rt 21 Nicoya Peninsula Highway 34 km · 39 min
  • Rt 160 Ruta del Sol 30 km · 38 min

Note: Costa Rica traffic, weather and road conditions can greatly increase your drive time. It's always best to check with Waze before heading out. Read more on how to drive in Costa Rica.

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Shuttle

Duration: ~10 hours

Very long journey. Consider flying or making multiple stops.

Note: Shuttles come in shared and private flavors with different costs and trade-offs. Read more on taking a shuttle in Costa Rica.

🛩️

Flight

Route: LIO (Limón) → TNO (Tamarindo)
Duration: 75 minutes

Note: Domestic flights in Costa Rica are short hops on small turboprops, with strict baggage limits and early check-in. Read more on flying in Costa Rica.

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