Route Pura Vida

San José to Nosara

257 km (160 miles)

Cityscape of San José, Costa Rica
From

San José

Costa Rica's capital and cultural hub — markets, museums, and the country's best food scene.

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Beach scene at Nosara, Costa Rica
To

Nosara

A wellness-focused Pacific beach community known for surf, yoga, and protected jungle.

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Transportation Options

Rental Car

Distance: 257 km (160 mi)
Duration: ~5.5 hours

From San José, take Caldera Highway (Route 27) for 88 km, Pan-American Highway (Route 1) for 49 km, Tempisque Bridge (Route 18) for 49 km, then Ruta del Sol (Route 160) for the final 17 km into Nosara.

Highways used

  • Rt 27 Caldera Highway 88 km · 1 hour 34 min
  • Rt 1 Pan-American Highway 49 km · 1 hour 6 min
  • Rt 18 Tempisque Bridge 49 km · 47 min
  • Rt 160 Ruta del Sol 17 km · 24 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: ~6 hours

Shared shuttles available with daily departures. Private transfers offer door-to-door service.

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

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Flight

Route: SJO → NOB (Nosara)
Duration: 45 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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