Route Pura Vida

Santa Teresa to Puerto Viejo

532 km (331 miles)

Beach scene at Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
From

Santa Teresa

A bohemian surf town at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, beloved for sunsets and yoga retreats.

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Beach scene at Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
To

Puerto Viejo

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

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Transportation Options

Rental Car

Distance: 532 km (331 mi)
Duration: ~10 hours

From Santa Teresa, take Ruta del Sol (Route 160) for 68 km, Nicoya Peninsula Highway (Route 21) for 47 km, Tempisque Bridge (Route 18) for 49 km, Paseo de la Segunda República (Route 39) for 6 km, Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for 91 km, Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for 53 km, Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for 10 km, then Caribbean Coast Highway (Route 36) for the final 48 km into Puerto Viejo.

Highways used

  • Rt 160 Ruta del Sol 68 km · 1 hour 30 min
  • Rt 21 Nicoya Peninsula Highway 47 km · 50 min
  • Rt 18 Tempisque Bridge 49 km · 48 min
  • Rt 39 Paseo de la Segunda República 6 km · 10 min
  • Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 91 km · 1 hour 32 min
  • Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 53 km · 41 min
  • Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 10 km · 9 min
  • Rt 36 Caribbean Coast Highway 48 km · 56 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: ~10.5 hours

Very long journey. Flying strongly recommended.

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: TMU (Tambor) → LIO (Limón)
Duration: 65 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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