Route Pura Vida

Uvita to San José

222 km (138 miles)

Beach scene at Uvita, Costa Rica
From

Uvita

Gateway to Marino Ballena National Park and the iconic Whale's Tail sandbar at low tide.

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Cityscape of San José, Costa Rica
To

San José

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

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Transportation Options

Rental Car

Distance: 222 km (138 mi)
Duration: ~4 hours

From Uvita, take Costanera Sur (Route 34) for 161 km, then Caldera Highway (Route 27) for the final 60 km into San José.

Highways used

  • Rt 34 Costanera Sur 161 km · 2 hours 42 min
  • Rt 27 Caldera Highway 60 km · 1 hour 8 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: ~4.5 hours

Daily shuttle connections to San José. Scenic coastal drive.

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: XQP (Quepos) → SJO
Duration: 25 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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