Transfers/Shuttle

Most of the tour offices in Montezuma offer “transfers”, which are also known as the shuttle bus. Transfers aren’t so different from taxis, but they’re not red, registered taxis. Usually they will be some type of small minivan or large van, seating up to 12 people.

Transfers can be booked at any of the Montezuma tour agencies, by either walking in or just calling. Most or all of the tour agencies have their own vehicles to use for transfers.

Local Transfers

If you can’t find a taxi in Montezuma, you can walk into any of the tour agencies and they can call a private van to take you where you’d like to go. Typical Prices (2012) for up to 6 people total are the same as what a taxi is going to charge you:

From Montezuma to:

$10 – Cobano
$40 – Santa Teresa / Malpais
$40 – Tambor Airport
$80 – Paquera Ferry Terminal

The strange thing is that Cobano to Santa Teresa is $20. So if you want to go to Santa Teresa, you can save $10 by having him take you to Cobano. Then book him, or another one, for $20 to Santa Teresa. It’s actually 10 minutes longer to do it this way, but $10 cheaper. It doesn’t make any sense, but that’s the way it just is.

Private Van Rates

From Montezuma to other Costa Rica Towns (2012 rates) for up to 6 people. Prices from Suntrails.

Airport in San Jose – $280
Airport in Liberia – $280

Arenal – $280
Dominical – $320
Manuel Antonio – $280
Monteverde – $280
Nosara – $280
Playa del Coco, Etc – $280
Samara – $240
Tamarindo – $260

The rates in 2013 are expected to be $10 per trip more.

Private Van with Driver for the Day

Usually around $100-250 gas for all day. Check out: Minivan and Driver

Shuttle Van from Montezuma

The vehicles are nearly the same as above, but the service is different. The van will go to your hotel to pick you up, as well as other travelers going to similar destinations. If it’s going across the Gulf of Nicoya, it will stop at the ferry, at which point you have to get out with all your luggage, and haul it onto the ferry yourself. On the other side of the water, a different shuttle and driver will meet you to take you to your destination. If you have a lot of luggage this can be a big hassle, especially if it’s really hot or raining. Many people will opt instead to take the public bus, which is much cheaper and will drive onto the ferry so that you don’t have to hassle with your luggage.

2012 Approximate Rates for the Shuttle from Montezuma (thanks to Montezuma Expeditions)

Arenal – $50
Dominical – $65
Jaco – $50
Manuel Antonio – $55
Monteverde – $50
Tamarindo – $45

Airport Shuttle to or from Montezuma

This is the same as above, but remember that you have to carry your luggage out of the shuttle van and onto the ferry.

Airport in San Jose – $45
Airport in Liberia – $45

These rates are per person.

Airport Shuttle with One Night Hotel Included

This is a great, very convenient package that makes transport to or from Montezuma to the airport very easy, when you need to spend a night in San Jose before before or after the airport. The tour agencies work with a specific hotel in Alajuela, and your hotel stay there is included in the price.

San Jose Airport to Montezuma:

If you need to spend the night in San Jose before arriving in Montezuma, then this package includes your taxi to the hotel, the hotel, and then transport to Montezuma.

Montezuma to San Jose Airport:

If you have an early flight, you won’t be able to get there from Montezuma on the same day. So with this package, it will include your transport to the hotel near the airport, and then your taxi from the hotel to the airport the next day.

Prices:

$80 Single Occupancy
$130 Double Occupancy
$180 Triple Occupancy