Local Buses:

Alajuela - Barva Volcano - Bribrí - Butterfly Farm - Cahuita - Cañas - Cartago - Ciudad Quesada - Coco Beach - Dominical - Flamingo - Fortuna - Golfito - Guápiles - Heredia - Irazú Volcano - Jacó Beach - Laguna de Fraijanes - Lankester Gardens - Liberia - Limón - Los Chiles - Manzanillo - Monteverde - Montezuma - Naranjo Beach - Nicoya - Nosara - Orosi Valley - Palmar Norte - Panamá Beach - Paso Canoas - Playa Hermosa - Poás Volcano - Puerto Jiménez - Puerto Viejo - Puntarenas - Quepos - Samara - San Ignacio de Acosta - San Isidro - San Ramón - Santa Cruz - Santa María de Dota - Santa Rosa and Peñas Blancas - San Vito - Sarchí - Siquírres - Sixaola - Tamarindo Beach - Tambor Beach - Tilarán - Turrialba - Uvita - Zarcero

ALAJUELA/AIRPORT from San José - DEP. ev. day ev. 5 mins. A.2, C.10/14 from 4:00 to 22:00; RET. from 4:30 to 20:00; 17 km; 0:30 hrs. Ev. day ev. 10 mins. from 22:00 to 24:00 hrs; after midnight ev. hr. from A.2,C.2.

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BARVA VOLCANO from Heredia - DEP. Mon.-Fri. from Central Market at 6:30, 11:00, 16:00; RET. 7:30, 13:00, 17:00. Sat. 6:30, 11:00, 16:00. Sun. 11:00, 16:00; RET. 1 hour later. Walk 6km to the park entrance, then 4km to the lagoon.

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BRIBRI from Limón - DEP. Ev.day from Radio Casino at 5:00, 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00, RET. 12:30; 2hrs.

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BUTTERFLY FARM from Guacima Abajo in Alajuela - DEP. ev. day 1 block South, 1 block West from Tikal Supermarket at 6:20, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00; RET. 9:45, 11:45, 13:45, 15:45, 17:45; 22 km; 0:40 hrs. From San José: bus ev. day except Sun; buses leave at 11:00 and 14:00 and RET to San José at 15:15; A.1,C.20/22.

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CAHUITA (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Sixaola at 10:00, 16:00 (the 6:00 and 13:30 buses leave you at 1 km from the town); RET. 7:30, 9:30, 11:00, 16:30; 195 km; 4:00 hrs. You can buy tickets in advance.

CAHUITA from Limón - DEP. ev. day from Radio Casino at 5:00, 8:00; 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00; RET. Ev. day 6:30, 7:30, 11:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00; 1hr.

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CAÑAS (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from just outside Terminal Coca Cola at 8:30, 10:20, 12:20, 13:20, 14:30, 16:45; Fri and Sun also at 18:15; RET. 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 9:15, 12:15, 13:50 (Sun also 15:00 and 17:15); 188 km; 3:30 hrs.

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CARTAGO (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. 0:10 from Terminal Cartago from 5:00 to 24:00; RET. from 4:45 to 23:00; 22 km; 0:45 hrs. On Fri/Sat buses also from 24:00 to 5:00 ev. hr. After 20:30 the bus leaves in front of Grand Hotel Costa Rica (Ave 2, Calle 3/5).

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CIUDAD QUESADA (SAN CARLOS) (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from Terminal Atlántico Norte from 5:00 to 19:30; RET. from 5:00 to18:15; 110 km; 2:15 hrs.

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COCO BEACH (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from A.1/3,C.14 at 8:00, 14:00; RET. same; 251 km; 5:00 hrs. You can also take the bus from Liberia to Coco Beach ev. day: DEP. 5:30, 12:30 (14:00) 16:30; RET. 7:00 (9:15) 14:00, 18:00.

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DOMINICAL from San Isidro - DEP. ev. day at 7:00, 8:00, 13:30, 16:00; RET. 6:45, 7:00, 14:45, 15:30.

DOMINICAL - SAN ISIDRO from Quepos - DEP. ev. day from Mercado Municipal at 5:00, 13:30; RET. 7:00, 13:30; 80 km; 3:30 hrs.

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FLAMINGO, BRASILITO AND POTRERO (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from block west of Terminal Coca Cola at 8:00, 10:00; RET. 9:00, 14:00; 320 km; 6:00 hrs.

516 FLAMINGO, BRASILITO AND POTRERO from Santa Cruz - DEP. ev. day at 6:30, 15:00; RET. 9:00, 17:00; Potrero 64 km.

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FORTUNA (Arenal Volcano) from San José - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Atlántico Norte at 6:15, 8:40, 11:30; RET. 12:45; 14:45, 130 km; 4:30 hrs.

FORTUNA from Ciudad Quesada - DEP. ev. day from Parada Municipal at 5:15, 6:00, 10:30, 13:00, 15:30, 18:00; RET 5:00, 8:00, 12:15, 15:30. There are 4 different routes and we recommend Chachagua at DEP. 6:00 and 10:30 and RET 8:00 and 12:15. Ask for details at the station. 40 kms, 1hr.

FORTUNA from Tilarán - DEP. ev. day at 7:00, 12:30; RET. 8:30, 18:00; 101 km; 4:00 hrs.

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GOLFITO (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 7:00, 15:00; RET. 5:00, 13:00; 339 km; 8:00 hrs.

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GUAPILES AND BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK from San José - DEP. Mon. to Fri. from Terminal Atlántico Norte from 5:30 to 21:45 (ev. 0:30 hr.) Sat./Sun. from 6:00 to 21:00; RET. 5:30 to 22:00; 75km; 1:20 hrs. For Braulio Carillo, get off at the Zurquí or Quebrada González Station. Wait on highway for bus to come back.

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HEREDIA from San José - DEP. ev. day, ev. 0:10 from Terminal Heredia from 5:00 to 24:15 and at night from 24:15 to 4:00 a.m. ev. 0:30; RET. from 5:00 to 23:00; 11 km; 0:25 hrs. You can also take a minibus (400A) on A.2,C.10/12 ev. 0:15 from 6:00 to 20:00.

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IRAZU VOLCANO (express bus from San José) - DEP. Sat. and Sun. from A.2,C.1/3 opposite Gran Hotel Costa Rica at 8:00; RET. 12:15; 54 km; 1:30 hrs. You can also take this bus at Cartago ruins at 8:30.

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JACO BEACH and Carara Biological Station (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Coca Cola at 7:30, 10:30, 15:30; RET. 5:00, 11:00, 15:00; 102 km; 2:30 hrs.

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LAGUNA DE FRAIJANES from Alajuela - DEP. Mon.-Fri. 3 blocks west of Central Market at 9:00, 13:00, 16:15, 18:15; RET. 6:00, 10:00, 14:00, 17:00; 15 km; 0:50 hrs. Sat. 6:30, 8:00, Sun. 7:00, 17:15. Fraijanes opens Tue.-Sun. 9:00-15:30.

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LANKESTER GARDENS (bus to Paraíso, from Cartago) - DEP. ev. day, ev. 0:30 from south side of Central Park Cartago from 5:00 to 22:30; RET. same; 8 km; 0:15 hrs. Get off at the entrance of the Gardens (in front of Campo Ayala) and walk 1 mile; open ev. day 8:00-15:00.

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LIBERIA (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from A.1/3,C.14 at 6:00, 7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 20:00; RET. 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00; 217 km; 4:00 hrs. The 15:00 and 17:00 departing buses are direct; the 4:00 and 5:00 return buses are also direct.

LIBERIA from Puntarenas - DEP. ev. day from Empresa Arata at 17:30; RET. 8:30; 150 km; 2:30 hrs.

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LIMON (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from Terminal Limón from 5:00 to 19:00; RET. same; 162 km; 2:30 hrs.

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LOS CHILES Y CAÑO NEGRO (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Atlántico Norte at 5:30, 15:30; RET. 5:00, 15:00; 217 km; 5:00 hrs. Call the park administration for reservation of lodging and food, tel. 4601301; boat to the park at 7:30 Tue. and Thu.

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MANZANILLO (express bus from San José) - DEP ev. day from Terminal Sixaola at 16:00; RET 6:30. You can buy tickets in advance.

MANZANILLO from Limón - DEP. Ev. day 6:00, 14:30; RET. 11:30, 19:00. 1:30 hrs.

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MONTEVERDE (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from just outside Terminal Atlántico Norte at 6:30, 14:30; RET. 6:30, 14:30; 167 km; 3:30 hrs.

MONTEVERDE (Santa Elena) from Puntarenas - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Empresarios Unidos at 6:00; RET. 14:15.

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MONTEZUMA AND MALPAIS BEACHES (CABO BLANCO NATL. PARK) from Puntarenas docks by boat -DEP. ev. day at 6:00, 11:00, 15:00; RET. 8:00, 12:00, 17:00;1:30 hrs. Take the bus Paquera-Montezuma at 7:30, 13:30, 16:30; RET. 5:30,10:00, 14:00.

MONTEZUMA AND MALPAIS BEACHES (CABO BLANCO NATL. PARK) from Puntarenas docks by ferry -DEP.ev. day at 4:15, 8:45, 12:30, 16:00, 19:30; RET 6:00,10:30, 14:15, 18:00, 21:15 The ferry leaves you in Paquera where a bus will be waiting to take you to Cóbano and from there you can go on by bus or taxi.

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NARANJO BEACH, Nicoya Península (ferry boat from Puntarenas) - DEP. ev. day from 1 block North Balneario/Ferry Salinero, at 3:15, 7:00, 10:50, 14:50, 19:00; RET. 5:10, 8:50, 12:50, 17:00, 21:00; 1:30 hrs.

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503 NICOYA (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 6:30, 8:00, 10:00, 13:30, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00; RET. 5:00, 7:30, 9:00, 12:00, 14:30, 17:00; 296 km; 6:00 hrs. Buses from Liberia to Nicoya: ev. hr., from 5:00 to 19:00; RET. same. Buses from Santa Cruz to Nicoya DEP. ev. hr. from 6:30 to 21:30; RET. Same.

NICOYA from Liberia - DEP. ev. day at 6:00, 8:00, 11:00, 16:00; RET. 4:30, 5:30, 9:30, 14:30.

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NICOYA from San José by the Tempisque la Amistad bridge - DEP. ev. day at 6:00, 8:00, 10:30, 12:30, 2:00, 4:00, 6:30.

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NOSARA from San José - DEP. ev. day Terminal Alfaro at 6:00; RET. 12:45; 361 km; 6:00 hrs.

NOSARA, GARZA AND GUIONES from Nicoya - DEP. ev. day from Main Station at 13:00; RET. 6:00; Nosara 65 km.

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OROSI VALLEY from Cartago - DEP. Mon. to Sat. ev. hour from South-west corner of the Church ruins at Cartago from 8:00 to 22:00; Microbus 13:30, 15:30; RET. same; 18 km; 0:40 hrs. Sun ev. 45 min. from 8:00 onwards. This bus will stop in front of the Orosi look-out point.

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PALMAR NORTE (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 6:00, 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 14:30, 16:30, 18:00; RET. 4:45, 6:15, 8:15, 10:00, 13:00; 258 km; 5:00 hrs.

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PANAMA AND HERMOSA BEACHES (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from 1 block south of Terminal Atlántico Norte at 15:20; RET. 5:00; 265 km; 5:00 hrs. Connections from Liberia to these beaches DEP. 11:30, 19:00; RET. 5:00, 16:00.

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PASO CANOAS (South Border) from San José - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 5:00, 13:00, 16:30, 18:00; RET. 4:30, 7:30, 15:00; 349 km; 8:00 hrs.

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PLAYA HERMOSA from Liberia - DEP. ev. day at 7:30, 11:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:00; RET. 5:00, 6:00, 10:00, 16:00, 17:00.

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POAS VOLCANO (express bus from San José) - DEP. Every day from A.2,C.12/14 (same as 200B) at 8:30; RET. 15:00; 55 km; 2:00 hrs

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PUERTO JIMENEZ (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from just outside Terminal Atlántico Norte at 6:00, 12:00; RET. 5:00, 11:00; 378 km; 10:00 hrs.

PUERTO JIMENEZ from Golfito by boat - DEP. ev. day from Municipal Dock (Muelle) at 11:00; RET. 6:00; 1:30 hrs. Puerto Jiménez is the gateway to Corcovado National Park. First call park admin. office tel. 7355036.

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PUERTO VIEJO SARAPIQUí (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Atlántico Norte at 8:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 16:30; RET. 7:00, 8:00, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 17:30; 97 km; 1:30 hrs; Buy tickets. This bus goes through Braulio Carillo Nat'l Park. Buses through Heredia (scenic route - duration 4:00 hrs): DEP. Terminal Atlántico Norte at 6:30, 12:00, 15:00; RET. 8:00, 16:00.

PUERTO VIEJO SARAPIQUí from Ciudad Quesada - DEP. ev. day from Parada Municipal at 5:00, 17:30; RET. 5:45, 8:45, 12:15, 14:00, 15:30; 69 km; 3:00 hrs.

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PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Sixaola at 10:00, 16:00; RET.: 7:00, 9:00, 16:00; 215 km; 4:30 hrs. You can buy tickets in advance.

PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA from Limón - DEP. Ev.day from Radio Casino at 5:00, 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00. RET. 6:00, 12:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 20:00; 1.5 hrs.

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PUNTARENAS (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. 0:40 from Terminal Puntarenas from 6:00 to 19:00; RET. from 4:15 to 19:00; 110 km; 2:00 hrs

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QUEPOS from Puntarenas - DEP. ev. day from Main Bus Station at 5:00, 11:00, 14:30; RET. 4:30, 10:30, 15:00; 231 km; 3:30 hrs.

QUEPOS AND MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Coca Cola at 6:00, 12:00, 18:00; RET. 6:00, 12:00, 17:00; 145 km; 3:30 hrs. Indirect bus to Quepos (5 hours): DEP. 7:00, 10:00, 14:00, 15:00; 16:00, 17:00, RET. 5:00, 7:00, 8:00 (2 buses), 14:00, 16:00.

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SAMARA AND CARRILLO BEACHES from Nicoya - DEP. ev. day 3 blocks east of Nicoya Park at 8:00, 15:00, 16:00; RET. 5:30, 6:30, 7:30,13:30, 16:30; Samara 45 km.

SAMARA BEACH (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 12:30; RET. Mon.-Sat. 3:45; Sun. 13:00; 331 km; 6:00 hrs.

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SAN IGNACIO DE ACOSTA from San José - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from A.12/14,C.8 in front of Baptist Church from 5:30 to 22:30; RET. from 4:30 to 21:00; 29 km; 1:00 hrs. This bus goes to Ram Luna restaurant in Tarbaca.

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SAN ISIDRO (Chirripó National Park) (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from just outside Terminal Coca Cola from 5:30 to 17:00 (two different bus companies); RET. from 5:30 to 16:30; 136 km; 3:00 hrs. Buy ticket. To get to the entrance of Chirripo Natl. Park, take the bus to San Gerardo de Rivas from San Isidro at 5:00, 14:00; RET. 7:00, 16:00.

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SAN RAMON (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from Terminal Puntarenas from 5:15 to 19:30; RET. from 6:00 to 19:00; 1:00 hr.

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SANTA CRUZ (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from block west of Terminal Coca Cola at 7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00; RET. 3:00, 4:30, 5:00, 6:30, 8:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 17:00; 274 km; 5:00 hrs. Buses from Liberia to Santa Cruz: ev. hr. from 5:30 to 19:30; RET. Same.

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SANTA MARIA DE DOTA, los Santos (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Los Santos at 6:00, 9:00, 12:30, 15:00, 17:00; RET. 5:00, 6:00, 9:00, 13:00, 17:00; 65 km; 2:30 hrs. This bus goes through San Marcos de Tarazú (buy ticket).

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SANTA ROSA AND PEÑAS BLANCAS (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from 100 mts north of Terminal Coca Cola at 4:30, 5:00, 7:00, 7:45, 13:20, 16:10; RET. 5:00, 5:15, 7:15, 10:30, 10:40, 13:30, 14:45, 15:30. Only DEP. 4:30 , 7:00 and RET: 10:30, 13:30 are express buses. 293 km, 6:00 hrs.

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SAN VITO from San José - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 5:45, 8:15, 11:30, 14:45; RET. 6:00, 8:30, 14:00, 16:00.

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SARCHí from Alajuela - DEP. ev. day, ev. 0:30 from A.Ctl/1,C.8 from 5:00 to 22:00; RET. from 5:00 to 22:00; 52 km; 1:30 hrs. You can also take a direct bus from San José to Sarchí DEP. Mon.-Fri.12:15, 17:30, 17:55; Sat. only 12:00 (1:30 hrs, 70km).

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SIQUíRRES from San José - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from just outside Terminal Atlántico Norte at 6:30 and from 8:30 to 18:00; RET. 6:30, and from 8:30 to 18:00; 100 km.

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SIXAOLA (express bus from San José - gateway to Bocas del Toro, Panamá) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Sixaola at 6:00, 10:00, 13:30, 15:30; RET.5:00, 7:30, 9:30, 14:30. 240 km; 5:00 hrs. You can buy tickets in advance.

SIXAOLA (express bus from San José - gateway to Bocas del Toro, Panamá) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Sixaola at 6:00, 10:00, 13:30, 15:30; RET. 5:00, 7:30, 9:30, 14:30. 240 km; 5:00 hrs. You can buy tickets in advance.

SIXAOLA from Limón - DEP. Ev. day from Radio Casino at 5:00, 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, 18:00. RET. 5:00, 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00. 4hrs.

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TAMARINDO BEACH (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from Terminal Alfaro at 15:30; RET. 6:00, Sun. 6:00, 12:30; 285 km; 5:30 hrs; You can also make bus connections between Santa Cruz and Tamarindo. The bus leaves at 20:30 to Tamarindo; RET. 6:45 to Santa Cruz.

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TAMBOR BEACH (ferry from Puntarenas) - DEP. ev. day from Ferry Naviera Tambor at 4:15, 8:45, 12:30, 17:30; RET. 6:00, 10:30, 14:30, 19:15; 1:30 hrs. This ferry goes to Paquera; bus connection from Paquera to Tambor.

TILARAN (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day from block north of Terminal Atlántico Norte at 7:30, 9:30, 12:45, 15:45, 18:30; RET. 4:45, 7:00, 7:45, 14:00, 16:55; 191 km; 4:00 hrs. Buy ticket at terminal.

TILARAN from Santa Elena - DEP. ev. day at 7:00; RET. 13:00; 40 km; 3:00 hrs.

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TURRIALBA (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from Terminal Turrialba from 5:00 to 22:00; RET. from 5:00 to 21:00; 65 km; 1:30 hrs. Turrialba is the gateway to Guayabo National Monument. Buses leave on Sun. 9:00; RET. 17:00.

UVITA (Marino Ballena Nat'l Park) from San José - DEP. from Terminal Coca Cola Mon-Fri 15:00, Sat/Sun 5:30, 15:00, RET Mon-Fri 5:30, Sat/Sun 5:30, 13:00; 7 hrs... Be at terminal 1 hr in advance.

UVITA (Marino Ballena Nat'l Park) from San Isidro - DEP. ev. day at 8:00, 16:00; RET. 6:00, 14:00.

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ZARCERO (express bus from San José) - DEP. ev. day, ev. hr. from Terminal Atlántico Norte from 5:00 to 19:30; RET. from 5:00 to 19:30; 77 km; 1:30 hrs. This is the Ciudad Quesada bus that goes through Zarcero.