Car journey including ferry trip
Starting in San José you take highway no. 1 or 27 in order to get to Puntarenas. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hrs for a distance of 85 km. After arriving in Puntarenas, you take the ferry to Paquera in order to cross the Gulf of Nicoya, which takes about 80 minutes.
Be aware that there are actually two different ferries from Puntarenas – one to Paquera and one to Playa Naranjo (please compare map provided here). However, don´t despair if you happen to find yourself on the ferry to Playa Naranjo. You will also cross the Gulf of Nicoya with this one, although Playa Naranjo is situated a little bit north from Paquera (approx. 25 km).
Driving along the coast will take you another 1.5 hrs (56 km) from Paquera to Santa Teresa. You will drive past Tambor and Cóbano. 1.5 km after Cóbano turn left towards Los Charocoles/ San Isidro/ Santa Teresa/ Mal País. After approx. 10 km driving on a dirt road you will reach Santa Teresa.
Rental car
A rental car is a good choice if you want to travel flexibly and independently.
Please note, most smaller roads in Costa Rica are dirt roads. Hence traveling in Costa Rica requires a 4x4/4-wheel drive.
If you want us to assist with the organization of your travels, please let us know HERE.
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Or maybe you don´t like ferries and prefer to drive the entire way?
Another possibility to reach Santa Teresa is by driving all the way from San José. To avoid the ferry, follow highway 1 past Puntarenas to head northwest. In order to reach the Nicoya peninsula, change from highway 1 to route 18 in southwestern direction to ultimately continue on route 21 to head towards the southeast along the coast of the Gulf of Nicoya. The road will eventually lead you past Playa Naranjo, Paquera, Tambor and Cóbano. 1.5 km after Cóbano turn left towards Los Charocoles/ San Isidro/ Santa Teresa/ Mal País. After approx. 10 km driving on a dirt road you will reach Santa Teresa.
Although tempting, because of the shorter distance, refrain from taking route 162, which passes right across the mountainous peninsula. We don´t recommend to drive the very bumpy and winding road. In Costa Rica less kilometers doesn´t necessarily mean less travel time.
