DepartureTerminal Caribeños
Total Cost~$15 USD (Cash)
Travel Time6 Hours total
ComplexityHigh (3 legs)
⚠️ CRITICAL: The 10:30 AM Rule
You MUST leave San José before 10:30 AM. If not, you’ll miss the last boat in La Pavona (4:30 PM).
1 Leg 1: San José to Cariari
Go to Gran Terminal del Caribe. Buy your ticket to Cariari inside at the counter.
Open in Google Maps App
2 Leg 2: Cariari to La Pavona
In Cariari, the bus to La Pavona dock leaves from the same terminal. Look for the white/yellow bus.
💎 Insider Logistics
Don’t spend too much time buying snacks in Cariari. The bus to the dock fills up fast; secure your seat first.
3 Leg 3: The Public Boat
At La Pavona dock, buy the official boat ticket (~₡4,000) at the restaurant window.
💡 Survival Tip from the Mae
“Mae, listen: NO ATMs in Tortuguero. Bring cash. Also, wrap your bags in trash bags; the boat is open and it always rains!”