Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera and Naranjo

The ferry dock is at the tip of Puntarenas, 2 km from the center and the bus terminal.
You can either take a taxi or the local bus which departs at Avenida Central.

-> Map of Puntarenas

 
Ferry to the Southern Region:
(Montezuma, Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, Tambor)		  Puntarenas -> Paquera Paquera -> Puntarenas

Ferry Puntarenas
Take the ferry around 5:00 p.m. for a
scenic sunset trip across the Gulf of Nicoya

5:00
7:30
10:00
12:30
15:00
17:30
20:00
22:00

5:00
7:30
10:00
12:30
15:00
17:30
20:00
22:00

These schedules change very often and might not be
up to date by the time you are traveling.

With a Car on the Ferry:
A simple car with driver included costs approx 10 US$. Only the driver may remain in the car when entering the ferry. All other passengers must walk on board.
In high season, and especially around Christmas and Easter, be prepared to wait some time in the ferry line-up. It's not possible to make reservations. In Puntarenas break-ins are not uncommon so don't leave your car unattended.

Lancha to Puntarenas

The small passenger boat

Without a Car you can also take the Lancha to Paquera. It's a small passenger boat which operates from Monday to Friday. Its mooring is in the center of Puntarenas behind the fish market, only 3 blocks away from the bus terminal.

Puntarenas -> Paquera     11:30 | 16:00
Paquera -> Puntarenas     7:30 | 14:00

In Paquera busses to Malpais and Montezuma wait for passengers from the boats. The last ferry at 9 p.m. however has no bus any more.
From the ferry dock in Puntarenas a local bus drives into the center from where you walk the two blocks to the bus terminal.
 
Ferry to the Northern Region:
(Coyote, Samara, Nicoya, Nosara)  		 Puntarenas -> Naranjo Naranjo -> Puntarenas
 

6:00
10:00
14:20
19:00

7:30
12:30
17:30
21:00
Ferry over the Gulf of Nicoya


 The 1 1/2 hours boat ride over the Gulf of Nicoya is a scenic and relaxing trip. While approaching the Nicoya Peninsula you will enjoy gorgeous views, passing by little islands inhabited only by large colonies of maritime birds.

Driving Distances from the ferry in Paquera to

Tambor: 24 km
Montezuma: 48 km
Mal Pais and Santa Teresa: 58 km

See also » Direct Busses from San José to Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, Montezuma, Samara