How to get to Santa Teresa? Ask us for our door-to-door Taxi Boat and shuttle services, from and to Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica.
Join us on this great alternative to travel from San Jose SJO, or from Manuel Antonio to Santa Teresa or Tambor and Montezuma in the Gulf of Nicoya.
Are you traveling solo and want to join our shuttle service? Please book the boat and let us know which shuttle you are interested in. We may get other customers, or you can pay extra, and we can do it only for you
Únase a nosotros en esta gran alternativa para viajar desde San José SJO, o desde Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita y Sierpe a Santa Teresa o Montezuma.
Zuma Tours Taxi Boat & Shuttle Connections
With our Zuma Tours Water Taxi, you'll save time and enjoy traveling the beautiful, picturesque way as we take you from the shores of Tambor Bay to Jaco on our water taxi boats, crossing the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica. The boat ride takes only one hour and is the fastest way to get to and from Santa Teresa and Montezuma to Herradura / Jaco or vice versa.
Of course, also to see the Nicoya Peninsula and its beautiful natural treasures like the beaches, waterfalls, good waves, and much more.
- We depart from Tambor Bay dock at 8:30, now from Montezuma is by shuttle at 7:30 am to the dock, and again from Herradura Beach, just a bit north of Jaco Beach, at 10:00 am for the return. All other connections are by shuttle vans.
You will have the chance to see marine wildlife, like dolphins, rays, sea turtles, and if you are lucky even whales during the season.
*We will be more than happy to arrange your land transportation from Jaco to Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Sierpe, or San Jose (Airport), or from Tambor to Montezuma, Cabuya, Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, or where you need to go in Costa Rica on nice AC Shuttle Vans.
*Every Boat has a roof covering about 70% of it, and we have a fleet of three-speed boats for this service with up to 40 people on the biggest one, with twin outboard engines 200hp & 250hp Suzuki marine models and experienced marine crew.
*Reservations in advance are required.
Con nuestro Taxi Boat, ahorrará tiempo y disfrutará del hermoso paisaje del golfo de Nicoya, el viaje en bote tarda tan solo una hora, es la forma más rápida de llegar de Tambor a Herradura / Jaco o viceversa.
Tendrás la oportunidad de ver fauna marina, como delfines, rayas, tortugas, y si tienes suerte, incluso ballenas durante la temporada.
Podrás conocer los hermosos tesoros naturales como las playas, cascadas, buenas olas de nuestra zona, siendo la mejor forma de llegar a los pueblos de Montezuma, Mal País, Santa Teresa, Manzanillo, Playa Hermosa, Tambor y Cabuya.
Salimos desde Tambor muelle Bahia Ballena a las 8:30 am, ahora desde Montezuma es 7:30 en buseta.
A las 10:00 am, de playa Herradura, al norte de playa Jaco.
*Estaremos encantados de organizar su transporte terrestre desde Jacó a Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Sierpe o San José (Aeropuerto) o desde Tambor a Montezuma, Cabuya, Mal País, Santa Teresa.
Cada bote tiene un techo que cubre aproximadamente el 70% del mismo, contamos una flota de barcos de tres velocidades para este servicio de hasta 40 personas en el más grande y una tripulación marina experimentada.
Siempre será mejor contar con reservación previa antes de tomar nuestro servicio.
Shuttle pick-up in Mal País and Santa Teresa is between 7:00 and 7:30 AM from hotels, villas, and hostels. We also offer 4x4 pick-up for difficult-access locations with prior GPS confirmation.
Shuttle pick-up in Montezuma is between 7:20 and 7:30 AM from hotels and hostels or at our office.
The boat departs from Tambor Bay at 8:30 AM (check-in at 8:00 AM) and arrives at Herradura Beach, located just 10 minutes from downtown Jaco.
In Jaco, shuttle pick-up is available between 9:00 and 9:30 AM from hotels, condos, and hostels.
Traveling by public bus?
- From Quepos or San José: get off at the Álamo bus stop.
- From San José by shuttle or bus: get off at Plaza Herradura near Subway, where our team will meet you around 9:30 AM.
The boat departs from Herradura Beach at 10:00 AM towards Tambor Bay.
Please be ready at least 10 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. Small delays may occur due to sea conditions, wildlife sightings, luggage handling, or beach operations.
Thank you for your patience and Pura Vida spirit!
From Playa Hermosa, North Santa Teresa → Tambor to Jaco
6:45 AM shuttle pick-up
From Santa Teresa / Mal País → Tambor to Jaco
Shuttle pick-up between 7:00 and 7:20 AM from hotels, villas, hostels, and restaurants.
Pick-up at Zuma Tours office at Plaza Kahuna
4x4 pick-up available for steep hill properties (GPS location required), additional fee
From Montezuma → Tambor to Jaco
Shuttle pick-up between 7:20 – 7:30 AM from hotels and hostels.
Pick-up from Zuma Tours Office
Tambor Bay Boat Departure
Boat departure: 8:30 AM
One-hour crossing to Herradura Beach (near Jaco)
From Jaco Downtown Shuttle Connections
Shuttle pick-up between 9:00 – 9:30 AM from hotels, condos, and hostels.
Herradura Beach Boat Departure
Check-in: 9:45 AM
Boat departure: 10:00 AM
- Location: Herradura Beach Boat Departure
From Manuel Antonio / Quepos → Tambor
Shuttle pick-up between 7:30 – 7:45 AM
From Uvita → Tambor
Shuttle pick-up between 6:30 AM
Minimum 2 passengers required
From Dominical → Tambor
Shuttle pick-up between 6:45 – 7:00 AM
Minimum 2 passengers required
From Sierpe → Tambor
Pick-up at 6:00 AM
From San José / SJO Airport → Tambor
Shuttle pick-up between 7:00 – 7:30 AM
Minimum 2 passengers required
- This might depend on the weather, sea conditions, and traffic approx:
Herradura Beach: 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Jaco Downtown: 10:00 AM
Montezuma: 11: 30 AM
Santa Teresa / Mal País: 12:00 PM
Manuel Antonio: 11:30 AM
Dominical / Uvita: 1:00 PM
Sierpe: 2:30 PM
SJO Airport: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Comfortable clothes
Sandals or shoes that can get wet
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Waterproof protection for electronics
Personal documents and valuables
You must take with you your personal items, like cameras, laptops, phones, passports, money, etc. We'll provide plastic bags for that if needed. We are not responsible for any lost things. We'll take care of your luggage in the boat's dry compartment.
Taxi Boat transportation
Ground shuttle transportation
Professional Boat Captain
Bilingual guide
Safety equipment
Life jackets
GPS and radio communication
Insurance and permits
Luggage transportation
Luggage: 22 kg / 50 lb per person max. One carry-on and one backpack or suitcase are allowed per person, $10 will be charged per extra piece.
Our fleet includes modern 32 ft and 42 ft speed boats powered by Suzuki marine engines twin 200 hp and 250 hp top-line electronic fuel engines and operated by experienced local crew.
Drinks or Food.
Restrictions
Bicycles are not allowed
Pets must travel inside a crate
Advance notice required for surfboards and pets
Please bring a valid ID during check-in. A photo of the ID may be taken for payment verification and fraud prevention purposes.
Check-In Locations
Santa Teresa Office: 7:00 AM
- Tambor Bay Dock: 8:15 AM
Montezuma Office: 7:30 AM
Herradura Beach: 9:45 Am
Child Policy
Children ages 6–12 qualify for child rates
Children under 5 travel free
Advance reservations are highly recommended.
For travelers coming from San José using the Taxi Boat service, solo travelers may need to pay an additional fee for private shuttle service if no other passengers are booked.
Zuma Tours is an official partner of the ICT - Costa Rica Tourism Board, a recognition that reflects our commitment to quality, sustainable tourism, and authentic experiences in Costa Rica.
Additional Charges:
Extra luggage: $10 per piece
Shortboards: $10
Longboards: $20
Pets in crate: $20
*PAYMENT: WE PROCEED WITH THE CHARGE TO YOUR CREDIT CARD IMMEDIATELY, OR YOU CAN USE YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT AS WELL. AT THE MOMENT WE'RE NOT RECEIVING AMEX CARDS.
The payments provider that powers our Built-in Payments, is present in over 60 countries, supporting both merchants and their customers Worldwide.
For really bad weather or rough sea conditions because of north winds, waves, or storms, we always have a plan B. Most of these times we leave from an inlet in Tambor Bay, delaying the service about 45 minutes.
Zuma Tours is not responsible for any lost or forgotten items in our Boats or land transportation units.
Zuma Tours reserves the right to refuse passengers on the boats or shuttle vans if the customer is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or has inappropriate behavior.
Zuma Tours reserves the right to modify or cancel any service without a refund of money due to force majeure such as weather conditions, local guerrillas, natural disasters, terrorist acts, or strikes.
**ADVICE: WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DON'T TAKE THESE SERVICES WITH TIGHT SHUTTLE OR FLIGHT DEPARTURE TIMES, EVEN THOUGH OUR OPERATION IS SAFE AND RELIABLE ALL YEAR ROUND, THE SEA CONDITIONS WITH STRONG WINDS IN THE DRY SEASON AND WAVES IN THE RAINY SEASON, THE POOR INFRASTRUCTURE ABOUT DOCKS, ALSO THE TRAFFIC, FURTHERMORE OUR ROADS AND GEOGRAPHY, OTHER DELAYS FROM CUSTOMERS, SOMETIMES DO NOT HELP US TO GET ON TIME, EVEN WE TRY HARD.
