Ferry El Carmen Puntarenas

Well run operation. Better to buy tickets in advance online, but you can buy onsite. Would recommend arriving an hour early as they start boarding about 45 -50 minutes before departure time. Great spots to sit on the top deck and enjoy the view!

We took the ferry to same time driving in the mountains, we wanted to buy the tickets but the afternoon ferry was full and good thing we didn’t buy are tickets for the 3pm there was a big accident and there is just one road that go to the ferry boat and we where stuck in traffic for 3h + we made it for the 3pm ferry and bought the tickets and the ferry terminal, the ferry is about 45mints and there are snacks and air conditioners area inside to seat or you can opt to go seat outside and enjoy the ocean view

But your ticket online beforehand. Trip was so nice though. Highly recommend even if you have a car.

Don't be afraid to take the ferry. Buy your tickets online ahead of time. Ferry boards about 45 minutes before it departs. We took our car and it was very simple. Don't get in line at the dock until you are ready to get on the ferry. Once in line you can't leave in your car. The ferry had many different seat options to choose from. There is a full snack stand with alcohol and a second bar.

Make sure you have the right time on your ticket and if you come earlier you might exchange it, just ask for plastic card it is like voucher that lets you go to ticket office and exchange it

It’s a confusing process if you don’t buy a ticket ahead of time and have a car. You drive up on the street along and wait to get a card from a guy at the port, THEN you can go to the ticket office and buy your passage on. If you want to book a vehicle you can do it online but there’s a limited amount for cars so you can’t usually get it the same day. The people who work there and people taking the ferry are helpful if you have trouble understanding Spanish.

A little expense, but what options does anyone have!?!?

Used it to go see bioluminescence at Paquera but it was its own cool adventure!