Two car-and-passenger ferries and a passengers-only ferry cross the Río Tempisque and Gulf of Nicoya, shortening the driving distance to or from the Nicoya Peninsula. In high season and on weekends, lines can get long, and you should get there at least an hour before departure times, which change frequently. Check ahead.

Puntarenas to Paquera

Ferry Naviera Tambor (tel. 506/2661-2084, www.navieratambor.com) ferries departs Avenida 3, Calles 33, in Puntarenas for Paquera daily every two or three hours 5 A.M.–9 P.M. Return ferries depart Paquera 6 A.M.–7 P.M. ($2 pedestrians, $9 car and passengers). Take this ferry to reach Montezuma and Malpaís

.A passengers-only lancha (water-taxi, tel. 506/2661-0515) departs Puntarenas for Paquera at 11:30 A.M. and 4 P.M. from Avenida 3, Calles 2/Central. Return ferries depart Paquera at 7:30 A.M. and 2 P.M. ($1.25 adults, $1 for bicycles and children).

Buses (tel. 506/642-0219) meet the ferries (except those arriving after 5 P.M.) and depart Paquera for Cóbano at 6:15 A.M., 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., noon, 2:30 P.M., 4:30 P.M., and 6:30 P.M.; and from Cóbano to Paquera at 3:45 A.M., 5:45 A.M., 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:15 P.M., 2:30 P.M., and 6:30 P.M.

Puntarenas to Naranjo

Playa Naranjo is two-thirds of the way down the Nicoya Peninsula and makes a perfect landing stage if you’re heading to Sámara or Nosara.

The Coonatramar Ferry (tel. 506/2661-1069, www.coonatramar.com) departs Puntarenas from Avenida 3, Calles 33/35, at 6:30 A.M., 10 A.M., 2:30 P.M., and 7:30 P.M. ($1.60 adults, $0.75 children, $3 motorcycle, $10.50 car). The return ferry departs Playa Naranjo at 8 A.M., 12:30 P.M., 5:30 P.M., and 9 P.M. Buy your ticket from a booth to the left of the gates at Naranjo, but be sure to park in line first.

Buses to Jicaral, Coyote, Bejuco, Carmona, and Nicoya meet the ferry.