Fares and Payment on La Peninsula Public Transportation
Fares and Payment on La Peninsula Public Transportation describes how local bus fares are calculated across the Santa Elena Peninsula, and how to pay them. This page is a companion to Understanding Public Transportation in La Peninsula.
Overview
Local bus fares on the peninsula are based on how many municipios (cities) a trip passes through, rather than distance in kilometers. The three municipios are Salinas, La Libertad, and Santa Elena.
Fare Structure
- $0.50 — Within one municipio. Any trip that starts and ends inside the same city, for example a ride entirely within Salinas, entirely within La Libertad, or entirely within Santa Elena.
- $0.60 — Across two municipios. A trip that crosses from one city into a neighboring one, for example Salinas to La Libertad (or the reverse).
- $0.70 — Across three municipios. A trip that runs the length of the peninsula through all three cities, for example Salinas to Santa Elena passing through La Libertad (or the reverse).
| Trip Type | Example | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Within the same municipio | Salinas → Salinas; La Libertad → La Libertad; Santa Elena → Santa Elena | $0.50 |
| Across two municipios | Salinas ↔ La Libertad | $0.60 |
| Across three municipios | Salinas ↔ Santa Elena (via La Libertad) | $0.70 |
How to Pay
Tell the conductor (driver) your destination when you board so the correct fare can be charged.
Longer trips: Ancón, Atahualpa and El Tambo
Trips beyond Santa Elena on Línea 12 (Trunsa) cost a little more. Official fares from 1 August 2026 (ANT Resolution No. 020-DIR-2026-ANT):
| Between | Ancón | El Tambo | Santa Elena | La Libertad | Salinas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atahualpa | $0.50 | $0.65 | $0.75 | $0.89 | $0.89 |
| Ancón | — | $0.50 | $0.65 | $0.89 | $0.89 |
| Prosperidad | — | — | $0.60 | $0.89 | $0.89 |
| El Tambo | — | — | $0.50 | $0.89 | $0.89 |
| Santa Elena | — | — | — | $0.60 | $0.70 |
Discounts
Passengers with disabilities and seniors aged 65 and over receive a 50% discount on standard fares. Trunsa's posted fare sheet also gives students 50% off.
Fare History
- 1 August 2026 — The current municipio-based fare system took effect, replacing the previous distance-based structure.