Top Costa Rica Travel & Transportation Services

There are plenty of high-quality Costa Rica travel and transportation services to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best services available right now:

• Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer

• Private Transfer Liberia Airport

• Private Transfer From La Fortuna To Manuel Antonio From 1 to 6 passengers

• SJO to Jaco private transportation or vice versa

• Shuttle Service from San Jose City or Airport to La Fortuna (AM)

Prices for travel and transportation services in Costa Rica are comparable to what you’d pay in the US and vary depending on what’s included and how far you’re traveling. Airport transfers from either Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or Guanacaste Airport (LIR) start around US$50 per person for journeys around 1–1.5 hours. Longer trips will typically cost more, as do private transfers.

Yes, travel and transportation services in Costa Rica are considered worthwhile by travelers who don't want to worry about navigating Costa Rica's notoriously rough roads. With a local experienced driver behind the wheel, you can recline your seat and get some rest, take advantage of the vehicle's Wi-Fi to catch up on emails, or ideally, enjoy the views of the volcanoes, beaches, and cloud forests you drive by.

Per one customer who booked the Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer, "Great experience with my arrival transfer. My flight landed an hour early, and my driver was already there. He was super friendly and provided some great advice and tips for my trip."

Before choosing a travel and transportation service in Costa Rica, make sure you know whether you’re booking a private ride or a shared shuttle. Read the descriptions carefully if you require a vehicle with certain features, such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, or comfortable seats. Finally, if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or larger items like surfboards or golf clubs, make sure there’s no extra charge and that the vehicle is big enough to accommodate everyone and everything in your group.

To fully enjoy travel and transportation services in Costa Rica, try to embrace the laid-back “pura vida” vibes, especially if you find yourself stuck in traffic. Costa Rica’s roads, especially in rural areas, can also be winding and bumpy, so try to sit up front or at least by the window if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Even if you're short on time, you can find Costa Rica travel & transportation services to fit your schedule. Here are some of the best transfers that take an hour or less:

• Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer

• Private Transfer Liberia Airport

• Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste Hotel

• Private transfer

• Private San José Airport Transfer to San José Hotels

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Costa Rica once you've taken a transportation service. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Costa Rica Bungee Jumping

• Costa Rica ATV Tours

• Costa Rica Chocolate Tours

• Costa Rica Jet Ski Rentals

• Costa Rica White-Water Rafting

Private transfers from Liberia airport to Tamarindo generally cost around US$70 per person, assuming you have at least two people traveling. If you’re a solo traveler, expect to pay around US$130. Most transfers don’t include gratuity in the price: Tipping isn’t mandatory, but consider not asking for change if you’re paying in cash (an extra US$5 or so per person is plenty).

The drive time from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna varies, depending on the time of day and day of the week. Best-case scenario, during the middle of the day on a weekday, you’re looking at around two hours. It can take closer to 3.5 hours if you’re traveling after 5pm or at the weekend.

Yes, you’ll find shared shuttles at both Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia. These shuttles run between the two airports, as well as popular towns, beaches, and national parks on the west coast, east coast, and inland. Shuttle services are typically vans that can carry 9–15 passengers and their luggage.

Yes, try to book your transfer services in Costa Rica in advance. During the dry (high) season, you’ll want to prebook as seats fill up fast. Similarly, try to reserve a spot early in the green (rainy) season, too, as shuttle services may be limited. If you’re traveling with a surfboard, bike, or golf clubs, make sure the van or shuttle can accommodate all your luggage.

Yes, it is generally safe to drive yourself from the airport in either Liberia or San Jose to your destination in Costa Rica. That said, flat tyres are common, especially on dirt roads, and driving during the wet season can be a white-knuckle experience. Many rural roads wash out and are impassable during heavy rains.