Travesía Costa Rica See prices

Costa Rica Airport Transfers

SJO & Liberia (LIR) From $60 / vehicle Meet & greet · flight tracked

How your airport pickup works

  1. You land and clear customs. No need to call or message anyone — we already know your flight number and have been tracking it.
  2. Your driver is waiting with your name on a sign, right outside the arrivals doors. At both SJO and LIR the greeting area is immediately outside the terminal.
  3. You walk to the vehicle and go. No queue, no negotiating a fare, no waiting for other passengers to arrive.
  4. Straight to your hotel door, with courtesy stops for a restroom or a bite whenever you want them.
Late flight? It's the most common worry and the easiest to solve: because we track your flight, a delay simply moves your pickup time. There's no extra charge and nobody leaves without you.

SJO or LIR — which airport should you fly into?

Costa Rica has two international airports and the right one depends on where you're going first. Both work for anywhere in the country; what changes is how long you sit in the vehicle afterwards.

If you're going to…From SJO (San José)From LIR (Liberia)
Tamarindo & Guanacaste beaches~5h1h 30min
Playas del Coco / Papagayo~5h45min
La Fortuna / Arenal3h3h
Monteverde3h3h
Manuel Antonio3h~5h
San José city / Alajuela15–30min~4h

Deciding between the two? Read our full comparison: SJO vs LIR — which airport is better for your trip?

Airport transfer prices from SJO (San José)

DestinationTimeUp to 5Up to 9Up to 12
Alajuela15min$60$120$150
San José city30min$80$140$180
Jacó1h 30min$175$210$245
La Fortuna / Arenal3h$220$275$360
Monteverde3h$220$265$350
Manuel Antonio3h$220$300$360

Airport transfer prices from Liberia (LIR)

DestinationTimeUp to 5Up to 9Up to 12
Playas del Coco45min$110$140$195
Papagayo45min$110$160$180
Tamarindo1h 30min$135$175$230
Playa Conchal1h 30min$135$175$235
La Fortuna / Arenal3h$225$280$345
Monteverde3h$230$275$360

Prices are per vehicle, taxes and tolls included. Your exact route and price: route finder · all routes.

Going back to the airport

Return transfers work the same way, in reverse. For international departures we plan for you to arrive 3 hours before your flight, counting backwards from your hotel and adding margin for traffic — so an 8 a.m. flight out of SJO from La Fortuna usually means a pickup around 1 a.m. We'll tell you the exact time when you book, and we send a reminder the day before.

First time flying out of San José? Our SJO airport guide walks through the terminal, timing and what to expect.

Why book the transfer before you travel

Frequently asked questions

Where does the driver meet me at the airport in Costa Rica?
Right outside the arrivals hall, after customs. Your driver waits holding a sign with your name. At both SJO and LIR the greeting area is just outside the terminal doors, and you cannot miss it.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Nothing changes for you. Give us your flight number when you book and we track it. If your flight lands late we adjust the pickup and wait, at no extra cost.
How early should I leave for my departing flight?
For international departures we recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before your flight. We plan the pickup time backwards from that, adding a margin for traffic on the route you are coming from.
Should I fly into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)?
Liberia is closer for the Guanacaste beaches such as Tamarindo, Playas del Coco and Papagayo. San José is better for La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, the Caribbean and the south. Both connect to everywhere in the country; the difference is drive time.
Are child seats available for airport transfers?
Yes, free of charge. Tell us the ages of the children when you book and we install the right seats before pickup.
How much is a taxi from San José airport compared to a private transfer?
Official airport taxis charge by meter and are fine for short trips into San José or Alajuela. For longer distances a private transfer with a flat price per vehicle is usually the clearer option, because you know the total before you land and it covers the whole group and its luggage.

Book your airport transfer

Tell us your flight and where you're staying — we handle the rest.

See prices & book Send my flight details

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