Traveling with a Surfboard in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Pacific coast — Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Jacó, Dominical — is one of the world's best-known surf destinations, and a lot of travelers land at the airport with a board bag in tow. The problem: most standard airport transport in Costa Rica isn't set up for it. Here's what actually works.

Why shared shuttles usually say no

Shared (collective) shuttle vans run on a fixed schedule with multiple hotel pick-ups and drop-offs, and every seat's luggage allowance is already accounted for. That's why most shared shuttle companies in Costa Rica limit passengers to one carry-on and one suitcase, and don't accept surfboards, bicycles or kayaks at all — there's simply no spare room once the van is full of other travelers' bags.

How it works with a private shuttle

A private vehicle is exclusively for your group, so there's no other passengers' luggage to compete with — but a surfboard still needs real space, more than a suitcase does. With Travesía, we can transport surfboards, but two things to know before you book:

• Tell us in advance. Let us know how many boards you're bringing (and roughly what size) when you message us — not something to mention for the first time at pickup.
• It usually means a bigger vehicle, and an added cost. A standard Hyundai Staria doesn't have enough room for a board once luggage is loaded, so even for just 1 or 2 passengers we typically need to send a larger van instead — which comes with an additional cost on top of the base fare. We'll confirm the exact vehicle and price once we know your board count and size.

Other bulky gear

The same logic applies to other oversized equipment — golf clubs, large camera cases, dive gear and similar. If you're traveling with something bulkier than standard luggage, message us with the details before booking and we'll let you know what fits and whether a larger vehicle is needed.

How to book

Because the right vehicle depends on your board count and group size, surfboard transfers are best booked directly with us rather than through the instant online quote. Message us on WhatsApp with your route, dates, passenger count and board details, and we'll send you an accurate price.

Quick answers

Can I bring a surfboard on a shared shuttle in Costa Rica?

Usually not, or only with restrictions. Most shared shuttle companies limit you to one carry-on and one suitcase per person and don't accept surfboards, bicycles or kayaks, since the van is shared with other travelers who also need luggage space.

How many surfboards can fit in a private shuttle?

It depends on the vehicle and board sizes (longboards take more room than shortboards). Let us know how many boards and what size when you message us, and we'll confirm what fits and the vehicle needed.

Do I need a board bag?

We recommend one. A padded board bag protects your board during loading and the ride, and makes it much easier to fit safely alongside other luggage.