Getting To Costa Rica

There are Two Major Airports to fly into from the US:

San Jose Juan Santamaria Int'l (SJO)

San Jose Airport is the largest airport in Costa Rica that services destinations across the globe. From here you can easily transfer to smaller domestic flights, meet group shuttle transportation, rent cars, or be picked up by private transport.

Pro's: More airlines, more itinerary options, more rental options, more domestic flight options.

Con's: More people, more traffic, more of a pain to travel to via car/shuttle.

Liberia: Daniel O. Quiros Int'l (LIR)

The Liberia (or Guanacaste) Airport services destinations mostly to Central and North America. While not every airline offers service, the 3 major American airlines do (United, Delta, American). Limited domestic flights are available, and rentals and transport are easily available.

Pro's: It’s smaller, easy to navigate, and typically less busy than San José, also near other desirable destinations in Costa Rica.

Con's: More limited itineraries, often more expensive (both flights and rental cars), extremely limited (and absurdly expensive) airport food/bev options.

Getting To La Fortuna

Group or Private Shuttles

Group Shuttles and Private Transport is available from either major airport. Group shuttles average $50pp one way, while private transport typically starts around $350 one way for up to 4 people. Larger private transport is, of course, available.

Group Shuttles will typically make a stop for food/bathroom, and perhaps even a store if necessary. Private Transport will stop pretty much anywhere you ask them to, within reason.

Bus

A direct public bus from San José to La Fortuna costs $6–$8 USD, departing daily around 8:30 a.m. from Terminal 7-10 (Autotransportes Venecia) and taking about 4–5 hours. There is no direct public bus from Liberia, but it is possible to La Fortuna by bus. The journey involves taking local buses from Liberia to Cañas, then to Tilaran and finally to La Fortuna.

Renting a Car

Domestic Flights

Skip 2.5-3 hours of car travel and hop on a small plane for a short 30 minute flight running around $200.

Registry