As your Costa Rica transportation goes, renting an ATV or side-by-side can be one of the more enjoyable options!

Once you’ve decided on your destination (Costa Rica!) and your more specific destination (Guanacaste / the Gold Coast), then you’ll start to think about the specifics. And one of the first specifics that comes up is Costa Rica transportation: how will you get where you’re going and, once you’re there, how will you continue going wherever you’re further going?

Costa Rica has lots of options. Whether you’re arriving in the country or traveling to other parts of Costa Rica or getting around wherever you are, you’ll have choice. From hiring a private driver or renting a car to traveling by bike or on foot, the following is an overview of your Costa Rica transportation options:

Costa Rica Transportation: Getting to Guanacaste

There’s no one right way to “get to Guanacaste.” To begin, it depends on whether this is your first destination in Costa Rica: If you’re arriving from an international point of departure, then you’ll have only two options: Liberia International Airport or Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (only not really in San José; see below!).

If you’re arriving from other destinations within the country, then your Costa Rica transportation options are wide open: In addition to the two international airports (inter-country local flights arrive/depart each), you’ll have a handful of other options to get to Guanacaste. Here we go!

Arriving at Liberia International Airport

If you’re traveling to Guanacaste, then the closest airport (and the easiest point of international arrival) is in Liberia – fittingly, the capital of Guanacaste province.

The Liberia International Airport (LIR), also known as Daniel Odúber International Airport, is just a short drive to most travel destinations throughout the province, including:

• Playas del Coco/Playa Hermosa: 16 miles/26 kms
• Playa Flamingo: 26 miles/42 kms
• Playa Conchal: 39 miles/62.5 kms
• Tamarindo: 42 miles/68 kms
• Hacienda Pinilla: 46 miles/74.5 kms

Arriving at Santamaría/the San José International Airport

Depending on where you’re flying from, there may only be flights available to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), also known as the San José Airport. (Fun fact: The airport is in the city of Alajuela, not San José!)

If that’s the case, you’ll need to find secondary air or ground transport

ation (see below) to Guanacaste, as SJO is much further (a 4- to 5.5-hour drive) from travel destinations throughout the province:

• Playas del Coco/Playa Hermosa: 145 miles/233 kms
• Playa Flamingo: 157 miles/252 kms
• Playa Conchal: 156 miles/251 kms
• Tamarindo: 154 miles/248 kms
• Hacienda Pinilla: 153 miles/247 kms

Arriving at Tamarindo Airport

If you’re traveling into central-southern Guanacaste – particularly, the areas around Tamarindo and Hacienda Pinilla – and especially if you’re arriving from the San José Airport or other destinations within Costa Rica, then you may consider flying into the minuscule Tamarindo Airport.

It’s fast and convenient – an excellent way to hop about the country and cut down on your travel time. What’s more, Costa Rica’s local airports are very laid back, making for low-stress air travel. As of publication (early 2022), local air carriers include Sansa and Costa Rica Green Airways; Green Airways (the newer of the two airlines) does not yet fly into Guanacaste but stay tuned!

However, be aware that weather can sometimes get choppy (due to high winds or weather). Also, local air carriers take their weight allowances very seriously; you and your size-restricted luggage (including carry-ons and purses) will be weighed prior to flight, so they can balance the aircraft.

Note: Local flights also land in Liberia (the same international airport as above) and can be a great choice if you’re heading into the northern areas of the province: Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Papagayo, and beyond.

Arriving by Rental Car

If you crave the freedom to roam while on vacation, then the easiest and most convenient way to arrive is by rental car. If you’re arriving at either LIR or SJO airports, your choices will be many: Rental car agencies heavily populate both airports.

We know we sound biased, but this is one of those times you really should speak with our Blue Zone Experience concierge. Why? Because rental car agencies in Costa Rica can be tough to navigate: In addition to the rental fee, there is almost always an additional obligatory fee (not included in the “total” online quote; read the fine print!) And yes, even if you think your credit card has you covered, the agency will almost always require you to pay the additional fee, which can double your daily rental cost!

Bottom line: Our concierge will negotiate an all-in car rental fee, so you have no surprises when you roll up to the rental car counter. And no surprises, in this case, make for a great start to your vacation.

Arriving by Private Shuttle (or Private Driver)

Our favorite blend of comfort, convenience, and low-stress, private shuttles are what Costa Rica calls a private driver (because often, they’ll arrive in a shuttle or tourism van).

The truth is, private transportation is the best of all worlds: You’ll enjoy the convenience of on-time airport pickup and a private vehicle, paired with the incredible convenience of not having to drive yourself. This can be a big benefit if you’ll be driving after dark (around 6:00 p.m., year-round), are simply unfamiliar with Costa Rican roads/driving, or just don’t want to drive a long-haul trip.

Keep in mind, driving in Costa Rica very doable! Lots of tourists drive. That said, if you’re not an enthusiastic or confident driver, then Costa Rica’s narrow roads, mountainous terrain (including river crossings, in certain parts of the country and at certain times of year), lack of signage, potholes, and driving culture… well, they can be a little discombobulating, after a long day of travel.

Tip: If you want the ease of mind of a private shuttle and the convenience of a rental car, do both! You can schedule a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport (or elsewhere in Costa Rica) and ferry you to your vacation rental home, then request local pick-up or even car drop-off at your destination (the next day or whenever you choose). 

Arriving by Shared Shuttle

Because shared shuttles – essentially, air-conditioned tourist buses – have very specific (and infrequent) schedules, we don’t often recommend them for airport pickup, as you’d likely be waiting hours or even until the next day to catch one.

However, if you’re traveling to Guanacaste from other destinations around Costa Rica, then a shared shuttle can be an excellent and fairly economical (for 1-2 people) choice. For about $45-$80 dollars per person, depending on your point of origin/destination, private shuttles will take you from Point A to Point B in a comfortable, air-conditioned van that you share with only a handful of other travelers.

So, why choose a shared shuttle over a public bus? There are a few major advantages, beginning with the fact that the shuttle driver or assistant will speak English. Luggage handling is a bit easier on shuttles, as well, especially if you’re not adept at Spanish. Additionally, shuttles are shared and they offer more flexibility; for example, if you need a restroom break, the driver will find a restroom. The public bus won’t do that!

Arriving by Public Bus

If you’re looking for true local flavor and a bit of adventure, Costa Rica’s public bus system is top-notch. Most buses are fairly comfortable – upholstered seats, high backs with headrests, and windows that open – and some even offer online reservations with assigned seating. Even better, the public buses can be extremely inexpensive – as little as, say, about $10 for the 154-mile trip from San José to Tamarindo.

That said, if you plan to take the bus, you’ll need a little daring and a bit of mettle. You’ll want to speak passable Spanish – at least enough to understand the driver’s directions, know where your stop is (if it’s not the end of the line), and maybe make small talk with your seatmate.

Know that you’ll have to store your luggage beneath the bus (the driver should give you a claims ticket, which you’ll show to collect your luggage upon arrival) and that you should keep all hand luggage with you at all times; unwatched luggage above the seat can be an easy target for thieves.

Costa Rica Transportation: Getting Around Guanacaste

And once you’ve made it to Guanacaste – again, the answer to this one isn’t completely straightforward. It depends on you: on your Costa Rica transportation preferences, on your destination, on where you’re staying (specifically), on your comfort level, and on a handful of other factors. Read on:

Getting Around by Rental Car

If you need ultimate freedom and an invitation to explore, then there’s no better choice than a rental car. Make it a 4WD and all of Costa Rica will be your oyster!

The truth is that a rental car allows you to go [almost] anywhere, at any time, whenever the whim strikes. You can beach-hop and explore down dirt roads; you can decide to take a picnic when none was planned; you can explore the interior and up into the mountains. You can do anything you please. And there is joy in that unrestrained liberty. 

Getting Around by Private Driver

If you want the freedom of a rental car without the responsibilities of driving, then hiring a private driver could be the key to your Costa Rican transportation challenge.

Most travelers who opt for private drivers do so for only select days on vacation. For example, if you plan explorations for Day 3 and Day 8 of your itinerary, then you’d hire a private driver then – and either walk, bike, or use shared transportation on the other days. The benefit is that you’ll have all the freedom of your own four wheels, but you won’t have to do any of the driving yourself.

Keep in mind, though, that hiring a private driver for a day is more expensive than a rental car. That said, if you only plan to hire a driver for a few days (vs. renting a car for a week), then the costs could balance out! Want to do the math? Get in touch with our concierge and we’ll provide you with price estimates for both.

Getting Around by Private Shuttle

When it comes to getting from Distant Point A to Distant Point B, shared shuttles can again be a cost-effective way to travel. That said, they operate on very fixed schedules – often, there will only be one (two, if you’re lucky) shuttle per day between destinations – and if it doesn’t fit with your schedule, then you’re out of luck.

Getting Around by Taxi/Uber

If you’re heading to one of the bigger tourist destinations in Guanacaste – say, Tamarindo or Playas del Coco – then you could have great luck with local taxis and/or Uber, one of the most popular Costa Rica transportation types.

Something to know in advance: Official taxis are painted red (orange at the airports) and have a yellow triangle (with their taxi number) painted on the side. If it’s not an official taxi, it’s a pirate; and, depending on your destination, pirates can either be a great deal or a terrible rip-off.

We recommend erring on the safe side and always choosing official red taxis. That said, before you get in, verify that they’ll use the meter (ask, ¿puede poner la maría, por favor?, “can you start the meter, please?”). If they say anything but “sí,” move on to the next option. Note: Taxis and other shared transport are typically easy to catch only in downtown areas; for example, you’d have no problem in downtown Tamarindo but if you stay in the hills, taxis might be more of a challenge (especially for pickup).

Note: Uber operates in a gray area in Costa Rica – not quite approved, but not illegal. If you use Uber in Costa Rica, be aware that your driver will want you to sit in the front seat and act as if you were acquaintances. Again, you choose!

Getting Around by Public Bus

Local public buses are plentiful in certain areas and nearly non-existent (think: one per day) in others. If you’re staying with us and thinking about going full cultural immersion and taking the public bus, get in touch and we’ll try to help you pinpoint your options and current schedules.

Getting Around by Bike or Walking

You may not realize that many Costa Rican travel destinations are highly walkable/bikeable. Take four of our most popular destinations: Tamarindo/Playa Langosta, Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Conchal, and Las Catalinas:

• Tamarindo/Playa Langosta: About a mile long and only a few blocks deep, Tamarindo is an eminently walkable destination. You can even walk to – and then around – Playa Langosta, a beach town just a 10-minute walk south of Tamarindo. If you stay here (in either Tamarindo or Playa Langosta), you could walk almost anywhere. And if you didn’t want to walk, taxis and tour pickups (many tours include optional transportation) are available.
• Hacienda Pinilla: This upscale gated community may be spread over 4,500 acres, but it’s also divided into sub-communities, each with its own amenities. This makes Hacienda Pinilla extremely walkable. Don’t love to walk? You can also rent a golf cart to ferry you around the community!
• Reserva Conchal: Playa Conchal is home to Reserva Conchal, a gated resort community. Like Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Conchal is fairly walkable, especially to the amenities closest to your vacation home.
• Las Catalinas: Unique in its class, Las Catalinas is a no-car, pedestrian-only resort community. If you want all walking, all the time, then this is it! With a downtown village, two beaches, a resort Beach Club, and 26 miles (42 kms) of hiking, running, and biking trails, you may not even want to leave for anywhere else!

And, there you have it: All the ways to get to and around Guanacaste. Which will you choose?

Tell Us About Your Next Adventure

At Blue Zone Experience, we’ve built our reputation on 5-star service, carefully curated Costa Rica travel experiences, and the Blue Zone’s most culturally informed experts. The truth, though? Our true passion is you and your experience.

What you may not know is that, when you book one of our homes, you gain access to our free concierge services: on-the-ground expertise, curated tours and transportation options, and a one-on-one with your personal concierge, who will have your back from the moment you begin planning until the day you return home.

So, please, get in touch! We can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!