Imagine laying on one of Costa Rica’s white sand beaches, lazily sipping a cocktail with the sun shining and waves crashing in the distance. Or floating down a river through the jungle with howler monkeys, lush vegetation and tropical birds flying over in a melodic cacophony above your head. Whatever your Costa Rican adventure is, it’s just a short plane ride away.
First though, you need to get here. Though compact, Costa Rica packs a lot into its borders. Depending on what you want to see, every person’s travel arrangements will be different. The good news? Over the years, Costa Rica’s ecotourism has grown with its rising popularity. It’s now easier than ever to get to tropical paradise.
At Grande Vacation Rentals, we’re here to help. Not only have we lived here for over a decade, we’ve done the research on the best travel tips, starting with Costa Rica’s airports. We can help you get around from the moment your plane touches down on the tarmac. To start, here’s our guide to Costa Rica airports, including transportation to and from the Guanacaste coast.
We’ll start with the basics- flights. The country has three main airports- Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Guanacaste, Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, and Limon International Airport in Limon Province, as well as several small airstrips and domestic flights throughout the country.
Juan Santamaria International Airport
Costa Rica’s first international and most popular airport, Juan Santamaria International Airport, or the San Jose Airport, is located in Alajuela Province, 12 miles west of downtown San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. The airport is named after Costa Rica’s national hero, Juan Santamaria. Before the Liberia airport, Juan Santamaria was Costa Rica’s only international airport for years and is the central location for domestic flights within Costa Rica.
One of the busiest airports in Central America, Juan Santamaria airport is best for visitors seeking the Caribbean, Central Pacific, or southern Costa Rica.
Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport
While the San Jose airport is the most popular, for visitors who want to see Guanacaste’s famed beaches and northwestern coast, the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Guanacaste province is the best option.
Rising with popular demand, the airport has expanded over the last few years to include international flights. Also known as the Liberia airport, the Daniel Oduber Airport is located only a few miles away from the closest beach, just seven miles outside of Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste.
The Liberia airport’s central location make it a great option to get to the beautiful Guanacaste beaches and jungles. The airport is 25 miles east of Papagayo Peninsula, and only about an hour drive from Tamarindo, Playa Conchal and the Flamingo areas. In comparison, San Jose International Airport is about a four hour drive.
Many major airlines fly into Daniel Oduber Airport including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, United and US Airways. The airport also has connections to several international cities including Houston, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, Panama and New York, making it easier to get to Costa Rica from nearly anywhere in the U.S.
The Liberia terminal has an air conditioned restaurant, currency exchange office (although we recommend you do not exchange currency at the airport as the exchange rates tend to be really high), short term parking and the city bus.
Transportation from Daniel Oduber International Airport
There are multiple options for getting to and from Daniel Oduber Airport in Guanacaste.
Airport shuttles are an easy, popular and convenient way to get to your Guanacaste destination. Airport shuttles go directly to your destination with no stops along the way. They can also easily accommodate excess and oversize luggage and large groups of people. Due to Costa Rica’s Department of Transportation regulations, you must reserve airport shuttle services in advance (don’t worry we can help you with that!).
Taxis are also available at the Liberia airport. They are available 24/7, however, they can be extremely costly. Especially if it’s during a busy season, taxi fares can be significantly higher than airport shuttles.
For backpackers or budget conscious travelers, Liberia airport has local public transportation buses. Costa Rica’s buses aren’t air conditioned, there is no guaranteed seating, and due to the bus routes and multiple stops, it can take significantly longer to get to your destination. Most bus routes don’t stop directly at your destination and you may need to walk some distance with your luggage to your accommodations.
Car rentals are also available. Guanacaste is a great region to tour by car. Renting a vehicle means adventurous travelers can skip the more touristy and popular beaches for a more secluded retreat. Make sure to choose a reputable rental company when renting a vehicle and we recommend you make a car rental reservation in advance, especially during the high season of December- April. If you are visiting Guanacaste during the rainy season, be extra careful while driving. The roads can get extremely muddy, wet and develop potholes.
If you’re looking to explore off the road beaches or Costa Rican surf spots, a rental car may be your best option to get there. It depends on your budget, preference and what Costa Rica adventures you’re looking for.
Grande Vacation Rentals
The bottom line? Do your research and book transportation ahead of time. If you want to stay on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Juan Santamaria Airport is the best option. However, if you want to stay at Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Playa Conchal, or any of Guanacaste’s famous white sand beaches on the Pacific coast (and why wouldn’t you?!), you’ll want to fly into Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia.
Transportation can be one of the hardest parts of traveling. But we’re here to help. At Grande Vacation Rentals, we’re not only the premiere vacation rental destination in the Guanacaste region, we have the local expertise to help you with every aspect of your vacation, including transportation. From rides to and from the airport to getting around the local Guanacaste beach towns, we have the know-how, skills and expertise to help you explore every inch of this beautiful place.