Last Updated: June 12, 2024
Transportation is one of the most stressful parts of a planning a trip to Costa Rica. There is so much conflicting information about road conditions, safety, and if you should drive on your own. Our Driving in Costa Rica post may help convince you one way or the other. But if you have already decided you’d rather not drive, this post is for you. Here, we’ll explain all you need to know about shuttles, the difference between private and shared shuttles, and how to book the right ones.
When to Use Shuttles
You may be considering a shuttle if:
- You’re uncomfortable driving or taking the bus in a foreign country
- You arrive late and don’t want to drive at night
- You want to sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery
- You have a group larger than 5 (most rental cars hold only 5 passengers comfortably with luggage). Note that you can always rent a car locally once you get to your destination and unload your bags. See our Rental Car Discount if you plan to rent a car.
General Information
In Costa Rica, shuttle vans are an extremely popular way to get around. When you visit, you’ll see countless shuttle vans at the airport and along highways or backroads.
Compared to many other developing countries, Costa Rica’s shuttle industry is very professional and the service is reliable. Tourism is the country’s number one source of revenue so the industry is well developed.
Types of Shuttles
There are two types of shuttle options in Costa Rica: private and shared.
With either, you will be riding in a small-to-medium sized van that is air conditioned, insured, and licensed by the government (both vans and drivers require special permits).
Shuttle vans can hold 5-16 passengers, including space for luggage. Drivers usually speak at least basic English and some are fluent.
Differences Between Shared & Private Shuttles
Here are the main differences between shared and private shuttles.
Who’s in the Van?
Shared shuttles of course have other passengers onboard, while private ones carry only you and your traveling party.
Pickup Time and Location
Shared shuttles run on a set schedule and pick up only at certain places, mostly hotels (i.e., hotel-to-hotel service).
Private shuttles will pick you up at a custom time and place, including at hotels or vacation rentals/Airbnbs.
Airport Pickup
Because shared shuttles run on a set schedule, your flight has to get in early enough to make the designated time(s).
Some shared shuttles cannot do pickups at the airport so you have to take a taxi to the nearest pickup location (usually a nearby hotel or restaurant).
Private shuttles will pick you up right at the airport when your flight arrives. The driver will be waiting outside the airport door holding a sign with your name on it.
Length of Trip
Shared shuttles take longer because they make stops to pick up and drop off other passengers. Our friends once took a shared shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna. The ride was estimated at 3.5 hours. Instead, it took them close to 5 hours!
The reason was that they were picked up first and dropped off last because of their specific hotel locations. They had to sit and wait while the van visited eight other hotels before they finally got to where they needed to go.
Private vans are direct so take about the same amount of time as if you drove yourself. Compared to the case above, a private shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna would take about 2.5 hours (not 5!).
Time for Stops
Shared shuttles include a short stop (15 minutes) to use the restroom or eat a quick snack. These are at set locations, like at a large restaurant/rest stop along the highway.
Most private shuttles include up to one hour to stop at a restaurant, buy groceries, take pictures, etc. The driver will help you decide where to stop based on their experience with the route.
Luggage & Pets
With shared shuttles, you are limited to one carry-on and one suitcase per person. Surfboards and other bulky items are not allowed.
Private shuttles have enough room for several pieces of luggage per person (within reason, of course).
If you are traveling with a pet, a private shuttle will probably accommodate you, but a shared shuttle will not.
Car Seats
Both shared and private shuttles can provide child car seats and booster seats free of charge. They just need to be requested in advance.
Keep in mind that the quality of car seats can vary greatly and you may not be familiar with the brands. Read our full article for more about Car Seats in Costa Rica.
If you are worried, we recommend bringing your own car seat or using something like a portable Rider Safe Vest. We have these for our kids and love them. They fold up into a small pouch and are easy to use.
A Mini Tour
Many private shuttle drivers will break up the trip with some casual conversation about Costa Rica and maybe point out something cool along the way. We have heard back from clients who have had the driver stop for them to see a sloth in a tree! Shared shuttles do not include this.
Cost Comparison Between Shared and Private Shuttles
Shared shuttles generally cost less at first glance. Prices range from about $50-75 per person, depending on the exact route. Children 12 and under are half price.
Shared rides can be a great deal for smaller groups (1-3 travelers). They can add up, however, if you have a larger group. We usually recommend private shuttles for groups of four or more because the price is usually almost the same or lower than shared options.
Private shuttle prices depend on the distance you are traveling and how common the route is. For a quick estimate, expect to pay around $80-100 per hour of driving time (total, not per person). So if your destination is 2.5 hours away, $200-250 is a rough estimate for the cost. This is very general but will give you an idea.
To see prices for routes all around Costa Rica, visit our Shuttle Transfers Page.
Here’s a quick comparison for a shuttle route between SJO Airport and La Fortuna
Shared Shuttle: $65 per adult, $32 per child. Leaves only at 8:00 a.m.
Private Shuttle: $213 (up to 8 passengers). Leaves at a custom time based on your flight’s arrival.
As you can see from this example, the shared option is much more affordable if you are an individual or small group, but the schedule needs to work for you. If you are a group of 4 or more adults/teens, the private shuttle ends up being the better option. It is also more convenient since the pickup time is flexible.
Booking Your Shuttles
Private Shuttles
Once you know what shuttles you need, it’s time to pick the right companies. This is where we can help.
We’ve booked thousands of shuttle trips over our 9+ years as a travel agency. In the process, we’ve learned who to trust for different routes.
If you need private shuttles, visit our Shuttle Transfers Booking page. Simply put in your destinations and click search. You’ll see applicable routes with pricing and can place an order quickly.
Popular Shuttle Routes
-
Liberia Airport (LIR) to La Fortuna/Arenal – Private Shuttle Van Service
Price: From: $248.00 +VAT Select options -
Liberia Airport (LIR) to Tamarindo – Private Shuttle Van Service
Price: From: $106.00 +VAT Select options -
San Jose Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna/Arenal – Private Shuttle Van Service
Price: From: $197.00 +VAT Select options -
San Jose Airport (SJO) to Manuel Antonio – Private Shuttle Van Service
Price: From: $197.00 +VAT Select options
Shared Shuttles
We don’t currently book shared shuttles, but Interbus is a good option, if their schedules work for you.
When to Book & Holiday Travel
With either type of shuttle, we recommend booking several weeks in advance, if possible. This is especially important if you are traveling near holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, or Easter Week (Semana Santa). At those times, transportation options in Costa Rica get very booked up and the best companies are sometimes unavailable (this is true with rental cars too).
Conclusion
We hope that this post has helped you figure out how shuttles work in Costa Rica. In our opinion, using shuttles is the most convenient way to get around if you don’t want to drive. As a bonus, the van drivers are usually very friendly and will sometimes share their local knowledge with you.
Last Updated: June 12, 2024
Still have questions about taking a private or shared shuttle in Costa Rica? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more info to help plan your trip? Check out these articles:
Rental Car Discount – If you think renting a car is a better fit, check out our Rental Car Discount to save 10% or more and get a free second driver, car seats, and other extras.
Best Hotels near SJO Airport – Instead of staying at a bland chain hotel, spend your first or last nights at a more authentic and comfortable option.
Packing for Costa Rica: The Essentials – With all the different climates, you’ll need to be prepared. Shorts one day and raincoats the next!
Using ATMs & Credit Cards in Costa Rica – Use these tips to limit the amount of cash you carry and avoid horrible exchange rates.
Your readers should be aware that dogs are not permitted in shared vans. I believe this applies to support animals as well. For private van restrictions, contact the company.
Good point, thanks Michael. We have heard the same thing; that even service animals are not permitted on shared vans or public buses.
Hey guys good to see you online. Hope the little one is fine. I have an excellent private service I have used for 4 years now. If appropriate I can post his info if you would like.
Thanks Bill. Yes, Sam is doing great. He’s 2 now! For the private shuttle contact, we work with several reliable companies already but it never hurts to have another one. We’ll email you for the contact so that we have it for other people who we help as well.
How would you ask for “shuttle service” in Costa Rica? Is “la lanzadera” typically used?
Hi Katherine, La lanzadera would work or we’ve heard transporte colectivo/privado, depending on if you’re talking about shared or private.
Hi,
Do you have any recommendations for shared shuttle companies?
Specifically looking to travel from Monteverde to Sierpe.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Lauren, We don’t know of any shared shuttle companies that go from Monteverde to Sierpe. A private shuttle is an option or maybe you could rearrange your itinerary a bit to avoid that connection.
Hi, can you take a small dog on a shared shuttle or a public bus? Thank you!
Hi Terry, Unfortunately, by law, we don’t think dogs are permitted on shared shuttles or the bus.
hi there, im insured but traveling with my bike. i need to skip the part “playa de coco” to “la fortuna” with a shutel and take my bike with me.
is there any not to expensive solution? would love to travel tmw. so happy for any recommendations:) greetings manuela
Hi Manuela, It looks like Interbus has a shared shuttle from Playas del Coco to La Fortuna for $47 so we would try that. I’m not sure if they allow bicycles but you never know. You can book it directly through their website.
Hi Jenn and Matt,
I have spent most of the day reading your website as a friend and I are travelling to Costa Rica in January. We have about 10 days there. I am keen to hire a car but my friend is apprehensive – neither of us speak Spanish and she thinks it will be an added stress – I think it will be an adventure! Is it really that hard to navigate our way around?
Thanks, Erin
Hi Erin, It’s really not that bad and you don’t need to speak Spanish. Just be sure to have GPS or use a maps app on your phone so that you don’t get lost. We have information about driving here in these posts: Driving in Costa Rica, What to Know Before You Go and Renting a Car in Costa Rica, Clearing up the Confusion.
It looks like Interbus doesn’t have shuttles to Sierpe from SJO. Are there any shared shuttle services that do?
Hi Lydia, Last time we checked, a company called Grayline did but it was still quite expensive. A private shuttle is an option that we could help you book, but it’s $350. You could also take the public bus, but it’s a long trip due to multiple connections and just due to the fact that it’s a long distance from Sierpe to San Jose.
I’m considering a flight that gets into SJO at 7:30pm. I’ve read lots of posts that discourage driving at night. However, is it safe to take a private shuttle from SJO to Arenal at night? Or do you recommend staying the night near the airport and heading to Arenal the next morning? Thank you!
Hi Gary, It is totally safe if you are planning to go with a private shuttle since the driver will know the roads and local conditions well. Let us know if you’d like any help making the arrangements. See our Private Shuttle Booking page for more info.
How do I get from/to hotel/ airport in downtown San Jose?
Hi Julia, You can take a taxi from the airport (we recommend an official airport taxi) or arrange a shuttle in advance to get to downtown SJ. The advantage of the shuttle is that someone is waiting for you when you arrive and you’re prepaid. If you’d like help arranging one, please contact us at our Private Shuttle Booking page.
Hi Jenn and Matt,
I will be traveling from Liberia airport (land around 1pm) to my hostel in Playa Hermosa Guanacaste and am wondering what my best travel options are. This airport transfer company had good reviews on TripAdvisor, but am wondering if you’ve heard of it/know its legitimacy: Liberia Costa Rica Airport Transfers
Alternatively, I can take a bus from the Airport to Liberia and from Liberia to Playa Hermosa. I will be traveling alone and it will be my first trip to Costa Rica, so am wondering whether or not you would recommend this route.
Thank you!
Hi Shana, We haven’t heard of that particular shuttle company but they could be fine. The company that we work with for LIR to Playa Hermosa charges the same amount ($75) for this as a private transfer, and they are very reputable. Let us know if you’d like any help making the arrangements for this – you can contact us through our Private Shuttle Booking page if you’re interested.
The public bus would be fine, but you would have to walk out to the main road, which is a decent walk, and wait since the bus doesn’t run all that often. It may be worth it to pay a little more for the convenience of having someone waiting for you right when you exit the airport.
Hello – thank you for this information regarding shuttles. I am in the process of planning our vacation to Costa Rica in April and have so far been working with a local travel company based in CR. They tell me that they can’t guarantee their operators (shared shuttle) can provide a car seat for my 6 year old son. They also said that shuttles with tourism licenses are not required to have car seats for children? I thought about bringing a booster seat (he’s 45 lbs) but I’ve read on a lot of forums that the shuttles often only have lap belts which you can’t use the boosters with. I just read your post and it sounds promising! Interbus is the company that is good to use? They have shoulder belts? I would appreciate receiving information on this to help with my planning.
Hi Tara, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Let us know if you still need help with this. We work with dozens of shuttles companies in Costa Rica. Companies that do longer trips between destinations are legally required to provide car seats. For shorter trips for tours, operators are not required to. So it’s best to bring your own if you plan on using transportation that is sometimes included with tours. I’m trying to remember if Interbus has shoulder belts from past trips with them. I think they do but we could confirm if you’d like so that you can figure out if the booster seat will work. Just let us know.
Hi Jenn and Matt, loving the website it’s super helpful!
I was wondering if you can advise me – I’m staying in Alajuela after arriving at SJO then plan to go up to La Fortuna. Would a shared shuttle stop on its way between San Jose and La Fortuna or would I have to go back into the city for transfer?
Thanks!
Hi Liz, Most shared shuttle companies have you meet at a designated pickup location in Alajuela since they don’t offer pickup from hotels in Alajuela. Usually it’s just an inexpensive taxi ride. Please contact us at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com if you’d like help making the arrangements.
Have been reading your blog for ages gearing up for our trip, and now we’re finally booking final details! Thanks for being such a great resource.
Two quick questions: (1) If our flight is scheduled to arrive at 11:40am, is there any reason to think it would be hard to catch a 2pm shared shuttle from the airport? I know customs can take awhile . . . (2) I saw that you mentioned an Interbus discount on your discounts page, but I don’t currently see it listed there. Is that still an option?
Hi Maureen, Thanks for being a long time reader and sorry for the delay in getting back to you! We are still catching up from having a baby. For your questions, you should be fine catching a 2 pm shuttle with an 11:40 am arrival time. It should take about 1 hour to get through the airport as long as there are no major delays. We, unfortunately, don’t offer the Interbus discount anymore, but we can still help you with the booking for this at the regular price. Just email us at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com. Thanks!
We will be traveling to Costa Rica in November. Transfers from/to SJO airport to Quepos is our biggest worry. There will be 7 people in our party. All family. We have received prices starting at $170 up to $270 but not sure which ones are safe. If you could help that would be great.
Thanks
Beth
Hi Beth,
We’d be happy to help! We’re sending over an e-mail with more information now.
We will be on a goaheadtour which ends in San jose. We were thinking of adding 3 or 4 days to enjoy the beach. We typically like less crowded areas so Jaco might not be for us. We would need transportation from san jose. We didn’t book airfare yet, so could possibly fly home from a different airport.
Hi Chris, You could look at Playa Hermosa or Playa Esterillos Oeste, which are just south of Jaco and not crowded at all. These are good options because you’re still close to San Jose. Another option with more within walking distance is Manuel Antonio, about 2.5 hours from San Jose. Manuel Antonio is more crowded but if you’re visiting during off-season, it’s fine. We work with an excellent shuttle company that does transfers so please contact us through our Shuttle Booking page if you’d like any help once you decide where you’ll be visiting.
Hi,
Would you advise taking a private shuttle from San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio with a flight arriving at 8:45 pm?
Hi RB, Yes, with a late flight arrival time like that, your best option is to take a private shuttle or stay overnight at an airport hotel. There are no shared shuttles that run that late in the day. We work with an excellent local company from the Manuel Antonio area that charges $190 for this trip (up to 5 people). We will send you an email with the information now in case you’re interested.
Would you do a shuttle from SJO to La Fortuna for an 830P arrival? I am wondering if it’s safe to travel that late. It would give us max time at Arenal.
Hi Kenny, yes, similar to the previous comment, private shuttles are available at that hour and a great way to avoid driving yourself in the dark. You’ll just want to make sure your hotel will allow for a check in later that night. Sometimes it can take a while to get through the airport so you might not arrive at the hotel until after midnight. We are happy to help you arrange that shuttle if you’d like. The price is around $145 but depends on the exact hotel location and how many people are in your party. You can get in touch with us through our Shuttle Bookings Page, if you are interested.
Hi there. Wonderful Homepage. Thank you for all the information.
“If you are looking for help with shared shuttles, check out our Discounts Page.” – I couldn’t find anything.
I messed up booking a rental car and now I’m trying to get us from San Jose to Tortuguero (9th of December) and then Torguguero to La Fortuna (11th of December) with a Shuttle Service. Not private, because we are only 2 people. We would then rent a car from La Fortuna for the rest of the trip.
Any (shared) shuttle service u can recommend?
Kind regards,
Ryan
Hi Ryan, I think we’ve already been emailing you to try and help. We don’t know of any shared shuttle service from SJO to La Pavona, which is why we suggested a private option, but do know of shared service from La Pavona onto La Fortuna. Let us know if you’d like help reserving this through the company that we recommend. The company that offered the shared shuttle discount doesn’t offer it anymore so that’s why it’s not on our Discounts page.
Dear both – Thanks for the help. In the end we managed to get a car =) love all the information you guys provide. THANK YOU
Hi there. We are interested in taking a private shuttle from Samara to Liberia Airport this February. Could you please confirm expected travel time and suggest the amount of extra time we should allow for road conditions or delays or a stop along the way if one is recommended. Thanks!
Hi Jill, It’s about two hours from Samara to Liberia Airport and you should aim to be at the airport about three hours before your flight. If you leave 5.5 hours before your flight, that would allow an extra cushion. Feel free to let us know if you would like any help arranging the shuttle. We have a great operator in Samara that we use on a regular basis.
Hi there. Should I be worried about my 19 year old daughter’s safety if she is flying solo into SJO Airport and taking a private shuttle to meet us in La Fortuna? She is not an experienced traveller.
Hi Faye, As long as she is booked with a reliable shuttle operator, you have nothing to worry about. They should be picking her right outside the airport and dropping her off directly at your hotel. If you still need to arrange the shuttle, feel free to contact us and we can set her up with the company that we use.
Hello,
This is not a shuttle comment, I hope that’s ok! We are on our way to Montezuma and Santa Teresa in a couple of weeks and super excited. I have really enjoyed reading all your posts and articles and advice about these places. Thank you! I do have a question you may be able to help with. We are an active couple who love to surf, hike, eat, and hang out on the beach. I am wondering if we are both out on the water how safe are our things on the beach? Books, towels,water bottles, sunglasses, etc. We have heard that this type of small theft is common and just want to have a plan in place that’s easy 🙂
Hi Sara, Yes, we recommend either having someone stay on the beach with your stuff or leaving everything back at your hotel/vacation rental except for your shoes and towels. Theft on the beach is a common occurrence here, unfortunately. Here’s a link to our Safety post with more info.
Hi guys – Thanks for all the info. We have a group of 8 traveling out to CR at the end of April (yet to book). I am weighing my options of shuttle vs rental but having a hard time finding a vehicle to accommodate all 8 of us. Seems that a private shuttle would be the way to go, however, we are going quite far from SJO. Do you do long range shuttling? Our destination is in Matapalo, which looks to be 5ish hours from the airport. Please let me know if this can be arranged through you or if you have other recommendations. Thanks!
Hi Mike, Yeah, with 8 people, you would need to get 2 cars to fit yourselves and luggage. Vans can be an option for big groups, but these don’t manuever that well so we don’t usually recommend them.
We’d be happy to give you more info on the cost for a private shuttle to Matapalo. Which Matapalo are you visiting? The one just south of Quepos or on the Osa Peninsula? Let us know and we can email you with more info.
Hi Matt and Jenn, I am enjoying your website so much! Our family of 10 (7 adults and 3 kids) will be spending 9 days in Nosara in August. We anticipate lots of relaxation and beach time, but also would like to do some exploring. We arrive at Liberia airport at 7 p.m. Our rental house host has recommended a shuttle. If we reserve a shuttle, would we be able to rent some cars for a day or two of exploring? Or would we be better off arranging a tour for exploring? We are two 78-year olds with sons in their 40’s and “kids” ranging from 19 to 10. Thanks for your help!
Hi Sandy, yes a shuttle would be good for your arrival since you get in after dark and will have a big group with luggage. Once you get to Nosara it would be nice to have a couple of cars to go explore and to get around to restaurants. Nosara is pretty spread out. You would need 2 vehicles since most rental agencies have 4×4 SUVs that hold 5 or 7 people max and a rental van holding more than that would not have the 4×4 you would want for the area. They have done some new paving in there but the side roads are still gravel and sometimes steep.
Thanks so much!
Hi, I am flying into San Jose on 03/12. I will spend the night at a hotel near the airport (El Rodeo Estancia Boutique Hotel & Steakhouse). But I need a shared shuttle the next day to Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Specifically at the Parador Resort and Spa which I will be staying at until 03/17. Which companies would you recommend? And would they pick me up from my airport?
Hi Julius, You could take Interbus or Grayline. Both companies are very reliable. I think they both do offer pickup from that hotel too. You will be able to check when you go to make a reservation online.
Hi Jenn and Matt,
Thanks for writing about this. My husband and I have booked a short trip to Costa Rica (3 days in La Fortuna) at the end of May and will be landing at SJO at 6:45pm. We’d like to spend as much time in La Fortuna as possible, but we’ve been reading a lot of the threads on driving from SJO to La Fortuna at night and are pretty spooked. Do you think it’s safe to take a private shuttle on that route at night with the fog/winding roads/etc, or should we wait and take a shuttle in the morning instead?
Thanks!
Hi Fatima, Yes, it’s perfectly safe to take a shuttle. The shuttle drivers are professionals and are very familiar with the roads so there aren’t the same concerns about driving at night. So you’ll be all set to enjoy that first night in La Fortuna! Feel free to reach out to us through our shuttle booking page (https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/costa-rica-shuttle-transfers/) if you need help making the arrangements. We work with a very reputable company for that route.
Hola! I’m Darren and I have a school group from US to visit Costa for 2 weeks, both in April and June 2022. I’m a seasoned tour guide around the world but this time, Costa Rica is my first. I’m debating if I should rent and drive two vans (8-9 seaters), along with my assistant as driver #2 OR hire a private bus/van (15-18 seaters) for the entire tour – San Juan > Arenal > Monteverde > Quitos > San Juan (just a sample route idea). Also, the pandemic and how it has impacted the ongoing rate for rentals as well as supply/demand for vans in 2022.
Hi Darren, I would think logistically it would be easier to hire a private van/bus, then everyone could ride together and you wouldn’t have to worry about finding your way around. It would also be nice for making stops in between destinations so that the driver could watch your bags (theft from rental cars can be a problem here).
Prices are cheaper overall now and there are still plenty of vehicles to rent or reserve for private transport.
Hope that helps! Feel free to reach out through our shuttle booking page (https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/costa-rica-shuttle-transfers/) if you need help arranging a private bus when the time comes.
Hello. I’m a solo woman traveler and will be arriving to costa rica on Saturday at 6am. I need to get to San Ramon (the closest place to my accommodation in the Magic Mountains). I’m very confused from all the info I have read about busses, shuttles etc. would you please advise the easiest way to get to San Ramon from SJO airport? Not looking for private shuttle since it’s just me. Thank you
Hi Radka, San Ramon is not a very common destination for visitors so it is not on any shared shuttle routes that we know of. A private shuttle would probably be your best, and definitely easiest, option. Otherwise, you could take the bus. I’m not sure of the exact route from the airport and if you would need to make any connections. Here is a link with the schedule that can hopefully help you: http://thebusschedule.com/cr/index.php
Hi – great website, very informative. If anyone can help me with a question on what type of vans are used to transport tourists I’d be very grateful.
Are the vans used in Costa Rica by reputable tour companies proper passenger vans with coil springs/shocks at the rear OR cargo vans equipped with seats and AC? The reason I ask is that cargo vans have leaf springs and provide a queasy, boat-like ride, up and down, while coils/shocks (such as those used in SUV’s) offer a much more comfortable ride.
Hi Alan, it’s difficult to answer what each van might have but the most common shuttle vans here in Costa Rica are the Hyundai H1 and the Mercedes Sprinter. From a little research, it looks like H1 vans have shock absorbers and not leaf springs in the rear. Depending on the model the Sprinter, it may have leaf springs plus other suspension parts to make it a smoother ride. Also, yes unless you are using a company with a really old van, I would say that they all have AC. In our experience, the shuttles have always been comfortable and not too bouncy.
HI,
Im looking to see if you have any shared shuttle options. I dont see any on the shuttle link
Hi Alex, Interbus is a reliable company that does shared shuttles. You can book directly through their website.
I am wondering about the prices for a shuttle between la pavona and arenal. I’ve seen a lot of different prices from different companies, ranging from 60-160 usd per person. Could you possibly help guide me within the posibilities we have here? We are 2 people.
Hi Lasse, There may be less expensive shared shuttle options, but the company we use for La Pavona to La Fortuna charges $165 total for 2 people for a private shuttle. This would be only the two of you and would pick you up at a custom time. Here’s the link to the page on our site if you’re interested in booking this: https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/product/la-pavona-la-fortuna-private-shuttle/
Hello, will be solo traveling in Costa Rica this month, starting in Coco for a few days. Afterwards, I want to travel to La Fortuna, and I was trying to figure out the best way to get there. Hiring a private shuttle might be a bit too much for me as a solo traveler, but I was wondering if there were any shared shuttles services that leave from Coco?
Would it be easier to get to LIR first and take a shared shuttle to La Fortuna from there?
Thanks! And happy new year!
Hi Chris, Yes, Interbus has a shared shuttle from Playas del Coco to La Fortuns. It’s $52. They are a reliable company here. You can book it through their website if you’re interested. Hope you have a great visit!
Hi Jen and Matt! Big fan of your blog, it’s been soo helpful as we plan our trip coming up in March – thanks for all the intel you share!
I was trying to book a shared shuttle service from La Fortuna to Monteverde for 2 ppl but I see the provider you work with requires 4ppl or more for a booking. Was wondering if you could recommend another alternative that takes 2 ppl – esp if it’s something similar that combines boat + shuttle.
Thanks in advance!!
Hi Belen, You can book it for two people using Desafío Adventure Company. They are reputable.
Hi there. Thanks for all your great tips. I was hoping to take a shuttle with my daughter from nosara to Monteverde. I was quoted $250 US for a Private whittle but that’s more than we have in our budget. How much is a shared shuttle and do you know of anodized who is more competitively priced?
Hi Shay, That’s not a common route and it is a long trip so that’s why the price is high for a private shuttle. There are two main companies that do shared shuttles in that area – Interbus and Tropical Tours but neither offer that particular route.
We book shuttles in Costa Rica, and the company we use charges $239 for up to 6 people for a private shuttle with a custom pickup time. Here’s the link if you’d like to book it.
Hi, LOVE this website and very grateful for all of the information! We are going to Costa Rica for two weeks in early August for our honeymoon and your website has provided a lot of needed answers in the planning process.
We were all set to rent a car when we discovered the prices for automatic, 4×4, high clearance vehicle will be over $1800. I really don’t know if all of that is necessary, but I truly have sticker shock (esp with the price of gas right now). Instead, we are now exploring shuttle options! Which brings me to my question –
Our path is pretty well on the “beaten path:” SJO -> La Fortuna -> Monteverde -> *Miramar* -> Manuel Antonio -> SJO. I see that for the most part, your shuttles will cover those destinations. However, we have booked a beautiful AirBnB in Miramar on more rugged terrain (I think it’s up a mountain). I was wondering – can you offer any support for this leg of the trip? If not, what would you recommend? Would we be able to get a taxi for this?
Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Carrie, you’ll want to ask your Airbnb host in Miramar if 4×4 is required. Almost all shuttle vans in Costa Rica are only 4×2, so can’t do really rough terrain. If access is okay for a regular van, we can help arrange the shuttle for you. Just email us at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com and we will get you a quote. If you do need 4×4, another idea is to shuttle from Monteverde to Puntarenas/Caldera and pick up a 4×4 rental car for just a few days, returning it in Manuel Antonio after your stay in Miramar. You can check out our car rental discount page to see what is available. Hope this helps!
Hi there, I’m staying in Manuel Antonio and my flight back is at 8:15 in SJO. Planning to hire a shuttle but are the roads safe?
Hi Dee, Yes, the roads are safe. We just don’t recommend driving long distances in the dark in a rental car since you aren’t familiar with the roads. But having an experienced shuttle driver take you is fine.
I’m leaving next week for SJO then on to playa flamingo. Female solo traveler. Which shared shuttle do you recommend? Thank you!
Hi Marcie, Not sure if we’re too late but Interbus is a good option for a shared shuttle company. Not sure if they offer that route but you could check their website.
Can we pay in Colones when we arrive instead of on our US Visa?
Hi Norma, Usually shuttles are priced in US dollars so it would be best to pay that way.
Hello, wondering if the private shuttle between La Fortuna and Montezuma travels via the Puntarenas ferry, or if it travels via roads the entire way?
Hi Melanie, Usually the shuttle companies don’t go on the ferry for the route from La Fortuna to Montezuma because it’s more direct to just drive.
Hello, next February, we are staying at Cabinas Jimenez in Puerto Jimenez next year. We need to travel back to San Jose, ready for our flight the following day. Do you know if a shared shuttle bus would take us in one day or would it be better to break the journey and stay somewhere halfway overnight? We haven’t booked our flights yet as we can’t decide what to do! There are only two of us so a private shuttle might be too expensive. Thank you. Fantastic website by the way.
Hi Denise, We don’t know of any shared shuttles that service Puerto Jimenez to San Jose, unfortunately. You should ask Cabinas Jimenez if they know of any options. Otherwise, I would probably set up a shuttle to Manuel Antonio to break up the trip. Good luck!
We will be traveling to Bejuco, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica in October and are looking for a private shuttle to get us from SJO to our airbnb. I was unable to find Bejuco in the selection options on your shuttle page. Is there shuttle service you would recommend or other form of transportation to get us from SJO to Bejuco and back?
Hi Robin, thanks for reaching out. We would be glad to help you with that. On our shuttle page, you can use the drop down for Esterillos. That is in the same area as Bejuco (Puntarenas). Thanks!
Hi, I am planning a family holiday to Costa Rica in July and trying to compare costs of booking shuttles and accommodation to booking a tour with a company such as ‘intrepid’. Your website is really informative and I’m encouraged about trying to book it ourselves to save on costs. It looks as if your website allows to book up to 6 months ahead – is that right, I can only see up to 4th July at the moment. I was looking for the cost of a shuttle from sarapiqui to tortuguero but it says ‘no product found’ and also no product found between tortuguero and puerto viejo. Is that correct? That seems a bit weird if looking for a private shuttle for a family. Do you think it would be a big cost saving to arrange own transport and accommodation rather than a tour?Thank you Hattie
Hi Hattie, thanks for your comment. Yes, that is correct, the website only allows you to book 6 months in advance. Those two shuttles you mentioned are a little tricky to arrange but if you still need them we can send more information and get custom quotes for you, if needed. Please just email us at bookings(at)twoweeksincostarica(dot)com to see how we might be able to help.
We’re planning a trip to Monteverde (staying near Hotel Belmar) for end of Nov into Dec. Flying into Liberia Airport from Minneapolis at 3:42pm. A few questions:
How late will most private drivers drive? Is it hard to find someone for a long drive like that leaving after 5? 6pm?
How can one reserve a departure time ahead when there is no way to know how long customs will take? Are there private drivers waiting around for people to emerge from customs? If yes, where are they?
Out of curiosity, what do drivers do if they drop someone off at, say, 9pm in Monteverde? Do most have a place to stay in major destinations? (I like to know how badly I’m putting someone out…)
Hi Kate, the private drivers work at all hours, even the middle of the night, so don’t worry about availability. If you need to arrange the trip from LIR to Monteverde that afternoon/evening, we offer it right through our site (LIR->Monteverde). For other shuttles, you can search our Shuttle Page. For estimating the pick up time at the airport, we have the driver track your flight number. Once you land, they generally know how long it takes to get through immigration, customs, and baggage, but can also talk with airport staff and other drivers to see which flight is starting to exit the airport. Then, they stand outside the airport doors, holding a sign with your name on it. Occasionally shuttle drivers will stay overnight in a destination before or after a transfer, but it really depends on where their home base is. Usually they can schedule things so that isn’t necessary. Hope this helps!