Costa Rica
Airport Transfers
Private door-to-door transfers from SJO and LIR airports from $110 USD. Meet & greet at arrivals, flight tracking, and your own bilingual driver. One flat price per vehicle — not per person.
Private airport transfers in Costa Rica
A Costa Rica airport transfer is a private, pre-booked ride from the airport straight to your hotel — no shared vans, no other passengers, no waiting for a taxi line. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you curbside at arrivals with a name sign, helps with your luggage, and takes you door-to-door to your destination. It's the easiest way to start your trip, especially after a long international flight.
We operate from both of Costa Rica's international airports: SJO (Juan Santamaría, San José) and LIR(Daniel Oduber, Liberia). From SJO most travelers head to La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, or San José; from LIR it's a short hop to the Guanacaste beaches like Tamarindo, Papagayo and Conchal.
Unlike a shared shuttle (about $55 per person with multiple stops) or an airport taxi, a private transfer is priced per vehicle— the same total cost whether you're 1 traveler or 5. For couples, families and groups it's usually the best value and always the fastest, most comfortable option.
Costa Rica airport transfer prices
Per vehicle, not per person. Same price for 1 or 5 passengers in a standard van. Larger vans for groups of 6+ are also available.
| Airport | Destination | From (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| LIR (Liberia) | Papagayo Peninsula | $110 |
| LIR (Liberia) | Tamarindo | $135 |
| LIR (Liberia) | Conchal | $135 |
| SJO (San José) | La Fortuna (Arenal) | $220 |
| SJO (San José) | Manuel Antonio | $220 |
| SJO (San José) | Monteverde | $220 |
| LIR (Liberia) | La Fortuna (Arenal) | $225 |
| SJO (San José) | Puerto Viejo | $320 |
| SJO (San José) | Tamarindo | $345 |
Flying somewhere else? Browse all airport routes →
Transfers from both Costa Rica airports
SJO — San José (Juan Santamaría)
Costa Rica's main international gateway, in the Central Valley near Alajuela. Best for La Fortuna/Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, the Caribbean coast, and San José city. Most transfers to the top destinations take 3 to 4.5 hours.
LIR — Liberia (Daniel Oduber)
The gateway to Guanacaste's Pacific beaches. If your trip is focused on the northwest coast, flying into LIR saves hours of driving — Tamarindo, Papagayo and Conchal are just 1 to 1.5 hours away.
The vehicles for your airport transfer
Every transfer runs in a clean, modern, air-conditioned vehicle sized to your group — with plenty of luggage space for a full flight's worth of bags.
Traveling with more than 12 passengers? Message Diego on WhatsApp for a custom quote →
What's included in every airport transfer
Meet & greet at arrivals — your driver waits curbside with a name sign
Flight tracking — driver monitors your flight and adjusts pickup automatically
Door-to-door drop-off at any hotel, Airbnb or address in Costa Rica
Modern 2024+ vehicle (Hyundai Staria, Toyota Hiace, Maxus V90)
Free child seats (infant, convertible, booster)
Full insurance through INS (Costa Rica's national insurer)
All taxes and tolls included — no hidden fees
One flat price per vehicle — same cost for 1 to 5 passengers
Airport transfer vs other options
Private airport transfer
Best for groups of 2+, families, first-time visitors. Meet & greet, direct door-to-door, flight tracking. From $110. Same total price for 1 or 5 passengers.
Shared shuttle
~$55 per person. Shared van with multiple hotel stops — can add 1-2 hours to your trip. Good for solo travelers on a budget.
Airport taxi
Official red taxis are fine for short hops, but for long routes they often cost more than a private transfer (SJO → La Fortuna runs $250-300) with no flight tracking or fixed price.
Rental car
$450-700 all-in for a week after mandatory insurance. Best for confident drivers, but jet-lagged arrival driving on unfamiliar mountain roads is a lot to take on the first day.
Want a deeper comparison? Read our full Costa Rica transportation guide →
Why travelers choose Private Travel CR
214+ Google reviews · TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2025
License #3205-2022 · Insured through INS, Costa Rica's national insurer
Founder-led — every WhatsApp answered personally by Diego, 20+ years in Costa Rica tourism
Costa Rica airport transfer FAQs
How much does an airport transfer cost in Costa Rica?
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Which airport should I fly into — SJO or LIR?
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Will the driver meet me inside the airport?
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What happens if my flight is delayed or arrives early?
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How long does customs and immigration take at SJO and LIR?
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Is a private airport transfer better than a shared shuttle or taxi?
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Can you handle the return transfer back to the airport too?
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Do you cover ground transportation beyond the airport?
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How far in advance should I book my airport transfer?
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Ready to book your airport transfer?
Instant quote in under a minute. Confirm with a card payment. Driver waiting at arrivals when you land.