Safe, comfortable, courteous
Great round trip experience from San Jose airport to Puerto Viejo and back. Carlos and Luis were safe, courteous and made sure we were comfortable.
Susie E
TripAdvisor Reviewer · TripAdvisor · Jun 2024
PRIVATE SHUTTLE
Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport
5.0(200+ reviews)4,5 H1-12 passengersDoor-to-door
How much does a private shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport cost?
Check availability and price for your group
How many passengers?
Adults
12+
2
Children
0-11
0
Total for your group
Hyundai Staria · 4,5 H
$320
per vehicle, not per person
= just $160 per person
Pick a date to add this trip
Free cancellation up to 48h before · Flight late? Your driver adjusts and waits at no charge
All prices for this route, by group size:
Prices in USD per vehicle. All-inclusive: A/C, WiFi, water, child seats, door-to-door.
Why book with Private Travel CR?
Licensed & insured
ICT-certified tourist transport (#3205-2022), fully insured.
5.0 star rating
200+ reviews on Google & TripAdvisor.
24/7 flight tracking
We watch your flight and adjust the pickup — even at 2 AM.
Free child seats
Infant and booster seats on request, at no extra charge.
Modern private fleet
A/C, free WiFi and bottled water in every vehicle.
Local family business
Costa Rican owner-operated since 2022 — not a faceless agency.
What travelers say about Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) → San Jose Airport
Rated 5.0 stars across 200+ Google and TripAdvisor reviews.
Exceptional, Professional, and Reliable Private Transfers Across Costa Rica!
Our experience with Private Travel Costa Rica was exceptional from start to finish. We used their service for multiple transfers, including from San Juan airport to La Fortuna, between locations in La Fortuna, and from Tamarindo to Liberia International Airport. Every driver was amazing—on time, flexible, and extremely professional. The responsiveness of the entire team made coordinating our travel seamless and stress-free. We highly recommend them for any transportation needs in Costa Rica.
Katherine J
TripAdvisor Reviewer · TripAdvisor · Dec 2025
Professional and Reliable
We used this company for transfers from La Fortuna to San Manuel Antonio and then from San Manuel Antonio to San Jose. I cannot say enough about the professionalism of the company and both the drivers, as well as the cleanliness of the vans. Communication was almost immediate. Our drivers Oscar and Carlos arrived a few minutes early, were highly professional, and super friendly and warm. There was wifi in the van which was much appreciated. All in all, both experiences were excellent. I cannot recommend this company enough. I will definitely use them again for transfers when we are back in CR.
RIDI0406
Madison, Wisconsin · TripAdvisor · Dec 2025
How to get from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport
There are four main ways to travel from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport: private shuttle, shared shuttle, rental car, or public bus. Here is how they compare on price, travel time, and comfort:
| Option | Price | Travel time | Door-to-door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private shuttle | From $320 per vehicle (1-5 people) | About 4,5 H — direct, no stops | Yes — any address | Families, groups, airport arrivals |
| Shared shuttle | $55–$99 per person | Longer — fixed schedule, multiple hotel stops | Hotel-to-hotel only | Solo travelers on a tight budget |
| Rental car | $60–$120+ per day + mandatory insurance | Similar drive, but you navigate yourself | Yes — you drive | Long stays with many day trips |
| Public bus | $5–$15 per person | Much longer — transfers and waiting between buses | No — terminal to terminal | Backpackers with light luggage |
For 3 or more travelers, a private shuttle usually works out to about the same per person as a shared shuttle: from $320 per vehicle, a group of 4 pays roughly $80 per person — with door-to-door pickup, your own departure time, and no stops along the way.
How is the drive from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport?
The route follows the Caribbean coast north to Limon, then climbs through the Braulio Carrillo National Park mountain pass to the Central Valley and SJO. Approximately 5 hours. For departing flights, allow 6 hours from hotel to airport.
What can you see between Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) and San Jose Airport?
Caribbean coast
Cahuita
Limón Province
Braulio Carrillo National Park
Central Valley
How are the road conditions from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport?
Well-paved highway. Mountain section has tunnels through the rainforest.
Traveler Tip
Allow 5 hours before your flight - the 4-hour drive through the mountains plus check-in time.
Is the shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport family-friendly?
Approximately 5 hours. The Caribbean coastal road is flat; the Braulio Carrillo mountain pass has curves. Two stops included. For early flights, pre-dawn pickups are available. Child seats provided at no charge.
Budget breakdown
If heading home: Puerto Viejo → SJO is usually the last leg. Common circuits: SJO → Puerto Viejo → SJO round trip about $400-$550, or SJO → Puerto Viejo → La Fortuna → SJO about $700-$950 for up to 6 passengers. Want to extend the drive into a memorable day? Upgrade to our VIP transfer for $80 more — flexible stops along the way (scenic viewpoints, coffee farm, lunch in a local town — your call).
About travel times
Google says 4-4.5 hours. Plan for 5. The Caribbean highway to Limón is flat, then Braulio Carrillo mountain pass has fog and curves. The last stretch into San José gets traffic. Leave 6 hours before your flight minimum.
Is the shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport available 24/7?
Around the clock with no surcharge. Two things about this one at night: the Braulio Carrillo mountain section fogs in heavily and our drivers slow down through the tunnels, and the highway from Limón carries container and banana trucks at every hour. Neither is a problem — it is just why we do not promise a faster trip on the grounds that the roads are emptier. For a morning flight out of SJO, leaving the Caribbean before 4am is routine for us.
Local insider tip
Leave early — the morning drive through Braulio Carrillo is incredible. You drive through literal cloud forest. If you have time, stop in Siquirres for a quick coffee — the town is nothing special but the coffee is pure Caribbean. Make sure you leave enough time for the San José traffic near the airport.
Frequently asked about Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) → San Jose Airport
How much does a private shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport cost?
Private shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport starts at $320 USD per vehicle (1-5 passengers). The price is per vehicle, not per person — everyone in your group travels together for the same flat rate. Larger vehicles for 6-18 passengers are available at higher tiers.
What is the best way to get from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport?
You can travel from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport by private shuttle, shared shuttle, rental car, or public bus. A private shuttle is the most comfortable option: door-to-door service from $320 USD per vehicle, departing on your schedule with no extra stops. Shared shuttles are cheaper for solo travelers but run on fixed timetables with multiple hotel stops. A rental car gives you flexibility but adds mandatory insurance costs and unfamiliar mountain roads. The public bus is the cheapest option but much slower, usually requiring transfers.
How long does the drive from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport take?
The drive from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport takes approximately 4,5 H. Travel times can vary slightly depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions. Our drivers monitor conditions in real time to choose the fastest safe route.
Is the shuttle from Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) to San Jose Airport private?
Yes. Every Private Travel CR shuttle is fully private — you ride only with your group, no shared seats with strangers. The price covers the entire vehicle door-to-door, including a professional bilingual driver, free WiFi, bottled water, free child seats on request, and full insurance.
Do you pick up at any address in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast)?
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup anywhere in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast) — hotels, Airbnbs, private villas, or any specific address you give us at booking. We confirm the exact pickup location 24 hours before your trip.
What happens if my flight at San Jose Airport is delayed or cancelled?
Don't worry — when you book, we ask for your flight number and monitor it in real time. If your flight is delayed, we automatically adjust your pickup time at no extra cost. If it's cancelled, we reschedule your shuttle for the new date, free of charge.
Top hotels in San Jose Airport
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