Arriving in Costa Rica

February 15, 2006 at 10:15 pm · Filed under Costa Rica

Arriving in San Jose

Most people who go to Costa Rica will fly in to the capital city of San Jose. The airport in San Jose is called Santamaria International Airport. It is not actually located in San Jose, rather a neighboring town called Alajuela. The airport itself is not too big, and is easy to navigate. Immigration is not too complicated and the officers are generally friendly. From Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, you can get many connections to other destination sin Costa Rica, or many other countries in Central America.

24 Hour Airport Information: + (506) 437-2626

Upon exiting the airport in San Jose, tourists can expect a crowded arrivals hall at most hours of the day. Outside there are a number of ground transportation services available. I would strongly recommend taking either a red, marked taxi, or a bus with other tourists traveling to a similar destination. Travel time is about 20 minutes and the fare should amount to about $10 (us) to Downtown San Jose. You could also take a bus to downtown San Jose, however, these busses can make numerous local stops along the way. And, after a long flight, who wants to be stuck on a bus. If you are on a budget, the bus may be the only way to go. It is very inexpensive, and will leave you at the main bus terminal in Downtown San Jose, known as the “Coca-Cola Bus Station.” From the bus station you can catch busses to many other destinations in Costa Rica. It is often advised that you purchase bus tickets prior to your departure time as the busses fill up quickly. A bus schedule can be found here.

Arriving in Liberia

A second Airport called Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, located in the North West of Costa Rica is a smaller, but often used airport for international flights. The benefit to flying into Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia is that it is close to the Pacific beach destinations. San Jose, on the other hand, is located in the central valley and is quite a distance from the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica.

In addition to the two international airports in Costa Rica, there are a number of regional airports throughout the country. These are great for taking small “Puddle Jumpers” from place to place. There are two national airlines:

Entry requirements

Most travelers will not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for a Vacation. Generally, tourists can stay for either 30 of 90 days without a visa. It is best to check, prior to arrival, what the requirements are for your country. You can check the Costa Rican visa requirements for your country here.

Still to Come… (While you wait, you can read about San Jose here, and Manuel Antonio here.)

San Jose

  • Where to Stay in San Jose
  • Tours from San Jose
  • Where to eat in San Jose
  • Where to go out in San Jose
  • What to see in San Jose
  • Where to travel to from San Jose

Manuel Antonio - Quepos

  • How to get to Manuel Antonio & Quepos
  • Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio - Quepos
  • Tours in Manuel Antonio
  • The Beaches of Manuel Antonio
  • Where to eat in Quepos & Manuel Antonio
  • Nightlife in Manuel Antonio & Quepos
  • Manuel Antonio National Park

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