Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) serves the capital and the largest city of Costa Rica, San José. It’s located in Alajuela, about a 20-minute drive from San José city center. This is one of Central America’s busiest airports, right after Panamá’s Tocumen Airport. If searching for driving directions to Juan Santamaría Airport, use the address below.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Drivers should also look into SJO parking services; the airport offers affordable on-site parking spots.
Ground Transportation
Whether you plan on having a business or leisure trip to San José, finding a suitable SJO transfer is a crucial step in starting your journey right. And that’s why we’re here — to provide you with relevant transportation information and some helpful tips on saving money. Our guide includes several San José Airport transfers, their offers, and rates. Let’s dive in and discover more about San José Airport shuttle services, Uber, taxis, private car options, public transportation, and rental cars.
San José Airport Shuttle
Juan Santamaría Airport shuttle transportation is a reliable transport option that allows you to start your vacation hassle-free. A couple of SJO Airport shuttles provide transfers from San José Airport to a number of destinations in the area, including hotels and the suburbs.
Tropical Tours Shuttles is a great choice according to passenger reviews, which are excellent! The San José Airport shuttle operator offers both shared and private airport transfers, including door-to-door service. See the list below for the price list of the most popular daily shuttle routes.
San José Airport Shuttle to… |
Price |
Montezuma |
$40 |
Santa Teresa |
$40 |
Tambor |
$40 |
Jaco |
$45 |
Hermosa Manzanillo |
$50 |
La Fortuna/Arenal |
$54 |
Coco Beach |
$54 |
Flamingo |
$54 |
Monteverde |
$54 |
Puerto Viejo |
$54 |
The Tropical Tours shuttle vans pick up passengers in front of the airport terminal building and Denny's restaurant near the airport. For additional information, call Tropical Tours at +506 2640 1900 or send a Whats app message at +506 8890 9197. You may also use their website to find out more or make a reservation.
Liberia Shuttle offers trustworthy San José Airport transfers to and from hotels, resorts, and other locations in the area. Book a shuttle in a few simple steps and get to destinations like La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Flamingo, etc. This airport transfer is ideal for groups; if you travel with a few friends or your family, this is your go-to choice!
For example, if going from San José Airport to Monteverde, the private transfer cost is $185 per vehicle. Since the vehicle accommodates up to 5 passengers, it means that the one-way fare would be only $37 per passenger if you travel with four other people. There’s a convenient offer for even larger groups. So, don’t hesitate to call at +506 - 88626407 or send an email at [email protected] to arrange the Liberia Shuttle service.
Ridesharing
Uber has been operating in San José for years. Not only is it a safe option, but Uber is also much cheaper than other SJO Airport transfers. Arranging an Uber ride is simple, thanks to the Uber app, and the pick-up spot is displayed after choosing your route. The rates are quite competitive, and we’ve listed a couple of examples to give you a glimpse of Uber prices in Costa Rica.
Route |
Price |
SJO to Downtown San José |
CRC 4,200 / USD 6.84 |
SJO to Santa Teresa |
CRC 4,850 / USD 7.90 |
SJO to Tambor |
CRC 3,000 / USD 4.89 |
San José Airport Taxi
If looking for the quickest airport transportation options at SJO, use taxi services. They are safe, but be sure to choose an official taxi cab, which is orange, or a metered taxi (red with orange triangles). The taxi rank at SJO is right outside Arrivals, but you can also arrange an orange cab at the transfer counters in the Arrivals Hall.
If you choose an orange taxicab, the fare’s going to depend on your destination; ask your driver before the journey. The orange taxi fare from San José Airport to downtown is approximately USD 25. They accept payment with both CRC and USD dollars.
- Taxicab: +506-2443-7544
- Taxis Unidos: +506-2221-6865
- Coopetranstura: +506-2440-4444
- Gorila Taxi Aeropuerto: +506-8888-0745
Taxis are available 24/7, and you may contact any of the listed taxi providers.
SJO Bus Service
Buses offer the most affordable San José Airport transfers to destinations in Alajuela, Heredia, and San José. The public bus ride to downtown takes around 35 minutes.
TUASA is one of the bus providers, and it operates daily transfers between Alajuela and San José. The one-way bus fare is only CRC 675, which is USD 1.10. You can purchase the bus ticket on board. Note that the shuttle bus service may be temporarily suspended or changed due to COVID-19, so be sure to confirm that before the trip.
Rental Car
Renting a vehicle is the most convenient and independent way to explore the city and visit places like Museo del Jade or Parque La Sabana. You can also check out some amazing beaches in the area, such as the one in Manuel Antonio. The list below provides the top rental companies and their estimated rates.
Rental Car Agency |
Phone Number |
Price |
Europcar |
+506 7214 0094 |
$28/day |
Adobe |
+506 2542 4800 |
$33/day |
Solid |
+506 2255 2000 |
$100/week |
Economy |
+506 2299 2030 |
$120/week |
Alamo |
+506 2242 7733 |
$158/week |
Hertz |
+506 2221 1818 |
$340/week |
The rental counters are placed inside the Terminal, right after Customs.
Shuttle Fare is your ideal transportation agent! Our guides provide useful and informative information on cheap airport transfers around the world. So, apart from San Jose Airport transfers, you may use our service to find and book a safe shuttle transfer at any major airport. Don’t forget to check out our deals before your next flight!