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Getting to Costa Rica (complimentary transportation from San Jose is available)

Juan Santamaría is Costa Rica’s main international airport and it’s located just outside of the countries capitol of San José. Flights to and from the United States are offered regularly by any of the following airlines: Lacsa, American, Continental, United, and Delta. All of these airlines use Houston and Miami as their main departure ports if you are coming from the United States.

For as remote as the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula feels, it is remarkably easy to get to, and with options ranging in price from $5.00 to around $120.00 roundtrip there’s sure to be a method that suits you.  Remember we can pick you up in San Jose if you would like.

By plane: This is definitely the most convenient way to get out to the peninsula with four flights leaving daily from San José and a total travel time of 30 minutes. The airport you’ll want to fly into on the peninsula is located in the town of Tambor, and it is serviced by two local airlines: Sansa and Natureair.

Sansa has a terminal located next to the Juan Santamaría international terminal in San José. They have two flights in and out of Tambor daily from December 1st through April 30th. Their flights depart San José at 7:00AM and 11:45AM. The cost is $58.00 one way and $116.00 round trip. Prices and schedules are subject to change. For more information about Sansa visit their website at: www.flysansa.com 

Natureair has two daily flights into Tambor which depart San José at 9:15AM and 1:30PM, and cost $66.00 one way $132.00 round trip. Natureair’s flights depart from Tobias Bolanos Airport which is a short distance from the international airport. Prices and schedules are subject to change. For more information about Nature air visit their website at: www.travelair-costarica.com

By bus or taxi: (NOTE: If you choose to travel by either of these options you’ll have to catch a ferry from the town of Puntarenas in order to get out to the peninsula so be sure to read the following “ferry from Puntarenas” section).

Empresarios Unidos offers bus service to Puntarenas departing every 30 minutes between 6AM and 7PM. The buses depart from Calle 16, Avenida 12 in San José, and they cost around $3.00 for the one way 2 ¼ hour trip. For more information about this and other Costa Rican bus services visit: http://www.avenidacentral.com/buses.html

Catching a taxi from San José to Puntarenas can be a more comfortable way to travel if you choose not to fly. They are generally very reliable and easy to contact. The best way to get connected with a taxi is to ask the front desk at your hotel for taxi services they recommend using in order to get to the ferry in Puntarenas. They usually drive 9 to 13 passenger vans and charge from $50.00 to $90.00 one-way. The charge is per van load and varies with the amount of people making the trip.

The ferry from Puntarenas

Once you get to Puntarenas you’ll need to catch a ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula. Ferries going to two different destinations leave from the same terminal so be sure that you’re bound for the right port when you leave. You want to catch a ferry that is bound for Paquera. There are six ferries daily departing from Puntarenas.  A one way ticket costs about $1.50 for passengers and $10.00 for cars.  As always, time and prices are subject to change.  Check out this link for more information and schedules http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/general/boat.html.