Transportation to and from San José Juan Santamaría Airport
Car
What is the distance from San José Juan Santamaría Airport to the centre of San José?
The distance from the airport to the centre of San José (Plaza de la Cultura) is 18 kilometres / 11.2 miles, the journey time is approximately half an hour.
From SJO Airport to San José City centre by Taxi
Public transport
Bus to San José and Alajuela
Although most tourists opt for a taxi, it is possible to travel by public transport from the airport to San José and Alajuela. The bus stops at San José Juan Santamaría Airport can be found along the main road (Public Bus Station Airport) behind the parking garage, go to the left and walk around the garage. Buses depart in both directions (“ambos sentidos”) from the bus stops at the airport. At the front of the bus, you can see in which direction the bus is heading, to be completely sure you can ask the bus driver. There are a couple of bus services running to and from the airport, Grupo TUASA (red white buses) and Station Wagon (yellow orange buses) are the most used.
Tickets
Buses of Grupo TUASA run every 6 to 12 minutes from San José Juan Santamaría Airport to San José and Alajuela, every day of the week between 04:00 hours and 22:00 hours. Travel time to San José Bus Terminal on the north side of Parque de la Merced is 30 to 40 minutes, it takes 20 minutes to get to Terminal TUASA in Alajuela. Tickets are available on board the bus, the price is 675 CRC (1.10 USD) for a single journey. You do not have to pay extra for luggage. You need Costa Rican colon to pay for your ticket, keep in mind that the bus driver usually does not have much change. You can withdraw cash at the ATMs in the Main Terminal. Please consult website Grupo TUASA for more information.
Discover and book tickets, activities and tours:
Tickets
Activities
San Jose: Walking Nature Tour with Sloths, Birds, and Trees
Guided by passionate biologists, discover a hidden ecosystem in the middle of the city. See native sloths, birds, butterflies, and variety of plants and insects living wild and free. Join a small group tour on the grounds of the University of Costa Rica.
Tours and transport
San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch
Spend the day discovering the luscious landscapes of Tortuguero National Park. Explore this vibrant rainforest, see native wildlife in its natural habitat, learn about the local ecosystem, and enjoy a delicious Costa Rican breakfast and lunch.
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