Getting Here
Getting to Costa Rica
If Costa Rica is on your horizon for an upcoming trip, this article will provide useful information about how to get there, updated travel requirements and more, that will put you on the right track to start a wonderful journey.
Don't forget to book your vacation rentals with us
how to get here
How to Get to Costa Rica
Traveling to Costa Rica can be either a pleasing experience or a stressful nightmare, and something that can really make a difference is knowledge, especially with all the unexpected changes that the current pandemic has brought. Getting to this tropical paradise without basic information is something everybody should avoid.
travel options
Travel To Costa Rica
Fly to Costa Rica
If you’re arriving in Costa Rica by plane, you’ll fly into one of the country’s two major airports: the Juan Santa María Airport (SJO) in San José or the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia.
Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando are the three U.S. cities with the most direct flights to Costa Rica. Several popular airlines, like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, among others offer direct flights to Costa Rica’s airports.
Drive to Costa Rica
If you’re driving to Costa Rica, you can enter one of two ways—from the north, through Nicaragua, or from the south, through Panama. If you’re traveling to Costa Rica from Nicaragua, you will likely cross the border at Peñas Blancas into the Guanacaste Province. If you’re traveling from Panama, you’ll likely pass through the town of Paso Canoas in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province.
Getting to Costa Rica by Boat
Since Costa Rica borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, it’s a popular stop on Caribbean and South American cruises. Notable cruise lines that travel to Costa Rica include Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.
Learn more about our best tips for getting to Costa Rica—by air, land, and sea!
our offices
How To Get To Our Offices
Our office in Playa Flamingo is located in the Guanacaste Province, in the northwestern region of Costa Rica. You can reach our office from both major airports in Costa Rica, located in Liberia and San José.
You can find our Playa Flamingo office in front of the entrance of the Marina Resort Hotel Condominiums, located in Sunset Heights, Guanacaste, Flamingo Beach, 50308. You’ll have to travel along Potrero Bay, over a bridge, and up a small hill before you arrive at our office.
Our office in Playa del Coco is also located in the Guanacaste Province. You can reach the Playa del Coco office from either of the two major airports in Costa Rica.
You can find our Playa del Coco office at the Retail Village Pacifico, located in Guanacaste, Playa Del Coco, 50303. Our office is located on the second floor of the retail center in Suite #19 above a souvenir shop and coffee shop.
Get directions to both of our offices for stress-free navigation.
Why You Should Book Direct
Did you know the best way to save money on your vacation rental is to book directly through our website? Online travel agencies, like Airbnb and Booking.com, add unnecessary fees to each listing, requiring you to pay more for your rental.
Learn more about why you should book your vacation rentals directly, so you can save money on your rental, enjoy flexible cancellations, experience personalized service, and more!
Travel Tips
Are you traveling to Costa Rica for the first time? If so, it’s essential to learn a bit about the country’s culture, language, weather, and transportation systems before your trip to ensure nothing catches you completely off-guard.
You may want to learn some Costa Rican phrases so that you can speak with the locals during your trip. You should also know the basics about how to drive in Costa Rica (don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as you’d think). If you’re trying to save money during your trip, you can also learn how to visit Costa Rica on a budget—and still have a great time.
Read our best Costa Rica travel tips to have a fun, stress-free vacation!
Travel Planning Guide
Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime experience, like a honeymoon, or coordinating a family vacation with young children, it’s crucial to think about the logistics of your trip long before your adventure begins so that you can have a memorable time in Costa Rica!
Follow this step-by-step guide for planning a trip to Costa Rica, including foundational steps like creating a budget, to fun steps, like booking your vacation rental, adventure tours, and more!
Costa Rica Travel & Entry Requirements
Costa Rica entry requirements are constantly changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Updated March 30, 2022. See the latest information on Costa Rica entry requirements here)
International travelers from all over the world are now allowed to enter and it is mandatory to complete a “Health Pass” at least 72 hours before arrival, which can be found here https://salud.go.cr The link must be accessed in up to date browsers except Internet Explorer.
Tourists who already have COVID-19 vaccines and also those under 18 years of age (regardless of their vaccination status) can enter without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica.
They must also show a vaccination certificate and a return ticket or proof of onward travel to another country. Only unvaccinated tourists aged 18 and older must purchase a travel policy with a duration equal to the period of stay in the country, except from passengers in transit
Learn more about Costa Rica’s entry requirements to discover the information you must complete and items you should have on-hand before traveling to Costa Rica.
Transportation Options
Once you arrive in Costa Rica, there are plenty of ways to get around.
If you’d like the freedom to explore the country’s gorgeous beaches, rainforests, and national parks on your own time, you can rent a car or hire a private shuttle for safe, hassle-free transportation. If you’d like to travel at a slower pace and stay near your vacation rental in Guanacaste, consider renting a bike, or even a golf cart, to travel to the beach each day with ease.
Discover the many transportation options available in Costa Rica to find the perfect fit for your vacation.
Book Your
Costa Rica Vacation
Car Rental Advice
Are you looking for a trustworthy car rental company to use during your trip to Costa Rica?
We partner with Adobe Rent a Car, a Costa Rican car rental agency with multiple offices across the country. You can be confident your quote will include the cost of insurance, taxes, and other fees so that you won’t receive a steep (and surprise!) bill at the end of your trip.
Learn more about our best practices for renting a car in Costa Rica so that you can have a hassle-free rental experience and start exploring the country’s beautiful sites sooner.
FAQs
Questions about
getting to Costa Rica
Yes, Costa Rica is a safe country for travelers to visit. In fact, it’s ranked the most peaceful country in Central America, and it’s also safer to visit than many countries in the Caribbean.
Like in most cities, to stay safe, visitors should stay away from isolated areas, avoid traveling alone at night, and keep their valuables tucked away safely.
Yes, Costa Rica opened its borders in November 2020 after closing the country to tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Visitors must follow entry requirements, like filling out a digital health pass and showing proof of vaccination and/or travel insurance, to visit the country.
Yes, U.S. citizens from all 50 states can enter Costa Rica via air on flights departing from the United States.
