- SJO to San José
- 20 km
- LIR to Tamarindo
- ~1 h 15
- SJO to LIR by road
- ~4.5 h
- Domestic flights
- 30–50 min
San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)?
| Fly into | Best for | Drive times |
|---|---|---|
| SJO (San José) | First-timers, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, the Caribbean, the south Pacific, Osa | Arenal 3 h, Manuel Antonio 3 h, Puerto Viejo 4.5 h |
| LIR (Liberia) | Guanacaste and Nicoya beaches, Rincón de la Vieja, Río Celeste | Tamarindo 1 h 15, Arenal 3 h, Nosara 2 h 30 |
An open-jaw ticket, for example into LIR and out of SJO, avoids backtracking on a classic loop from the beaches through Arenal and Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. Rental companies charge a fee for one-way drop-offs, but it is often worth it.
Shuttles and transfers
Shared tourist shuttles run daily between both airports and every main destination, with hotel pickup. Private transfers cost more but leave when you want. Taxis from SJO use official orange airport taxis; Uber also operates.
Shared shuttles are the easiest way to travel without a car. Book a day or two ahead.
Book shuttles & transfers ↗Domestic flights
Small planes fly from San José to airstrips across the country in 30 to 50 minutes, saving long drives to Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez, Tortuguero, Quepos, Tamarindo and Tambor. Luggage limits are strict (often around 13 kg in total), so pack light.
Hotels near the airports
Late arrival or early flight at SJO? Many Alajuela hotels have free airport shuttles.
Hotels near SJO ↗Arriving late in Liberia? Stay near the airport and drive to the beach in daylight.
Hotels near LIR ↗Plan your trip to your arrival
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is better for Costa Rica?
San José (SJO) for the centre, Arenal, Manuel Antonio, the Caribbean and the south; Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste and the northern Nicoya Peninsula. LIR is smaller and usually quicker to get through.
How far is Liberia airport from San José?
About 220 km, roughly 4 to 4.5 hours by car.
Is there a departure tax in Costa Rica?
Yes, but it is almost always included in your airline ticket price.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.