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Transfer Options from Juan Santamaría Airport to Jaco Beach

Kostas Plisiotis

June 8, 2022

Jaco, one of Costa Rica’s gems, and a perfect holiday destination for all. Located in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica, located only 88 km away from Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Jaco is the closest major beachside destination to the capital city. It is a small seaside town and is known for its hidden beaches, fishing, incredible surfing spots, and its great position between the dry northern regions of the country and the tropical southern part.

When landing at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), you have 3 different travel options to get to the beautiful little town of Jaco; you can either take a taxi, a shuttle bus or a public bus.
Taking a San Jose airport taxi is always the best transportation option, especially after a long flight. They are fast, convenient and offer 24/7 door-to-door services, taking you only 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Jaco Beach.
Another direct transport option is to take a San Jose airport shuttle bus. Several private shuttle bus companies offer their services and also take around 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Jaco from San Jose airport.
Lastly, if you are not afraid of a connexion, you can always take a public bus from downtown San Jose. You will firstly have to take a bus, shuttle bus or taxi to San Jose city centre to the terminal 7-10 bus station. There, you will find the Transportes Jaco bus, route 655, and the total travel time takes around 2 hours to reach Jaco Beach.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to San Jose at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€115	90min	24/7
Shuttle Bus	€86	90min	06:00–20:00
Bus (indirect)	€8.30	120min	06:00–19:00

How to get from San Jose airport to Jaco by taxi

Taking a taxi to Jaco Beach from Juan Santamaría airport (SJO) is a safe and convenient transportation option. Various taxi companies operate at the airport, and can either be booked in advance or you can get a taxi directly at the official airport taxi ranks.
Please note that the official San Jose taxi vehicles are red with a yellow triangle on each side. The taxi journey from SJO to Jaco Beach takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, under normal traffic conditions.

Taxi fare from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco beach

Taxis at San Jose Costa Rica airport calculate their fares using taximeters, based on the time and distance travelled. Moreover, prices vary depending on the time of day and if you are travelling on a weekend or holiday. Generally, a day trip from San Jose airport to Jaco Beach costs around €115 (72,000 CRC). The fare is slightly higher if you are travelling at night or on a weekend, costing around €125 (78,000 CRC). Please note that after 3 pieces of luggage, you will have to pay extra per piece.
However, if you want to travel at a fixed rate fare with no hidden costs, you can always pre-book your San Jose private airport transfer online.

Taxi prices

Day time
(05:00–24:00)

Night time
(00:00–05:00)

Duration

FROM SJO TO CITY CENTRE

€24

€32

FROM SJO TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE

€24

€32

FROM SJO TO ARENAL

€150

150

FROM SJO TO JACO

€115

€125

FROM SJO TO LA FORTUNA

€150

150

Cost

€115

Trip Duration

1 H 30 Min.

*The price above is for official airport taxis. Other private transfer companies may offer higher prices.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at San Jose airport (SJO).

Where do I get it from?

You can easily find the San Jose International Airport official taxi station as they are located just outside the main building terminal’s exit. SJO taxis are easy to recognise as they are red with yellow triangles on each side of the vehicle.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from San Jose Costa Rica airport to Jaco Beach is definitely the most convenient way to travel. Not only do they provide 24/7 door-to-door services, most drivers speak English too. Moreover, it is very common for taxi drivers to accept both the local currency, colón, and US dollars.

Editor’s Note

San Jose taxi drivers are most likely going to pressure you into booking at a specific hotel. However, it is highly recommended to politely but firmly decline.

Useful Tips

The taxi ride from SJO to Jaco Beach is quite long, however, most taxi vehicles are very comfortable and have free Wi-Fi.

It is best to pre-book your San Jose taxi to Jaco Beach in order to avoid last-minute charges, this will help you stay on top of your holiday expenditure.

How to get from San Jose airport to Jaco by shuttle bus

Another less expensive but great travel option is to take a shuttle from San Jose to Jaco. Shuttle buses offer direct door-to-door services from the airport and take only 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the beachside destination. You can find the perfect shuttle bus company that suits your times, online.

How much is a shuttle bus ticket from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco?

A one-way ticket from JSO airport to Jaco costs €43 (2,690 CRC). Some companies provide senior and minor citizen concessions, which is worth taking a look into before booking your tickets.

Cost

€43

Trip Duration

1 H 30 Min.

*Make sure to arrive at the SJO shuttle bus pick-up point at least 20 minutes before your departure time.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The airport shuttle buses operate daily, all year around. However, the timetables change, so it is important to check each company’s schedule before booking your transfer.

Where do I get it from?

The San Jose airport shuttle stops can be found on the right side of the airport’s arrival exit. A restaurant called Malinche is currently near the shuttle bus pick-up point.

Convenience

Taking a shuttle bus from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco is a convenient transport option. Shuttle buses offer a door-to-door service with a pick-up time you have chosen. Going further, the vehicles offer plenty of luggage space. Most travellers choose the standard shared shuttle bus option which is the most affordable one.

Timetables

Interbus Rates and Timetable

Airport to Jaco Beach

Editor’s Note

If your Jaco location is not listed in the shuttle company’s online booking system, you can contact them directly and arrange a custom drop-off. This means you won't have to walk around Jaco carrying your heavy luggage.

Useful Tips

If you are travelling in a group, it is best to pre-book a private transfer, as the price will most likely amount to the same price as a ticket per person on the shuttle.

It is recommended to only book your shuttle from San Jose to Jaco after you have made accommodation arrangements, as you will need to enter your exact drop-off address when making your shuttle booking.

How to get from San Jose airport to Jaco by bus

If you are travelling from SJO airport to Jaco on a budget, then taking a public bus is a good option for you. Unfortunately, there are no public bus routes directly from San Jose airport, you will need to get to the city centre first. You will find the “Transportes Jaco Route 665” bus at the main city station in downtown San Jose at terminals 7 to 10. When arriving in Jaco, you will alight at the main bus terminal, which is right next to the beach. The bus trip takes around 2 hours (without the travel time to the San Jose centre) as there are many stops along the route. Buses leave from terminals 7 to 10 and operate seven to eight times a day depending on the demand and the time of year.

How much is a bus ticket from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco?

A one-way ticket to Jaco Beach on the San Jose bus costs €4.15 (2,610 CRC). It is best to purchase your bus ticket online in advance, as they sell out quickly.

Cost

€4.15

Trip Duration

2 H

*When choosing your transportation option, remember to account for the cost of the first part of the journey to downtown.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The San Jose public buses to Jaco Beach are available daily at 06:00, 07:00, 09:00, 11:00 and at 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, throughout the year.

Where do I get it from?

Unfortunately there are no public buses to Jaco Beach at San Jose airport. You will first need to get to downtown’s bus station, head to terminal 7-10 in Calle 8, next to Mexico Park.

Convenience

Although the cheapest travel option, taking the San Jose bus to Jaco Beach is not the most convenient one as there is no direct bus route from the airport. Moreover, as the bus marks many stops along the way, the journey can sometimes take over 2 hours (from the centre). If you want to get to your Jaco Beach hotel as fast as possible, it is recommended to choose another transport method.

Timetables

Public Bus Tickets and Timetable

San Jose to Jaco Beach

Editor’s Note

From time to time an early bus service is put into place, starting at 06:00. So if you are an early traveller, make sure to check the timetable beforehand, as it is not always the case.

Useful Tips

Unfortunately, you cannot book a last-minute online for this route. You will need to book your ticket in advance as they sell out quickly.

If you arrive at the downtown terminal 7-10 bus station early, you can always visit the nearby Mexico Park or the Costa Rican Centre of Science and Culture.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in San jose. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24h before and get a refund

Edit or cancel transfers

How far is San Jose airport from Jaco?

There is a distance of 88 km between San Jose International Airport (SJO) and Jaco, and it will take around 1 hour 30 minutes by car, traffic dependant.

How long is the bus ride from San Jose to Jaco?

A bus ride from downtown San Jose to Jaco Beach takes you around 2 hours.

What airport can I fly into if I want to go to Jaco, Costa Rica?

If you are travelling to Jaco, you would need to fly into Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) that also serves the city of San Jose.

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How to get from San Jose airport to Jaco by taxi

Taxi fare from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco beach

Cost

€115

Trip Duration

1 H 30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at San Jose airport (SJO).

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from San Jose airport to Jaco by shuttle bus

How much is a shuttle bus ticket from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco?

Cost

€43

Trip Duration

1 H 30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The airport shuttle buses operate daily, all year around. However, the timetables change, so it is important to check each company’s schedule before booking your transfer.

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Timetables

Interbus Rates and Timetable

Airport to Jaco Beach

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from San Jose airport to Jaco by bus

How much is a bus ticket from Juan Santamaría airport to Jaco?

Cost

€4.15

Trip Duration

2 H

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The San Jose public buses to Jaco Beach are available daily at 06:00, 07:00, 09:00, 11:00 and at 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, throughout the year.

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Timetables

Public Bus Tickets and Timetable

San Jose to Jaco Beach

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24h before and get a refund

Frequently asked questions

How far is San Jose airport from Jaco?

How long is the bus ride from San Jose to Jaco?

What airport can I fly into if I want to go to Jaco, Costa Rica?

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The best way to arrive in San Jose

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