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How to get fromSan Diego to Costa Ricaby plane, bus, car, shuttle, train, or bus (Greyhound)

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There are 7 ways to get from San Diego to Costa Rica by plane, bus, car, shuttle, train, or bus (Greyhound)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SAN - SJO
    8h 12m
    $192–724

  2. Bus via Mexico City

    1. Take the bus from Tijuana Centro to México Politécnicobus bus
    2. Take the bus from Mexico City Politécnico Station to Tapachulabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Tapachula to San Salvadorbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    3d 20h
    $234–356

  3. Drive 5,194.1 km

    1. Drive from San Diego to San Josécar car 5,194.1 km
    2d 16h
    $697–1,007

  4. Fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SAN - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    11h 3m
    $545–1,508

  5. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Antonio Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from San Antonio to Terminal Central de Autobuses del Nortebus bus
    4. Take the bus from Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte to Tapachulabus bus
    5. Take the bus from Tapachula to San Salvadorbus bus
    6. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    4d 10h
    $843–1,589

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Tijuana Los Pinos to Huixtlabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Huixtla to Tapachulabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Tapachula to Guatemana Aguilar Batresbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Guatemala Aguilar Batres to Terminal San Carlos - Ticabusbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    4d 12h
    $234–373

  7. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus bus
    4d 18h
    $392–478

San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar38Weekly Planes
Duration10h 57mAverage Duration
Ticket$191Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Diego to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 4,222.8 km
  • Duration: 8h 12m

What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Costa Rica?

United Airlines, Delta, and three other airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Fifth Avenue Station to Terminal Atlántico Norte via San Ysidro Station, Tijuana Centro, Mexico City Politécnico Station, Tapachula, San Salvador, and Terminal San Carlos - CCA in around 3d 20h.

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Want to know more about travelling around Costa Rica

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

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