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How to get fromSantiago to Costa Ricaby bus, shuttle, car, or plane

Find Transport to Costa Rica

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There are 7 ways to get from Santiago to Costa Rica by bus, shuttle, car, or plane

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

  1. Bus, shuttle

    best
    1. Take the bus from Santiago to Fronterabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Ciudad Neily to Dominicalbus bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Dominical to San Joséshuttle bus
    9h 23m
    $57–437

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Santiago de Veraguas to Terminal Tica Busbus bus Panamá / ...
    12h
    $40–65

  3. Drive  533.8 km

    1. Drive from Santiago to San Josécar car 533.8 km
    9h 13m
    $73–106

  4. Bus, bus to Golfito, fly

    1. Take the bus from Santiago to Fronterabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Paso Canoas to Golfitobus bus
    3. Fly from Golfito (GLF) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane GLF - SJO
    7h 40m
    $207–297

  5. Bus via Paso Canoas

    1. Take the bus from Santiago to Davidbus bus
    2. Take the bus from David to Fronterabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Paso Canoas to San Josébus bus
    13h 11m

  6. Bus to Tocumen International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Santiago to Paraíso, Panamá Provincebus bus
    2. Fly from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane PTY - SJO
    8h 35m
    $200–510

  7. Bus, bus to Puerto Jiménez Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Santiago to Fronterabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Ciudad Neily to Puerto Jiménezbus bus
    3. Fly from Puerto Jiménez Airport (PJM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane PJM - SJO
    9h
    $209–459

Santiago to Costa Rica by bus

Calendar36Weekly Buses
Duration12hAverage Duration
Ticket$40Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santiago to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 535.6 km
  • Duration: 9h 23m

What companies run services between Santiago, Panama and Costa Rica?

Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter) operates a bus from Santiago de Veraguas to Terminal Tica Bus 4 times a day. Tickets cost $45–65 and the journey takes 12h. Tica Bus also services this route once daily.

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Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around the world?

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including French strikes 2018: What are my alternative transport options?, Need to know: Greyhound, and The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

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