Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Costa Rica

See all options
QR code to download the Rome2Rio app

Download the Rome2Rio travel app

Scan QR code with your phone to download the app

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

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

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 Los Angeles International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane LAX - SJO
    8h 42m
    $308–503

  2. Fly San Diego International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SAN - SJO
    11h 7m
    $122–505

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus bus
    4d 15h
    $369–440

  4. Drive  5,334.1 km

    1. Drive from Los Angeles to San Josécar car 5,334.1 km
    2d 18h
    $855–1,235

  5. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SFO - SJO
    9h 33m
    $151–563

  6. Fly Tijuana International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Fly from Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane TIJ - SJO
    11h 36m
    $284–923

  7. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane LAX - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    11h 41m
    $482–1,342

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar35Weekly Planes
Duration7h 18mAverage Duration
Ticket$117Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from California to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 4,409.4 km
  • Duration: 8h 42m

What companies run services between California, USA and Costa Rica?

United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Inc., and two other airlines fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Spring / 1st to Terminal NicaBus via Los Angeles and Managua in around 4d 15h.

Airlines
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 Thanksgiving 2018: How to travel stress-free, Flying into Beijing?, and How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Booking & Getting There