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How to get fromDes Moines to Costa Ricaby plane, bus, train, car, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines to Costa Rica by plane, bus, train, car, shuttle, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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 Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane DSM - SJO
    7h 45m
    $229–923

  2. Bus, train via Mexico City

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Bloomington-Normalbus bus
    2. Take the train from Bloomington-Normal 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 15h
    $760–1,438

  3. Drive 4,937.4 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Josécar car 4,937.4 km
    2d 14h
    $663–957

  4. Fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane DSM - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    10h 59m
    $612–1,800

  5. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus bus
    2. Take the bus from Kansas City Bus Station to Dallas Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Dallas Bus Station to Downtown Houstonbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Houston to San Salvadorbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    4d 22h
    $428–801

  6. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from St. Louis to Longviewtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Longview Bus Station to Houston Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Houston to Managuabus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal Managua - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    5d 20h
    $553–1,026

Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration10h 39mAverage Duration
Ticket$217Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,641.2 km
  • Duration: 7h 45m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Costa Rica?

Delta, American Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Terminal Atlántico Norte via Kansas City, Kansas City Bus Station, Dallas Bus Station, Downtown Houston, Smith St @ Pierce St, West Bellfort Park & Ride, Houston, San Salvador, and Terminal San Carlos - CCA in around 4d 22h.

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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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