Rome2Rio

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

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 Des Moines to Costa Rica by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, shuttle, bus (Flixbus), bus, or train

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
    8h
    $169–673

  2. Bus via San Salvador

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas City Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Kansas City Bus Station to Dallas Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Dallas, TX to Hyatt Regency Houstonbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Houston to San Salvadorbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus bus
    4d 20h
    $519–862

  3. Drive  4,935.1 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Josécar car 4,935.1 km
    2d 14h
    $791–1,142

  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 54m
    $553–1,702

  5. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus bus
    2. Take the bus from Kansas City Bus Station to Dentonbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Denton to Downtown Houstonbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Houston to Managuabus bus
    5. Take the bus from Managua to San Josébus bus
    5d 13h

  6. Bus #2

    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 Houston Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Houston to Managuabus bus
    5. Take the bus from Managua to San Josébus bus
    5d 13h

  7. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Bloomington-Normalbus bus
    2. Take the train from Bloomington-Normal to San Marcos Amtraktrain train
    3. Take the bus from San Marcos to Austin Eastside Bus Plazabus bus
    4. Take the bus from Austin Eastside Bus Plaza to Houstonbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Houston to San Salvadorbus bus
    6. Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus bus
    5d 14h
    $933–1,570

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

Calendar53Weekly Planes
Duration9h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$152Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,641.2 km
  • Duration: 8h

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) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Terminal Tica Bus San José via Kansas City Bus Station, Dallas Bus Station, Dallas, TX, Hyatt Regency Houston, Smith St @ Dallas St, West Bellfort Park & Ride, Houston, San Salvador, and Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador in around 4d 20h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There