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

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There are 7 ways to get from Des Moines to Costa Rica by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, shuttle, bus, train, or bus (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 42m
    $229–873

  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
    $497–857

  3. Drive 4,935.2 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Josécar car 4,935.2 km
    2d 14h
    $662–956

  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 34m
    $612–1,800

  5. Bus, train via New Orleans

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminaltrain train
    4. Take the bus from New Orleans Bus Station 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 11h
    $621–1,330

  6. 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 Terminal Managua - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    5d 13h
    $443–726

  7. 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
    $519–988

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

Calendar22Weekly Planes
Duration10h 48mAverage Duration
Ticket$209Cheapest 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 42m

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

United Airlines, Delta, 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 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.

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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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