Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Costa Rica

See all options

There are 4 ways to get from Des Moines to Costa Rica by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), 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 to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane DSM - SJO
    7h 43m
    $289–1,223

  2. 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 Houston Uptown/Upper Kirbybus 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
    $364–808

  3. Drive 4,933.5 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Josécar car 4,933.5 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 25m
    $844–3,122

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

Calendar42Weekly Planes
Duration8h 43mAverage Duration
Ticket$274Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

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

American Airlines, Delta, and three 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 Atlántico Norte via Kansas City Bus Station, Dallas Bus Station, Houston Uptown/Upper Kirby, Kirby Dr @ Westpark Dr, Bonhomme Rd @ Clarewood Dr, Houston, San Salvador, and Terminal San Carlos - CCA in around 4d 22h.

Airlines
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

Where to next?

Trips from Des Moines

Trips to Costa Rica

Popular routes