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How to get fromIowa to Costa Ricaby plane, bus, train, car, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), or bus (Flixbus)

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There are 8 ways to get from Iowa to Costa Rica by plane, bus, train, car, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), 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 from Des Moines

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane DSM - SJO
    7h 26m
    $259–1,023

  2. Fly from Quad City International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane MLI - SJO
    11h 15m
    $163–704

  3. 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 Marcos Amtraktrain train
    3. Take the bus from San Marcos 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 13h
    $710–1,361

  4. Drive 4,932.8 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Josécar car 4,932.8 km
    2d 14h
    $662–956

  5. Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane ALO - SJO
    8h 17m
    $190–724

  6. Bus via San Salvador

    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 San Salvadorbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    4d 23h
    $432–850

  7. 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 St Joseph Pkwy @ Louisiana St to West Bellfort Park & Ridebus bus
    5. Take the bus from Houston to Managuabus bus
    6. Take the bus from Terminal Managua - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    5d 14h
    $445–736

  8. 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
    $545–1,048

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

Calendar41Weekly Planes
Duration9h 25mAverage Duration
Ticket$247Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Des Moines to Terminal Atlántico Norte via Des Moines, Kansas City Bus Station, Dallas Bus Station, Houston Bus Station, Houston - Harrisburg Blvd, Houston - Hillcroft Ave, Houston, San Salvador, and Terminal San Carlos - CCA in around 4d 23h.

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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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