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

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There are 7 ways to get from Iowa to Costa Rica by plane, bus, train, car, shuttle, 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 Des Moines to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane DSM - SJO
    7h 44m
    $269–1,023

  2. Fly Quad City International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane MLI - SJO
    10h 26m
    $163–654

  3. Bus, train

    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
    $775–1,451

  4. Drive 4,937.4 km

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

  5. Fly Des Moines 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
    $652–1,900

  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, TX to Hyatt Regency 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 21h
    $541–908

  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 Houston to Managuabus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal Managua - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    5d 13h
    $453–756

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

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration10h 39mAverage Duration
Ticket$254Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Iowa to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,640.9 km
  • Duration: 7h 44m

What companies run services between Iowa, 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, Dallas, TX, Hyatt Regency Houston, Smith St @ Dallas St, West Bellfort Park & Ride, Houston, San Salvador, and Terminal San Carlos - CCA in around 4d 21h.

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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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