Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Costa Rica

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Palo Alto to Costa Rica by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, shuttle, 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 San Francisco International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)planeSFO - SJO
    9h 23m
    $214–819

  2. Train to Oakland International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Santa Clara Amtrak to Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtraktrain
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)planeOAK - SJO
    12h 47m
    $192–727

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus
    3. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal Tica Busbus
    5d
    $416–633

  4. Drive 5,896.4 km

    1. Drive from Palo Alto to San Josécar5,896.4 km
    3d
    $791–1,143

  5. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)planeSJC - SJO
    11h 7m
    $479–911

  6. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)planeSFO - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle
    12h 26m
    $729–2,418

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar43Weekly Planes
Duration8h 35mAverage Duration
Ticket$160Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Palo Alto, CA, USA and Costa Rica?

United Airlines and Avianca - Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from California Avenue Caltrain Southbound to Terminal Tica Bus via San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound, San Jose Diridon Station, Los Angeles Union Station, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, Managua, and Managua in around 5d.

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

Where to next?

Trips from Palo Alto

Trips to Costa Rica

Popular routes