Rome2Rio

How to get fromSan Diego to Costa Ricaby plane, bus, car, shuttle or train

Find Transport to Costa Rica

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from San Diego to Costa Rica by plane, bus, 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 to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SAN - SJO
    8h 2m
    $264–2,130

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Tijuana Los Pinos to Pijijiapanbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Pijijiapan to Tapachulabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Tapachula to Guatemana Aguilar Batresbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Guatemala Aguilar Batres to Terminal San Carlos - Ticabusbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    4d 10h
    $236–379

  3. Bus via Oaxaca

    1. Take the bus from Tijuana to Oaxacabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Oaxaca to Tapachulabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Tapachula to San Salvadorbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos - CCA to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus bus
    3d 13h
    $298–437

  4. Drive 5,184.7 km

    1. Drive from San Diego to San Josécar car 5,184.7 km
    2d 16h
    $696–1,005

  5. Fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SAN - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    11h 3m
    $770–2,635

  6. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal Tica Busbus bus
    4d 19h
    $405–486

San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar31Weekly Planes
Duration8h 59mAverage Duration
Ticket$221Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Costa Rica?

United Airlines, American Airlines, and two other airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Fifth Avenue Station to Terminal Atlántico Norte via San Ysidro Station, Tijuana, Oaxaca, Tapachula, San Salvador, and Terminal San Carlos - CCA in around 3d 13h.

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

Where to next?

Trips from San Diego

Trips to Costa Rica

Popular routes