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How to get fromSanta Barbara to Costa Ricaby plane, bus (Flixbus), car, train, or shuttle

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There are 6 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Costa Rica by plane, bus (Flixbus), car, train, 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 Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane SBA - SJO
    13h 25m
    $120–552

  2. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Managuabus bus
    3. Take the bus from Managua to Terminal NicaBusbus bus
    4d 18h
    $383–462

  3. Drive  5,484.4 km

    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to San Josécar car 5,484.4 km
    2d 19h
    $879–1,270

  4. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Juan Santamaría International Airport

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane plane LAX - SJO
    11h 59m
    $364–590

  5. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane SBA - LIR
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    14h 7m
    $494–1,381

  6. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Liberia International Airport, shuttle

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Liberia International Airport (LIR)plane plane LAX - LIR
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Liberia Airport to Monteverdeshuttle bus
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Monteverde to Puntarenasshuttle bus
    14h 58m
    $538–1,429

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) flights

Calendar23Weekly Planes
Duration13h 7mAverage Duration
Ticket$128Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Costa Rica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 4,541.9 km
  • Duration: 13h 25m

What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Costa Rica?

United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Inc., and two other airlines fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Terminal NicaBus via Los Angeles Union Station, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, Los Angeles, and Managua in around 4d 18h.

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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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