Arrival in Costa Rica

Upon your arrival at Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica all passengers are directed down a flight of stairs, at which time you will be required to clear immigration. After proceeding through the immigration process, you can gather your luggage along the left side of the departure area. Afterwards, you are directed towards one of two lines, one being for passengers with two or less bags, the other for those with three or more pieces of luggage. For those with two or less, you are required to press a button which selects passengers for inspection; this selection process is random and cannot be predicted. A percentage of those passengers will be required to open their luggage for further inspection, while those not selected will be free to exit the airport. Those traveling with three or more items are directed to a different area, and will more than likely be required to confront customs inspectors; and perhaps, asked to open your luggage.

Immediately after clearing customs, you proceed up a flight of stairs towards the exit of the airport. Before reaching the staircase, on your left hand side, there are counters where tourism guides and magazines are available, in addition to representatives who will assist you with any questions.

Taxi cabs/buses are readily available at the airport's exit. Taxi's can be hired on an individual basis, however, small buses usually transport passengers which share similar destinations. Personal taxis carry the following costs:

San Jose - $12.00 US dollars
Quepos - $120.00 US dollars
Manuel Antonio - $120.00 US dollars

While small buses transport passengers for the following prices:

San Jose - $15.00 US dollars
Quepos - $150.00 US dollars
Manuel Antonio - $150.00 US dollars

Buses to San Jose, Heredia and Alajuela make regular stops at the bus station located directed in front of the Juan Santamaria airport. Buses to San Jose (17 km) cost 210 colones, and depart every five minutes. The bus terminal is located at the western end of San Jose, and is walking distance from the city's main public bus terminal, the "Coca Cola Bus Station". >From that point, taxis are readily available, as are buses to other destinations. DIRECT Buses to Manuel Antonio (149 km) cost 1600 colones, and depart 3 time a day. The bus station in any of the major cities is usually located in the center of that city.

Buses from San Jose to Manuel Antonio , Costa Rica

These departures are for buses that go directly from San Jose:

6:00 a.m.
12:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.

These departures are for buses from Manuel Antonio to San Jose:

6:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.

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