Licensed by the Costa Rica Tourism Board · ICT 3946-2025
Private Shuttle to Uvita (Costa Ballena)
Door-to-door private shuttles to Uvita and the Costa Ballena from SJO and Liberia airports and from 6 other towns. One flat price for the whole vehicle, from $150, taxes and tolls included.
- From SJO $335
- From Liberia $390
- Per vehicle, not per person
- Free cancellation up to 48 h before
Prices
Prices to Uvita from every starting point
8 starting points, one flat price per vehicle in US dollars, taxes and tolls included. Tap a route for the full details, or tap Book to open it in our booking form.
Airports
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJO Airport (San José) | $335 | $380 | $465 | 4 h | Book |
| Liberia Airport (LIR) | $390 | $435 | $520 | 6 h 15 min | Book |
Arenal and La Fortuna
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Fortuna | $415 | $460 | $545 | 6 h | Book |
Monteverde
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monteverde | $355 | $400 | $485 | 4 h 45 min | Book |
Guanacaste: Gulf of Papagayo and the north
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papagayo | $470 | $515 | $600 | 6 h 45 min | Book |
Guanacaste: from Las Catalinas to Avellanas
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarindo | $470 | $515 | $600 | 7 h | Book |
Central Pacific
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacó | $240 | $295 | $380 | 2 h 30 min | Book |
South Pacific and Osa
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierpe | $150 | $205 | $290 | 45 min | Book |
- Staria: up to 5 passengers and 5 large bags; Hiace: 6–9 and 9 bags; Maxus: 10–12 and 12 bags.
- Same price in both directions. VIP with sightseeing stops: +$80 per vehicle.
Reviews
What travelers say
Rated 5.0 on Google (111 reviews) and 5.0 on Tripadvisor (36 reviews).
“The van was on time, assisted us with our luggage… His English is extremely good… you will be taken care of to the highest regard.”
Getting there
SJO or Liberia: which airport for Uvita?
From SJO (Juan Santamaría, San José): about 4 h and $335 per vehicle. The route takes the Route 27 toll motorway and then the Costanera Sur (Route 34) south past Quepos.
From Liberia (LIR, Guanacaste): about 6 h 15 min and $390 per vehicle. It is a long drive down the Pacific coast; you can break it with a night in Manuel Antonio or Jacó.
The difference on the road is 2 h 15 min and $55. Many travelers land at one airport and fly home from the other; we cover both legs.
The destination
About Uvita (Costa Ballena)
Uvita is the center of the Costa Ballena, the stretch of coast named after the humpback whales that visit it. Marino Ballena National Park protects the famous whale's tail at Punta Uvita, a sandbar and reef that is best seen at low tide.
The village has supermarkets, sodas and tour offices along Route 34, while hotels and villas sit on the green hills behind it, often with long ocean views. Some driveways are steep, so tell us the exact name of your hotel or villa when you book.
Things to do
What to do in Uvita
The whale's tail at low tide
Walk out onto the sandbar at Punta Uvita in Marino Ballena National Park when the tide is out.
Whale-watching
Boat tours from Uvita in the seasons when humpbacks are present.
Waterfalls in the hills
Several small waterfalls and swimming holes lie a short drive inland.
Hotels
Hotels we drive to in Uvita
We drive to every hotel, lodge and private rental in and around Uvita. Send us the exact name or a location pin when you book and the driver takes you to the door.
Your next stop
Private shuttles from Uvita
FAQ
Private shuttle to Uvita: frequent questions
How much is a private shuttle to Uvita?
From SJO airport it is $335 for up to 5 passengers, $380 for 6 to 9 and $465 for 10 to 12. From Liberia airport it is $390 for up to 5 passengers, $435 for 6 to 9 and $520 for 10 to 12. The price is for the whole vehicle, not per person, and includes taxes and tolls. From other towns, see the table above.
How long is the drive from SJO airport to Uvita?
About 4 h without stops. The route takes the Route 27 toll motorway and then the Costanera Sur (Route 34) south past Quepos. Rain, traffic and stops add time.
When can we see the whale's tail at Uvita?
The sandbar at Punta Uvita shows best at low tide; check the tide table for your dates and we can plan your arrival around it.
When is whale season in Uvita?
Humpbacks arrive from the southern hemisphere roughly from July to October and from the northern hemisphere roughly from December to April. Sightings vary year to year; tours are booked with local operators.
Can you drive up to villas in the Uvita hills?
Yes. All our vehicles enter steep and gravel roads. Send us the location pin and any gate code or contact when you book.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. Two or five passengers pay the same in the Hyundai Staria, so the more of you travel, the less each person pays.
Book your private shuttle to Uvita
Flight tracking, child seats, WiFi, water, taxes and tolls are included. Get the exact price for your date in seconds, or send us your plans on WhatsApp.