Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from San José Airport (SJO) to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Land at San José Airport (SJO), meet your driver at arrivals with a sign bearing your name and ride straight to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge. You pay one flat fare for the vehicle, with tolls and taxes included.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from SJO Airport to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Landing after a long flight is not the moment to piece a trip together. With us the van is reserved for your party only, the driver follows your flight number, helps with the luggage and drives you directly to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. No strangers, no detours to other people's hotels.
One price covers the whole vehicle: fuel, tolls, taxes, insurance, bottled water, WiFi and child seats, with nothing to pay on the day. Standard takes you straight there; VIP, for $80 more per vehicle, adds sightseeing stops and a driver who knows the area and recommends the best places.
We confirm the pickup details with you when you book. With approximately 1 h 15 min of driving ahead, most travelers go straight to the hotel and still have time for the pool or a late lunch.
Your destination
Arriving in La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a private nature park on the slopes near Vara Blanca, between the Poás and Barva volcanoes. Its trails and stairways follow the La Paz River past a series of waterfalls, and the park also has gardens and animal exhibits, from hummingbirds and butterflies to frogs and wild cats. Peace Lodge, its hotel, sits inside the property.
At around 1,400 m the climate is cool and often misty, much cooler than at the airport. Park tickets are not part of the transfer; buy them directly or ask us when you book.
In La Paz Waterfall Gardens
What to do in La Paz Waterfall Gardens
The waterfall trail
A loop of trails and metal stairways descends beside the river past the park's series of waterfalls; allow a couple of hours.
The hummingbird garden
Feeders attract many species of hummingbird at very close range, one of the most photographed spots in the park.
Wildlife exhibits
Butterflies, frogs, birds and wild cats in rescue and exhibit areas along the route.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Driving time
- approx. 1 h 15 min without stops
- Main roads
- From Alajuela up the slopes of Poás through Fraijanes and Poasito to Vara Blanca, then Route 126 north to the park
- Pickup point
- Just outside the terminal exit, with a name sign
Within minutes of the airport the van leaves the city behind and climbs into the mountains of the Central Volcanic Range. Coffee farms give way to dairy pastures and patches of cloud forest, and the air gets noticeably cooler as you gain height.
Along the way
What you'll see between SJO Airport and La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Some of what you will pass on this drive:
Coffee country
The lower slopes above Alajuela and Heredia are covered in coffee farms, with the plants in neat rows under shade trees.
Highland pastures
Higher up, dairy farms and roadside stands selling cheese, strawberries and natilla, the local sour cream.
Cloud forest
On the passes the forest is draped in moss and bromeliads, and the mist can roll across the road in minutes.
Vara Blanca
The cool, misty pass between the Poás and Barva volcanoes, with dairy farms and roadside stands, just before the descent to La Paz.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Tropical Experts VIP costs $80 more per vehicle and includes one to two hours of stops. Along this drive, you can ask for:
A coffee farm or roadside stand
The slopes are dotted with coffee farms and stands selling cheese and strawberries; with VIP the driver plans a stop at one of them.
Before you travel
Road conditions on the way to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
These are mountain roads: paved, narrow, steep in places and with many curves. Fog is common in the afternoon, and after heavy rain small landslides can close a lane for a while; the driver slows down and knows the alternatives.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Keep a warm layer and a rain jacket in your carry-on: the mountains are much cooler than the airport.
- Buy your park tickets in advance and tell us your entry time; we plan the pickup so you arrive with a margin.
- Arrive early in the day if you want to see the waterfalls before the afternoon mist.
- The park trails are wet and have many steps: wear shoes with grip.
- Traveling with children? Tell us their ages and weights when you book and the right child seat will be installed, free of charge.
Fares
Prices for this route
One flat price for the whole vehicle, not per person. Prices in US dollars with taxes included; you pay online when you book and nothing to the driver.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large bags | Standard | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hyundai Staria1–5 passengers |
1–5 | 5 | $130 | $210 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $185 | $265 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $270 | $350 |
Extra hour of stops: $35 per hour, up to 4 hours. Photos show each model; you get the vehicle type you choose.
Reviews
What travelers say
Short excerpts from real reviews of Tropical Experts Costa Rica on Google and Tripadvisor.
5.0 · 112 Google reviews · 5.0 · 36 Tripadvisor reviews
“The owner was proactive about communicating with us beforehand about pickup confirmation to make us feel assured. The car was so comfortable, clean, new- and the driver was so accommodating, helpful and knowledgeable!”
“Absolute wonderful driver and impeccable service. Would recommend our driver over anyone else in Costa Rica. We will be calling on him the next time we are in the country.”
“Best service and best drivers. John and Marlon were both very kind, knowledgeable, and patient. 100% would recommend.”
Read all our reviews on Google and Tripadvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: SJO Airport → La Paz Waterfall Gardens
How long is the drive from San José Airport (SJO) to La Paz Waterfall Gardens?
Approximately 1 h 15 min of driving. Stops, rain and traffic come on top of that; with VIP, add the one to two hours of sightseeing stops.
How much is a private shuttle from San José Airport (SJO) to La Paz Waterfall Gardens?
$130 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $185 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $270 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Can we visit the gardens and continue to another destination the same day?
Yes, it is a popular combination. Buy the park entrance and tell us; the driver can wait while you visit, using extra hours ($35 per hour, up to 4) or VIP.
Are the park tickets included in the transfer?
No. The transfer covers the vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and taxes. Park tickets are bought separately, directly from the park; ask us when you book if you need help.
Are the mountain roads OK after dark?
Yes. They are paved and our drivers use them every week. Fog and curves make them slower at night, so with a late flight we allow a little more time and confirm the plan with you.
What happens if our flight is delayed or lands at night?
Nothing extra to pay. We track the flight number you give us and adjust the pickup, and we run transfers 24/7. If the airline cancels the flight, we move your transfer to the new date at no charge.
Where will the driver meet us at San José Airport (SJO)?
Just outside the terminal exit, holding a sign with your name. The day before, we send you the driver's name, photo and plate, and you can reach us on WhatsApp at any hour.
Drop-off and pickup
Hotels we drive to in La Paz Waterfall Gardens
These are some of the hotels in La Paz Waterfall Gardens that our online booking form already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Peace Lodge · La Paz Waterfall Gardens
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