Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from San José Airport (SJO) to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
Land at San José Airport (SJO), meet your driver at arrivals with a sign bearing your name and ride straight to your lodge or villa on the south Caribbean coast. You pay one closed 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 Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
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 Puerto Viejo (Caribbean). 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 doubles as a guide.
We confirm the pickup details with you when you book. With approximately 4 h 30 min of driving ahead, this is a full travel day: an early flight puts you at the hotel in daylight, while a late landing means part of the drive is after dark.
Your destination
Arriving in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is the liveliest town on the southern Caribbean coast, with a mix of Afro-Caribbean, indigenous Bribri and international influences, reggae bars, cafés and surf shops. Its reef break, Salsa Brava, is one of the most powerful waves in the country, and the coast road south leads to the beaches of Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo, backed by jungle.
Hotels and cabins are spread along that road, among them Le Caméléon, Hotel Aguas Claras, Banana Azul and Cariblue. Many visitors cycle between beaches. This Puerto Viejo is on the Caribbean; there is another Puerto Viejo in Sarapiquí, so check the destination when you book.
In Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
What to do in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
The beaches south of town
Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo, each a short bike ride apart.
Jaguar Rescue Center
A wildlife rescue centre near Playa Chiquita that runs guided visits.
Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge
Forest trails and coral reef at the southern end of the coast road.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Driving time
- approx. 4 h 30 min without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- Route 32 through Braulio Carrillo National Park to Limón, then Route 36 south
- Pickup point
- Just outside the terminal exit, with a name sign
The trip to the Caribbean leaves the Central Valley to the north-east on Route 32, the main highway to the port of Limón. It climbs through the forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, often wrapped in cloud, and then descends to the wet lowlands of the Caribbean slope.
Along the way
What you'll see between SJO Airport and Puerto Viejo
Some of what you will pass on this drive:
Braulio Carrillo National Park
A large protected cloud and rain forest that the highway crosses on its way down to the Caribbean.
Banana country
Along Route 32 the plantations stretch for kilometres, with blue bags protecting the bunches and cable lines carrying fruit to the packing plants.
The Limón coast
South of Limón the road follows the sea, with palm-lined beaches and small Afro-Caribbean towns.
Salsa Brava
The reef break right in front of town, where big waves break over shallow coral.
The coast road to Manzanillo
A jungle-lined road south of town that links Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva.
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 break on the way down
Roughly halfway there are roadside restaurants and fruit stands where the driver can stop for a coffee or lunch; tell us when you book.
Before you travel
Road conditions on the way to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
Route 32 is a busy freight corridor. The section towards Limón has been a work zone for years because of the widening project, so depending on progress you may meet lane changes, detours and slow stretches. Trucks are frequent at any hour, and a landslide or accident can add time.
Route 36 is a two-lane coastal road; south of Puerto Viejo the coast road is narrow and shared with cyclists and pedestrians. Route 32 carries heavy truck traffic and has long-running roadworks. Rain can arrive in any month on the Caribbean side.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Start early. It is a long day, and arriving on the Caribbean side in daylight makes the last stretch more pleasant.
- Rent a bike on your first day: it is the local way to move between Puerto Viejo's beaches.
- Check that your booking says Puerto Viejo (Caribbean), not Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí.
- Travelling 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 closed 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 | $320 | $400 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $365 | $445 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $450 | $530 |
Extra hour of stops: $35 per hour, up to 4 hours. Photos show each model; you get the vehicle type you choose.
Google reviews
What travellers say
Short excerpts from real Google reviews of Tropical Experts Costa Rica.
“We had a great experience… our driver John… very professional, friendly, and drove safely… shared so much interesting information about Costa Rica… Highly recommended!”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: SJO Airport → Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
How long is the drive from San José Airport (SJO) to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)?
Approximately 4 h 30 min of driving according to our fare table. 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 Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)?
$320 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $365 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $450 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Do you go to Cocles, Punta Uva or Manzanillo?
Yes, we drive to hotels along the coast road south of Puerto Viejo. Give us the exact address; places far towards Manzanillo add a few minutes.
Can you drop us in Manzanillo?
Yes, we drive to hotels along the coast road as far as Manzanillo. Give us the exact address when you book.
Which way do you drive from the airport to Puerto Viejo?
Route 32 through Braulio Carrillo National Park to Limón, then Route 36 south along the coast. It is a long drive with heavy truck traffic and roadworks, so we recommend an early flight or an overnight stop if you land late.
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 Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
These are some of the hotels in Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Aguas Claras
- Banana Azul
- Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort
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