Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from San José Airport (SJO) to Sierpe (boats to Drake Bay)
From the arrivals exit at San José Airport (SJO) to Sierpe and the boat dock for Drake Bay: one driver, one vehicle, your group only. The fare is per vehicle, not per person, and taxes are already in it.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from SJO Airport to Sierpe
A private transfer means the vehicle is booked for your group alone. After a long flight you skip the taxi line, the rental-car counter and the shared-shuttle timetable: your driver tracks your flight, waits if it lands late and takes you from the terminal to Sierpe, with stops only when you ask for them.
What you see is what you pay, per vehicle: fuel, tolls, taxes, insurance, water, WiFi and child seats are all in the price. Standard is the direct trip; VIP adds $80 per vehicle and turns the drive into a day with stops.
We confirm the pickup details with you when you book. With approximately 4 h 45 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 Sierpe
Sierpe is a small river town on the Sierpe River, at the edge of the Térraba-Sierpe wetland, the largest mangrove system in Costa Rica. For most travelers it is the gateway to Drake Bay and the northern side of the Osa Peninsula: the boats leave from the town dock and wind through the mangroves to the river mouth and along the coast.
Our transfer ends at the dock in Sierpe or at your hotel in town. The boat to Drake Bay is a separate service, usually arranged by your lodge; give us the boat time when you book so we plan the pickup with a margin: at about 4 h 45 min, this is one of our longest drives from SJO.
The Costanera continues south past Uvita and Ojochal to Palmar Norte. There the route crosses the Térraba River to Palmar Sur and follows a flat local road through plantations to Sierpe and its dock.
In Sierpe
What to do in Sierpe
The boat to Drake Bay
A ride through the mangroves of the Sierpe River and along the coast to Drake Bay.
Mangrove tours
Boat trips in the Térraba-Sierpe wetland to see birds, crocodiles and monkeys.
Stone spheres
The Finca 6 site near Palmar Sur, part of the UNESCO-listed Diquís settlements.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Driving time
- approx. 4 h 45 min without stops
- Main roads
- Route 27 toll highway, then the Costanera Sur (Route 34) south past Quepos
- Last stretch
- Route 34 to Palmar Norte, then the local road through Palmar Sur to Sierpe
- Pickup point
- Just outside the terminal exit, with a name sign
The first part is the same as for the central Pacific: west on Route 27, the toll highway that leaves the Central Valley, and down to the coast near Orotina, where the Costanera Sur (Route 34) begins.
Along the way
What you'll see between SJO Airport and Sierpe
Some of what you will pass on this drive:
Oil-palm country
Between Parrita and Quepos the highway crosses kilometers of African oil-palm plantations laid out in neat rows.
The Fila Costeña
The coastal mountain range rises steeply behind the South Pacific beaches, with waterfalls visible from the road after rain.
The Diquís stone spheres
Around Palmar Sur, on the way to Sierpe, are the pre-Columbian stone spheres of the Diquís delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Sierpe River
A wide river lined with mangroves, where the boats to Drake Bay start their journey.
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:
Tárcoles River bridge
A stop at the bridge on Route 34 to see the American crocodiles resting on the sandbanks below.
Finca 6 and the stone spheres
The Finca 6 site near Palmar Sur, part of the UNESCO-listed Diquís settlements, with a small museum and original spheres (entrance paid on site; check opening days).
Before you travel
Road conditions on the way to Sierpe
The South Pacific is one of the wettest parts of the country between about May and November, with heavy afternoon storms; in the dry months the light is clear and the sea calm. Rain can add time to a long drive, so we recommend an early start.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Have cash in colones for fruit stands and small sodas along the Costanera.
- Boats to Drake Bay leave at set times that depend on the tide: land early or plan a night near Sierpe.
- Pack a small dry bag for the boat: luggage can get wet on the crossing.
- 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 | $350 | $430 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $395 | $475 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $480 | $560 |
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
Stop looking for your driver! You found him!
“So glad we went this route! Our plane was delayed 6 hours and our driver waited and drove us to our Airbnb in the middle of the night.”
“Fantastic transfer by John. Lovely vehicle, friendly and informative driver”
“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!”
Read all our reviews on Google and Tripadvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: SJO Airport → Sierpe
How long is the drive from San José Airport (SJO) to Sierpe?
Approximately 4 h 45 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 Sierpe?
$350 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $395 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $480 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Do you take us to the boat for Drake Bay?
Yes, we drop you at the Sierpe dock. The boat is booked with your lodge; tell us its departure time so we arrive with a margin.
Can we see the stone spheres on the way?
Yes. The Finca 6 site near Palmar Sur is just off the route to Sierpe. With VIP it can be one of the stops; entrance is paid on site, and it is worth checking the opening days.
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.
How do payment and cancellation work?
You pay online by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on Tilopay's secure page; SINPE Móvil or a bank transfer can be arranged on WhatsApp. Cancel up to 48 hours before pickup for a full refund. Within 48 hours there is no refund, except for a flight cancellation documented by the airline.
Drop-off and pickup
Drop-off point in Sierpe
These are some of the hotels in Sierpe 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.
- Sierpe dock (boats to Drake Bay)
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Plan the rest of your trip
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