Nosara, Costa Rica Transportation
Air Travel - Fly internationally to either San Jose (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports.
Both Sansa and Nature Air fly directly from San Jose to Nosara (NOB). This is by far the easiest way to get to Nosara, assuming you can time a connecting flight in San Jose. Often, you'll have to come one way with Sansa, and the other with Nature Air.
Sansa flies from San Jose International Airport (SJO). Try to give yourself at least an hour between connections on the way to Nosara, and two hours on the way home. Nature Air flies out of the Pavas Airport, which is a 1/2 hour ($15) cab ride from San Jose International. To be safe, you'll want two hours connection time to get here with Nature Air, and three to get home.
Nature Air has recently begun to offer flights to and from Liberia International Airport (LIR). This is a short flight, and usually a cheaper option than a rental car or shuttle van. The Liberia Airport is significantly smaller than the San Jose Airport, and quite a bit easier to get in and out of. There is currently only one flight a day to Nosara from Liberia, but this is a great option if you can make the times work with your international flight schedule.
Schedules change often, but here are the flight times last we checked:
Sansa: San Jose to Nosara 8:00-8:50am daily - Nosara to San Jose 9:00-9:45am daily
Nature Air: San Jose to Nosara 2:30-3:30pm daily - Nosara to San Jose 3:40-4:30am daily
Nature Air: Liberia to Nosara 2:00-2:40pm daily - Nosara to Liberia 10:55-11:35am daily
Check the schedule and book a flight at www.flysansa.com/(506)2-257-9414 or www.natureair.com/(506)2-220-3054
Air Travel can also be arranged locally with Nosara Travel/(506)2-682-0300 and the Nosara Office Center/(506)2-682-0181
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Shuttles - Shuttles can be arranged to deliver you to Nosara from the Liberia airport, the San Jose Airport, your Costa Rican hotel or neighboring beaches.
Shuttle prices are generally for an entire van, no matter the number of passengers. Vans usually seat at least 6-8 passengers, so if you've got a larger group it can be a very affordable option.
Liberia airport to Nosara - $120, Nosara to Samara beach - $30
Nosara to Carillo Airport - $40, Nosara to Arenal Volcano - $140
San Jose to Nosara - $145 up to 6 passengers - www.costaricashuttle.com
Interbus from San Jose - $80pp - www.costaricapass.com or (506)2-283-5573
Arrange a shuttle through your hotel, call Miguel at 8-896-7154 / 8-310-8309 or visit www.costaricashuttle.com
Shuttles can also be arranged locally with Nosara Travel/(506)2-682-0300
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Taxi - A Taxi and a shuttle in Nosara can often be the same thing. Taxis will usually be at the Nosara airport when flights land. Otherwise, you'll need to call:
Jose - 2-682-071 / 8-833-3752 Abel 8-827-8417 / 8-812-8470
Miguel - 8-895-7154 / 8-310-8309 Victor 8-823-0994 / 2-682-0142
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Rental Cars - Cars can be rented at both the San Jose and Liberia airports, as well as here in Nosara. There are many car rental companies to choose from at the airports. Here in Nosara, your choices are National, Advantage, economy, Budget and Toyota. Rates and cars are comparable. If you plan to do much exploring outside of Guiones or Pelada, a rental car is recommended.
Rental cars can be arranged locally with Nosara Travel/(506)2-682-0300
Drive time from San Jose is about 5 hours and from Liberia about 3. If traffic isn't bad, you can make it here a little quicker. Always wear your seatbelt, dont speed - and drive carefully! The trip into Nosara can be quite beautiful, but expect difficult driving and rough roads. During rainy season you might want four wheel drive, especially if you plan to head north from Nosara. Visit our Costa Rica map page for driving directions from Nicoya.
No matter where you are in Costa Rica, NEVER EVER leave anything of value in your car - rental cars are easy targets. Keep passports, money and valuables locked safely in your hotel or rental house (travel with a copy of your passport).
Rental cars here are quite a bit more expensive than back home, but that is mostly because they take much more of a beating here. Keep in mind you will have to throw down for additional insurance (often as much as the daily rental). Be prepared to pay close to $100/day total for a basic 4x4.
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Busses - You can get just about anywhere in Costa Rica by bus, provided you aren't in a hurry. Prices are cheap, but travel can be long and uncomfortable.
The express bus from San Jose to Nosara leaves daily at 6am - Travel time- 6 hours / Cost - $6
The express bus Nosara to San Jose leaves at 12:30
Daily busses from Nicoya to Nosara at 5am, 10am and 2pm - Travel time- 2.5 hours / Cost - $1.25
Daily buses from Nosara to Nicoya at 6am, 12:15pm and 3pm
Alfaro Busses: 2-682-0297. All busses leave from the bus station in the village of Nosara, in front of the pharmacy.
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Tips and Info - See the info below, and click here to view even more useful info and travel tips
~If you can't afford a rental car, get a bike! Rent a bike from Juan Surfo's or the Frog Pad in Guiones and cruise the beaches at low tide, ride to dinner or take a trip into town. Bikes can be bought at Coconut Harry's an in Nosara Village.
~ATV / Quads can be rented through the Nosara Surf Shop www.nosarasurfshop.com / 2-682-0846 and Monkey Quads www.monkeyquads.com / 2-682-1001.
~Fill up your vehicle's gas tank in Nicoya or at the station by the turn to Nosara off the paved road. Gas can be bought at the small bomba in Nosara, but it will be more expensive.
~When leaving costa rica, save $28 to pay departure tax at the airport (cash or credit). Pay this BEFORE you get in line to check into your flight. In San Jose, plan on waiting in line for 20 minutes to pay the tax.
~Verify the cost of a taxi ride with your driver bo fore leaving. You do not need to tip taxi drivers in Costa Rica.
~Make copies of you passport and any other travel documents you have (hotel, rental car info, maps). Leave the originals, along with most of your money, credit cards and valuable locked safely in your hotel or vacation rental. Travel with the copy of your passport.
~We've said it before and we'll say it again - NEVER, EVER leave anything of value in your car or unattended on the beach. Why ruin your vacation for a silly mistake? Always go straight to your hotel and vacation rental and unload your things before heading to the beach. If you want to bring a camera and some money with to the beach, don't leave it alone without keeping a close eye on it.
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Plane Arriving in Nosara River Crossing Bike on Guiones
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