Which Airport do I Choose for Convenient Transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica?
Transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica isn’t as confusing as you might think! The trip from either airport to Ylang Ylang is a fun and exciting experience. You will see the Costa Rican countryside, small towns, enjoy a ferry ride across the Gulf of Nicoya or see spectacular coastal views from a small plane.
You can fly to either Liberia or San Jose International airports, so check which one gives you the best flight options.
Arriving in Liberia…
Liberia is about a 3 hour drive from Montezuma. The options for transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica include private transportation, a domestic flight or a rental car. The fastest option would be a domestic flight. It’s a 25 minute flight to Cobano and a 12-15 minute drive from Cobano to Montezuma. We recommend to arrive by 2pm if you plan to arrive from San Jose in the same day. Please see pricing and details below.
Coming from elsewhere in Costa Rica…
We are happy to arrange private transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica from anywhere in the country! There also may be a shared shuttle from your location. Let us know where you’ll be staying and we can let you know the best option. Please see pricing and details below for the Transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica.
For all transportation requests please send us your flight details (airline, flight number, arrival time, departure city) or hotel details (name and address) and the type of transportation you would like.
Do you Want to Book one of these Options Below?
Just Contact us and let us know which you want to book and we will be happy to Confirm your transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica.
The Domestic Flight you can book yourself with the links in each section lower on this page for Transportation to and from Montezuma Costa Rica.
Domestic Flight
Enjoy a scenic 25 minute flight over the countryside and blue ocean.
Cobano Airport (ACO) is a 15 minute drive from Montezuma and is our closest domestic airport.
Both Costa Rica Green Air and Sansa Airlines fly from San José’s Juan Santa María International Airport (SJO) to Cobano Airport (ACO).
Once you book your flight, just send us your airline and arrival/departure time from Cobano and we will arrange a taxi to and/or from the Cobano Airstrip ($30 each way 1-2 people / $5 per additional person after 2) and add the charge to your room bill.
When to book? We recommend to book this option right away as they fill up quickly, however keep in mind that usually these airlines don’t post their schedules until 8-10 months before the travel date.
Available: To and from Cobano (ACO) (our nearest airport) Also, Sansa is available to/from Liberia most part of the year (check their site for details).
Total travel time:
Costa Rica Green Air: 25-30 min check-in at airport + 25 min flight + 15 minute taxi
Sansa: 1 hour check-in at airport + 25 minute flight + 15 minute taxi.
Price: Starts at $131 per person + $30 taxi ride (for up to 2 people / $5 per additional person 3 and over)
Departure Time: Please see available flights on the above airline websites.
Ground Transportation
Our friendly, trustworthy driver will be waiting for you outside the airport or at your hotel. Journey through the countryside in a 11 pers. (larger vehicles available upon request) mini-van with a/c (some trips may be in a large 4×4 SUV depending on number of people and availability).
Enjoy the beautiful 1 hr 15 min ferry ride across the Gulf (for trips from Liberia there is no ferry ride). An excellent Tour Guide, Eduardo (or his colleague) will entertain you along the way as you sit back and enjoy the ride. High marks for the personalized service.
Departure Times:
Departure Time from San Jose (Half Option): Anytime*
Departure Time from San Jose (FULL Option): Anytime after 9am**
Departure Time from Montezuma (Both Half and Full Option): 6:45am, 9:45am, 12:30pm and 4:00pm
*We will provide options for the best time based on the ferry schedule.
**Also available before 9am for an extra $30.
HALF & FULL Private Transfer Explanation:
The difference between the Half and Full Private Transfer is that the Half transfer is 2 drivers/vehicles. One vehicle picks you up and takes you to the ferry and then on the other side of the ferry another driver/vehicle pick you up and drive you to your destination. The ferry crossing you would do by yourself.
The Full transfer means the driver and vehicle will go on the ferry with you so you don’t have to worry about your luggage as it will stay in the vehicle.
Base Rates for most traveled routes (One way – Up to 4 People in the vehicle, NOT per person)*:
San Jose – Montezuma 4 hr $285 Half / $380 Full
La Fortuna, Arenal – Montezuma 4 – 4 1/2 hr $285 Half / $380 Full
Arenal Observatory Lodge – Montezuma 4 – 4 1/2 hr $320 Half / $415 Full
Monteverde – Montezuma 4 – 4 1/2 hr $285 Half / $380 Full
Liberia – Montezuma 3 hr $315
Samara – Montezuma 3 hr $300
Tamarindo – Montezuma 3 1/2 hr $315
*Note: Prices are subject to vary in peak season dates. Price includes ferry tickets. If you would like to know the rate for more than 4 people or for a different destination please contact us
Shared Shuttle
This shared air conditioned van will pick you up at your hotel and drop you and your luggage at the ferry where you will board the ferry on your own.
When you get off the ferry, there will be another shuttle waiting for you to take you to your destination.
Available to and from: Montezuma, Arenal, Monteverde, Samara, Tamarindo & Liberia. This option does not pick up, but will drop off, at the airport.
Total travel time: 5-8 hours (Depending on route)
Note: The San Jose to Montezuma Route is done driving around and not via the ferry so this trip takes about 7-8 hours.
We recommend to book this option yourself directly with either provider below:
Interbus: https://www.interbusonline.com
Tropical Tours: https://tropicaltourshuttles.com
Taxi Boat
An exciting 1 hour speedboat trip between Jaco (Herradura) and Montezuma over the blue Pacific Ocean. We can arrange a shuttle from San Jose or Manuel Antonio to the boat in Jaco. The shuttle will pick you up at your hotel.
Available: To and from Montezuma, San Jose, Manuel Antonio and Quepos. This option does not pick up, but will drop off, at the airport. The speedboat is also available beetween Montezuma and Jaco (without the shuttle).
Total travel time: 3 1/2 hours.
Route (One Way), Pickup/Departure Time and Price (per person) Jaco (Hotels/Rental Car) – Montezuma 9-9:30am $55
Montezuma – Jaco (Hotels/Rental Car) 8:30am $55
San Jose (Hotel/Airport)- Montezuma 7-8am $90
Montezuma – San Jose (Airport or Hotel) 8:30am $90
Manuel Antonio/Quepos – Montezuma 7:30-8am $80
Montezuma – Manuel Antonio/Quepos 8:30am $80
Private Taxi Boat
If these departure times don’t fit your plans, we can always arrange a private taxi boat for you and your party. The price for a Private Taxi Boat to or from Jaco is $800 from 1-5 people or $1,050 from 6-12 people. For pricing of the Shuttle from your location to Jaco please contact us.
Driving Directions
The easiest way to get around Costa Rica by car is to have a GPS or a phone with Data.
From Liberia and the Guanacaste Province:
Follow the road down to Nicoya (route 21), then Jicaral, then Playa Naranjo then Paquera. In Paquera you will turn right (you will see a sign) and that road will take you from Paquera to Cobano (about 35 Km). Once in Cobano you turn left and Montezuma is 7Km away. On Google Maps/GPS it’s route 21 to 160 to 624. Total driving time: Approximately 3 hours.
From Monteverde / Arenal / Manuel Antonio /Jaco:
Follow your map to the town of Puntarenas and drive to the ferry which is located on the point of Puntarenas. Take the 1 hour and 15 minute ferry to Paquera (not Playa Naranjo) and once you get off follow the main road until you get to an intersection in Cobano (35Km). In Cobano take a left at the bank (Banco Nacional) and drive all the way down to Montezuma (7Km). Arrive at Sano Banano Restaurant where the Front Desk will call the driver who will take you to Ylang Ylang. Approximate time from Paquera is 1 hour.
From San Jose – Toll Road:
Leaving the airport in Alajuela, take the Inter-american Highway to Puntarenas after 11 km when you get to the refinery RECOPE take the first exit on the right and then immediately left passing over the bridge. After approximately 5 km in the town of La Garita when you get to the soccer field turn left, drive about 3 km to Route 27 toward Caldera, when you get to Puntarenas just after the double Tree Resort exit right onto the ferry terminal to Paquera. We recommend to ask your rental car to show you on a map…
Traveling by Bus:
Take a taxi to the Puntarenas bus station in San Jose. Once you get to Puntarenas take a taxi to the Paquera ferry. The ferry takes one hour and 15 minutes and on the other side there will be a bus to Montezuma which departs according to the ferry schedule. Please note the Paquera bus stops running at 6:30pm regardless if there are later ferries.
Please note
that our front desk closes at 8:00pm so be sure to advise if you will be coming in later than 8:00pm. Our driver works on a regular schedule until 5pm and is available to stay later but only upon previous request.
Estimated Travel Times
Estimated driving times from Montezuma to:
Arenal – 4 1/2 hours
Monteverde – 4 1/2 hours
Cabo Blanco – 15 minutes
Cobano (Bank/ATM) – 15 minutes
Jaco – 1 hour via Taxi Boat
Liberia – 3 hours
Mal Pais/Santa Teresa – 30-40 minutes
Manuel Antonio – 3 hours via Taxi Boat
Paquera – 1 hour (must be at ferry at least 30-45 minutes before departure)
San Jose – 4 hours via ferry OR 3 1/2 hours via Taxi Boat OR 25 minutes via domestic flight.
Estimated walking times from ylang ylang to:
Montezuma – 10-15 minutes
Montezuma Waterfall – 35 minutes
Playa Grande – 25 minutes
El Chorro Waterfall – 1 1/2 hours (One Way…Take Water!)
Estimated boat times:
Puntarenas/Paquera Ferry – 1 hour 15 minutes
Taxi Boat to Jaco – 1 hour
Boat to Tortuga – 50 minutes
Estimated Boat & shuttle times from Montezuma to:
Jaco by taxi boat, San Jose by shuttle – 3 1/2 hours
Jaco by taxi boat, Manuel Antonio by shuttle – 3 hours
Important Check-in / Check-out Info
LOCATION
Kindly note that Ylang Ylang Beach Resort is a 10-15 MINUTE WALK down the beach from Montezuma center. We provide transportation to the Resort on your arrival date, from 8:30am until 8:00pm*. During your stay you can walk back and forth from the village on your own as we only provide transportation on your check-in and check-out days in order to reduce impact on the beach. The Front Desk can provide a flashlight for you to walk at night. It is a very enjoyable and safe walk.
*AFTER 6:00pm ARRIVAL:
Our regular transportation service to the resort ends at 6:00pm. We NEED to know if you will arrive in Montezuma later than 6:00pm so that we can coordinate the after-hours luggage transportation.
CHECK-IN:
2:00pm, but you are welcome to come any time after 11:00am* and enjoy the pool, hammocks, restaurant, etc. You would leave your luggage at our Front Desk and once the room is ready we would let you know.
*IMPORTANT NOTE for CHECK-IN:
If you have scheduled your transport with us directly then we will always try and make sure our beach shuttle driver is waiting for you a El Sano Banano when you arrive (unless the driver is doing another check in right before or is on check-outs), but if you have scheduled transport with another company and we do not know the exact time you will arrive then there is a possibility that you will have to wait for our beach shuttle driver to pick you up. This wait time can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour. So for this reason we ask that you PLEASE let us know as much as possible about your arrival so that we will know at what time you will arrive (just send us an email) so that this way we can better coordinate your check-in.
*CHECK-IN BEFORE 11:00AM:
Please note that if you are arriving before 11:00am we can not guarantee that you will not have to wait for less than an hour as our driver and beach shuttle are designated for check-out’s between 6:30am-11:00am. We will be happy to have our driver pick you up as soon as he can, but it may take about an hour if he is in the middle of a check-out trip.
CHECK-OUT:
We have 3 shuttle times into Montezuma from Ylang Ylang, one at 6:40am another at 8:00am and the last one at 11:00am. If one of these times will not be used by other guests on your check-out day, we can gladly arrange a different time for your shuttle, but we will only be able to know this the afternoon or evening before your departure. Otherwise, you can either take one of these shuttle times and spend time in town or you can send your luggage and then just walk in later on (we would keep your luggage at El Sano Banano). If your departure from Montezuma is before 6:40am then we would need to send your luggage to El Sano Banano the night before and you would need to walk-in that morning and pick it up there. We can sometimes make exceptions for an earlier trip for this you need to send us an email and see if it will be possible.
Property Map
Instructions on How to Book your Ferry Ticket
Below you can see instructions on how to book your ferry ticket, this only is the case if you will have a rental car, any other transportation via the ferry already includes the ferry ticket.
Use this link to access the ferry booking page: https://www.quickpaycr.com
These are a few important notes:
1. Make sure to not use a translator plugin as it gives an error and won’t let you book.
2. Wait for the pop up that says there is no space to go away before you continue.
3. Where is says “license number” put “rental car”.
4. Make sure to select “Vehiculo Liviano” as your vehicle.
5. Click on below images to enlarge.
