Every year, the infrastructure in Costa Rica is improving. In the last year here in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica, the Costa Ballena towns of Uvita, Ojochal and Dominical have all had segments of their busiest roads paved. The highways are well maintained and the 3.5 hour coastal drive feels like a breeze - and it's simply stunning! Coming out from the rugged volcanic mountains around San Jose, you enter the coastal highway in Jaco with full sunshine beaming down on you as you take in the spectacular Pacific Ocean coastline.

[caption id="attachment_19252" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The infamous crocodile bridge at Tarcoles (top) and the view from the highway overlooking Jaco Beach.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_19253" align="aligncenter" width="1260"] Cocodrilos en el Rio T‡rcoles, pac’fico central, se pueden ver desde el puente que atravieza el r’o.
Foto por M—nica Quesada, 22 marzo 2006.[/caption]

But if you're not wanting to drive yourself to and from the airport, for instance, in more ways that one, getting to the Southern Zone from San Jose has never been easier. Below are three ways (other than driving) to get to the South Pacific region of Costa Rica in 2019.

Internal Flights in Costa Rica in 2019

Just outside of Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose is the domestic flight terminal. Hop on a flight from one of two carriers servicing our South Pacific region: Skyway flies to Quepos/Manuel Antonio and Sansa flies to Palmar Sur. Book your onward mode of transportation through either airline’s websites. Rental cars, driver service, or private helicopter are all available in our region. Both airlines also offer private and chartered flights.

https://www.skywaycr.com/ flights are $87 for tourists and $67 for residents to Quepos/Manuel Antonio (60 minute drive to Ojochal).

https://www.flysansa.com/ flights are $134 to Palmar Sur airport *discount for residents (30 minute drive to Ojochal). As of December 21, 2018, Sansa has begun daily flight from their newly renovated Quepos airport for $82, with 6 flight times back and forth daily.

Shuttle to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport

​Monkey Ride and Easy Ride offer scheduled shuttles to the most popular destination in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. Professional, insured drivers with A/C service can take up to 10 people.

Monkey Ride's scheduled departures for shared shuttle: 6:00 -8:00 AM departure from the Dominical area and 1:00 - 3:00 PM OR 1:00 - 4:00 PM  departure from the Airport area (depending on daylight savings). The shuttle leaves at 3pm from the airport. Be sure to book in advance!

https://www.monkeyridecr.com/ $49 Airport to Dominical and $65 Airport to Ojochal.

Easy Ride scheduled departures for shared shuttle: 5:15 AM, 10:30 AM, and 1:15 PM departure from Ojochal's Pancito Cafe. 

https://www.easyridecostarica.com/ $49 Airport to Dominical and $65 Airport to Ojochal.

Tico Rides is a local company that offers schedules trips and more flexible trips, including tours. They also offers pick up/drop off service for packages if you need something delivered from along his route. Great for things like delivering paperwork to or from San Jose. Also does trips to Panama for those who want to extend their 90 day visitor's visa. Contact for pricing.

https://www.ticorides.com/

Take a coach bus from San Jose city

Catching a later flight to Costa Rica and feel like staying overnight? Stay in San Jose city for the evening and take in some city culture! The next day, head on over to Tracopa Bus Terminal on Calle 5 and hop on a coach bus that will take you directo to any Costa Ballena town (and they’ll stop on request where you need, too!) It’s about a 3.5 hour drive to get to here by bus - about as long as it would take by car and you stop about half way there to grab a quick bite and restroom break. All for around $10 to get to Ojochal. http://tracopacr.com/