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Private Transfers from San José Airport
Arriving at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)? WelcomeTaxi provides pre-booked airport transfers and private transfers between the airport, San José and destinations across Costa Rica. Travel directly to your hotel, residence, resort or business address with a professional English-speaking driver.
Our chauffeur service is also available for business travel, sightseeing and tailored regional journeys. From central San José, Escazú and Santa Ana to La Fortuna, Jacó, Manuel Antonio and destinations farther across the country, private long-distance transfers provide a comfortable door-to-door alternative to public buses, taxis, shared shuttles or rental cars.
How It Works
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Choose the route and a vehicle |
| Select service type you need, choose the route (or hourly hire duration), indicate number of passengers and luggage, as well as other necessary details if needed. See the price for different vehicle classes, choose one suitable for you and press Next. |
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Choose the payment method |
| Complete the booking form, choose the payment method, press Make Booking button, make online prepayment (if needed) and get email confirmation. When a driver will be assigned to your job, his phone number will be emailed to you. |
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The driver meets you with a name tag |
| Your driver will meet you on-site with a name tag at the right time. He will walk you to the car and safely drive you to your destination. At the end of your ride, if needed, you will pay in cash or by card-to-card transfer to your driver. |
Our Benefits
English-speaking drivers
Always available — friendly, professional, and communicative.
Fixed prices — no surprises
Know your fare in advance, with no hidden fees.
Meet & greet included
Your driver will wait at arrivals with a name tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a ride?
We recommend booking your transfer or hourly hire service at least 72 hours in advance. If you don’t have that much time, you can request an urgent transfer — we’ll let you know as soon as possible whether we can confirm it.
What pick-up time should I specify for the transfer?
If your transfer starts from an airport or railway station, please specify your flight or train arrival time as the start of your transfer. This helps the driver organize the meeting more accurately.
If your transfer starts from a hotel to an airport, please indicate the time you wish to be picked up at reception. You’ll need to calculate it yourself, allowing extra time for check-in. We recommend adding about 3 hours before your flight’s departure. For example, if your flight leaves at 14:00 and the trip takes 1 hour, your pick-up time should be 10:00.
How do I know if my order has been accepted?
After submitting your booking, you’ll receive an email with all trip details and your order status as “Waiting”. Once we receive and confirm your payment, the status will change to “Accepted”, and you’ll receive another email confirmation.
If you don’t receive the confirmation email, please contact our support team at office@welcome.taxi.
How do I change my booking?
To make changes to your booking, please contact our support team at office@welcome.taxi.
Important note: Requests for changes made less than 72 hours before your trip may be declined.
How can I cancel my booking?
You can cancel your booking in two ways:
- Via the booking page on our website — use the cancellation number provided in your booking voucher, at least 72 hours before the trip.
- By contacting our support team if it’s less than 72 hours before your ride.
Important note: In case of urgent cancellation, we may not be able to refund your deposit. The free cancellation period is stated in your confirmation email.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed by less than 30 minutes, the driver will adjust their arrival time automatically.
If the delay is longer, please inform the driver directly (their phone number is in your confirmation voucher) or contact WelcomeTaxi Customer Support at office@welcome.taxi. Please include your order number and the new arrival time.
Important note: The driver may charge an additional fee for extended waiting time.
How will I find my driver?
For airport transfers, if you’ve added the meet-and-greet option to your order, the driver will meet you in the arrivals area — right after passport control and baggage claim. You’ll see a name sign with your first and last names (or custom text, if specified in your booking).
Important note: We strongly recommend adding the meet-and-greet option to your airport transfer booking.
For hotel pickups, the driver will wait for you in the hotel lobby. Detailed meeting instructions and your driver’s contact number are provided in your booking confirmation voucher.
How can I be sure that my driver will pick me up?
WelcomeTaxi guarantees that your driver will do their best to meet you on time.
Both you and the driver will have each other’s phone or WhatsApp number. Please keep your mobile phone switched on at the time of pickup. If you can’t reach the driver, contact our support team immediately.
I can’t find my driver. What should I do?
If you can’t find your driver, please double-check the name signs again — the driver may have missed you in the crowd.
Try calling or messaging the driver via WhatsApp. If there’s no response within the meeting time, contact our support team.
If necessary, go to the airport’s Information Desk to arrange a local taxi to your destination.
Important note: If the driver fails to meet you, we will refund your payment.
What Our Customers Say
United Kingdom
Highly recommended taxi service
Airport Transfers and Chauffeur Service from San José Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is the principal international airport serving San José and Costa Rica's Central Valley. Located in Alajuela, west of the capital, it is the country's main aviation gateway and a convenient starting point for journeys to San José, Heredia, Escazú, Santa Ana and destinations throughout Costa Rica.
WelcomeTaxi provides pre-booked private airport transfers from Juan Santamaría International Airport to hotels, residences, resorts, offices and regional destinations. Passengers can organise their transportation before travelling and continue directly from the terminal with a professional English-speaking driver rather than arranging their onward journey after arrival.
Private transfers are suitable for individual travellers, couples, families, business passengers and larger groups. Chauffeur service and long-distance transfers can also be arranged for journeys beyond San José to beaches, national parks, mountain destinations and resorts across Costa Rica.
Getting from SJO Airport to San José
Juan Santamaría International Airport is located outside central San José, in the city of Alajuela. Ground transportation options include public buses, official airport taxis, shared or private shuttles, rental cars and pre-booked private transfers.
The best option depends on the final destination, amount of luggage, passenger number and whether price or direct door-to-door convenience is the main priority.
Public Buses from San José Airport
Public bus services connect the airport area with San José, Alajuela and other parts of the Central Valley. Bus stops are located near the passenger terminal and provide an economical option for travellers with light luggage and flexible schedules.
Public buses generally serve established routes and stops rather than individual hotels. Passengers may therefore need to walk or use another local service after reaching San José.
A private airport transfer provides direct transportation from SJO to the exact hotel, residence or business address without additional connections.
Official Airport Taxis
Official taxi services operate from Juan Santamaría International Airport and have designated areas around the international arrivals and departures zones. They provide direct transportation to San José and destinations elsewhere in the region.
A regular airport taxi can be practical for passengers arranging transportation after landing. A pre-booked private transfer offers an alternative when travellers want their vehicle confirmed beforehand, need additional luggage capacity or are continuing directly to another part of Costa Rica.
Shared and Private Shuttle Services
Tourist shuttle services are widely used in Costa Rica, particularly for journeys between the airport and major leisure destinations. Shared shuttles can provide a cost-effective solution when their timetable and route match the passenger's plans.
A private transfer provides greater flexibility, with direct pickup at the airport and transportation to the booked hotel, resort or other address without waiting for additional passengers or making multiple accommodation stops.
Rental Cars
Car rental is popular with visitors planning to explore Costa Rica independently. A rental vehicle can provide flexibility for visiting national parks, beaches, mountain towns and rural accommodation over several days.
For travellers who do not want to drive immediately after a flight, a chauffeur-driven transfer avoids rental formalities, navigation and the need to adapt to unfamiliar roads and traffic conditions.
Why Pre-Book a Private Transfer from SJO?
Pre-booking allows the airport journey to be arranged before arrival. The pickup, destination, passenger number and vehicle requirements can all be specified in advance.
This is especially useful in Costa Rica because many visitors continue directly from the airport to destinations outside San José. Resorts, eco-lodges and holiday accommodation may be several hours away by road and are not always close to direct public transport.
Families and groups can reserve a vehicle with enough space for both passengers and luggage, while international visitors can benefit from travelling with an English-speaking driver.
Transfers from San José Airport to Central San José
Central San José is the country's principal administrative, cultural and business centre. Hotels, offices, museums, restaurants and transport terminals are spread throughout the city and surrounding districts.
Public buses provide an economical connection from the airport area, while taxis and private transfers offer direct road transportation. Journey times vary depending on traffic and the exact destination.
A private transfer takes passengers directly to their hotel, apartment or business address without requiring another local journey after reaching the city.
Transfers to Escazú and Santa Ana
Escazú and Santa Ana are important business, residential and hotel districts west of central San José. They contain international hotels, corporate offices, shopping centres, restaurants and private residences.
Their location can make them particularly convenient from SJO without travelling through central San José first. A private transfer provides direct transportation to the passenger's hotel, office or residence.
Transfers to Alajuela and Heredia
Juan Santamaría International Airport is physically located in Alajuela, making the city one of the closest destinations to the terminal. Heredia is another major Central Valley city within convenient driving distance.
Private transfers can provide direct transportation to hotels, residences, universities and business addresses in both areas without requiring passengers to travel into San José.
Chauffeur Service in San José and the Central Valley
WelcomeTaxi chauffeur service can be arranged for business schedules, sightseeing, events and personalised itineraries throughout San José and the Central Valley.
The metropolitan area includes San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Escazú, Santa Ana and numerous surrounding communities. A private vehicle with driver allows passengers to travel according to their own programme rather than arranging a new taxi for every journey.
Hourly chauffeur service can also be useful for business meetings, sightseeing or itineraries involving several locations during the same day.
Business Travel from Juan Santamaría Airport
San José and the surrounding Central Valley form Costa Rica's main business and administrative region. International travellers frequently arrive through SJO for corporate meetings, conferences and professional travel.
A pre-booked chauffeur can provide direct transportation from the airport to an office, hotel, conference venue or meeting location in San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia or nearby business districts.
Transfers from San José Airport to La Fortuna
La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica's most popular inland tourism destinations and a gateway to the Arenal Volcano region. Many visitors arrive at SJO and continue directly towards La Fortuna rather than staying overnight in San José.
Shared tourist shuttles and buses are available on various routes, while a private transfer provides direct door-to-door transportation from the airport to a hotel, resort or lodge in the La Fortuna area.
This can be particularly convenient for families, groups and travellers carrying substantial luggage.
Transfers from SJO to Jacó and the Central Pacific Coast
Jacó is one of the closest major Pacific beach destinations to San José and is frequently reached by road from Juan Santamaría International Airport.
A private transfer provides direct transportation from the terminal to hotels, resorts, apartments and villas in Jacó and neighbouring coastal areas without requiring passengers to travel into central San José first.
San José Airport Transfers to Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio and nearby Quepos are among Costa Rica's best-known leisure destinations, combining Pacific beaches, rainforest and Manuel Antonio National Park.
The road journey from SJO is considerably longer than a transfer within the Central Valley. Buses and shared shuttles provide scheduled options, while a private transfer allows passengers to travel directly to their hotel or resort according to their own arrival time.
Regional and Long-Distance Transfers across Costa Rica
Juan Santamaría International Airport is a major starting point for road travel throughout Costa Rica. Private long-distance transfers can be arranged to beach resorts, mountain destinations, national park areas and towns across the country.
Costa Rica's geography means that road journey times can be much longer than straight-line distances suggest. Mountain roads, weather and traffic should therefore be considered when planning longer transfers.
Private transportation is particularly useful for families, groups and travellers staying at accommodation that is not conveniently served by direct public transport.
San José Airport and Other Costa Rican Airports
SJO is the clear primary commercial airport for San José and the Central Valley. Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) is located within San José itself, but it is primarily used for general aviation, private and charter operations rather than regular scheduled passenger services.
Guanacaste Airport (LIR), near Liberia, is Costa Rica's other major international gateway. It serves the north-western tourism region and Pacific resorts of Guanacaste rather than the San José metropolitan market.
For travellers whose destination is San José or the Central Valley, Juan Santamaría International Airport remains the natural airport choice.
Useful Information for Arriving Passengers
Juan Santamaría International Airport uses the IATA code SJO and is located in Alajuela, west of San José. It is Costa Rica's main international passenger airport and handled more than 6.4 million international passengers in 2025.
Official taxis, public buses, tourist transportation services and rental cars are available from the airport. Private transfers can be arranged directly to San José or destinations elsewhere in the country.
When booking a private airport transfer, passengers should provide the correct flight details, complete destination address, number of travellers and realistic luggage requirements. For resorts, villas and eco-lodges, the exact property name and location are particularly helpful.
With airport transfers, chauffeur service and long-distance private transportation available from Juan Santamaría International Airport, travellers can arrange their onward journey before arrival and continue directly to San José or destinations farther across Costa Rica.