Traveling to Costa Rica
General Surf Camp Travel Information
Our retreat hotel, Tropico Latino, is located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in a little beach town called Santa Teresa. Travel is not included in your surf retreat package.
The first and last days of our Costa Rica surf camp are considered travel days. The first day of surf camp kicks off around 6:00pm with a Welcome Dinner, and the last day ends around 10:00am after a surf session and brunch. We have fun activities planned for both those days, so be sure you don’t arrive too late or leave too early!
We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your surf adventure. A variety of companies sell travel insurance online, such as World Nomads and Allianz Travel, and some credit card companies automatically offer coverage. Be sure to check the policy and make sure it meets the needs for your trip.
To get to us, it is a two-step process.
- First step is your international flight to Costa Rica.
- Second step is either taking a domestic flight or shuttle bus to the surf retreat.
We recommend that you allow 2 hours between your international and domestic flights for customs, baggage claim and ticketing.
Kathy, our reservation guru, is here to help you with any of your travel questions.
Detailed Trip Planning
Step 1
Flights to/from Costa Rica
International Airport:
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), 17 km outside San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
Airlines:
American, United, Frontier, COPA Panama, Delta, US Air, Continental, America West, Southwest, LACSA, Mexicana, Taca and many others airlines fly to Costa Rica.
A travel search engine we highly recommend is www.kayak.com.
We recommend that you allow 2 hrs between your international and domestic flights on both ends of your trip for customs, baggage claim, and ticketing.
Step 2
Getting to us from SJO:
There are two ways of getting to/from Santa Teresa: a domestic flight or shuttle bus. We highly recommend the flight, as it allows for more time at the beach.
Domestic Flight:
If you’re looking to squeeze every ounce of vacation time in, we recommend booking a 30-minute puddle jumper flight on Sansa airlines ($60-$140 each way), leaving from SJO and arriving in Tambor.
Both Sansa and Green Airways depart right next door to the San Jose airport in the domestic terminal. These flights are part of the adventure and will start your trip off right with a beautiful flight over the Costa Rican jungle to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Once in Tambor, expect a 1-hour taxi ride. Taxis cost approximately $60/each way for 1-4 people and $15 for each additional person. We will schedule a taxi to pick you up in Tambor, so look for a sign with your party’s name or the “Pura Vida Adventures” sign.
There are a limited number of flights and seats to Tambor, so make your reservation early!
SANSA AIRLINES
Located at the San Jose, Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
www.flysansa.com | [email protected] | 011-(506) 2290-4100 | Toll free USA: 1-877-767-2672
We can help you book your Sansa flight! Please contact us and we will gladly help you reserve your domestic flight.
COSTA RICA GREEN AIRWAYS
Located at the San Jose, Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
www.costaricagreeniar.com| [email protected] | 011-(506) 4070-0771 | Toll free USA: 1-888-828-8471
Daily Shuttle Bus
We have partnered with Montezuma Expeditions to provide you with shuttle bus services to/from Santa Teresa.
The shuttle bus leaves San Jose and Santa Teresa daily and will pick you up at the airport or your hotel. The price is $50/per person each way.
The shuttle ride is an approximate 6 hour drive through Costa Rica’s picturesque countryside, including a 90-minute ferry ride on the Golfo de Nicoya.
Please contact Montezuma Expeditions directly at www.montezumaexpeditions.com, [email protected]Â or call 011- (506) 2441-3394.
Travel Questions?
Hotels in San Jose
If you need to stay the night in San Jose, we recommend the following hotels:
Holiday Inn Express
Closest Hotel to the Airport
www.holidayinnexpress.com
1-888-Holiday
Standard Room for 1-2 people: $150-$200 + 13% tax
Hotel Fleur de Lys
Victorian House converted into a hotel, includes breakfast
http://www.hotelfleurdelys.com/
(011)506-223-1206 | [email protected]
Standard Single: $78-$100 = 13% tax
Double: $76-$86 + 13% tax
Best Western Irazu
Close to Airport, full breakfast
www.bestwestern.com
(011)506-2520-2483 or 800-528-1234
Room for 1-2 people: $93.75-$150 + 13% tax
Marriott Hotel San Jose
Close to Airport
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/sjocr
(011)506-298-0000 or 1-800-228-9290
Rooms for up to four people: $159-$200 + 13% tax
Los Volcanes Alejuela
Simple, clean hotel near the airport, Alejuela, includes breakfast, complementary taxi to airport
www.hotellosvolcanes.com
[email protected] | (011)-506-2441-0525
Accommodation with shared bathroom: $35 single, $46 double, $60 triple
Accommodation with private bathroom: $46 single, $60 double, $74 triple
Solo Travel
Costa Rica is a beautiful country and a perfect place for solo travelers to meet like-minded people, seek adventure, and explore an entirely different culture. In fact, about 30 percent of our students come to our surf and yoga retreats as solo travelers! If you have anxiety about traveling alone, check out our Solo Traveler section for specific details, articles, and information about the safety and fun of traveling in Central America.
