Most of the international carriers fly into San Jose Int'l Airport from all major U.S. cities, Canada, Europe and Latin America where you can make a connection to the Puerto Jimenez airstrip in the Osa Peninsula. From San Jose flying time is less than 1 hour, unless stopping en route. At the moment there is only one local airline offering domestic service to Puerto Jimenez from San Jose; SANSA. Sansa has been in service since 1978 as part of the TACA Airlines regional airline system. Sansa uses versions of the 14 passenger single engine Cessna 208 Grand Caravan.
Sansa operates flights from the Juan Santamaria Main Airport, which is the primary airport serving San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. The airport is located near the city of Alajuela, 20 km west of downtown San Jose. Coordinates: 09°59′38″N 084°12′32″W
Sansa permits a baggage allowance of 30 to 40 lbs. Excess baggage will be charged at $1.00 per pound. Pets, bikes, fishing equipment and surfboards are extra baggage and they are considered standby bags. The price is from $32.
Travel packing tips:
Pack valuables (documentation, money, credit cards, jewelry, electronic devices, etc.) in your carry-on baggage.
Any essentials you would need if your checked luggage were to be lost, stolen, or delayed, such as medication, fresh change of clothes, toothbrush etc.
Driving from San José is approximately 6 - 7 hours:
From San Jose take the San José-Caldera highway, and head towards Orotina. After approximately 40 minutes you will pass next to the town of Orotina, and approximately 6 kilometers after you will come to the Pozón-Caldera tollbooth. Immediately after the toll booth take the first exit right on to the newly paved Costanera Sur and head south through Jacó, Quepos, and then Dominical. After Dominical continue heading south towards Chacarita, on the way you will pass Palmar Norte, 30km past Palmar Norte, you will find Chacarita's Gas Station at your right. Turn right here, you will see a sign that shows the distance to Puerto Jiménez (77 km/48 miles).
By Shuttle (6-8 hours): EasyRide shuttle service will pick you up at your hotel in the San Jose Area and drop you off at Restaurant Carolinas in Puerto Jimenez . Rate: $99 USD per person. Departs at 4:00 am
By Bus: San Jose to Puerto Jimenez (9 hours). In San Jose go to the Bus Station of Transportes Blanco located at the San Carlos terminal, downtown San Jose, the bus fee is ₡8,000 colones/$15 USD. The Bus leaves at 8:00 am and 12:00 noon from San José. Pura Vida!
Bus and water ferry: San Jose to Golfito (8 hours). In San Jose take a taxi to the Tracopa bus station, downtown San Jose. The bus fare is ₡8,000 colones/$15 USD. You must take the 6:00 am bus, arriving in Golfito around 2:00 pm, getting off at the ferry boat dock (lancha). The last ferry boat (30 minutes) departure for Puerto Jimenez is at 3:15 pm (₡3,500/$6 USD).