Transfer from San José-Santamaria Airport to Braulio Carrillo National Park

The journey follows Highway 32 northeastward from San José Santamaria Airport through increasingly lush rainforest terrain. You'll pass near Poás Volcano and cross the Zurquí Tunnel, Central America's longest road tunnel at 468 metres, a landmark most visitors recognise. The landscape grows verdant and mountainous; fog is frequent, especially in afternoon hours, and the road winds through areas prone to landslides during rainy season.

Your driver meets you at the arrivals baggage-hall exit of your landing terminal, holding a name sign. The 50-kilometre drive typically takes 1 hour 25 minutes, though congestion near San José can add time during morning and late-afternoon peaks (7–9 AM, 4–6 PM). Traffic flows better midday and early morning. The park has three main sectors—Zurquí has the visitor centre and facilities; Quebrada González is a smaller entrance accessed directly from Highway 32. Plan for the park's 8 AM–4 PM operating hours (last entry 3 PM) and bring waterproof gear for frequent rain.

Public transport from SJO requires two or three separate transfers: airport shuttle to San José city, then a bus to Guápiles or the Caribbean zone, then a taxi or secondary bus toward the park entrance—a journey of 2–3 hours with unpredictable timing and park drop-off on a busy highway. Private transfers eliminate this fragmentation, offer fixed arrival times monitored in real time, and spare you navigating unfamiliar bus terminals and negotiating informal taxi fares at roadside park entrances where informal operators congregate.