San José, Costa Rica to San Juan del Sur

This is a long international day involving the Peñas Blancas border crossing, and the crossing — not the distance — is the part that decides how long it takes. Nobody can promise you a duration for it, and anyone who does is guessing.

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Delivery from C$184 in town and C$276 to the outer beaches. Every fee is agreed before we set off.

A vehicle prepared for a long international road transfer

Consider flying into Liberia instead

  • Liberia airport in Guanacaste is much closer to the border than San José is, and the onward run to San Juan del Sur is far shorter.
  • If you have not booked your flights yet, this is the single most useful thing on this page. It can save most of a travel day.
  • We run transfers from Liberia as a standard route, crossing included.
  • If you are already in San José, the overland route is entirely doable — it is just a full day rather than a half one.

The border crossing

  • The route crosses at Peñas Blancas. Carry your passport and whatever documents your nationality requires for Nicaragua.
  • Border fees and immigration charges are yours to pay and are not part of any transfer quote. We will tell you what to expect rather than let it be a surprise.
  • Budget real time here. It is the leg that varies most, and it varies by hours rather than minutes.
  • Depending on operators available on your date, the trip may run as one vehicle throughout or as a hand-over at the border. We tell you which when we quote, never on the day.

Planning it sensibly

  • Leave early. Arriving into San Juan del Sur in daylight is worth a lot more than an extra hour in bed.
  • Do not schedule anything tight on arrival day. The crossing does not respect plans.
  • Tell us your start point, passenger and luggage count, nationality for the document side, and whether you have boards.
  • Quoted as one fixed price for the journey, agreed before you travel.

Tell us what you need

Message us in English or Spanish. We answer by hand, so you get a real person and a real price rather than an automated reply.

Order on WhatsApp +505 5707 7624

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