Private transfers are scheduled based on your itinerary and can pick you up and drop you off at the airport. You and your travel companions will be the only passengers. You can arrange transfers to or from any land based destination. We generally allow a one hour period to stop along the designated route. Common reasons to stop include stopping at a restaurant, souvenir stand, take photos of scenery or wildlife, or just to simply stretch. In some cases, you can add side trips such as a stop by a national park, waterfalls or other attractions for an additional fee.
Shuttle transfers are available between most popular destinations in Costa Rica, but will not pick you up at the airport. They are shared with other tourists and run on a daily schedule. Shuttles will only pick up at designated hotels within each destination. As other tourists will be on the same transfer, you will have to wait while others are picked up and dropped off at their respective hotels. Shuttle transfers also have a slight tendency to run off of schedule by a margin of plus or minus 10 to 15 minutes, which is nearly always caused by other travelers not being ready for the shuttle.
Most visitors with less than five travelers in their party use a combination of private and shuttle transfers. Most use the private transfers for airport pick-ups and drop offs and then shuttle transfers in between destinations.
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What is the difference between shuttles and private transfers?
Can I reserve a shared shuttle transfer from the airport?
Are there baggage restrictions for shuttle transfers?
How will I know who my driver is at the airport?
How are the roads in Costa Rica?
How long does it take to drive between destinations?
Can I use public buses to get around Costa Rica?
Should I rent a car in Costa Rica?
Will my driver’s license work in Costa Rica?
Are there domestic airports at all tourist destinations?
Are there baggage restrictions on domestic flights?
Should I take a domestic flight?
What is the Land-Boat-Land transfer?
Can I do a day trip to Monteverde from Arenal or vice versa?
Can I do a day trip to Monteverde or Arenal from Guancaste?
Can I do day trips from San Jose to Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero or the beach?
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