By Air
Most international flights arrive at the modern new terminal at Juan Santamaria International Airport (tel 441-0744), 17km northwest of San Jose and 3km southeast of Alajuela. The ICT office here (daily 8am-4pm; tel 442-1820 or 442-8542) can supply maps and give advice on accommodation. There's also a correo (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm), next to the departure tax window, and a bank (Mon-Fri 6.30am-6pm; Sat & Sun 7am-1pm), downstairs on the departure level; colones are not necessary for taxis, but you'll need them for the bus. The best way to get into San Jose from the airport is by taxi , which takes about twenty minutes in light traffic and costs US$12-14. Official airport taxis are orange and line up outside the terminal. You'll have no problems getting a cab, as the drivers will stampede for your business when you're practically still in customs. Taxi drivers accept dollars as well as colones. Alternatively, the Alajuela-San Jose bus (every 3min between 5am & 10pm; every 15min at other times) stops right outside the airport's undercover carpark. Though it's much cheaper than a taxi there are no proper luggage racks inside and the buses are nearly always full - you can just about get away with it if you're carrying only a light backpack or small bag. Drivers will indicate which buses are on their way to San Jose (a 30min journey) and which to Alajuela. The fare is about 200 colones (US$0.75 - payable in local currency); pay the driver. The bus drops passengers in town at Av 2, C 12/14, where there are plenty of taxis around.
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