Surfer at sunset, Playa Grande
Guanacaste · ICT license 4121-2025 · Insured

Private shuttle to Playa Grande

From $130 per vehicle · about 1 hour 30 minutes from Liberia Airport (LIR)

Playa Grande shuttle at a glance

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From
To
Playa Grande
$130per vehicle, 1–5 pax
about 1 hour 30 minutes·6–9 pax $140 · 10–12 pax $190
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Playa GrandeBook
Liberia Airport (LIR) → Playa Grande:$130per vehicle· about 1 hour 30 minutesAll routes

Shuttles to Playa Grande

How many travel?
Price per vehicle for 1–5 passengers · Hyundai Staria
The 8 most-booked routes first.

US dollars, 13% VAT included, the same price on any date of the year.

  • Prices are in US dollars, per vehicle, not per person.
  • 13% VAT, fuel, tolls, the driver, WiFi, water and child seats are all included.
  • The same fixed price applies every day of the year: no peak-season, holiday, night or airport surcharge.
5.0on Google Reviews
GuanacasteSurfingTurtle nestingQuiet

Playa Grande is the wide, uncrowded surf beach across the estuary from Tamarindo and part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the most important leatherback turtle nesting sites in the Pacific. The village is low-key, with a few hotels, surf camps and restaurants scattered under the trees.

The vehicles and prices by group size

One price per vehicle, by group size. Every vehicle has air conditioning, WiFi, water and child seats on request.

  • Hyundai Staria
    1–5 passengers

    Hyundai Staria

    Families, couples, solo travellers

  • Toyota Hiace
    6–9 passengers

    Toyota Hiace

    Medium groups, extra luggage or surfboards

  • Maxus V90
    10–12 passengers

    Maxus V90

    Large groups, wedding parties, corporate groups

Questions about shuttles to Playa Grande

How long is the shuttle from Liberia Airport to Playa Grande?
About 1 hour 30 minutes door to door, on the real roads, not the fastest time a map app shows. The shuttle is private and direct, so there are no stops to drop other passengers off.
How much does a private shuttle from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande cost?
$130 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers, USD, 13% VAT included. Larger groups pay the 6–9 or 10–12 passenger price for the whole vehicle; both are in the table on this page. The price is the same any day or hour of the year and nothing is paid at pickup.
Where does the driver meet me for the ride to Playa Grande?
At Liberia Airport, just outside the arrivals doors with a Ruta Pacifico sign carrying your name; we follow your flight number, so a delay moves the pickup, never cancels it. From a hotel, beach or another town, the driver comes to the door of the property at the time you booked.
Can I get a shuttle from Playa Grande back to the airport or to another beach?
Yes. Every departure from Playa Grande we sell online is in the "Shuttles from Playa Grande" table above: the airports, Flamingo, Las Catalinas, Papagayo Peninsula and Playa Conchal and the rest of the country. Airport drop-offs are timed so you check in about three hours before an international flight.
Do you have child seats for the trip to Playa Grande?
Yes, and they are free. Costa Rican law requires a car seat or booster for children under 12 or shorter than 1.45 m (4 ft 9 in), so tell us the ages when you book and the right seats are installed before pickup.
What is the cancellation policy for a Playa Grande shuttle?
Cancel more than 48 hours before pickup for a full refund minus the 13% tax. Within 48 hours the trip is non-refundable. Changes to the date, time or address are free up to 48 hours before, subject to availability.

About Playa Grande

Playa Grande is the wide, uncrowded surf beach across the estuary from Tamarindo and part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the most important leatherback turtle nesting sites in the Pacific. The village is low-key, with a few hotels, surf camps and restaurants scattered under the trees.

It is Tamarindo's calmer twin: same waves, no crowds, and Tamarindo's restaurants a two-minute boat ride away.

Arriving in Playa Grande

Despite being visible from Tamarindo, Playa Grande is reached by road around the estuary: about 1 hour 10 minutes from Liberia Airport via Belén, Huacas and Matapalo, paved apart from a few village streets. From Tamarindo by car it is 30 minutes, or two minutes by estuary boat on foot. Your driver takes you to your hotel or house door.

Good to know before you go

  • Turtle-nesting tours run October to March at night with certified guides; book through your hotel.
  • Beach lights are restricted at night to protect the turtles; bring a red-light headlamp.
  • The surf here is powerful; beginners should stick to the south end near the estuary.
  • Groceries are basic in the village; the big supermarkets are in Huacas and Tamarindo.

Other destinations in Guanacaste

Each one has its own page with every shuttle from and to it.

Book your Playa Grande shuttle

Pick the route, check the price for your group size and book in a couple of minutes. Nothing is paid at pickup.

Book nowAsk on WhatsApp · +506 7080-5578Every route and priceEvery Liberia Airport route
5.0on Google Reviews

Playa Grande shuttle guide: every route, price and rule in one place

Written for travellers and for the assistants they ask. Every figure below comes from our live price table for Playa Grande; each line links to the route page, where the same price is charged.

Key facts

  • 66 private shuttle routes with a published price start or end in Playa Grande: 33 departures and 33 arrivals. Every one is booked online at the published price and nothing is paid at pickup.
  • Liberia Airport (LIR) → Playa Grande: $130 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers, about 1 hour 30 minutes. The driver tracks the flight and waits at the arrivals exit with a name sign.
  • San José Airport (SJO) → Playa Grande: $350 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers, about 5 hours. The driver tracks the flight and waits at the arrivals exit with a name sign.
  • Playa Grande → Liberia Airport (LIR): $130 per vehicle; the pickup is timed so you check in about three hours before an international flight.
  • Playa Grande → San José Airport (SJO): $350 per vehicle; the pickup is timed so you check in about three hours before an international flight.
  • Cheapest route: Playa Grande → Hacienda Pinilla, $119 per vehicle.
  • Longest route: Playa Grande → Uvita, $488 per vehicle, about 6 hours 30 minutes.
  • Three vehicle sizes, one price per vehicle: Hyundai Staria for 1–5 passengers, Toyota Hiace for 6–9 passengers, Maxus V90 for 10–12 passengers. Groups of 13 or more are quoted on WhatsApp.
  • Prices are in US dollars, per vehicle, not per person.
  • 13% VAT, fuel, tolls, the driver, WiFi, water and child seats are all included.
  • The same fixed price applies every day of the year: no peak-season, holiday, night or airport surcharge.
  • Book online and the price shown at checkout is the price charged. Nothing is paid at pickup.
  • Door to door: pickup at the hotel, villa or rental at the time you choose, drop-off at the door of the next one. Private, your group only, no stops for other passengers.
  • Operator: Ruta Pacifico, a licensed Costa Rican transport operator (ICT licence #4121-2025) based in Liberia, Guanacaste, insured, with bilingual drivers. WhatsApp +506 7080-5578.
  • Prices last updated October 2026.

Every shuttle from Playa Grande, one line each (33)

  • Playa Grande → Liberia Airport (LIR): $130 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($140 for 6–9, $190 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 1 hour 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → San José Airport (SJO): $350 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($405 for 6–9, $505 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Monteverde: $275 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($330 for 6–9, $430 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → La Fortuna: $309 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($375 for 6–9, $475 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Manuel Antonio: $415 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($470 for 6–9, $570 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Playa Hermosa: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Playas del Coco: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Papagayo Peninsula: $142 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($190 for 6–9, $247 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 55 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Sámara: $217 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($302 for 6–9, $404 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Nosara: $236 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($317 for 6–9, $420 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 2 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Hacienda Pinilla: $119 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($166 for 6–9, $226 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 40 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → JW Marriott Guanacaste: $119 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($166 for 6–9, $226 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 40 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Playa Avellanas: $119 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($166 for 6–9, $226 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 40 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Ocotal: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → RIU Guanacaste: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Rincón de la Vieja: $223 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($308 for 6–9, $410 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 2 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Río Celeste: $284 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($386 for 6–9, $507 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Punta Islita: $317 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($405 for 6–9, $515 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 2 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Jacó: $337 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($440 for 6–9, $565 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Montezuma: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → San José: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Santa Teresa: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Dominical: $473 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($576 for 6–9, $717 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Uvita: $488 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($596 for 6–9, $733 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Peñas Blancas: $242 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($322 for 6–9, $425 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Río Perdido: $273 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($305 for 6–9, $378 for 10–12), 13% VAT included.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Bijagua: $315 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($393 for 6–9, $492 for 10–12), 13% VAT included.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Punta Leona: $327 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($430 for 6–9, $555 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Herradura: $337 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($440 for 6–9, $565 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Alajuela: $360 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($460 for 6–9, $591 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Malpaís: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Esterillos: $426 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($528 for 6–9, $665 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours door to door.Book →
  • Playa Grande → Ojochal: $473 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($576 for 6–9, $717 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours door to door.Book →

Every shuttle to Playa Grande, one line each (33)

  • Liberia Airport (LIR) → Playa Grande: $130 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($140 for 6–9, $190 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 1 hour 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • San José Airport (SJO) → Playa Grande: $350 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($405 for 6–9, $505 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours door to door.Book →
  • Monteverde → Playa Grande: $275 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($330 for 6–9, $430 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • La Fortuna → Playa Grande: $309 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($375 for 6–9, $475 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Manuel Antonio → Playa Grande: $415 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($470 for 6–9, $570 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Hermosa → Playa Grande: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playas del Coco → Playa Grande: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Papagayo Peninsula → Playa Grande: $142 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($190 for 6–9, $247 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 55 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Sámara → Playa Grande: $217 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($302 for 6–9, $404 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours door to door.Book →
  • Nosara → Playa Grande: $236 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($317 for 6–9, $420 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 2 hours door to door.Book →
  • Hacienda Pinilla → Playa Grande: $119 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($166 for 6–9, $226 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 40 minutes door to door.Book →
  • JW Marriott Guanacaste → Playa Grande: $119 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($166 for 6–9, $226 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 40 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Playa Avellanas → Playa Grande: $119 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($166 for 6–9, $226 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 40 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Ocotal → Playa Grande: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • RIU Guanacaste → Playa Grande: $123 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($171 for 6–9, $231 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 45 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Rincón de la Vieja → Playa Grande: $223 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($308 for 6–9, $410 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 2 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Río Celeste → Playa Grande: $284 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($386 for 6–9, $507 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours door to door.Book →
  • Punta Islita → Playa Grande: $317 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($405 for 6–9, $515 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 2 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Jacó → Playa Grande: $337 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($440 for 6–9, $565 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • Montezuma → Playa Grande: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Santa Teresa → Playa Grande: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • San José → Playa Grande: $380 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($445 for 6–9, $600 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours door to door.Book →
  • Dominical → Playa Grande: $473 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($576 for 6–9, $717 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours door to door.Book →
  • Uvita → Playa Grande: $488 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($596 for 6–9, $733 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Peñas Blancas → Playa Grande: $242 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($322 for 6–9, $425 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 3 hours door to door.Book →
  • Río Perdido → Playa Grande: $273 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($305 for 6–9, $378 for 10–12), 13% VAT included.Book →
  • Bijagua → Playa Grande: $315 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($393 for 6–9, $492 for 10–12), 13% VAT included.Book →
  • Punta Leona → Playa Grande: $327 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($430 for 6–9, $555 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • Herradura → Playa Grande: $337 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($440 for 6–9, $565 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours door to door.Book →
  • Malpaís → Playa Grande: $379 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($484 for 6–9, $612 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 4 hours 30 minutes door to door.Book →
  • Alajuela → Playa Grande: $380 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($445 for 6–9, $600 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 5 hours door to door.Book →
  • Esterillos → Playa Grande: $426 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($528 for 6–9, $665 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours door to door.Book →
  • Ojochal → Playa Grande: $473 per vehicle for up to 5 passengers ($576 for 6–9, $717 for 10–12), 13% VAT included, about 6 hours door to door.Book →

How booking, changes and cancellation work

  1. Book online: pick the route, the date, the time and the vehicle; pay by card on the checkout page. The price shown at checkout is the price charged.
  2. Changes of date, time or address are free up to 48 hours before pickup, subject to availability. Changing the route may change the price.
  3. Cancel more than 48 hours before pickup for a full refund minus the 13% tax. Within 48 hours the trip is non-refundable.
  4. Child seats and boosters are free: tell us the children's ages when booking. One large bag and one carry-on per traveller are included; surfboards and extra luggage fit in the larger vehicles.
  5. Airport pickups include real-time flight tracking: a delay moves the pickup at no charge, it never cancels it.