Private transfers to the Southern Zone and Osa
Pavones, Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay, Uvita and Dominical: Costa Rica’s south Pacific coast, from the whale-tail beach at Uvita down to the Panama border. Your own vehicle and driver, door to door.
- Towns from SJO
- 10
- Private fares from
- $222
- Priced
- Per vehicle, not per person
San José airport to the Southern Zone
10 destinations from San José airport
- San Isidro de El GeneralSouth Pacific & Osa, 3 h 4 minSouth Pacific & Osa3 h 4 min154 km$240
- DominicalSouth Pacific & Osa, 3 h 5 minSouth Pacific & Osa3 h 5 min190 km$222
- Uvita / Bahía BallenaSouth Pacific & Osa, 3 h 25 minSouth Pacific & Osa3 h 25 min209 km$265
- OjochalSouth Pacific & Osa, 3 h 28 minSouth Pacific & Osa3 h 28 min217 km$270
- San Gerardo de RivasSouth Pacific & Osa, 3 h 46 minSouth Pacific & Osa3 h 46 min175 km$285
- SierpeSouth Pacific & Osa, 4 h 50 minSouth Pacific & Osa4 h 50 min273 km$298
- GolfitoSouth Pacific & Osa, 4 h 56 minSouth Pacific & Osa4 h 56 min308 km$508
- Paso CanoasSouth Pacific & Osa, 5 h 24 minSouth Pacific & Osa5 h 24 min344 km$520
- Puerto JiménezSouth Pacific & Osa, 5 h 39 minSouth Pacific & Osa5 h 39 min358 km$450
- Pavones BeachSouth Pacific & Osa, 6 h 7 minSouth Pacific & Osa6 h 7 min368 km$540
Before you head south
The Southern Zone is the quietest corner of Costa Rica and the longest drive from the airports. A private transfer means one vehicle the whole way, picked up and dropped off at your door.
Request a custom routePavones and Golfo Dulce
Pavones sits on the Golfo Dulce past Golfito, known for one of the longest left-hand waves in the world. It is the farthest beach on this page, so most travellers come straight from San José airport in one long drive or break the trip in Uvita or Manuel Antonio.
The Osa Peninsula
Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay are the two gateways to Corcovado National Park. Puerto Jiménez is reached by road around the Golfo Dulce; for Drake Bay, many travellers ride to Sierpe and take the boat down the river.
Uvita, Dominical and Ojochal
The Costa Ballena beaches line the coastal highway south of Manuel Antonio: Dominical for surf, Uvita for Marino Ballena National Park and its whale-tail sandbar, Ojochal for its quiet coves and restaurants.
The Panama border
Paso Canoas is the main crossing on the Pan-American Highway. We drive you to the Costa Rican side and you cross on foot. For onward travel to David, Boquete or Bocas del Toro, send us a special request.
Coming from Manuel Antonio
The coastal highway runs straight south from Quepos, so Manuel Antonio is the usual stop before the Southern Zone.
Getting around the south
Moving between beaches, Osa and the border. Pick the town you are starting from.
From San Isidro de El General
From San Gerardo de Rivas
From Dominical
From Uvita / Bahía Ballena
From Ojochal
From Sierpe
From Puerto Jiménez
From Golfito
Southern Zone transfer questions
Quick answers about travelling to the south Pacific. For anything else, get in touch.
From San José airport (SJO) it is about 3 h 25 min to Uvita, and about 6 h 7 min to Pavones. Every route on this page shows its own drive time.
Yes. Pavones has its own private transfer from Manuel Antonio / Quepos, San Jose Airport (SJO) or San José Downtown, priced per vehicle and door to door. Starting somewhere else in the south, such as Golfito or Puerto Jiménez? Send us a special request with your dates and we’ll quote it.
Most travellers reach Drake Bay by boat from Sierpe, down the river and along the coast. We drive you to Sierpe for the boat, and that fare is on this page. Tell us your lodge when you book and we’ll plan the timing with you.
We drive you to Paso Canoas, the main border crossing on the Pan-American Highway, and you cross on foot. Heading further, to David, Boquete or Bocas del Toro? Send us a special request and we’ll tell you what we can arrange.
No. Private transfers are priced per vehicle, so the fare is the same whether you travel alone or with your group, up to the vehicle’s capacity.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help—reach out anytime and we’ll gladly assist you.