How To Get To Sano Banano

Transportation Options

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At Sano Banano Beachside Hotel, there are several ways to reach us for a smooth and convenient journey to Montezuma. Choose the transportation option that best suits your needs and preferences..

Ground Transportation

For a hassle-free travel experience, opt for a private or half-private ground transportation. With the half-private transfer, a driver will take you to the ferry, and another driver will be waiting for you on the other side. This ensures a seamless transition to Montezuma.

Starting at $285 for Half Private

Shared Shuttle Service

Depending on your arrival time or if you’re planning to stay a night in San Jose, take advantage of a shared shuttle service. This option departs in the morning and provides a cost-effective and convenient way to travel.

Tropical Tours Shuttles

Interbus

Three small boats with "Zuma Tours" branding are anchored near a forested shoreline. The water is calm, and the boats are positioned side by side. Palms and other tropical vegetation cover the hillside in the background.

Taxi Boat and Shared Shuttle Combination

For an adventurous twist, choose a taxi boat/shared shuttle combination. Experience an exhilarating one-hour speed boat ride from Jaco to Montezuma, adding a unique touch to your trip.

Zuma Tours

Public Bus

For budget-conscious travelers, the public bus offers the most economical option. Enjoy a scenic and affordable journey to Montezuma.

La Terminal

A group of people is walking towards a small propeller airplane on a sunny day. The plane is parked on a paved runway surrounded by trees and vegetation. Orange cones are placed near the aircraft, and one person appears to be carrying a helmet.

Domestic Flight

Take a scenic flight over the countryside and blue ocean. In only 25 minutes, you will arrive at Cobano Airport (ACO). After a 15 minute drive, you are in Montezuma and ready to start exploring.

Sansa Air

Costa Rica Green Air

What Our Guest’s Say ?

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      GOOD  
   Based on 306 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Rebecca C 
 
 
 
 Verified Heart of downtown Montezuma, walk to beach We spent 3 nights, Saturday-Tuesday at El Sano Banano in downtown Montezuma. The hotel was conveniently located steps to the beach and on the downtown strip, next to a market and many restaurants. We saw a few different lizards in the outdoor dining area. The in-house restaurant and bar served Tipico style Costa Rican cuisine. The included breakfast was a sit down service with tipico rice and beans, eggs, pancakes, toast, coffee. There was no availability of self serve coffee. We stayed in a room with a window overlooking the street vendors and park. There was one full size bed and one twin on the opposite side. The mattresses, linens and pillows were tolerable. There was an AC wall unit but no window or ventilation, or balcony. Our wet clothes never dried completely. There was a private bathroom with shower with hot water, toilet. The decor of the space was beachy, colorful and quirky, I liked it. Due to the proximity to the downtown area and thin walls we could hear the music and bass from the discotheque all of Saturday night. If you’re planning on staying throughout a weekend, I’d highly recommend bringing earplugs/noise cancellers. Overall it was a pretty good stay but we’d probably consider staying somewhere off of the main street when we visit Montezuma next time. Recommendations for the hotel: -self serve coffee station -more comfortable bedding/pillows -warning about street noise, sale/availability of earplugs -more friendly staff
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Wen P 
 
 
 
 Verified El mejor hotel de Montezuma Estuvimos cuatro días, la atención fue excelente, el hotel tiene una excelente ubicación, la comida es deliciosa. El poder usar las instalaciones del Ylang ylang es un plus excelente. Sin duda volveremos...
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Aleksandra B 
 
 
 
 Verified BEST IN MONTEZUMA We discovered this restaurant on our second day in Montezuma, after two rather bad experiences at other restaurants that were suggested to us. This, however, was a really nice place: great and friendly staff, amazing food and ambient and a lovely outside terrace with a little fountain. We decided to eat here every day from then on, as they also offered a way better breakfast than our own hotel, and we really enjoyed it. On our third day we went for fishing and we caught a tuna, which they prepared for us (and it was absolutely delicious!).
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Tony A 
 
 
 
 Verified Awesome week Brought my family of 5 (3 sons) to Costa Rica - First time taking the nonstop Southwest Denver to Liberia, flight it was great. Sano Banano arranged transportation (Eduardo) to the hotel in a private van, great ride, both ways. Food was great great Rooms were clean, comfortable - water was hot Great customer service - we also stayed at Ylang Ylang - great vibe at both places Sad to leave
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Jesus Bianchi 
 
 
 
 Verified Excelente el factor humano de este hotel, En este hotel se sentirán a gusto, rodeados de naturaleza , con un restaurante dentro del hotel que ofrece música en vivo, pero lo más importante es el factor humano, ahí encontrarán a Jairo encargado y recepcionista de este hotel, Jairo hace que sientas la comodidad de tu hogar estando de vacaciones, se encarga de todo para que lo único que tengas que hacer sea disfrutar. También el mozo del restaurante y su cocinaro hacen que tu estadía sea inigualable, más que recomendable.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   tutter&magoo 
 
 
 
 Verified Superb accommodation at a great price. Gabby at front of house was amazing. Made me feel so at home and nothing was a problem. A superb asset to the hotel. Rooms have air con , it’s centre of the small town , see the beach from the outside bar, breakfast is fantastic and great value for money. Excellent place which ooozes Pura vida.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Kat Pat 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful staff, central location, great stay My husband and I just returned home after a lengthy stay at Sano Banano and an absolutely great experience. The rooms are basic, but very clean and comfortable. If you're looking for luxury, maybe consider staying at Ylang Ylang instead. As guests of Sano Banano, we were able to enjoy the beautiful pool just up the beach at this sister property. At both, we were given excellent and friendly staff service. A special thank you to Gabi, Eduardo, Luis and Dorian for their kind assistance throughout our visit. We needed help with transportation and had many other requests which they fulfilled with a friendly smile. We will return to Sano Banano on our next trip to the area. Pura Vida!

Transportation FAQs

What airport is better to fly in to San Jose (SJO) or Liberia (LIR)?

It really depends on how you plan to travel. There are more transportation options available from San Jose, however most of them leave in the morning. If you arrive in Liberia then the only two options available are a Private Transfer or a rental car.

How long does it take from San Jose (SJO) International airport to Montezuma?

The total travel time is 4 – 5 hours. 1 1/2 – 2 hours from the airport to the ferry, 1 1/2 hour on the ferry and 1 hour from Paquera (where the ferry lands) to Montezuma. We recommend to arrive at the ferry 45 minutes before the departure time or more as the line can be pretty long and it’s a 1st come 1st serve system (you are not able to make reservations).

How long does it take from Liberia (LIR) International airport to Montezuma?

The drive takes 3 1/2 – 4 hours. The best route
to take is via the inside of the peninsula, not via the ferry.

We are flying into Cobano, how do we get to Montezuma from there?

You can catch a taxi at the Cobano Airstrip or we can arrange a taxi to pick you up. It’s a 15 minute drive to Montezuma .

What is the difference between Sansa (Taca/Sansa Regional) Airlines and Nature Air Airlines?

Both Sansa & Nature Air are great airlines, but Nature Air is known to be more ontime then Sansa.

How do you recommend to get from Monteverde to Montezuma?

We recommend taking a private transfer, a shared shuttle or renting a car.

How do you recommend to get from Arenal to Montezuma?

From Arenal to Montezuma you can take a Shared Shuttle, a Half Private Transfer or a Full Private Transfer.

How do you recommend to get from Tamarindo to Montezuma?

From Tamarindo to Montezuma the best way to travel is a Shared Shuttle or a Private Transfer.

How do you recommend to get from Jaco/Manuel Antonio to Montezuma?

From Manuel Antonio or Jaco to Montezuma the best option of travel is the Taxi Boat (from Jaco) or the Shared Shuttle and Taxi Boat combination (from Manuel Antonio or any other towns in that area).

What are your GPS coordinates?

The Coordinates for Montezuma are 9.6500° N, 85.0667° W. But please note that the GPS does not always provide the best driving route as it can take you on non paved roads.

We will have a car with us. Is there a place to park the car?

There is free parking where we have a guard at night. As a safety precaution DO NOT leave any valuables in the car. We are not responsible for your car or items in it.

*Free limited parking available-first come, first serve. If needed there is also a secure parking area right next door, which we can inform you about upon arrival (note: the next door parking charges a fee).

Montezuma is a small village with very limited parking everywhere. We recommend our guests to rent a car after they visit us or to rent a car on departure and have it sent to our hotel for guest pick-up.