Reviewed · PRIVATE SHUTTLES AND TRANSFERS
Private Luxury Transportation from the Airport to your Hotel
The most useful feature here is private door-to-door service. Your driver meets you with a sign bearing your name, helps with bags, offers water, and takes you directly to your hotel. There is no waiting for a full shuttle or making extra stops for people you do not know.
I like the local conversation as much as the ride itself. Drivers such as David, Kermis, Eddie, Jose, and Kenneth are described as friendly, helpful, and ready to explain Costa Rican culture along the way. I also like the spacious, air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi, especially on a long transfer.
The main point to check before booking is the pickup information. The details name San Antonio de Belén as the location, while the meeting information also refers to Alajuela Province and La Fortuna. Confirm your exact pickup point, destination, and start time before you pay.
Key points to know before you book

- Private vehicle for up to 13 people: The $280 rate is charged per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply for a larger party.
- Four to five hours on the road: This is a long transfer, not a quick airport hop, so air conditioning, WiFi, luggage help, and a comfortable seat matter.
- Meet-and-greet service: Your driver looks for a sign with your first and last name, then helps load your luggage.
- A useful local introduction: You receive information about Costa Rican culture and history during the journey.
- Strong flexibility: The service has handled route changes, altered pickup times, and early-morning departures.
- Food is not included: Plan separately for lunch or dinner if your journey covers a meal period.
A private ride that doubles as a first look at Costa Rica

Airport transfers are often treated as a necessary chore. This one aims to make the journey part of your holiday. Instead of simply being delivered to a hotel, you meet a local driver who can explain aspects of Costa Rican culture and history as you travel.
That matters because the ride can last approximately four to five hours. A short taxi trip can hide a few rough edges. A half-day drive exposes them. Here, the essentials are in place: a private vehicle, air conditioning, WiFi, water, help with luggage, and a driver who stays with your group rather than collecting other passengers.
You should think of this as private transportation with an informal introduction to the country, not as a sightseeing tour with scheduled attractions. There are no listed stops, restaurant visits, or formal activities on the airport-to-hotel transfer itself.
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Meeting your driver and getting on the road

Your driver looks for you using a sign with your name and last name. That is a simple detail, but it makes a difference after a flight, particularly when you are tired, carrying bags, or trying to find your way through an unfamiliar arrival area.
The driver helps load the luggage, offers water, and gets everyone settled in the air-conditioned vehicle. At the hotel, the process works in reverse. The driver checks that you have reached the correct property and helps unload your bags.
The service is private, so only your own group participates. That gives you more control than a shared shuttle. You do not need to wait for other passengers to clear customs, find their bags, or reach hotels in a different part of the region.
The booking information says the service begins in Alajuela Province and also gives La Fortuna as part of the meeting-point details, while the main location is San Antonio de Belén. Those places can represent different parts of a Costa Rica itinerary, so do not leave this vague. Send the provider your flight details, exact pickup location, and hotel name.
What the four to five hours really mean
The estimated duration is approximately four to five hours. That makes this more than a standard airport transfer for a nearby hotel. The length may suit people who need a private connection across a large part of the country, but it also means you should prepare for a substantial ride.
I would keep water handy, charge your phone before departure, and download anything you may want to use if the WiFi connection varies. WiFi is included, but the supplied information does not promise a particular speed or coverage throughout the route.
The air conditioning is especially useful in Costa Rica, where a long drive in a warm vehicle can become tiring. A comfortable seat also matters. Eddie’s spacious van was credited with making a five-hour drive feel much shorter, a useful sign for families or groups carrying a lot of luggage.
At the same time, do not mistake comfort features for a luxury vehicle specification. The description confirms an air-conditioned vehicle and WiFi, but it does not identify the make, model, seating layout, or luggage capacity. A group of 13 should confirm how much luggage the vehicle can hold before booking.
Local conversation instead of a silent transfer

One of the better reasons to choose this service is the chance to speak with a Costa Rican driver during the journey. David is described as friendly and well informed about the country, while Kermis received praise for his English, professionalism, and practical recommendations.
Eddie was also described as kind and able to share useful facts during a long drive. Another passenger enjoyed conversation about daily life in Costa Rica and the driver’s choice of music. That gives you a sense of the service’s tone: personal and conversational rather than strictly silent and transactional.
The quality of this part will depend on your assigned driver. The names connected with the company include David, Kermis, Eddie, Jose, and Kenneth, but you are not promised a particular person. If speaking English is important to you, mention that when arranging the transfer. The available comments specifically praise Kermis’s English, but no general language guarantee is stated.
You can also use the ride to ask practical questions about Costa Rica. Keep expectations sensible, though. This is not presented as a formal guided tour, and the included cultural information should be viewed as an added benefit of the transfer.
A few more things to book around San Jose
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Flexibility for changing plans

A private transfer earns its higher price through control. Several parts of the service point in that direction. The company has handled route changes, last-minute requests, and altered pickup times without making the process difficult.
That flexibility is useful in Costa Rica, where flight timing, hotel plans, and road conditions can affect a day. It is also valuable for families and larger groups, since changing a shared shuttle arrangement can be awkward.
Still, flexibility is not unlimited. The cancellation terms say changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If your schedule may shift, make changes as early as possible and confirm them directly.
For an early departure, the arrangement appears particularly practical. One 4:00 a.m. pickup was handled with an early arrival, a comfortable seat, clear communication, and an on-time airport arrival. If you need a very early ride, state the time plainly and get confirmation.
What is included, and what you need to arrange

The price includes:
- Private transportation
- An air-conditioned vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Water offered during pickup
- Assistance loading and unloading luggage
- Cultural and historical information from the driver
Lunch and dinner are not included. The description does not list entrance fees, restaurant stops, or other activities as part of the airport-to-hotel service.
One account also describes an afternoon trip to Diamante Eco Park arranged through the same company. That separate outing included a cultural activity involving coffee, sugar cane, and making chocolate from cacao beans. It is a nice example of the company handling more than a basic transfer, but you should not assume those activities are part of this booking.
If you want a stop or an additional excursion, ask about it before finalizing the plan. The standard service is transportation between your pickup point and hotel, with local conversation along the way.
Is $280 good value?

At first glance, $280 is a serious price for transportation. The calculation changes when you use the full capacity. For 13 people, it works out to about $21.54 per person. For six people, it is about $46.67 each. For two people, the cost is $140 per person.
That makes the service most attractive for families, wedding groups, sports groups, and other parties that would otherwise need several cars or a shared shuttle. The private vehicle, direct route, luggage help, and four-to-five-hour duration add real value for a large group.
For one or two people, you are paying for privacy and convenience rather than the cheapest possible ride. That can still be worthwhile after a long flight, especially if you dislike navigating unfamiliar transport or coordinating several taxis.
You should compare the total price, not just the seat price. A group shuttle may cost less, but it may involve waiting, multiple drop-offs, and less control over departure time. A private car may offer greater comfort, but could cost more for a small party. The right choice depends on your group size and how much you value a direct trip.
Who will appreciate this service most

I would recommend this transfer to:
- Groups of up to 13 people who want one vehicle
- Families carrying substantial luggage
- People who prefer hotel-to-hotel service
- Visitors who enjoy talking with a local driver
- Anyone needing a very early or carefully timed airport ride
- People who may want help adjusting a route or pickup time
It may be less appealing if you are traveling alone, trying to spend as little as possible, or only need a short ride. The four-to-five-hour estimate also makes it a poor fit for someone who wants a quick airport connection.
Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience is near public transportation, though its private nature means you do not need to use public transportation during the booked ride.
Communication is one of the strongest features
Clear communication is important when a driver must meet you after a flight. The service is especially well suited to people who want quick answers, confirmed pickup details, and a direct line of contact when plans change.
You still need to do your part. Provide your full name, arrival or departure information, hotel name, and exact meeting location. Because the location details refer to San Antonio de Belén, Alajuela Province, and La Fortuna, ask the provider to repeat the confirmed route in writing.
A sign with your name should make the meeting easier, but airports can be busy. Keep your phone available, and do not assume the driver can find you if you move to another exit without notice.
Weather and cancellation terms
The booking can be canceled for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made later do not receive a refund, and changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.
The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, although this is a private service and your own group is the only group scheduled to participate.
These rules are fairly straightforward, but the 24-hour cutoff deserves attention. If your flight schedule changes, contact the provider as soon as possible rather than waiting until the day of departure.
Should you book it?
Book this service if you want a private, direct ride and have a group large enough to make the $280 rate sensible. The best parts are the personal pickup, luggage assistance, air conditioning, WiFi, local conversation, and willingness to work with route or timing changes.
For a small group on a tight budget, compare other transport options first. You may pay less elsewhere, but you could give up privacy, comfort, and the helpful local contact that makes a long ride easier.
Before booking, confirm the exact pickup location, hotel destination, luggage capacity for your group, and assigned driver if possible. With those points settled, KDM Travel CR looks like a practical choice for a long Costa Rica transfer, particularly when several people can share the cost.
FAQ
How much does the private transportation cost?
The price is $280 per group for up to 13 people.
How long does the transfer take?
The estimated duration is approximately four to five hours.
What is included in the price?
Private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, water offered at pickup, luggage assistance, and information about Costa Rican culture and history are included.
Are meals included?
No. Lunch and dinner are not included.
How will I find the driver?
The driver looks for you with a sign showing your first and last name.
Is this a shared shuttle?
No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.
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