Best Tamarindo Shuttles & Airport Transfers (2026)

Updated October 2026

This list ranks every Tamarindo shuttle and transfer company by the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year. The top three are Tamarindo Shuttle, Native’s Way Costa Rica and Trip N Taxi. Most rides run between Tamarindo and Liberia airport (LIR), and a few companies also drive to San José airport (SJO).

Most visitors fly into Liberia, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from Tamarindo by road. Here you’ll find a shared shuttle, private drivers, local taxi services, and tour companies that also handle airport pickups. Each entry says what makes the company different and what to watch for.

How we ranked these

These are the shuttle and transfer companies in Tamarindo with the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year. Recent reviews tell you what visitors think right now, not years ago. Every business here fits the category, is in or near Tamarindo and shows recent signs of being open.

Some companies on this list are mainly tour agencies that also offer transfers, and their reviews talk more about day tours than airport rides.

Every business in Tamarindo is listed free on Tamarindo Guide. Featured businesses, the ones that support the guide, are usually included when they fit the category, and we always label them.

1. Tamarindo Shuttle

See Tamarindo Shuttle on Tamarindo Guide

272 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.9 average

For a shared ride from Liberia airport, Tamarindo Shuttle is the name reviewers mention most, and it also runs private transfers. Guests book online, get reminders and quick replies on WhatsApp, and meet a greeter at Liberia airport. Reviewers mention clean air-conditioned vans, cold water and drivers who share tips on where to eat. Some hotels book it for their guests.

It’s a good pick for solo travelers and couples who don’t mind sharing the van. It also runs day tours, like the La Leona Waterfall trip. The main complaint is waiting: shared shuttles can sit at the airport for other delayed flights, and one van was packed full. If your schedule is tight, book a private transfer.

2. Native’s Way Costa Rica

See Native’s Way Costa Rica on Tamarindo Guide

115 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.5 average

Native’s Way Costa Rica is a tour agency first, with the longest menu of group day tours on this list: Rio Celeste, the Palo Verde boat safari, a 7am estuary boat tour, adventure combos with ziplining and hot springs, and day trips to Nicaragua. Guests praise funny, well-informed guides and smooth pickups at hotels and resorts.

Choose Native’s Way if you want day tours with pickup included. For an airport transfer, ask directly, since few recent reviews cover airport rides. Some tours are long, early days. One guest had a mixed week across six tours, and a snorkeler felt left out on a Catalina Islands trip built mainly for divers.

3. Trip N Taxi

See Trip N Taxi on Tamarindo Guide

42 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Reviewers use Trip N Taxi for every ride of their stay, not only the airport. The owner answers fast on WhatsApp and books private vans for Liberia airport, Playa Conchal, wildlife sanctuaries and day trips. Guests mention clean, roomy vans with ice water, clear and fair pricing, and drivers who are on time and often early.

Trip N Taxi is a strong choice if you’d rather not drive at all during your trip. Guests say it handled a 6:30am airport pickup and a 3:30am return, and some got a ride with only an hour’s notice. Most drivers speak good English. If you want a private ride rather than a shared shuttle, start here.

4. Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service

See Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service on Tamarindo Guide

36 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

The long drive to San José airport (SJO) comes up more often for Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service than for any other company here. It also covers Liberia airport, late-night rides and short taxi trips between beach towns. Guests praise easy WhatsApp booking, punctual drivers and clean vehicles with good air conditioning. One reviewer even rented a golf cart through them.

It’s a good choice for very early departures, late-night rides, or a group that needs a van for a family of five plus luggage. Groups staying in Brasilito use it to get into Tamarindo for dinner. One guest waited longer than expected for a return pickup and paid in cash, so ask how to pay when you book.

5. Taxi & Travels and Tours Tamarindo JJ

See Taxi & Travels and Tours Tamarindo JJ on Tamarindo Guide

20 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

When nobody else can take them, reviewers call Taxi & Travels and Tours Tamarindo JJ. One guest found a same-day airport ride when other companies were full, and another got a taxi in the middle of the night. Guests describe a careful driver, a clean car with strong air conditioning and WiFi, easy English and fair prices.

This is a good backup for last-minute rides and long trips. One group booked a 4-hour drive to Monteverde on a Sunday after their ride was cancelled. Guests also say it can send more than one car for larger groups. One reviewer paid in US dollars, so ask about payment ahead of time.

6. Tamarindo Go Tours

See Tamarindo Go Tours on Tamarindo Guide

10 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Tamarindo Go Tours turns airport pickups into private tours planned around your family. The same driver does your transfer and builds custom days with waterfalls, ziplining, horseback riding, hot springs and wildlife stops. Guests say he stays in touch on WhatsApp, shows up on time, and meets families at the airport with a cooler of drinks and snacks.

It’s a good fit for families with kids who don’t want the long, fixed group tours. Reviewers say the days are built around what you ask for, with no rushing. One guest says a simple airport run became a guided drive with a roadside fruit stop and lunch at a local restaurant.

7. SWEET Costa Rica

See SWEET Costa Rica on Tamarindo Guide

9 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.6 average

SWEET Costa Rica takes guests to beaches, rivers and spots that aren’t on the usual tour routes, and one guest got videos of their private adventure day. Its Google categories include a minibus and transportation service, but reviews focus on tours: waterfalls, hot springs, rainforest walks, tubing and sunset surf lessons. Guests praise friendly local guides and clean vans.

Book SWEET if you want guided day trips with transport included. A group of five travelers aged 70 to 80 enjoyed the 3-waterfall tour. Ask directly about airport transfers, since recent reviews don’t describe them. One large family says their tour ran much longer than planned, so agree on the plan and timing before the day.

8. Get Lost In Costa Rica

See Get Lost In Costa Rica on Tamarindo Guide

8 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Think of Get Lost In Costa Rica as a trip planner more than a shuttle company: the owner sets up your tours and your airport ride before you arrive. Many reviewers have booked with him more than once, including one group of 19. Tours include rainforest and Rincon de la Vieja days, catamaran and sunset cruises, surfing, fishing and river boat trips.

This is a good choice if you want one person to plan your whole trip by WhatsApp. Families with kids and big groups both give strong reviews, and guests describe the owner as organized and very good with children. Book ahead, especially for larger groups, so everything is set up before you land.

9. Costa Rica Shuttle Services

View Costa Rica Shuttle Services on Google Maps

8 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

A new van that seats 10 people plus luggage sets Costa Rica Shuttle Services apart, and the small, driver-run business is based in Villarreal, near Tamarindo. One reviewer says the driver waited at Liberia airport when their flight landed more than six hours late. Guests mention reminder messages, cold drinks, good air conditioning and local tips from a driver who grew up here.

It’s a good fit for families and groups who want a private van between Liberia airport and Tamarindo or nearby resorts. The driver also does excursions. It’s a small business with only a handful of reviews, so book early in busy months.

10. SiSiSi Transfers & Tours Costa Rica

See SiSiSi Transfers & Tours Costa Rica on Tamarindo Guide

7 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

SiSiSi Transfers & Tours Costa Rica pairs airport transfers with surf lessons, from an office in Condominio La Buena Vida, east of Banco Nacional in Tamarindo. Reviewers mention shuttles from Liberia airport to Tamarindo and San Pedro, fair prices and punctual drivers. One guest says their driver took a back road to the airport to avoid traffic.

SiSiSi is a good choice for a simple, fairly priced ride between Liberia airport and Tamarindo. One reviewer enjoyed a surf lesson with them and keeps coming back. There are only a few recent reviews, so message ahead to confirm your pickup details and price.

How to Choose a Tamarindo Shuttle

Start by choosing between a shared shuttle and a private transfer. On a shared shuttle you ride with other travelers, and reviewers say it may wait at the airport for passengers whose flights are late. A private transfer leaves when you’re ready and can stop for groceries on the way.

Liberia airport (LIR) is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from Tamarindo by road, so most visitors fly there. San José airport (SJO) is about 4.5 to 5 hours away, and only some companies on this list mention that route in reviews.

Almost every company here uses WhatsApp. Send your flight number and arrival time when you book, and save the driver’s number. If you land very early or very late, confirm the pickup the day before.

Quick comparison

#	Business	4- and 5-star reviews in 2026	Average rating	Best for
1	Tamarindo Shuttle	272	4.9	Shared rides from Liberia airport
2	Native’s Way Costa Rica	115	4.5	Day tours with pickup
3	Trip N Taxi	42	5.0	Private rides, all trip long
4	Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service	36	5.0	SJO and late-night rides
5	Taxi & Travels and Tours Tamarindo JJ	20	5.0	Last-minute rides
6	Tamarindo Go Tours	10	5.0	Families wanting custom tours
7	SWEET Costa Rica	9	4.6	Waterfall and adventure days
8	Get Lost In Costa Rica	8	5.0	Planning your whole trip
9	Costa Rica Shuttle Services	8	5.0	Private family transfers
10	SiSiSi Transfers & Tours Costa Rica	7	5.0	Simple Liberia transfers

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Liberia airport to Tamarindo?

Book a shared shuttle or a private transfer ahead of time. Tamarindo Shuttle runs shared rides, and Trip N Taxi and Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service get strong reviews this year for private Liberia airport rides. The drive is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours.

Is there a shuttle from San José airport to Tamarindo?

Yes, but it’s a long ride of about 4.5 to 5 hours. Reviewers mention trips between Tamarindo and San José airport with Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service. Most visitors fly into Liberia instead because it’s much closer.

Should I book a shared or private Tamarindo shuttle?

It depends on your schedule. Reviewers say shared shuttles can wait for other delayed flights before leaving, while a private transfer leaves when you’re ready. Private is often easier for families, very early or late flights, or if you want to stop for groceries.

Are there taxis in Tamarindo?

Yes. Local services like Trip N Taxi, Tamarindo Shuttle & Taxi Service and Taxi & Travels and Tours Tamarindo JJ take short rides around town and to nearby beaches. Most are easiest to book by WhatsApp, and several reviewers got rides on short notice.

Find more shuttles in Tamarindo

Want more transport options? Browse every shuttle and transfer company on Tamarindo Guide to compare and contact them directly.

Browse all Shuttles in Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide

Best Airport Shuttles & Transfers in Tamarindo in 2026