Travel Information
There are two airports you can travel to and coordinate travel from: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) – 3.5-4.5 hr drive to Qasa – or La Managua Domestic Airport in Quepos (XQP) – 75 min drive to Qasa.
Most guests choose to land at SJO and travel directly to Qasa from the airport via the provided shuttle.
Pick-Up at SJO Airport.
- 09:00 AM: Flights arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). *Guest arriving on retreat day must land by 09:00 AM, or fly in the night before.
- 10:00 AM: The private group shuttle departs from SJO Airport (outside the new terminal exit, next to the Jorge Jiménez Deredia sculpture).
- 10:30 AM: Private group shuttle pickup at Club HEASA for guests arriving early or staying overnight.
- ~12:30 PM: The shuttle stops at Playa Hermosa for lunch.
- 02:30 PM or earlier: Domestic flights land at Quepos Airport (XQP). Flight options include Sansa and Green Airways.
- ~03:00 PM: The shuttle makes its second pick-up stop outside the main terminal at Quepos. Airport (XQP) for guest who took a domestic flight.
- 05:00 PM: The shuttle completes the final leg of the drive to Qasa.
- 07:00 AM: Free private group shuttle departs from Qasa on the last day of the retreat.
- ~08:30 AM: Stop at Quepos Airport (XQP). Flight options include Sansa and Green Airways.
- ~12:30 PM: Private group shuttle drop-off at Club HEASA for guests staying overnight.
- ~01:00 PM: Arrival at SJO International Airport. *Book your flight to depart at ~4pm or later to avoid rushing through the check-in counter and customs. You’ll need to give yourself at least 2h at SJO to check-in for your flight and factor in airport lines prior to boarding
- After 04:00 PM: if departure from SJO after 4pm is not available, you’ll need to stay overnight in San Jose and travel the following day, OR schedule a private ride departing Qasa:
- From QASA, a private 4-hour ride directly to SJO: $190.
- From QASA, a luxury /private 4-hour ride directly to SJO: $300 (for 1-4 people).
Travel Options for Guests.
There are options that will get you to Qasa on the first day of the retreat, before dinner time at 6pm:
1. You may use our free private group shuttle.
2. You can coordinate your own taxi or luxury car service to Qasa:
Private Car Taxi
- From SJO, a private 4-hour ride directly to Qasa: $190.
- From SJO, a luxury /private 4-hour ride directly to Qasa: $300 (for 1-4 people).
- From XQP, a private 75-minute ride directly to Qasa: $850
- Please reach out to hello@qasa.house if you’d like to coordinate these transportation services.
3. You can make your own arrangements:
Public Transport:
- FROM San José (SJO) TO San Isidro, Pérez Zeledón (PZ):
- FROM San Isidro, Pérez Zeledón (PZ) TO Las Tumbas, Tinamastes:
- Grupo Blanco bus from/to San Isidro, Pérez Zeledón to/from either Dominical or Quepos, and ask the driver to drop you off at the bus stop in Las Tumbas, Tinamastes.
- FROM Las Tumbas, Tinamastes TO Qasa:
- Coordinate a private 4×4 ride with our local taxi partner, please reach out to hello@qasa.house.
Drive Yourself/Rent-A-Car:
- Rent a 4×4 vehicle as the dirt road and rain makes the trip hard for a 4×2. We offer free parking on the premises. *The rainy season generally runs from May through mid-November across most of the country.
- Navigate with Waze or Google Maps Qasa LGBTQ+ Hotel & Retreats.
- Follow Qasa directions on the map below:
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- The road after Las Tumbas, Tinamastes TO Qasa through the valley is unpaved.
- FOLLOW THE SIGNS WITH OUR LOGO, THE DIRECTIONS ARE CLEARLY MARKED.
- 4 x 4 only – during the rainy season. *The rainy season generally runs from May through mid-November across most of the country.
- Please do not enter through HOLOS main gate.
- All humans welcome, please leave your pets at home.
Lodging Recommendations:
Arriving early or extending your stay in Costa Rica? Here are our recommended accommodations and travel tips across the most convenient regions.
Near SJO Airport: Ideal for short layovers, late arrivals, or early departing flights. Avoids the 30-min drive into San José city Center.
- Hotel Mango: Convenient, close-to-terminal airport in Alajuela.
- Phone: +506 24431200
- Website: mangocr.com
- Club HEASA: Resort designed specially for gay men. Located 20min from SJO airport, and 45min from San José city Center.
- Phone: +506 62737221
- Website: book with Qasa Promo
Near San José city Center: San José is located roughly 30 minutes from SJO Airport. Transportation around the city via Uber is fast, reliable, and inexpensive.
- The Victorian Hotel: Mention you are staying with Qasa to receive a 10% discount on your room rate.
- Phone: +506 2257 3225
- Website: thevictorianhotelcr.com
Staying in Manuel Antonio: A scenic coastal region located approximately 3 hours south of SJO Airport. While not explicitly LGBTQ+ exclusive, these accommodations are exceptionally gay-friendly.
- La Mariposa: High-end boutique option with breathtaking ocean views and premier amenities.
- Website: lamariposa.com
- Arenas del Mar: Luxury beachfront resort nestled in the rainforest.
- Website: arenasdelmar.com
- Hotel Costa Verde: Iconic hotel set high on a cliffside overlooking the Pacific.
- Website: costaverde.com
Weather:
- Most days are quite comfortable between highs around 80 and lows around 70.
- We are at approximately 1000’ altitude, so the climate tends to be about 5-10 degrees cooler than the coast.
- Between late December and April it is relatively dry, with light periods of rain (mainly in the afternoon) towards the beginning and end of this period.
