The fastest way from San José is the Costanera Sur (Route 34), which runs about 160 km along the coast and takes around three hours by car or shuttle. Public buses leave Tracopa terminal in San José several times a day for the three-and-a-half-hour run; tickets are inexpensive and easy to buy at the terminal.
Sansa flies small turboprops from San José to Quepos's tiny La Managua airstrip (XQP) in about 25 minutes, several times a day. Tickets run from US$60 to US$120 depending on season — much more than the bus, but a real time-saver if you are short on days. Tourist shuttles (Interbus, Gray Line) cost about US$50 one-way and pick up from San José hotels.