Road link from Atenas to the new Autopisto del Sol

You do not have to drive all the way to Atenas to connect to the new highway...unless you want to. If you want to get on it quicker, you can take the road from San José airport out towards San Antonio del Tejar.
Take a left out of airport parking/pickup area, then take the last right before the airport road turns back around into the departure/arrival area.
You will come to an intersection in about 2k, take a left.
Stay on that road, it runs into the new highway in less than 10k. You can't miss it - it's a roundabout with actual highway signs!

I can draw a map if you would like. Just let me know.

-erin
www.delapuravida.com

Erin -

Thank you so very much for your reply. Your offer of una mappa would be very much appriciated!! While I can drive around the southern pacific coast without a worry - I have only been into San Jose twice (always with another driver), and the thought of driving into it on my own is overwhelming!
Muchas gracias por su ayuda.
Jerry

My philosophy for driving in Costa Rica is "just go, don't stop". haha

Here is a close up of the route you need to take out of the airport:


And here is a view from farther away. You can see how easy it is. I'm not sure exactly where the new highway is on this map, but once you are on that main road you will run into it.


Enjoy the new drive to the coast - it's easy and super quick!
-erin
www.delapuravida.com

Several contributors have addressed this same subject on The Costa Rica Frog's article: "Costa Rica’s San José to Caldera Pacific Highway now Open".

A recent comment by max gives his detailed directions and driving times for the best route to the new Caldera Highway from the Juan Santamaria airport based on his recent travel experience.

(fyi: I myself haven't tried the routes yet)

Hope this helps!

-Bill