Actually, as of 7/10/09, the fare is now 400 colones which at current exchange rates is closer to just 70 cents. But you also have to factor in the cab fare from where the bus drops off downtown to your hotel (about another buck if you stay at the SL). The number of bags you describe should not be a problem although I think you'll find bags with wheels are of zero advantage in hauling them up and down bus steps or on the cracked and uneven SJ streets and sidewalks.
Here's a link to one of my old posts here at CRT that should answer a lot of your questions:
Prolijo's comprehensive airport transportion post. The part on taking the bus is still pretty accurate though the fares have changed a little bit. The parts on the various taxis have also changed a little bit, since both fares have changed AND all airport taxis are now supposed to use meters (effective last March) but should also still be somewhat instructive. To be fair, my initial assessment of the shuttle in that post was probably unduly harsh. I haven't taken it myself, but from all reports I've heard most of my concerns about it have been found to be not such big deals.
I also posted the following FAQ a while back on ISG in response to a bunch of questions being asked by a newbie. I don't post there anymore and don't like even posting links to that site, so I'll just repost the whole thing here (with a few corrections and updates):
Prolijo wrote:
Where to catch it after exiting the airport building?
Turn left and follow the road around the parking garage out to the main street that passes in front of the airport and then turn right and go maybe fifty feet just in front of the garage. If you're unsure if you're in the right spot, just put on your best dumb gringo look and sheepishly ask any tico that will probably be standing around "esta la parada por San Jose?" Not only will they let you know if you're in the wrong spot, they'll probably help by pointing out the right bus when it comes along.
Is there more than one bus route at the airport? Yes. In fact this is the same area where most buses stop on their way from SJ to other parts of CR north and west (such as Arenal/Fortuna, Jaco, Monteverde and MA/Quepos). But, except for the buses to Alajuela, those come by much less frequently.
If so, which, one to take and what is that bus route's number and/or destination? The route number is 200 but the buses don't usually have route #'s on them per se, or, if they do, you're better off simply reading the name of the destination which is always on the front of the bus. Again, if you're still unsure just trot out that dumb gringo look again and as you poke your head in the door ask the driver "esta por San Jose?"
How is the fare paid? To be honest I'm not sure if they'll take dollars, but I'd guess they probably will (particularly if you hand him a dollar bill and tell him he can keep the change). I usually save enough change from my last trip. Alternatively, as long as you aren't in a rush to get downtown, go upstairs at the airport and change some currency at one of the bank booths that are on the far right (just past where you get your exit stamps. Their rates are perfectly reasonable and you could even pick up your exit stamps on your way out so you can save time when it comes time to return home.
BTW, there are usually a couple of bars that you walk between to get on the bus. These are there to count passengers, I guess so that the driver doesn't rip off the bus company. Whatever you do, don't stand in between the bars as you get out or wait for your change. That can throw off the counter and really piss off the driver. Instead, have your money ready and either hand him the exact change before you get to those bars or hand him your money and step all the way through while he gets your change and he will pass it back to you before he takes off.
Exact change only or can the driver make change? I guess I already answered this one. Yes, the driver can make change but I wouldn't push it by handing him a 50K colone note or other large bill
How often does the bus run in the daytime? Every 10 minutes
Is it an express bus which only stops at the final destination? I don't think there are any TRUE express buses in CR. The express buses just stop less often, much less, usually a few places towards the very beginning and very end of their trip. The airport bus stops at a few pull-offs along the highway into town as demand requires (sometimes at 2-3 places sometimes not at all) and then some more once it gets past Sabana Park, again as demand requires. This why it takes a little longer than a taxi that goes direct. Just relax and enjoy the ride. I've done the whole trip in as long as 35 minutes and as short as 25.
If not, where is the place to get off and catch a taxi. You can't mistake where you need to get off. The bus turns from Paseo Colon past the hospital on your right and then turns left again on to Avenida 2 past a gas station before pulling into a small terminal across from Merced Park and Church. One time that I went by bus it took a different route into town by Avenida 10 and the Cemetary and came out on the south side of the hospital before letting off on the south side of Merced Park. I'm not sure why it went that way (perhaps due to the day of the week, special traffic restrictions then in force or work being done at the time on the terminal?), whether it was just a temporary or periodic thing, or if it might happen again, but the last few times I've went the bus followed the normal route. Either way, you'll easily know you've reached the final stop when EVERYBODY gets up to get off and then the bus doesn't go anywhere right away as it did at other stops.
You can EASILY catch one of the many cabs that are nearly always around just outside the terminal when buses are running (if not even inside dropping off another passenger), but even if no cabs are waiting there, you can EASILY flag one down any time as it turns on to Avenida 2 as this is the main road through town.
Finally, on the return trip to the airport, what should one tell to the taxi driver for the bus station to catch the bus to the airport? Just remember where you got off. Tell your taxista to go to "Parque Merced" or "la parada del autoboos por Alajuela", look for any bus with an Alajuela-Aeropuerto sign in the front windshield (there may be a couple waiting around) and ask the driver which one is next ("donday el boos proxima por el aeropuerto")
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"Thank you Prolijo for the outstanding info. I keep my leftover cash for future trips too and I'll make sure I have a few 1000 CRC bills for the fare, may be even some 100 CRC coins just in case..." How much will this all cost you each way? Save your bills if you want, but a couple of 500c coins will probably suffice. The fare for the bus was only ~400c (around 70 cents) unless recent rising gas prices have forced them to raise it a bit. And the cab fare to the SL from Merced shouldn't cost much more than your remaining change or ~600c (or maybe also a couple of 100c coins because of rising fares due to gas hikes on that end).
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