COSTA RICA - Transportation - Public Buses, Shuttles, Taxis, Flights and others
General Tips
When using public transportation, travel light, and always travel safe. Be sure to keep valuables in sight,
although not common, theft is always a possibility and there are a lot of people at bus stations;
therefore, avoid using overhead bins or storage compartments. Take into account that most bus drivers speak only Spanish,
and posted information is scarce, so get your travel information before you leave and be sure you will have a
place to stay, especially in high season. You can find a list of hotels if you follow this link
Hotels in Costa Rica and you may ask for other options in our request page
Addresses in Costa Rica can be a little confusing, they are normally based on a landmark and
oriented from there, so make sure you get the address and understand it beforehand, nevertheless people will be helpful
if you are able to communicate with them, Costa Ricans are friendly and helpful by nature.
Public and Shuttle Buses
Local, intra-city public buses are a way to get around the downtown area, have your Costa Rican colones currency handy, 2,000 colones
bills or smaller are recommended, the bus fare is normally posted on the windshield of the bus. Upon entering, please remember to
stand clear of the electronic bars so you do not get counted more than once and create a problem for the driver.
Make sure you know your stop, and look for the appropriate signal to ask for the stop, some might be a buzzer or some
still use a cord you need to pull to buzz the driver, if you need assistance, the other local passengers (ticos)
will very probably be willing to help.
Long distance buses are used to travel out of the Central Valley, they are normally modern and comfortable.
The service is pretty much on time and some give you the chance to buy tickets in advance, check the public bus itinerary to get
specific info on your route. Remember that when you travel on weekends or holidays there will be a lot of locals travelling too.
A great alternative to public buses are shuttle buses, which give a door to door service between most hotels, in this case,
the cost is higher but with public transportation you might have to factor in the cost of a taxi to and from each bus station and of
course the comfort and time saving. Follow this link for some more information on shuttle buses.
For your travels to other countries in Central America, normally to Panama or Nicaragua, there are the options of
International buses, these offer reclining seats and air-conditioned deluxe coaches with toilet facilities.
Be sure to check out our Specials, they change from time to time so check near the time
of your travels, we are willing to offer the best advice and save you time and money.
Follow this link to request additional information...
Taxis
Taxis are red in color and have red license plates (there is an exception to this rule, airport cabs are orange).
All Taxis must have and use their meter, so make sure the meter is reset after you board the taxi.
Taxi drivers may have a basic understanding of English, but do not count on it. Where possible use radio-dispatched taxis.
When getting into a taxi, ensure that the driver's identification number, name and photograph are clearly visible
on the dashboard. There are unofficial taxis around the country they are commonly known as "piratas" -which means pirates-
we do advise avoiding these when possible, unless recommended by the personnel at your hotel or other reliable source. And always be sure
to check and get all belongings out of the vehicle with you, as an extreme precaution,
some people make one person stay in the vehicle until their luggage has been taken from the trunk.
Uber
Recently Uber started it's services in Costa Rica, and is working well; but stay informed because the authorities
are looking into it since the law does not allow this service.
Trains
Trains have been reduced in use in Costa Rica throughout the years, nowadays trains connect urban areas with the
metropolitan area and are run for passenger use. You will not find trains going to other areas outside the Central Valley or tourist
attractions or areas, although planning has started to have the train go to the airport.
Domestic Flights
There are more than 200 daily local flights in Costa Rica, most are during the morning hours due to climate conditions.
We are able to book domestic flights for you, just ask...
Water Transportation
In certain areas like Tortuguero and Corcovado, you will need other means of transportation, since there are no roads in the area.
In these cases you need water transportation, normally by boat. There are places where you can get a taxi boat for yourself or small groups.
There are also ferries, mainly from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula.
Other options
Other options include private transportation, private minibuses for a group or family, Rental cars with or without a driver, private local air transportation (planes / helicopters).
If we can provide additional information, please feel free to ask...
For any additional information or advice, contact us, just follow this link!
