Getting Around Costa Rica
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use public buses for San José and nearby. Rural: Rent a car for national parks exploration. Beaches: Shuttles and intercity buses. For convenience, book airport transfers from San José to your destination.
Train Travel
Urban Train in San José
Limited commuter train service connecting San José suburbs and Heredia with infrequent schedules.
Cost: San José to Heredia ₡500-1,000 ($1-2), journeys 20-40 minutes.
Tickets: Buy at stations or onboard, cash only, no app yet.
Peak Times: Avoid 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM for crowds and delays.
Tourist Rail Experiences
Atlantic Railway offers scenic tourist trains from San José to Limón coast, focusing on jungle views.
Best For: Day trips with wildlife spotting, book for weekends or holidays.
Where to Buy: INCOFER website or San José stations, advance booking required.
Future Expansions
Tren Atlántico project aims to connect Pacific to Atlantic by 2026, with partial services starting.
Booking: Monitor INCOFER for updates, early reservations for inaugural routes.
Main Stations: San José Estación del Atlántico, with links to bus terminals.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for remote areas and national parks. Compare rental prices from $40-70/day at San José Airport and major hubs.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Mandatory liability plus optional CDW, gravel roads require 4x4.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 90-120 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal on main routes like Route 1, pay in cash or card at booths.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads, no roundabouts common.
Parking: Free in rural areas, $1-3/hour in cities, use guarded lots for safety.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at $1.20-1.50/liter for regular gas, diesel similar.
Apps: Use Waze or Maps.me for offline navigation, essential for unpaved roads.
Traffic: Heavy in San José rush hours, watch for potholes and wildlife.
Urban Transport
San José Buses & No Metro
No metro system; extensive bus network covers the city, single ticket ₡500 ($1), day pass unavailable.
Validation: Pay exact cash to driver upon boarding, no transfers typically.
Apps: Moovit or Google Maps for routes, real-time bus tracking limited.
Bike Rentals
Bike-sharing in San José and Tamarindo, $5-15/day with stations in tourist areas.
Routes: Paved paths along coast and urban greenways, helmets recommended.
Tours: Guided eco-bike tours in national parks, combining nature with cycling.
Buses & Local Services
Public buses (colectivos) and private shuttles operate in cities like San José and Liberia.
Tickets: $1-2 per ride, buy from driver or apps for shuttles.
Intercity Buses: Connect beaches to volcanoes, $5-20 depending on distance.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus terminals in cities for easy access, beachfront or park-adjacent for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (Dec-Apr) and holidays like Semana Santa.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for rainy season travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for AC, WiFi, and insect screens before booking in tropical areas.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities and coasts, spotty in remote rainforests and mountains.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Kolbi (ICE), Claro, and Liberty offer prepaid SIMs from $5-15 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 3GB for $10, 10GB for $20, unlimited for $30/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in hotels, cafes, and tourist spots, less reliable in rural lodges.
Public Hotspots: Airports and malls offer free WiFi with registration.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, sufficient for maps and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: San José Airport (SJO) 20km from city center, shuttle $15-25 (30 min), taxi $30, or book private transfer for $25-40.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus terminals ($3-5/day) and airport lockers.
- Accessibility: Buses and shuttles vary, many eco-sites have trails but limited ramps.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on buses with carrier ($5 fee), check lodge policies.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on buses for $2-5, domestic flights extra fee.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Costa Rica
San José Airport (SJO) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Juan Santamaría (SJO): Primary international gateway, 20km northwest of San José with shuttle connections.
Daniel Oduber (LIR): Northern hub for Guanacaste beaches, 15km from Liberia, bus $5 (30 min).
Quepos (XQS): Small airport for Manuel Antonio, domestic flights only, convenient for south Pacific.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season (Dec-Apr) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tue-Thu) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flights to Panama and bus to Costa Rica for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Avianca, Copa, and Sansa serve domestic routes with connections to Central America.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transfers when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online 24 hours before, small airports have limited services.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee $3-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in most places, American Express limited outside resorts.
- Contactless Payment: Growing use of tap-to-pay, Apple Pay in urban areas.
- Cash: Essential for buses, markets, and rural spots, keep $50-100 USD in small bills.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, add 10% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchanges with poor rates.