Costa Rica

Costa Rica Transportation: Navigating the Land of Adventure

Costa Rica’s transportation system offers a variety of options for travellers to explore this beautiful country. The primary modes of transportation include buses, taxis, rental cars, and domestic flights. The bus network is extensive, reliable, and affordable, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists. Costa Rica provides a diverse transportation infrastructure that caters to the needs of different types of travellers.

Bus

Buses play a crucial role in Costa Rica’s transportation system. They are affordable and reliable modes of travel throughout the country. The bus network is extensive, covering both urban and rural areas, making it accessible for both locals and tourists. Buses are known for their punctuality and frequency, with routes connecting major cities and popular tourist destinations. Travelling by bus in Costa Rica provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture.

You can use apps like Moovit to plan a route or to find bus times. In the articles we have created for each individual place, there is information regarding bus times and routes to take. Be aware that most bus drivers speak no English. This was not a problem for me while travelling around. You just need to make sure you know the name of your destination and you will be pointed to the correct bus.

Taxi

Taxis are a convenient and widely available mode of transportation in Costa Rica. They can be easily hailed on the street or found at designated taxi stands in urban areas. Taxis are usually painted red and have a yellow triangle on their doors, making them easily identifiable. It’s important to ensure that the taxi has a meter or negotiate the fare before starting the journey. While taxis are generally safe and reliable, it’s advisable to use licensed taxis or trusted ride-sharing apps.
 
Uber is available in Costa Rica, however, it is important to note that it is actually illegal to take an Uber ride in Costa Rica. What this means is the driver may ask you to sit in the front with them and pretend to be their friend. Other than this, it works like any normal Uber ride. However, if you do get caught by the police, you will be made to exit the vehicle. You will lose the money you paid for the ride as well as not being dropped off at your final destination. Whilst this may seem a bit scary, I had no issues when taking an Uber ride in Costa Rica.

Train

Trains in Costa Rica are not as extensive as other modes of transportation. They offer a unique and scenic way to explore certain regions of the country. The trains mainly go from San José to Cartago and have a few stops along the way. The trains are infrequent so your best option is to take the bus. But if you want to experience trains in Central America then this is your perfect chance to.

Author

  • Full-time doctor, part-time traveller. I am the kind of traveller who travels on a shoestring and somehow manages to pack two weeks worth of clothes, a tripod and all my books into a little rucksack.