Getting Around Costa Rica
Buses
Public buses are popular and well used in Costa Rica, but be aware that relatively short journeys can take time as they stop regularly along the way picking-up and dropping-off local people.
Many of the buses are old US school-bus styles, which means they do not offer the highest level of comfort and leg-room can be limited, particularly if you are travelling on a popular route or on some of the classic bumpy Costa Rican roads.
If you do wish to travel by bus, it's advisable to book your tickets in advance.
Note that most long journeys involve a change of bus in San Jose.
Taxis
Taxis are available all over Costa Rica and are generally reasonably priced and helpful.
It is advisable to book taxis through your hotel or restaurant if possible and check the meter is working, or agree the price, before you begin the journey.
Car Hire
Car hire is very easy in Costa Rica, with most local travel agents being able to book a car for you.
Given the relatively small size of the country and the slowness / lack of comfort of public transport, this is a great option. Note however that driving standards in Costa Rica are not excellent and many of the roads are in a challenging state of repair. If you are planning to leave the main highways, a 4x4 is recommended.
Different pick-up and drop-off points are possible to arrange for a small additional charge.
Driving
The whole of Costa Rica is connected by a reasonable network of roads, although there are some areas (such as Corcovado and Tortuguero) that can only be reached by boat or flight.
The main artery is the Pan American Highway, which connects the two borders from Peñas Blancas all the way to Paso Canoas.
The Cerro de la Muerte (Death Mountain) region has the road with the highest elevation in the country with an altitude higher than 3,200 meters above sea level.
From Puntarenas to Puerto Limon it is 246 kilometers by land; and from Peñas Blancas (on the Nicaragua Border) to Paso Canoas (on the Panama Border) it is 534 kilometers by land.
Note that some of the roads in Costa Rica are in a poor state of repair and can make challenging driving. If you plan to hire a car it is worth getting one with 4x4 capability.
Trains
There are no trains currently functioning in Costa Rica, due to damage caused by an earthquake.
The journey from San Jose to Puerto Limon used to be a popular route to take, but the costs involved in repairing it are likely to mean it is unlikely to reopened in the near future.
Boats
Boats are an important form of transport in Costa Rica.
The most important water passages in the country which serve the purpose for everyday transportation as well as a route for tourists are:
- The Tortuguero Canals and Barra del Colorado, on the Northern Caribbean
- The Sarapiqui River, on the Northern zone
- The Matina River, on the central Caribbean
- Part of the San Juan River, on the border with Nicaragua
- The Cold River, the Caño Negro Lagoons, and Los Chiles on the Northern zone
- The Sierpe River, on the Southern zone
- The Tempisque River, on the Gulf of Nicoya
Other rivers of great importance are:
- On the Caribbean: Pacuare, Reventazon, Caribbean Chrripo, Estrella, and Sixaola
- On the Pacific: Bebedero, Grande de Tarcoles, Coto, Chirripo, and Parrita
