From the airport to the city centre Costa Rica

There are two international airports in the capital of San José, Juan Santamaría International Airport and Tobias Airport. Another airport, Daniel Oduber, is located in Liberia. While cars and buses are the most widespread means of transport in the country, air travel is the fastest way to reach the regions furthest from the capital. In an average of just 30 minutes from San José, it's easy to reach Tortuguero, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, Tamarindo, Nicoya, Liberia, La Fortuna or Quepos. Green Airways (www.costaricagreenair.com) and Sansa (www.flysansa.com) operate daily flights throughout the country, with average fares starting at US$120. Fares and time savings are very attractive. Finally, those who are apprehensive about air travel should be warned: flights are made in small aircraft with a capacity that rarely exceeds twenty people, and can be shaky in bad weather. As for luggage, it's best to travel light. On average, it should not exceed 12 to 15 kg per piece, with carry-on baggage limited to a handbag, laptop or camera.

Arrival by train Costa Rica

Although the golden age of railways was in the 19th century, this means of transport is now in serious decline. In the Puntarenas and Puerto Limon regions, you can see the remains of abandoned and unmaintained railroads. Now dedicated to goods, trains are gradually making a comeback, particularly in the San José region. Daily lines offer locals and visitors alike the chance to reach the inner suburbs in just a few minutes and for 600-800 colones a ticket. Three lines are in operation: Curridabat-Pavas-Belén, San José-Cartago and San José-Heredia-Alajuela. Trains run weekdays at peak times (5.30-9.00 a.m. and 3.30-8.00 p.m.). For timetables and stations, visit www.incofer.go.cr.

Arrival by boat Costa Rica

The motorboat (lancha), more or less powerful, is one of the most used means of locomotion to cross the lagoons of Costa Rica and to reach the regions of Tortuguero and Bahia Drake (from Sierpe), to connect Puerto Jimenez to Golfito or to navigate on the Arenal lake. If you are in the Puntarenas area, you will have to take the ferry to reach the Gulf of Nicoya in one hour, thus avoiding a few hours of driving. Schedules are increasingly respected, so remember to arrive one hour before departure at the pier (called muelle). The crossings offer beautiful moments of contemplation in front of breathtaking panoramas.

Public transport Costa Rica

Costa Rica has four land entry points - two with its neighbor Nicaragua (Los Chiles and Peñas Blancas), two with Panama (Paso Canoas, in the south and Sixaola, in the north). Once inside Costa Rica's borders, it is very easy to get around by bus: the country has a multitude of bus companies. In San José, the capital, there is no central bus station. Bus terminals are scattered all over the city and it can be a real headache at first to find your way around, especially since each terminal is dedicated to a specific region. Check with your hotel or accommodation hosts beforehand to find out where to go. Outside of San José, not all cities have a transportation terminal. In addition, there may be different stops depending on your destination. To help you make your bus connections, visit Horariodebuses.com. Buses offer simple comfort for short, economical trips (up to 6 hours for the longest).

Bike, scooters & co Costa Rica

We meet a lot of cyclists on some roads of the country like near the Poas and Turrialba volcanoes. But it is mainly for the practice of the sport. As for the motorcyclists or two-wheelers, they are more and more numerous because of the constant increase of the fuel prices. It is advisable to be very careful because the traffic on the Costa Rican roads is dense and sometimes dangerous on the tracks. Beginners should not ride!

With a driver Costa Rica

Although Uber cabs are ubiquitous, especially in San José and the nearby suburbs, official cabs remain plentiful in the capital; they are red and most have a working taximeter. If they don't, you'll need to agree the fare in advance. It's rare to have to wait long for a free cab. In San José, as in the rest of the country, you can get a cab recommended by someone you trust, or have your hotel call one for you, which is a considerable guarantee. In some regions, cabs are 4x4s or minibuses that can carry several people. If you can group together with other people, this will lower the fare for everyone. Last but not least, cabs can sometimes turn into quads or horses and take only one passenger at a time with one or two light pieces of luggage, due to flooded tracks or roads caused by swollen rivers. So remember to ask when booking if you're in provinces such as the Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce or certain isolated regions.

By car Costa Rica

4x4 priority. Despite the country's rugged terrain, don't panic! The vast majority of roads have been paved throughout the country. The condition of both main and secondary roads has really improved since 2010, but take care when straying from the main roads: you may encounter potholes, narrow or unpaved roads, sharp bends, landslides and a lack of precision on road signs. To get across the country, it's therefore common for tourists to rent a car, which has become more than common and easy in Costa Rica, provided you have a license (an international driver's license is not required) and an international credit card (a deposit will be blocked from the latter, so be sure to have sufficient funds in your account). On both asphalt and dirt roads, we absolutely recommend a 4x4, even the smallest (such as the Suzuki Vitara). You won't regret it, and you'll be able to discover regions that are less accessible to city cars. Please note that it is forbidden to cross the border into a neighboring country with a rental car.

Don't drive at night. With the exception of going from a restaurant to your hotel in the evening, we strongly advise against driving at night. Roads are poorly lit or not at all, and some vehicles may be driving without headlights or with full headlights. This will help you avoid mishaps such as missing road signs and animal encounters along the way. Be extremely careful in heavy rain.

Driving rules. Traffic lights are suspended above the ground, as in the U.S., and not on the right-hand side of the road: red means you can stop, orange means you can pass, but you must be careful, green is rare or non-existent, and as in the U.S., you can turn right when the light is red (provided, of course, that you stop to make sure the way is clear). As for speed limits (40 km/h in town, 25 km/h near schools, 60 km/h and 80 km/h on main roads), we recommend that you adhere strictly to them: frequent police and speed checks are carried out, especially on the Pan-American Highway. Speed cameras are also dispatched around the capital... and fines can be very hefty (up to US$600 for exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h). The wearing of seatbelts and the ban on children under 12 travelling in the front seat must also be respected, on pain of a fine. By the way, don't pay your fine directly to the policeman, but to the car rental company or to some banks.
As a result of road modernization and maintenance, toll freeways are increasingly being introduced (payment in cash or by credit card - tarjeta). On these lanes, overtaking is generally done on the right... and then left again. So don't be surprised if you find yourself behind a car in the left-hand lane that doesn't want to turn right.
Some roads are still in their raw state, and are trails on which off-road enthusiasts can really enjoy themselves... as long as they respect the Highway Code! Dust trails can be a real danger for two-wheeler users who find themselves behind... so think of them and stay safe.

Distances. On a map, don't be fooled by distances: to cover a hundred kilometers, you may need more than 3 hours. The terrain, road conditions and heavy traffic multiply journey times. We advise you to use a GPS or Waze for your travels (more reliable than Google Map). To avoid any connection problems along the way, download the map before you set off.

Parking and parking rules. Never park along a sidewalk marked with a yellow line. Parking is prohibited in these areas. The police are then entitled to unscrew the license plates, resulting in immobilization of the vehicle, costs for the renter who has to recover the vehicle and its license plate, and so on. The cost of the operation, which you will be billed for, can rise to as much as US$1,500. So it's best not to try it. The safest option, including in terms of vehicle safety, is to use a public parking lot(parqueo publico), which is available everywhere and costs just US$2/hour.

Road hazards. Drive with caution, respecting the rules mentioned above.

In the event of an accident, however minor, local legislation requires that vehicles not be moved until the road police and insurer arrive to report the accident. Contact the traffic police (policia de transito: 911) and the insurer (Instituto Nacional de Seguros - I.N.S.: 800 800 8000).

Accessibility Costa Rica

As an ecotourism destination par excellence, Costa Rica promises its share of adventures among its natural beauties. However, to leave for the adventure, the accessibility of the places can sometimes prove to be constraining for certain people in situation of handicap. Of course, since the mid-1990s, a law (Law 7600) has prevented any discrimination and obliged infrastructures to comply with standards in order to facilitate the life of people with disabilities. On the ground, the reality is sometimes disappointing: restaurants, hotels and other public transport do not necessarily have the appropriate facilities. However, the country is making more and more efforts. In terms of accommodations, you can rely on the list of members of the Red Costarricense de Turismo Accesible (Costa Rican Network of Accessible Tourism), a reference association for accessible tourism in Costa Rica. More and more local agencies provide a selection of adapted establishments in addition to 24-hour assistance. For your arrival at the international airport, do not hesitate to contact Sky Cap, a company dedicated to people with reduced mobility.

Tourist traps Costa Rica

We recommend only official red cabs with a yellow triangle on the door. Make sure that the meter is turned on when you leave: these cabs are regulated and required to use a meter usually called "Maria". If the driver refuses to turn on the meter or does not have one, get out and call another cab. When you take the bus, make sure you keep your belongings with you.