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. Although cars and buses are the most common means of transportation in the country, air travel is the fastest way to reach the most remote areas of the capital. In an average of 30 minutes from San José, it is easy to reach Tortuguero, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, Tamarindo, Nicoya, Liberia, La Fortuna or Quepos. Two companies operate daily flights throughout the country for an average of US$ 100 per trip: Nature Air and Sansa. Nature Air also offers flights several times a week to its neighbors in Panama (Bocas del Toro) and Nicaragua (Managua). The rates and time savings are very attractive. Finally, those who are apprehensive about air travel should be warned: the flights are made in small aircraft whose capacity rarely exceeds twenty people and this can shake in case of bad weather. As for luggage, it is preferable to travel light. On average, it should not exceed 12 to 15 kg per piece, with carry-on luggage limited to a handbag, laptop or camera.
Arrival by train Costa Rica
If the train had its golden age in the 19th century, this means of transportation has experienced a strong decline. In the region of Puntarenas or Puerto Limon, you will be able to see some vestiges of railroads left to the abandonment and not maintained. Currently dedicated to goods, the train is slowly making its appearance again, especially in the region of San José. Daily lines offer the possibility for locals and visitors to reach the nearby suburbs in a few minutes and for 2 US$ a ticket.
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
Cabs are legion in the capital where they are red and most of them have a working taximeter. If not, agree beforehand on the fare. It is rare to wait a long time for a free cab. In San José, as in other cities in the country, you can have a trusted cab recommended to you or called by your hotel, which is a significant guarantee. In some areas, the cab is a 4x4 or a minibus that can carry several people. If you have the possibility of grouping with other people, this will lower the price of the trip for everyone. Finally, sometimes the cab can also turn into a quad or a horse and take only one passenger at a time with one or two light luggage, because of tracks or roads flooded by rivers in flood. Therefore, remember to ask when making your reservation if you are in provinces such as the Osa Peninsula, the Golfo Dulce or certain remote areas.
By car Costa Rica
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 be careful when deviating from the main roads: you may encounter potholes, narrow or unpaved roads, curves, landslides and a lack of precision on road signs. To get around the country, it is 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 held from the latter, so be sure to have enough funds in your account). On paved roads as well as dirt roads, we recommend a 4x4, even the smallest one. You will not regret it and will be able to discover regions less accessible to city cars. On the other hand, we do not recommend driving at night. This way you will avoid some mishaps in case of lack of signs and animals on your way. Please note that crossing the border to go to a neighboring country is forbidden. It is important to remember to respect the traffic lights (which are suspended above the ground as in the United States and not on the right side of the road) and the speed limits: frequent police and speed controls take place, especially on the Pan-American Highway. Automatic radars are also dispatched in the outskirts of the capital... and the fines can be very high (up to 600 US$ for a speeding of 20 km/h). The wearing of seat belts and the prohibition to have children under 12 years old in the front seat must also be respected under penalty of a fine. By the way, do not pay your fine directly to the police officer but to the car rental company or to some banks. Due to the modernization and maintenance of the roadways, toll roads are increasingly being built. On these highways, overtaking is usually done on the right side of the road... and then you have to turn back to the left. So don't be surprised if you find yourself behind a car in the left lane that doesn't want to turn right. Finally, at the gas station, you don't have to get out of the car, a pump attendant will come and serve you. Some roads are still in their raw state and are trails on which off-roaders can really have fun... while respecting traffic laws! Dust trails can be a real danger for two-wheelers who might be behind them... so think about them and stay safe. On a map, don't trust the distances: to cover a hundred kilometers, you may need more than 3 hours. The relief, the state of the roads and the dense traffic multiply the travel time.
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.
