If you are early in your trip planning and starting to wonder how to get around, this article is for you. Here, we’ll explain the different transportation options in Costa Rica. We’ll cover rental cars, shuttles, domestic flights, buses, taxis, Uber, and more. We’ll also give plenty of tips along the way so that you can start making your transportation plans.
Renting a Car
Renting a car in Costa Rica is one of the most popular choices for getting around. This gives you the freedom to go at your own pace and easily get to nearby attractions, restaurants, beaches, etc.
Although many people are nervous to drive, Costa Rica’s roads have greatly improved over the years. Now, most are paved and well-maintained. Keep in mind, however, that there are exceptions. We recommend planning your route in advance to avoid rough dirt roads, river crossings, or mountainous terrain. See our Driving in Costa Rica and Road Conditions of Specific Routes posts for more information.
While there are some horror stories about renting a car in Costa Rica, most people say after that it wasn’t bad at all, and they are glad they did. Our main tip is to use a reputable rental car company as most of the bad feedback comes from deceptive pricing or poor customer service.
For pricing, rental car rates vary seasonally. In slower tourism months (May-November), rentals range from $200-750 per week, depending on the car model and if you get a four-wheel drive. During high season (December through end of April), the prices are typically around $350-1,200 per week. At peak travel times like holidays, those rates can increase to between $500 and $1,500 per week.
For more information about renting a car, including info about Costa Rica’s mandatory insurance (often left off quotes), read our article, Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing Up the Confusion.
Money Saving Tip: We offer a 10% discount with one of Costa Rica’s most reputable rental car companies. They have no hidden costs and excellent customer service.
Taking Shuttles
Private and shared shuttle vans are the second most popular way for tourists to travel in Costa Rica.
Private Shuttle Vans
Where we grew up in the US, private transportation was expensive and not common. Sure, there were limos and chauffeurs, but those were only used for weddings and other special occasions.
In Costa Rica, shuttle van services are quite affordable and go just about everywhere. For example, a family of four could get picked up from the San Jose Airport, be driven 2.5 hours away to La Fortuna/Arenal, have up to a one-hour stop along the way for a quick meal, grocery shopping, etc., all for around $200. Larger vans are available for groups too.
Private shuttle vans are typically modern and well-equipped with air conditioning. These tourism vans are regulated by the Costa Rican government so as long as you use a reputable company, they should have the necessary licenses and insurance.
The main benefit of private shuttles is that they take out a lot of the stress, especially if you are uncomfortable driving. Another benefit is that the driver will usually share some great local knowledge with you.
We book shuttles all over Costa Rica through different companies that we have worked with for several years. You can search specific routes, pricing, and see reviews on our Shuttle Transfers page.
Shared Shuttles
Shared shuttles are a good option for budget travelers. These vans run on a set schedule and carry 6-14 passengers. They are generally around $60 per person (discounts for kids).
The drawback with shared rides is the schedule. They often they leave a destination only once a day (sometimes early) and can take a lot longer because of connections and passenger pick-ups/drop offs. If you have the time and patience, though, they can be a great money-saving option.
The main shared shuttle company in Costa Rica is Interbus. They have routes connecting most major destinations in Costa Rica. There are also some smaller companies in certain regions.
For much more about private and shared shuttles, read our article, Shuttles in Costa Rica: How They Work and When to Use Them.
Taxis
Taxis are available in most major tourist destinations. Bigger towns often have a taxi stand near the bus station or central park.
Official taxis in Costa Rica are red with a yellow triangle symbol on the door. These are best for shorter rides. For longer distances, private shuttles are cheaper.
Airport taxis are orange with the yellow symbol. They are the only ones allowed to wait at the international airports. They are a little more expensive than red taxis.
For cost, taxis charge by the kilometer and for waiting time (traffic). As an example, a 10-minute ride from your hotel in Manuel Antonio to the beach (3-5 km away) will likely cost around $5-10 USD. However, a similar ride in the city with traffic could cost double or triple.
Tip: Always insist that the taxi driver use the meter (maria in Spanish) so that you don’t get taken advantage of. Taxis in the San Jose area should always use them. In rural areas, sometimes taxis will try not to use a meter. If they won’t turn it on or it’s broken, be sure to negotiate the price before getting in.
Unofficial Taxis
Rural towns may not have any official red taxis. However, there are usually locals who offer taxi services. These are called pirate taxis. They are unregulated personal vehicles and do not have set rates.
That being said, if you ask your hotel or a restaurant for a taxi and they recommend a certain driver, they are likely someone they know personally and are reputable.
We have used these taxis on occasion. Recently, we were stuck on a beach in Puerto Jimenez (small town on the Osa Peninsula). We were supposed to get picked up by boat, but the conditions became dangerous. We called a recommended pirate taxi, and they came right away, charging us a fair price to get back to our hotel.
Uber & Other Ride-hailing Services
Uber is available in the San Jose area. Prices are typically a little less than a taxi. As always with the Uber app, you can choose the vehicle size and confirm the price before requesting the ride. Everything is paid through your account.
Outside San Jose, Uber is much less common. You may see Uber drivers available on the app, but we have heard that they often don’t show up.
Uber is not allowed to service the international airports, but they do get around this. For example, at San Jose Airport, you can walk about two minutes to the nearby bus stop and meet them there.
Two other ride-hailing apps that are available but not as common yet in Costa Rica are DiDi and InDrive.
Unfortunately, other popular ride companies like Lyft and Cabify are currently not in Costa Rica.
Public Bus
When we first traveled to Costa Rica before moving here in 2013, we often took the public bus. In fact, we took it all over the country.
The public bus system is extensive and serves even the smallest towns. But information and schedules can be hard to find online or outdated.
To get a sense of the times and connections, here is a link to a simple bus schedule website. Always be sure to double check the schedule when you arrive at the bus station or ask others waiting at the same bus stop.
If you’re on Facebook, there’s a group called Costa Rica by Bus with current information from travelers themselves.
Small Plane Domestic Flights
If you’re visiting destinations far from the international airports, you may be eyeing domestic flights. Before we give our thoughts on if these are a good option, here is some background.
The two major domestic airlines in Costa Rica are Sansa and Green Airways.
Small planes hold anywhere from 5-14 passengers and use smaller landing strips. In total, Costa Rica has about a dozen small plane airstrips throughout the country.
Here is a list of the most common small plane routes in Costa Rica. These are popular because they connect destinations that are remote or far from San Jose so cut travel time down considerably.
- San Jose to Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula
- San Jose to Tortuguero along the northern Caribbean coast
- San Jose to Cobano near Santa Teresa and Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula
We previously took small planes and recommended them to others. However, after a fatal crash in 2017 and other problems with the small plane industry regarding safety, scheduling, and operation, we have since stopped recommending them. That being said, many people still take them for their convenience and haven’t had any problems.
Boats and Ferries
The last category of transportation in Costa Rica are boats and ferries.
Public boat taxis operate similar to public buses but on the water. They are affordable, ranging from about $6-25 per person.
Boat taxis are most commonly used for getting to Tortuguero via La Pavona, Cano Blanco, or Limon. Or to Drake Bay using the boats from the mainland town of Sierpe.
Costa Rica also has two major ferries. These leave from the port town of Puntarenas on the central Pacific coast and serve the Nicoya Peninsula.
The most commonly used ferry is the Puntarenas-Paquera Ferry, which connects to the southern Nicoya Peninsula (Santa Teresa, Montezuma, Tambor).
The Puntarenas-Naranjo Ferry is the other option. It serves the central and upper Nicoya Peninsula (Samara, Nosara, etc). Both are a great way to break up an otherwise long drive from San Jose.
Conclusion
We hope this overview of transportation options in Costa Rica makes it easier for you to think about how you’ll get around during your trip. Although it can seem overwhelming at first, Costa Rica has many good transportation options for just about every type of traveler.
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Have a question about transportation in Costa Rica? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more information to help you plan? Check out these posts:
Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Clearing Up the Confusion – Before booking on a big third-party discount site, read this article to make sure everything necessary is included in the car price.
Rental Car Discount – Save 10% or more and get free extras with one of the country’s best rental companies. No hidden fees or insurance costs.
Shuttles in Costa Rica: How They Work and When to Use Them – Learn more about shuttles and how they work.
Shuttle Transfers – Search and book our 400+ shuttle routes around Costa Rica.
Very good and helpful information, thank you!
You’re welcome, Kathie!