Transportation - Getting Around Costa Rica
Quick jump to:
There are lots of ways to get around in Costa Rica. Here's a quick rundown on
what's available:
- Public bus: Costa Rica's public bus system is regulated but run
by many different bus companies. They are generally of consistently decent
quality. They generally run on schedule and prices are very reasonable. Some
of the bus terminals though are not good (especially the "Coca Cola"
terminal in San José where some Pacific bound buses leave) or do not feel
safe. There are many different bus terminals in San José; it is important to
know where your bus is leaving from. This
schedule from the Costa Rican tourism board includes schedules for every
inter-city bus in the country. Bus tickets can generally only be bought in
person from the bus company at the terminal.
We have a service for the Caribbean or Manuel Antonio where if you are arriving at the airport we will meet your flight at the airport with your bus ticket already purchased so you are guaranteed a ticket and bring you to the bus terminal in San Jose where you catch your bus. To get more information or purchase this service:
Shared ride shuttles: a hassle-free alternative to the bus, is
shared ride shuttle services operated by Interbus, Grayline and other
companies in Costa Rica. These include pickup and dropoff at most hotels so
you don't need to find a bus terminal. They also can be purchased online and
must be booked in advance.
Service is provided in comfortable air-conditioned minibuses or vans. Gecko
Trail Adventures can book you on any of the shuttle companies so you get the
service and schedule that matches your needs. Click below to make a shuttle
reservations where you can see schedules and prices for all routes or see our
shuttle page for more information.
-
Hiring a van and driver: if your schedules don't work with the
shared ride shuttle services or you're a larger group or you just want the
convenience of traveling at your own schedule and being able to make stops
when you want for photos, bathroom breaks and snacks, then hiring a vehicle
and driver is the way to go. This is also useful if you are transporting
pets (buses and shuttle companies will not do so) or lots of luggage.
Gecko Trail Adventures uses a reliable company
with English-speaking drivers. Rates are fixed for different point to point
routes so you know what to expect upfront. Service is provided in
comfortable air-conditioned vans, minibuses or even full-sized buses if you
have a large group. Click below to make a private van/driver reservation or
see our private transport page for more information.
-
Tours and Packages which include transport: clever planning can
make a day spent getting around into a fun activity as some of our tours and
packages include the ability to pick you up in one location and end in
another. Why not spend a day whitewater
rafting instead of in shuttle? For $79-99 you'll be picked up at
your hotel in your choice of San José, Arenal area or the Caribbean Coast
spend an adventure filled day and then be dropped of at your hotel in your
destination city. Or take a
horseback tour along Lake Arenal which starts in La Fortuna and ends in
Monteverde (or vice-versa). Or perhaps spend
a night in Tortuguero; that package includes pickup and dropoff in your
choice of locations as does our Arenal Volcano
package.
- Driving: rental cars are widely available with small 4x4 vehicles the most popular. In city driving, especially in the central valley, can be very confusing. Between cities, the signage is usually quite decent but be prepared for potholes and for possibly being stuck behind a truck on a winding mountain road. All major car rental companies have offices in San José, both at the airport and in the city. There are also rental offices scattered in tourist areas throughout the country if you just need a car for a few days or you want to do a one-way rental. Car rental rates found online generally do not include insurance and this can be very expensive in Costa Rica and is mandatory so bring proof of any insurance coverage you have and be prepared to argue with the car rental company if you want to decline any of their coverage. Gecko Trail Adventures does not work with car rental companies but you can search online for the best rates using the form on the right.
-
Flying: There are two domestic airlines which serve many small
airports/landing strips in Costa Rica,
Sansa and
Nature Air using small 10
to 20 passenger propeller planes. A 25 minute flight for about $75 can save
you half a day of driving however all routes fly via San José so they are
not ideal for getting to/from other areas. And getting to/from the airports
in San José can add to the time and expense. Note that Sansa flies from it's
own terminal located beside the main terminal at the San José International
Airport whereas Nature Air flies from the Pavas airport a little closer to
downtown. Check their websites for fares and schedules.
