Regional Transportation

Traveling around Costa Rica includes many private as well as public modes of transportation. Compared to the United States, Costa Rica’s public transportation is more utilized and plentiful, and is always an option for an international traveler. Public transportation within the country includes buses, taxis, and airplanes. Other than public options, visitors to Costa Rica may choose from private and charter shuttles and taxis.

International visitors to the country can arrive via the national airline Lacsa to either two airports: Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria in Alajuela or Liberia’s Daniel Oduber airport. It is expected that more flight options will be available in the coming years, as demand increases. Airplane fares to and from Costa Rica are higher from December-April, which is considered their tourist season.

Popular Modes of Transportation:

Charter Bus/ Plane: Available upon request, these options are intended to accommodate 45-60 people. The price for charter buses and planes depends on the number of travelers and the desired trip.

Shuttle Bus: Reserved online or through a travel agency, van shuttles are available for any size group. These buses also provide hotel pickup.

Taxi: Public taxis are ideal for destinations where buses aren’t available, such as national parks. Also, taxis are popular for use in urban areas.

Bicycles: Popular tourist cities often offer bicycle rentals that include mountain and recreational bikes.

Boat: Offered in popular tourist areas, ferries run daily (often several times daily) and link areas such as Puntarenas and Vaquero, and Cariari and Tortuguero. Canal boats and water taxis are also available.

Air: Travelers who wish to fly within the country must make reservations far in advance due to lack of space and high demand. Airports for travel include NatureAir and Sansa.

Car: Car-rental agencies are mainly located in popular tourist areas, such as San Jose. In addition to needing a valid driver’s liscense and passport, you must also be at least 21 years old to rent a car. Remember that the roads you may need to travel could be susceptible to landslides and sudden flooding.

Bus: Public buses are offered all around San Jose and usually are not overcrowded. However, they are typically packed the days before and after a holiday. The buses do not have restrooms, so trips intended to last more than 4 hours usually make a rest stop.