Compared
to the United States, public transportation in Costa Rica
is cheaper, more frequent and accessible. You have your
options of the convenient and dirt cheap buses after your
arrive at one of the many Costa Rica airports. Besides
the bus, there are a lot of other options for Costa Rica transportation.
Sometimes its best to make the extra effort to
take a bus, you can save quite a lot if you compare it
to the price of a car rental. Put away your map of Costa
Rica and let someone else deal with the traffic. Bus schedules
and information can be found at the Tourist Information
center, ICT. Keep in mind that the weekends and Friday
and Monday are times when the buses are most crowded.
During these times, people have to stand and hold onto
rails, so keep this in mind if you have a lot of luggage.
The bus that you were planning to take just may not have
enough room for you and your things, putting a dent in
your Costa Rica transportation plans.
Half of all visitors looking for transportation in Costa Rica will invariably rent
a car. You can rent cars when you arrive at the airport,
in the capitol San Jose, as well as other places that
see lots of visitor traffic. The four-wheel drives that
are often available are great on the unpaved country roads
as well as the potholed city streets. In San Jose, under
the Plaza de la Cultura, stop at the ICT, which is the
tourism bureau, and pick up a map of Costa Rica or ask
for directions if you need help planning your trip. San
Jose driving can be a challenge for drivers as well as
pedestrians. Local drivers in private cars will speed
up at times instead of slowing, as they should, for pedestrians.
They are equally as inconsiderate and reckless when it
comes to other cars, so be prepared for a wild ride whether
you're a passenger or a driver in the congested streets
of cities such as San Jose.
Costa Rica maps are indispensable tools that can help
you get around in all the bustle and confusion.
Taxis are a great way to get around and are less expensive
than in other countries. Make sure the meter is turned
on once you begin your trip. You will be charged more
to go out of town, so ask before you get in what the fees
will be and be prepared with some basic Costa Rica travel information.
Air travel is a great way to get around quickly and easily,
since Costa Rica has dozens of airports. The domestic
airlines offer the best rates on inter-country travel.
Travel Air, Nature Air, Sansa, and Lasca, the oldest national
airline, all service the major and minor Costa Rica airports.
Train service is mainly on the Atlantic side of the country.
If you're looking for romance and adventure you might
enjoy this method of transportation in Costa Rica, but it
will not take you far, since service is limited. Two companies
that can arrange a ticket for you are Swiss Travel Agency
and TAM travel.
Costa Rica maps are invaluable sources of Costa Rica travel information
on topics such as country roads, geography, parks and elevation. Whether
you bus it, take a taxi, rent a car, or take a flight
to the next place you visit in this country, you will
find Costa Rica transportation cheap, plentiful and convenient.
