You know we are smitten by Costa Rica. But if there is one thing in this paradise that we are not particularly fans of, it is this country’s public transport network.
But wait, that should not deter you from traveling to Costa Rica.
In fact, we think Costa Rica deserves a place on every traveler’s Latin America bucket list for its incredible experience of nature, wildlife, outdoors and adventures.
So let us help you set expectations on how to get around Costa Rica.
In this guide, we break down 7 primary modes of transportation in Costa Rica, and assist you with choosing the options best suited for your needs.
7 Transportation Options
Some of the remote, offbeat and wildly beautiful destinations in Costa Rica are not accessible by public transport. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot plan a trip on Costa Rica without renting a car.
So, for getting around Costa Rica, these are the 7 options you have, and our recommendations on why and when you should consider them.
Self-drive Rental Cars
This one is hands-down our favorite way of traveling in Costa Rica. A self-driving holiday provides the ultimate flexibility to explore Costa Rica at your own pace.
🚗 Read why we think you should rent a car in Costa Rica
There are rental car services at both the airports, San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR), as well as in major destinations.
You can find some international players and couple of local companies in the rental car scene of Costa Rica.
✅ We recommend renting your car from Adobe Rent A Car, a 100% Costa Rican company and a trusted name in car rentals in this country.
💰 You can reserve your Adobe rental car through our exclusive booking link here to get 10% discount* (no separate promo code needed).
🆓 When you book through our link, in addition to the discount, you get other freebies, like additional drivers, baby seats, booster seats and doorstep delivery to accommodations near Adobe Rent A Car offices.
* Discount % varies by demand and season.
Self-Drive Rental Car: Pros
- Access to remote destinations
- Flexibility with itineraries
- Comfort of personal space with luggage storage
- Independence from public transport schedules
Self-Drive Rental Car: Cons
- Not the most economic option
- Navigating narrow, rugged roads
- Not being acquainted with local driving customs
Tips for Driving a Self-Drive Rental Car
- Opt for a 4×4 vehicle for rough terrains
- Familiarize yourself with local traffic rules and road conditions
- Be prepared for road signs in Spanish and varying road conditions
➡️ Related Readings:
📃 We have created a free PDF guide, explaining everything you need to know about driving and renting a car in Costa Rica. Grab your copy below.
Private Shuttle Transfers
If you do not want to drive in a foreign country, but are looking for a comfortable ride, then shuttle transfers between destinations is a great choice.
🚐 The vehicles used are AC minivans, which you can book private for your group.
Private shuttle transfers in minivans offer a convenient door-to-door service, ideal for families, small groups, or travelers seeking ease.
Some of the noted companies are RideCR, Interbus, Amigo Transfer, etc.
✅ You can book directly with the shuttle transfer company, or for an aggregator view of multiple providers, check and book on Bookaway.
💰 Use our promo code PARADISE5 and get a 5% discount.
Private Shuttle Transfer: Pros
- Personalized service and comfort
- Direct routes to destinations
- No need to navigate public transport
Private Shuttle Transfer: Cons
- More expensive than public options
- Limited flexibility in changing plans en route
Tips for Private Shuttle Transfer:
- Book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons
- Verify the shuttle company’s reputation and reviews
Shared Shuttle Transfers
Shared tourist shuttles function the same way as the private tourist shuttles. That is, you travel in a comfortable AC minivan for transfer between destinations, just that, you share the ride with other passengers.
💰 Shared shuttle transfer is a more economic option compared to private transfer, particularly if you are traveling solo or as a couple.
If you are staying at one of hotels listed by the shuttle provider, or somewhere close by, you will still get a door-to-door service for your transfer between destinations.
Else, you need to get to arrange your own commute to the pickup point and/or from the drop-off location.
✅ You can book directly with the shuttle transfer company, or for an aggregator view of multiple providers, check and book on Bookaway.
💰 Use our promo code PARADISE5 and get a 5% discount.
Shared Shuttle Transfer: Pros
- More economic for solo or couple travelers
- Chances to meet other travelers
- Reliable service
Shared Shuttle Transfer: Cons
- Fixed schedules and routes
- Possible delays due to other passengers
Tips for Shared Shuttle Transfer:
- Book tickets ahead of time
- Arrive early at the pickup points. and reviews
Public Buses
Although we are not advocates of public bus rides when traveling between destinations in Costa Rica, we need to be fair and must mention that this economical option does exist.
⚠️ For traveling by public buses between destinations in Costa Rica, you do need to pack you patience and plan in advance.
For popular routes such as San Jose to La Fortuna, or San Jose to Manuel Antonio, it is easy to find a bus service.
🎟️ Different companies serve different routes. you may need to book some directly from their booking portals.
✅ However, the MiBus website, although not exhaustive, is a fairly good aggregator.
Public Bus: Pros
- Most economic among all options
- Experience traveling like a local
Public Bus: Cons
- Less comfortable
- Limited schedules and routes
Tips for Public Bus Rides:
- Research bus schedules and plan transfers in advance
- Be prepared for long travel times
Domestic Flights
For longer distances, you can take a domestic flight. It can cut down your travel time from more than 4-5 hours to less than 30 minutes.
🌳 As a bonus, you get scenic views of Costa Rica’s stunning landscapes.
💭 Before booking domestic flight travel, consider its impact on the environment.
Note that, these are small aircrafts with open windows. So, the journey itself can feel like an adventure.
Fly Sansa is the most common domestic airline in Costa Rica and they fly to all destinations that are served by a domestic airport. Costa Rica Green Airways is another popular domestic airline.
✅ Look for flights for your destinations and dates on Bookaway. Use our promo code PARADISE5 and get 5% off.
Domestic Flight: Pros
- Quick and efficient for lengthy routes
- Spectacular aerial views
Domestic Flight: Cons
- Impact on environment
- More expensive than other ground transport
- Limited luggage allowances on small aircraft
Tips for Domestic Flight:
- Book flights early to secure the best rates
- Be mindful of baggage restrictions and check policies
📃 Do not forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip. We use:
- Heymondo Travel Insurance (get 5% discount, auto applies), OR
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
* Discount not applicable for US residents
Boat Rides
Bound by oceans on either side and criss-crossed by rivers throughout, Costa Rica’s topography is very interesting.
So, your regular way of traveling to a place can include a boat ride! – like to Drake Bay in the remote south, Osa Peninsula, or to Tortuguero on the Caribbean side.
Also, even if the route does not always demand, you can include a waterbody crossing as part of your travel between destinations, like a jeep-boat-jeep transfer between La Fortuna and Monteverde.
🛥️ Book here your jeep-boat-jeep transfer between La Fortuna and Monteverde
Boat Rides: Pros
- Scenic and unique experience
- Access to specific coastal regions and islands
Boat Rides: Cons
- Weather dependent
- Limited routes
Tips for Boat Rides:
- Check the weather forecast and schedule ahead of time
- Consider safety equipment and travel insurances
Paradise Catchers Readers: Get 5% off on Heymondo travel insurance (discount automatically applied)
* Discount not applicable for US residents
Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps
If you are not renting a car, you need to plan for how to get around after you arrive at your destination.
For short distances or commutes within cities, ride-sharing apps like Uber and DiDi provide a convenient option.
🚙 Note that, you can find Uber in bigger cities like San Jose and Liberia, and popular destinations like La Fortuna and Playas del Coco.
🚕 In other smaller destinations, you can find local taxis, or coordinate with your hotel concierge/ accommodation host to arrange for transportation.
🌳 In popular tourist destinations like Monteverde and La Fortuna, you can book tours that include transportation with hotel pick and drop.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps: Pros
- Convenient and widely available in urban areas
- Generally safe and reliable
Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps: Cons
- More expensive than buses
- Can incur additional costs during peak hours
Tips for Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps:
- For local taxis, ensure taxis are metered or negotiate fares in advance
Choosing the Best Option for You
Selecting the ideal transportation method in Costa Rica depends on several factors:
💵 Budget: Public buses are the most economical, while private shuttles and car rentals can be more expensive.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Group Size: Larger groups might benefit from private shuttles or rental cars for comfort and cost-sharing.
🚗 Itinerary: If your plans involve remote areas, a rental car offers flexibility, whereas shuttles work well for travel between popular sites.
🚐 Comfort: Private shuttles and rental cars provide more comfort and convenience compared to public transport.
✅ So, based on your group type and size, here’s our recommendation of what you can choose for your transportation in Costa Rica:
| Families with kids | Private shuttles or rental cars Get 10% off on car rental Get 5% off on shuttle transfers (promo code PARADISE5) |
| Solo travelers and couples on a budget | Shared shuttles Book on Bookaway. Get 5% discount with promo code PARADISE5 |
| Backpackers | Public buses Check mibus.cr |
| Couples on romantic holiday | Rental car Get 10% off on car rental |
| Splurge | Domestic flights + private shuttles Book on Bookaway. Get 5% discount with promo code PARADISE5 |
Tips for How to Get Around Costa Rica
To ensure smooth travel, keep these tips in mind:
🎟️ Booking: Reserve transportation in advance during peak seasons to avoid delays and secure the best rates.
💵 Cash: Cards are accepted everywhere, but keep some cash in case needed.
🇨🇷 Local Customs: Understand norms like flagging down buses.
🌦️ Flexibility: Stay flexible as weather or road conditions can cause delays.
🌘 Safety: Drive during daylight and avoid isolated areas at night.
If you enjoy reading our free travel guides, tips and stories, you can buy us a coffee and help us create more such travel planning tools for you. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
Hi, love your info on travelling around Costa Rica, which is detailed and helpful. However, thought I’d mention that a lot of travellers now consider sustainability and the environment, when making transport choices. So, one of the cons of flying would definitely be its environmental impact. After all, in order to preserve Costa Rica for future travel, travellers will need to minimise environmental impacts.
Hi Jasmine. Yes, agree. Thanks for pointing this out 🙏🏽 We have updated the post with remarks on domestic air travel’s impact on environment.